Montblanc Meisterstuck Heritage Collection
Angus Davies reports on three models from the new Montblanc Meisterstuck Heritage Collection, presented at SIHH 2014. The Meisterstück Heritage Perpetual Calendar, Meisterstück Heritage Moonphase and the Meisterstück Heritage Date represent excellent value with accessible pricing.
This detailed review of the Montblanc Meisterstuck Heritage Collection includes live images, specification details and pricing.
The Montblanc name is synonymous with luxury writing instruments, leather goods and, of course, wristwatches. A few years ago, representatives from the company talked of watchmaking, one day, becoming the most important area of the Montblanc business. It seemed an ambitious plan. I like many Montblanc watches, especially some of the Nicolas Rieussec and Villeret models. However, it seemed impossible to imagine how pen sales could ever be overtaken by watch sales, until now.
Jerome Lambert took over the role as CEO of Montblanc last year, having formerly been the CEO of Jaeger-LeCoultre. Within six months he has orchestrated the creation of the Meisterstuck Heritage Collection, an impressive range of watches.
Adopting the same German nomen that has been used for Montblanc’s writing instruments since 1924, the brand’s watches are made in the French speaking areas of Switzerland, Le Locle and Villeret.
The new Meisterstuck Heritage Collection was arguably the talk of SIHH 2014, with both journalists and employees of rival brands amazed at the value for money these new watches represent.
Meisterstück Heritage Perpetual Calendar ref 110714
The affordability of the new models is perfectly illustrated by the Meisterstück Heritage Perpetual Calendar. It has a proposed price of €10,000 in steel and €16,900 in 18 carat red gold. Both models are planned for release in summer 2014.
A perpetual calendar, providing the mainspring is kept wound, will only require adjustment once every one hundred years. Mechanically, it is able to discern the difference between months of varying lengths, even making allowance for leap years.
Many watch collectors dream of owning a perpetual calendar, only to face disappointment when they establish the high prices demanded for this complication. Now, Montblanc has provided hope of acquisition for a wider audience.
Presented in a 39mm case, the Meisterstück Heritage Perpetual Calendar features classical lines. The silver-coloured dial has a sunray finish and includes gold plated applied indexes, save for noon where applied Roman numerals reside.
The central area is populated with three subdials, a circular date display at 3 o’clock, a day display at 9 o’clock and a month display below noon. At the centre of the latter subdial is a leap-year indication.
A moon phase indicator is located at 6 o’clock, featuring a traditional crescent shaped aperture with the moon’s age shown in Arabic numerals above.
The subdials are very legible, albeit I do feel they are positioned slightly too close to each other. However, this criticism does little to diminish the appeal of this handsome timepiece.
Convenience is provided with a self-winding movement and each watch is subject to a rigorous 500-hour quality test at the manufacture in Le Locle.
Meisterstück Heritage Moonphase ref 111185
A personal favourite from the Meisterstuck Heritage Collection is the Moonphase model, presented in a 39 mm, 18 carat red gold case.
This model, in common with the perpetual calendar, features a refined silver-coloured dial with sunray finish and shares similar applied indexes. This watch, however, has only one subdial, located above 6 o’clock, which displays the moon-phase at its centre, via a crescent-shaped aperture. The date is presented on a circular scale around the perimeter of the subdial.
I found the proportions of this model to be perfect. Delightful details further enhance the ownership proposition with gold-plated sword shaped hour and minutes hands and a blued hand indicating the date.
In common with all three models featured in this article, the vertical flanks of the case are perfectly straight. This bestows a sharp and clean aesthetic and is pleasing to the eye.
The self-winding Calibre MB 29.14 can be observed via the sapphire caseback.
The price of the 18-carat red gold model is €11,500; a steel version is also available for €3,490.
Meisterstück Heritage Date ref 111624
Available in two case sizes, 39 mm and 41 mm, this model presents a simple, uncluttered and very legible dial. Functions are confined to hours, minutes, central seconds and date. The succinct delivery of time is a key benefit of this watch. Nothing overburdens the wearer, ease of use is conferred.
Restraint is the theme adopted by all variants of this model. A blued central seconds hand, along with the occasional use of 18 carat red gold on some versions, are the only flourishes of muted flamboyance and they are perfectly judged.
These models will go on sale later this summer with prices starting from €2,090.
Closing remarks
Each of the three model ranges in the Montblanc Meisterstuck Heritage Collection represents excellent value.
Specification, finish and price are inextricably linked and while these new Montblanc models do not masquerade as the last word in haute horlogerie, they certainly represent an interesting ownership proposition.
Each possess timeless aesthetics, self-winding movements and, in some instances, impressive complications.
Examining the case with discriminating fingers, I could discern the finish is very good. Scrutinising the dial, the hands and the applied indexes, I could see that the watches are delivered to an impressive standard, especially considering the price point.
Mr Lambert and his team have thrown down the gauntlet to Montblanc’s competitors with an impressive range of new models. Based on the Montblanc Meisterstuck Heritage Collection, there is certainly a real prospect that the sale of watches could overtake the sale of writing instruments and become increasingly important to the brand with the snow-capped logo.
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