Montblanc: famous for its pens and other accessories, Montblanc presents a wide collection of watches. Discover models MontBlanc Profile, Montblanc Star Walker or the famous Montblanc writing instrument manufacturer which logically also became a manufacturer of instruments for measuring time. Montblanc - Ultra Personnel And if the supreme luxury lay in the possession of an object, like no other, that one would have imagined yourself? Beyond the finest materials, the most sophisticated technology and the most advanced expertise, Montblanc has decided to offer its customers ultra-personalization. When it comes to defining luxury, most large companies specializing in this field use words like "quality", "beauty", "tradition", "expertise", "heritage", "scarcity" .. . If, historically, the most demanding enthusiasts coveted unique pieces, this trend today is particularly acute at a time when globalization expands the customer to the dimensions of the entire planet.Everything is for sale, everywhere, to everyone ... For the easiest fringe consumer, one way to stand out is to purchase of expensive products, high quality and above all uncommon. Hence the popularity of limited editions so popular nowadays in the field of ie. Some models are made to four hundred or five hundred copies worldwide, others a few dozen pieces, the most outstanding works in even smaller quantities. According to the famous principle "what is rare is expensive", prices obviously depend on the volume of production ... The only pleasure of owning a rare piece therefore lie only in the amount of the check that you have signed? No, says Lutz Bethge, CEO of Montblanc International, which launched a policy of high-end customization. For him, it is not just the money that gives value to an object, but the personal involvement of the buyer in the process of appropriation.As to the question whether the ultra customization would be the best present expression of luxury, Lutz Bethge answered in the affirmative this time, "but provided they are involved in the manufacture of the object" ... Customize a watch, what is it? Generally, when this possibility exists, the formula is, from an existing template, to add an engraving (initials, drawing, emblem ...), choose a dial color or to meet some complications. Many approaches that allow the demanding amateur to own a unique piece symbolizing the difference. Montblanc has chosen to explore in their own way this world of customization and push the limits. His proposal could be summed up in this pithy phrase: Tell us what you want, we will manufacture it. Allow those who already have everything to offer that is not for sale, this is somehow about the brand: "We offer a unique service to all categories of products, writing instruments , watches, jewelery and leather accessories, explain its leaders.Today, our customers are able to design their own individualized Montblanc piece, made in our workshops by our craftsmen: Villeret for ie, Hamburg for pens, leather and Florence to Paris for jewelry and fine jewelry " . A picture shows his entry into the world of the ie in 1997, the Montblanc brand has established its manufacturing operations in Switzerland, Le Locle where today approximately 100,000 pieces are produced each year. In 2007, the brand was able to add to its portfolio the Swiss Manufacture Minerva, founded in 1858 in Villeret, in the canton of Bern. Finding there old machines and exceptional expertise, Montblanc wanted to make a craft structure dedicated to high-end ie. A small forty people carrying twenty different trades, now working in workshops where are integrated all stages of production of the parts of a movement, including the spiral - a rare thing."The specificity of Villeret is nearly that of haute couture compared to ready-to-wear, consider Alexander Schmiedt, director of the division of Montblanc. In 95% of cases, we make everything from the raw material. " Some 250 pieces only come out every year from the Manufacture of Villeret. This is essentially watches edited very limited 1.8 or 58 copies series (figures recalling the year of birth of Minerva, in 1858) or custom templates which the number is between fifteen year and twenty. While Montblanc is currently discussing with a client the ability to make a fully customized shows, few amateurs seeking design really unique moves. Most often, the demand for this area covers the addition of small to large complications complications. A Villeret, the choice is vast, with 14 gauges are assembled.To further interfere in the creative process, the customer who ordered a personalized watch can follow each stage of manufacturing remotely using a webcam pointed at the work table designers. Never mind the time and place where the client lives, he will attend every day to progress. "We have a dedicated team, for example, two engineers working on our finest movements Rieussec spend half their time on personalized watches," says Alexander Schmiedt.C'est converge towards the dial most requests customers. Setting precious stones, enamel, pearl, guilloche, engraving, all artistic skills are called upon to give life to these ornaments chosen by the happy few. A titanium tourbillon featuring a panda model has been commissioned by a native amateur, presumably, China. Another piece to the Eiffel Tower as part of the main decor. "We regularly asks us for watches