Montblanc Homage to Nicolas Rieussec Watch Review (2014)
Angus Davies provides a hands-on review of the Montblanc Homage to Nicolas Rieussec. This column-wheel chronograph features a monopusher and is housed in a 43 mm stainless steel case.
Montblanc and the chronograph
I have reviewed Montblanc’s Nicolas Rieussec timepieces on previous occasions, focussing on both the Chronograph and Rising Hours models. Montblanc, the diverse luxury brand with operations in Germany, Switzerland and Italy, has been very busy in 2014. It has released a myriad of new watches from the simple and very accessible to the mouthwateringly technical, including a further Nicolas Rieussec model.
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to handle the latest version to join the collection, the suitably named “Homage to Nicolas Rieussec”. Nicolas Rieussec is a significant name in watchmaking, he created a form of chronograph in 1821. It included two revolving discs which recorded times of competing race horses, effectively writing time using an ink-filled pen. These two revolving discs are part of the design language founnd on today’s Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec models.
Unusually, the chronograph registers feature static hands, with the discs revolving to record elapsed times. It is a charming point of differentiation which not only doffs its hat to the original “time writer” of 1821 but delivers a unique mien unlike any other brand of chronograph I can think of.
Montblanc Homage to Nicolas Rieussec – dial
The dial has a delightful grained texture, inviting inquisitive fingers to touch it, only to then deny them this ability with the fitment of a sapphire crystal. It provides an exquisite foil for the smooth white surfaces of the chronograph registers and primary time display.
Blued, leaf-shaped hour and minute hands are lined with luminescent fill to gracefully convey the prevailing time. In addition, an additional open-worked hour hand, depicted in black, indicates the hour at home, making the watch ideal for the wearer who regularly travels overseas.
During the day, hour and minute circles, both presented in series, one inside the other, are visible in daylight. Each 10-minute integer is denoted with small, neat Arabic numerals. However, as my title alludes, the watch holds a secret which only appears in restricted light. At night, large Arabic numerals, delivered with a green emission, luminesce in the darkness, making their presence known only when the light has chosen to leave. This magical feature uses a special ceramic impregnated with Superluminova. The resultant spectacle is worthy of a sorcerer and is wonderful to behold.
The two aforementioned chronograph registers sit neatly below the hour and minutes display, with each chronograph disc sitting flush with the adjacent dial surface. Unusually, there is no central chronograph seconds hand. The left-hand register shows the elapsed seconds. The right-hand register is a 30-minute chronograph counter. There is no hour register, hence the wearer is only able to measure elapsed times accurately up to 30 minutes and 59 seconds.
Two crescent-shaped apertures sit either side of the hour and minutes display. The left aperture is a date/night indicator, with nocturnal hours denoted in blue. Opposite, the right-hand aperture reveals the date. At the base of the dial, a cartouche proclaims the nomen of Nicolas Rieussec.
Montblanc Homage to Nicolas Rieussec – case
The Montblanc Homage to Nicolas Rieussec is available in a very luxurious 18-carat rose gold case which I have previously seen at SIHH 2014. However, my press loan was presented in stainless steel but proved no less appealing to me. The highly polished steel case exudes a notable air of indulgence and I would not feel shortchanged by owning the steel version. The case diameter is 43 mm, albeit it appeared smaller on my wrist. The case height is 14.8 mm, feeling substantial and conferring a welcome sense of worth. I found the watch accorded a pleasing fit. The steel deployant made the removal of the watch simple but at the same time, it always felt reassuringly secure when worn. The Montblanc Homage to Nicolas Rieussec is a mono-pusher chronograph, featuring a sole push piece positioned at 8 o’clock for starting, stopping and resetting the chronograph function.
Montblanc has expended much energy imbuing this timepiece with delightful details which engender ownership pleasure. The crown features a fluted motif which tapers slightly as it leaves the case band and is adorned with the brand’s snow-capped logo on its vertical flank. The dorsal view of the case proved particularly appealing to me with the sapphire crystal allowing the finely finished movement to be observed.
Montblanc Homage to Nicolas Rieussec – Calibre MR R200
The self-winding Montblanc manufacture Calibre MB R200 has a frequency of 28,800 vph (4 Hz), features 40 jewels and has a power reserve of 72 hours.
This is a column-wheel chronograph featuring a vertical clutch. When pressing the monopusher, the wearer is rewarded with an incredibly smooth and pleasing action. I beamed with delight as I repeatedly pressed the monopusher and savoured the superb tactility this fully-integrated chronograph offers.
A few weeks ago I reviewed the TimeWalker Chronograph Extreme and commented on the notable difference between this model and the costlier “Homage to Nicolas Rieussec”, pointing out that the Timewalker did not share the same elevated degree of finishing. Often finish and price are inextricably linked. However, I would go on to point out that the finissage of this movement usurps the execution found on many similarly priced watches. The open-worked oscillating mass allows the wearer to see much of the movement detail below. The Côtes de Genève motif is beautifully defined and expertly finished. The bridge bevels are crisp and free of distortion, exhibiting a brilliant sparkle.
There are two particular areas of the movement architecture I adore. Firstly, the balance bridge is curvaceous and presents the oscillating balance wheel centre-stage, granting an attractive symmetry to the layout. Moreover, I particularly appreciate the sight of the gear train. The Calibre MB R200 has numerous subtle touches which will find favour with the most discerning of clientele.
Closing remarks
The dial is clean and simple to read. The chronograph registers are stylish and grant much eye-appeal. The nocturnal secret, displaying large Arabic numerals in restricted light, is highly original and tastefully done. Indeed, this small flourish of exhibitionism is a flamboyant tactic employed by Montblanc, yet at no stage does it diminish the graceful and serene character of this watch.
The chronograph is probably not suited for those wearers wishing to measure long time intervals spanning several hours. However, for many users, the benefit of having just two registers is that the dial display is clear and uncluttered. I also suspect the facility to measure intervals of 30 minutes or less will suffice for many. With additional functions such as a GMT hand and date display enhancing the specification of the Montblanc Homage to Nicolas Rieussec, this timepiece has much to offer.
Returning to the notion of secrets, it is the movement which is the biggest surprise of this watch. It delivers excellent functionality with its column wheel and vertical clutch, but most of all it is beautifully finished. Indeed, this is a secret freely revealed, day or night, as soon as you admire the movement via the exhibition case back. With only 565 pieces in steel and 193 in red gold planned for release, I suspect once the secret becomes increasingly known each watch will be snapped up by a prudent client.
Technical Specification
- Model: Montblanc Homage to Nicolas Rieussec
- Ref: 111012
- Case: Stainless steel; diameter 43.00 mm; height 14.80 mm; water resistant to 3 bar (30 metres); sapphire crystal to front and caseback.
- Functions: Hours; minutes; GMT; day/night indicator; date; chronograph.
- Movement: Calibre MB R200, self-winding movement; frequency 28,800 vph (4 Hz); 40 jewels; power reserve 72 hours.
- Bracelet: Black alligator-leather strap supplied on steel deployant.
- Price: £7,700 (RRP as of 31.10.2014) – steel version. Also available in red gold for £22,900.
- Limited Edition: 565 pieces in steel, 193 pieces in red gold
Acknowledgement
Images kindly provided by © Euan Davies 2014, unless stated otherwise.