made in two copies of different sizes, which sets extend.One for Mr. and one for Madame, "said Alexander, who is not worried about the excesses of imagination clients:" Their creativity is limitless, but that of the s awesome! "Only drawback, however, a Montblanc watch, even to custom made, must remain true to the values of the brand. Any request for ornamentation political or religious connotation, for example, will make refusée.Pour Montblanc, integrating ultra-personalization in its watch business allows us to offer a full range of brand while further enhancing its image. But if, in fact, this very elitist fad for bespoke was a reminiscence of the past? A remake of the time in the eighteenth or nineteenth century, before industrialization, the wealthy were offered watches necessarily unique, as designed and manufactured on demand fully by hand? Since then, the royal courts, eager spectacular watches, have returned to the rank and customers for this kind of unique items was less than forthcoming.Until the face of new customers that are difficult to draw a composite sketch: they come from all over the world, they have the main common good health of their bank account. These candidates to purchase a watch tailor-made compulsorily have also another feature: patience. Get the enamelled dial dreams indeed imposes a wait between 10 and 18 months. As for a move tailor-made, it takes more than three years ... A writing instrument tailor-made € 200,000 To find out what is meant by the ultra-personalization applied to writing instruments, we took the direction of Hamburg in northern Germany, where the Montblanc brand was born in 1906 buildings are welcoming, the CEO endorsement, ready to show all teams. Before accessing the limited series and customization department, you cross the workshops "classic" time to explore, as in a kind of initiation phase, all phases of manufacturing a ballpoint pen. And there are many!The implementation of a pen implies a hundred steps which only about forty pen, much of which is done manually. One of the biggest surprises happens when one realizes that all the feathers (ALL!), Are tested individually ... ear! In a soundproof room, technicians soak feathers in a colorless ink before tracing the "8" on a sheet of paper (a movement "8" is working all of the pen, its point as his side) . If any error occurred during one of the stages of manufacture, pen slip badly, hang the paper and produce a rough sound. Immediate verdict: item readjusted ... Time to find a Meisterstück "serial" already the fruit of a large craft section making it a unique piece, one arrives at the limited edition department (Montblanc dedicates annually pen an arts and to a writer) and personalization, where a special atmosphere reign.Indeed we approach the area of exceptional, access to bespoke pens ticket was set at the sum of 200 000 euros! For that price, the proposal is simple: everything is possible! Each customer can ask to make him the Montblanc pen of his dreams: shape, material, color, style, each element will be custom made by artisans of the business that will focus exclusively on projects for the period of time required (often over a year!). "It is obviously not a classic product, explains Lutz Bethge, but a different object standards, which speaks to the emotions. These special guests want to celebrate something, commemorate an event, mark a date through a particular object. So first of all, it is necessary to engage in dialogue with them to see who they really are. What is important to them? What are their words, their passions? A prerequisite to design with them the pen that exactly match their personality ".Etape by step, customers are involved in developing their own pen.The process of ultra-personalization implemented in Villeret is found in Hamburg. Again, customers have the ability to track all stages of design and implementation through webcams. But often, owners gestation pens can not resist the urge to go to Hamburg for near "their" work. "Their first act upon arriving is usually cut their mobile phones, said it does Montblanc, as they are caught in the creative mood and anxious to savor every moment of their visit." As if these pens made in the traditional way without any common measure represented a counterweight to Hypertechnology and the frenzy of modern times ... MontBlanc - Celebration: A Tribute to the Montblanc chronograph became high ie through the chronograph. It is therefore quite legitimate for the brand with the famous white star this year the 190th anniversary of the invention that changed the measurement of time.When Montblanc decided to embark on the great adventure of ie, the first timepiece signed by the iconic white star, called Meisterstük, echoed the values of the art of writing, codes house ... But Very quickly, the Montblanc watches are stamped to become true ambassadors full of beautiful ie. What does then continues to prove itself, thanks to the arrival in the flowchart Montblanc manufacture of Minerva Villeret located and dedicated to complicated calibres Manufacture ... which also houses the Institute and the Minerva Foundation Research Haute Horlogerie. Created in 2007 by Montblanc, their goal is to maintain and develop the heritage and traditional skills in Haute Horlogerie. To provide support to any project for the conservation and development of traditional skills. Ambition pursued in particular by offering internships to young s, sponsoring research on the history of the ie and promoting the realization of the innovative ideas using conventional techniques.Thus, Montblanc presented major complications including a collection of chronographs baptized Nicolas Rieussec from 2008 to honor the inventor of the chronograph in 1821, there is already 190 years old! When he revealed, opening a beautiful wood, a watch movement that activated two white enamel dials positioned above it and graded for seconds and minutes. A fixed needle after which there was ink was fixed above the dials. For example, during a horse race, turning the dials and timekeeper of the race based on a push every time a horse crossed the finish line, which operated the needles which, in turn, touched the dials and it left small marks of ink. The running time of each horse and the time differences between the horses could thus be recorded directly and reliably. This was the first time in the history of the instrument ie that could accurately measure short time intervals. Rieussec had not only invented a new segment ie, it also gave him his name.Inspired by the notion of "writing time," he called his invention "chronograph". For those who still wonder why Montblanc chronograph is so interested. Easy to understand: From its very name from the Greek "chronos" for time and "graphein" for writing, the chronograph complication is very close and strongly associated with the soul and the historical roots of Montblanc. Enough to discover this year Montblanc reason as an official partner of the exhibition "Writing Time? The two centuries of history of the chronograph "tracing the history of the chronograph which starts on April 7 at the International Museum of Watchmaking (MIH) in La Chaux-de-Fonds to hold until October 2. An event that will travel around the world for a stopover in Paris in November 2011 What discover every angle the chronograph complication best known today whose functionality is very popular among lovers ie.But we do not necessarily know the past, his amazing accomplishments, history through sport and science, the diversity of its uses over two centuries of watchmaking history. An exciting program of course punctuated by the journal details of innovations for measuring short time and their practical applications since the invention of the chronograph by Nicolas Rieussec in 1821 a retrospective on the amazing development of this complication illustrated historical pieces Recent or who had never been presented to the public. But the 190 years since the invention of the chronograph deserved more than an exhibition, as exciting as it is. Montblanc presents this year so an anniversary piece: Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph the Anniversary Edition. Three years after the launch of the collection Rieussec, Montblanc chronograph offers a new and unique birthday ... Montblanc history Tell brand "Montblanc" and in some countries, you will immediately reply: "The pens?". Moreover, you will get a very different reaction: "watches?"Yes, continental, or to talk business across markets, the brand is now known and loved as much for its writing instruments for its timepieces. A pretty amazing feat if you know that Montblanc was born in 1906 and its watchmaking activity dates back to 1997 Barely fifteen years to form an horological identity and impose its credibility. This year 1997 will be remembered for the company with the opening of "Montblanc Watches SA "(this is Switzerland, Le Locle, Montblanc has established its manufacturing units of watches), the launch of the watch collection" Meisterstück ", named after the famous pens, and the presentation of this line at the International Exhibition de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva. An important milestone was reached in 2003 with the launch of the watch collection "Timewalker", along with the presentation of the new generation of writing instruments Montblanc, called "Garbo". Follow over the years watch collections "Star", "Sport" and "Profile" also declined in male and female versions.The centenary of the brand in 2006, is celebrated among others by filing a patent for a specific diamond cut called "size Montblanc" 43 facets (compared with 57 facets of a traditional brilliant cut). This exclusivity will allow setters Montblanc to spark multiple variations jewelry. In 2007, the brand adds to its heritage the Swiss Manufacture Minerva, founded in 1858 in Villeret, in the canton of Bern. Finding there venerable machines and a remarkable expertise, Montblanc decided to make a craft structure dedicated to high-end ie. About forty people carrying twenty different trades, now working in workshops that integrate all the stages of manufacture of the components of a movement, including spiral, a rarity. "The specificity of Villeret is nearly that of haute couture compared to ready-to-wear," said Alexander Schmiedt, director of the division of Montblanc. "In 95% of cases, we make everything from the raw material."The year 2008 will be remembered in the history of the Montblanc brand as a major landmark. It marks the launch of the first movement entirely developed and manufactured in the workshops of Le Locle. Clearly, in 2008, Montblanc has become a watchmaker ... If today some 100,000 watches are produced each year in Locle, 250 pieces only come out at the same time the Manufacture of Villeret. "This is essentially the edited in limited series models 1, 8 or 58 copies (numbers that recall the birth of Minerva army in 1858) or custom templates which the number is all between fifteen and twenty years, "said Alexander Schmiedt. And then there Nicolas Rieussec ... 2011 190th anniversary of the chronograph The general public and many fans are unaware that is probably Nicolas Rieussec. Yet the world is it an essential watch invention. Flashback ... We are in 1821 Sieur Nicolas Rieussec Matthew, born in Paris in 1781, was established as an Island of the City in 1801, at the age of 20 years.It does not mean forgetting to develop in the best s of the time. In 1817, demonstrating his skills, he received from King Louis XVIII the Watchmaker distinction Crown. It's four years later that the event takes place who will enter the history ie: at a horse race contested in the heart of Paris on the Champ de Mars, where Eiffel tower has not been built, Nicolas Rieussec inaugurates a device of his own invention: a wooden box with a watch movement driving two white enamel dials positioned above this mechanism and bearing graduations seconds and minutes. A fixed needle whose tip contains ink itself is fixed on top of the dials. For the duration of the horse race, the dials turn. Whenever a competitor crosses the finish line, the "timekeeper" of the event based on a button, pressing this gesture needles which then affect dials deposited on the surface of small ink marks.Not only attendant timing does not have to look at his watch every move of a horse at the finish line, but also the running time of each horse and the time differences between the participants in the race are recorded reliably. To baptize his patented invention in 1822, Nicolas Rieussec delves into a dictionary of ancient Greek. "Kronos" means "time." "Graphein" means "to write". Write time is just what its capable device. Go for "chronograph". Now, the history of ie will not be the same. In 2008, Montblanc will make a first tribute to the inventor of this instrument for measuring short time intervals by dedicating its new chronograph 'Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec. " Like the original device 1821, the chronograph hands do not rotate above the dial, but it is hard seconds and minutes that run under fixed needles. Thereafter, all Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec chronograph adopt this principle.And in 2011, on the occasion of its 190th anniversary, Montblanc presented at the SIHH a "Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph Anniversary Edition" limited edition. To continue writing time ... How did the Montblanc brand all began in northern Germany, Hamburg, 1906 At this time, writing requires practice a ritual gesture dip his pen into an inkwell before to put the tip of a sheet of paper and start continuously. A "technical" practiced almost without change for several centuries ... Alfred Nehemias and August Eberstein, one engineer and one banker, are back from a trip to the United States and England, where they discovered a amazing invention likely for them to change the situation: a writing pen using a stored at the heart of the object ink. Advantage of the system, it would save the user the constant back and forth between the ink and paper, and therefore, limit the spots.Back in Hamburg, the two men make the first copies of the famous fountain pen and go from papermakers in the city to try to ensure the promotion and dissemination. One such paper mill shows not only satisfied, but also enthusiastic. It is called Claus Johannes Voss and immediately decided to partner with Eberstein and Nehemias! All three declared the objective to manufacture high-end fountain pens, practical and reliable. In 1908, after more than two years of development, the first pen made by their company called "Simplo Filler Pen Company" appeared. Its designers call it "The Red and the Black", a tribute to the work of Stendhal and evoking the colors of the black body and red hard rubber cap for the head. The advertising slogan is simple and direct: a fountain pen that no longer stains. The success of the revolutionary pen of three friends is such that they decided to find a more consistent with their ambitions name. Their choice is quickly name a rich symbol, Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Europe.Another advantage, the shape of the summit from the sky, a star formed of six valleys, would be a perfect logo. And so in 1909 became Montblanc Montblanc. Lutz Bethge "Time is too short to waste being unhappy, unproductive and lacking in creativity. "Encountering the boss of a reputable company, usually we try to scrutinize his face and his personality in order to explore whether it truly embodies the brand he heads. In the case of Montblanc Lutz Bethge and the answer was immediately yes! The man is smart and outgoing. Listening is exciting ... And yet this CEO of a luxury brand manufacturing products with high emotional value comes from the cold world of finance. Supply chain planning and production control, financial management, nothing regarding the operational and management is foreign to this 56 year old German born in Hanover, near Hamburg, where are located is the historic seat of Montblanc and manufacturing units pens.It was in 1990 that this amateur ski, golf and running (also collector of Bordeaux and Rioja) joined the brand in taking responsibility for finances. It will cross various stages of management and executive before becoming in 2007 the CEO of Montblanc International. Lutz Bethge officially entered the world of Montblanc ie in 1997 when decided to produce watches. "One of the most exciting experiences of my life," he says today. For him, the establishment of the Montblanc Manufacture in Le Locle, Switzerland, followed later by the opening of a second Manufacture in Villeret, have created two unforgettable moments of his career. "I read more about watches during these periods than any other subject," he jokes. Yet this universe was not unknown to him: "I grew up in a small village in southern Germany, near Pforzheim, one of the industry ie and jewelery allowed to live near the half the population.The beauty and value of watches, as their importance to many of my parents' friends and relatives of my friends have left me a deep impression. I received my first nice watch the hands of my grandfather during my fellowship. It was not a brand known today, but a piece made by s premises. "If Lutz Bethge says fascinated by the technological know-how s that develop and produce Montblanc watches (" major complications make me really believe in creativity and the ability to amaze "), the relationship between time inspires very pretty words:" Time itself is infinite, but as human beings we have only about two billion seconds to live! That's 2 billion valuable seconds. Using the latest technologies, laptops, BlackBerries and other smart phones, we are able to live remaining operational round the clock, 7 days 7 This allows us to be successful in business, but disrupts our balance in life!"Before the passage of time and the hectic pace we impose the current lifestyle, CEO of Montblanc has an antidote:" Our brand has a tradition of supporting the arts and culture because we believe that listening to a concert classical music, enjoy an opera, attending a play or just feel the creativity and passion of an artist in a museum, we can bring this balance. Finding the time to go down a notch, to expand our field of vision, to recharge our batteries by taking into account the point of view of artists, is likely to inspire all of us and make us better. Inspiration can come from the same master craftsmen in the field of ie. Their involvement in designing a tourbillon, hand assemble a spiral and a balance with a precision that few machines could reach expresses the passion, the depth of the soul and the determination to create the extraordinary. An extraordinary that only a mechanical watch produced manually can have. "How can you resist such a plea and did not rush to buy a Montblanc watch Montblanc ...: Rieussec Chronograph, write time of all the instruments s, there is one in which Montblanc excels: the chronograph. On the occasion of 190 years of Rieussec Chronograph, the Manufacture located in the heart of La Chaux-de-Fonds in Switzerland, publishes complex instruments that recall with emotion the story of this invention become the favorite of complication ie amateurs. The year 2011 will be remembered for enthusiasts ie like the 190 years since the invention of the chronograph. Until recently, the vast majority of fans saw an old invention. In fact, this complication for the least useful appeared late in the history of the ie. The specialist works such as B. Humbert, "Chronograph - its operation and repair" trace his invention to English George Graham. It would, in 1720, built for astronomers of his time a simple pendulum and weight mechanism that could measure short time fractions.However, this book famous catalog of all the libraries of schools ie stresses that "The invention of the chronograph itself is due to Rieussec in Paris." Born in Paris in 1781, established 20 years as among his peers a few steps from the Place Dauphine on the Ile de la Cité, Nicolas Rieussec Matthew perfected his art in the process of obtaining, in 1817, the coveted load Watchmaker Crown. Like his colleagues at the time, he understood the whole point of a mechanical instrument capable of measuring time performances as part of the sport, but also science and industry while developing. A time when his reputation was still linked to the powerful, it was important that the Rieussec introduce his revolutionary invention in favor of an event in which the aristocracy would participate. Thus in 1821 he took the opportunity of a horse race on the Champ de Mars to launch its new instrument capable of displaying impartially the race time and hence the and winner of each competitor in the second.This information, quantification of performance, were scientific because, when properly measured, they could be improved. With this instrument -Nicolas Matthieu Rieussec did not know yet - the West entering walk-in the industrial era where the bases of Taylorism and the extent of the effort arose. The ingenious instrument invented by Rieussec resembled those of demonstrators ie school whose teachers always used to explain the operation of large purpose mechanisms and difficult to observe with the naked eye, especially several at once. Indeed one Nicolas Rieussec Matthew patented under the name of "chronograph" was not a watch in the strict sense, because it was contained in a wooden box with its top two discs studded with glittering white, displaying respectively the minute and second. The unit was powered by a handsome clock movement with a large balance and a blue steel spiral as feature fine mechanics commonly called "clocks officer."Powerful, enduring, this movement could cause without penalty or affect the performance schedule, both large hard enamel fire and bearing their respective railways hand-painted in black. Above these was a simple fixed spring mechanism bearing on both sides a container decorated with a needle load of china ink liquid. During the race, it was enough for the attendant to meet the participants' time to press the mechanism to come into contact with needles each dial. The action left on the dials a small drop of ink and could be repeated as many times as necessary. It remained to be transferred to paper and pencil time displayed. This procedure also allowed to translate visually the differences between the participants. Easy to use and simple to manufacture, he finally was able to measure an infinite number of times without requiring the use of several timepieces. The ideal instrument was invented, responding to the immediate needs of the public and scientists of the time.It is therefore understandable why the word "chronograph" was a natural choice in everyday language, as other more recent "fridge" for example, have succeeded. Success was not long in coming. Many were the buyers of this type of reading time and the French Patent Office attributed to Rieussec, in spring 1822 a patent for the first time writing instrument truly usable by all. Spurred by the challenge, Rieussec developed the concept and offered in different variants display while maintaining the principle of writing time on the dial. But competition was raging in those days and many teachers looking for ways to circumvent the invention of the French. Thus the famous chronometer Winnerl offered substantially the same time an invention capable of competing with the Rieussec chronograph. It was then, in the years 1831, a watch with a second hand second in the spirit of a split.Complicated, expensive and unreliable due to the friction generated by the end of reset mechanism, the system was not accepted, but it foreshadowed the creation of Chronoscope whose foundation was laid in 1862 by the Swiss Adolphe Nicole (needle able to counter back to zero independently). The Rieussec chronograph trona unchallenged in the world of measuring short time in forty years. This reign of operation without competition is probably the longest in the history of the ie. This explains also why the term has been firmly established itself in everyday language. On 7 April 2008, a little over ten years after its official launch in the sector, Montblanc presents at the International Salon of Haute Horlogerie in Geneva its first chronograph "Rieussec Monopusher Chronograph" with the opportunity for a movement manufactured entirely in its own workshops in La Chaux-de-Fonds. First of its kind to take a personal size, this room - in fact this collection since there were two different sizes and two distinct sets of parts, caused a stir when it was launched.The CEO of the company, Lutz Bethge, said about him: "With the launch of this first movement of our own making, we are particularly proud to claim our position further in the field of mechanical watches in crafts European traditional. This means that we have established a new milestone in the history of the Manufacture of Montblanc watches. This also means that the brand has joined the exclusive circle manufactures classic timepieces through its expertise and professionalism , she practices in this market segment growing European manual labor and an authentic tradition of artisan production. " According to the Directorate of Montblanc in 2008, the origin of the brand meant that the first watch movement developed by Montblanc in its workshops is a version that "the time to write." Unlike the traditional approach, Montblanc is launching in the manufacture of mechanical chronograph caliber team and so it can take the concept of rotary dials the first true chronograph of history: that of Nicolas Matthieu Rieussec.The first-class "home" presented in 2008 at the SIHH, called MB R100 and has a system of winding, has been a bombshell. Logic! Fashion houses may offer personal caliber resulted were not many rare ones who dared the making of an original chronograph. Montblanc was therefore monopolize the attention, all the better that the movement, classic in its construction, dared unprecedented mechanical architecture. This movement had impressed the public by balancing the strengths of the tools of yesteryear and those of the most recent ratings. And visible and valued, column wheel reassures beginners, as this component has become the pledge - just like the warranty - a quality construction. But the brand has sublimate function by associating it with a vertical clutch, a construction method currently in vogue because, avoiding needle jumps counter the launch timing, it is more accurate in the time records . Another novel that has raised eyebrows in his presentation: the presence of a single button located at 8 o'clock on the case middle.This choice requires that the timing is not included because the ternary sequence of operations induces a start, a stop to read and reset. It is not possible to take something like this is possible with the times with two buttons (invented around 1933 by Breitling). But no matter, since in most cases, the chronograph is activated to perform a simple temporal record, more complex readings are now supported by specific instruments. Monopoussoir a rather retro details of the instrument, is not the only novelty of this chronograph. On the dial side, the amateur clearly identifiable products enjoyed from its inception, a symmetric layout. In the upper part, a large sub-dial displays hours and minutes, center, presenting the calendar, while in the lower part are discovered two large chronograph counters whose aesthetic clearly inspired discs the first chronograph developed by Nicolas Rieussec Matthew. All very consistent and well readable immediately attracted enthusiasts s remarkable products.Rieussec Chronograph with Montblanc hit hard, as not a detail was poor. Indeed, the instrument has a power reserve of 72 hours, sufficient for it to be stored at the weekend in a drawer without being reassembled autonomy. In addition, to prevent inadvertent arrest related to a weak armament of the two barrels, engineers and s placed on the back of the class, a power reserve indicator visible through the transparent bottom of the models with the movement signed MB R100. The same year, 2008, Montblanc, before the public's enthusiasm for models with automatic winding, has launched a version of this movement incorporating an automatic winding under reference 200 MB R Comparable in its operation and in the display the dial, the movement renounces however the power reserve indicator, whose presence was incompatible with the train to enable resetting of the two barrels of the weapons.Whether to be a connoisseur to love back in her hand mechanical watch, many consumers are accustomed manual winding and simply refuse to operate twice a week the crown of an instrument to indicate the time. For these diehards automation, Montblanc also presented in 2008 the automatic version of Rieussec Chronograph. It has the same basic mechanical hand-wound caliber and was developed simultaneously. Her fashion design has reduced costs also Pharaonic and propose the heels two products from the same family, but fundamentally speaking to different audiences. Rieussec Chronograph Automatic catalog has declined since 2008 in precious metals: gold gray set (15 copies), red gold collection followed, or steel. Graphically identical to the manual model, it nevertheless has in providing an additional function, GMT, reading area with day / night and a date window opposition.Effective, this model has a beautiful home with travelers, as it is a successful synthesis of what is expected by most followers of fine mechanical watchmaking: a simple design, but recognizable among a thousand, a robust and unique mechanical, simple and effective features. Rieussec Chronograph Automatic is all at once comfortable and satisfy all those for whom quality does not expect the number of years. For its 190th anniversary series anniversary in 2011, the Manufacture Montblanc had to offer a limited-edited the famous Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph series commemorative release. For this original tribute to a major invention timepiece, designers have remained true to the spirit of the original product. The chronograph therefore has the same off-center dial with blued Breguet numerals and decorated with black or white.On the other half of the same emerges dial bridge V decorated two ruby that serve to limit friction during rotation of the two rotary discs chronograph displaying 60 seconds respectively on the left and on the right 30 minutes passed after latching the pusher. Under the hour and minute is a display of the perforated disc time, through which differ from details of the plate decorated with Côtes de Genève and Montblanc emblem. Lovers of fine mechanical rejoice that the openwork of the dial below the calendar leaves open to observe part of the clutch mechanism chrono view. Seeking to maintain the perennial nature of the instrument, Montblanc has adorned the periphery of the dial with a fine guilloche style "barleycorn" in which two cartridges, one left and one right, respectively carry the inscriptions "Chronograph" and "Nicolas Rieussec". Rieussec Chronograph with a magnifying glass Calibre MB R110 differs little from the caliber MB R100, but it deserves special attention.Indeed his wheel has a new tooth profile involute, which can significantly reduce friction between components and to transmit force more smoothly from the barrel to the escape wheel. Associated with the clutch vertical, the assembly is better able to maintain chronometric settings, both when the chronograph function is engaged. Frequent travelers will also appreciate the quick setting time on the clock by hand jumps around the zone. Of course, by now the crown action has no impact on the daily rate of the watch, as moving the time indicator is done in a clockwise or counterclockwise. Like the other models offered by Montblanc, the anniversary version retains the general characteristics of the product family. Thus, the Montblanc manufacture movement with manual winding always wins the famous twin barrels ensuring a power reserve of 72 hours, with display of the power reserve on the back read through the transparent area.This base also allows you to admire the column wheel, train linear train and the large screw balance (9 mm) which, thanks to an inertia of 12 mg / cm 2 and an oscillation frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz), provides high accuracy and high stability of walking in any position and in any situation. The materials of the Anniversary Edition To celebrate the anniversary of 190 years since the invention of the chronograph by Nicolas Rieussec Matthew, Montblanc does not publish his "Rieussec Chronograph Monopoussoir" in a limited series. The play in guilloche dial has been revisited to distinguish normal series and will be available exclusively in platinum 25, 190 copies in red gold and 90 pieces in white gold. In this configuration, the crown fluted machined into the housing material, receives a Montblanc emblem in mother of pearl to accentuate its rarity. The set covers a leather hand stitched alligator double gold clasp red or white 18-carat look the best, and very pleasant to wear as always perfectly centered.Montblanc Minerva Research Institute of Haute Horlogerie Manufacture Minerva, specialized since its debut in that short time, was taken over in 2006 by the Richemont group after experiencing long an uncertain destiny. Entrusted to the care of the Division of Montblanc watchmaking because of its meteoric rise in just ten years, the sleeping beauty was quickly revealed its potential and shows that talent, once again, do not expect the number of years. The integration of Minerva in Montblanc has been very judicious as to fierce competition and despite its potential and development practices, lacked this young dynamic entity the necessary historical background to shine in the sphere of high ie . Montblanc and Minerva, founded in 1858, have joined resources to create the "Minerva Research Institute of Haute Horlogerie." This merger resulted in the presentation at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie 2008, a collection of four models dressed in precious metals and products at 1, 8 or 58 copies.It will be understood that the sum of the digits is the founding date of the Manufacture connoisseurs know to be one of the few to produce mechanical movement measuring time with a precision of 1/100 second. This merger also enabled the beneficial contribution of capital that helped revive a rich human history and incredible potential business. And because a heritage product should provide something in education, the Institute was immediately seen as a hotbed of talent to give young developers, designers, and engineers s new forms and seeking a first experiment, the means to express their creativity. History has shown how the idea of a mutual gain could offer mechanical perspectives especially since, in the words of Florian Brossard, builder and member of the technical staff of the Institute: "150 Years of experience and expertise in the field of chronographs Minerva ideally complement the development of watches by Montblanc. "This reflection, made in 2008, became meaningful during the presentation of the first "Star Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph" and news specific to the Institute collections. The love of fine workmanship At SIHH 2008 with the launch of the "Star Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph", the Institute introduced for good Collection Villeret 1858 with a series of wonderful references that may compete with parts of larger homes. Thus, the "Grand Chronographe Email Grand Feu" marvel of tradition with his mechanical hand-wound movement with a balance large screw, made in-house and set by hand, marked the spirits. This available in two sizes and the dial on the assertion of difference as a motto on the coat of arms shows clearly affirmed his membership in the "Pure mechanical watchmaking." Certainly the caliber nickel silver 16-29 for version "large" and that carrying the reference Cal.13-21 for the times smaller, wowed the experts, conscious of having in hand worthy products included in the pantheon of watchmaking tradition. These subtle instruments gave see their beautiful movements after the mechanism was found to open the full background working as pocket watches called "soap". A movement on the bracelet and a small "click", the eyes did not know by what element begin to assess the level of finishes. The expert was then noticed the attention to chamfering and details. At the time unaccustomed to certain trademarks, he was amazed to discover the Minerva arrow drawn to the scales caliber chronograph or snowshoeing simple watches. Surely all those rare to see even in older treatments have thrilled the toughest fans. For the sake of rarity, these wonders were proposed limited to one platinum edition with blue dial, eight in white gold with black or white dial and 58 in pink gold with white enamel dial.This work of great delicacy mechanical was completed by the Centre Seconds model, Back to Zero. This edition also intended to pay tribute to the 150 year history of the company, was also available in two sizes. The first wore a box of 47 mm in diameter and beat to the rhythm of 16.18 caliber. The second, a more reasonable size, showed 41 mm diameter caliper, and vibrated at the option of class notes 13.18. Both references then fought conventionally 18,000 vibrations per hour; a performance which the "ticking" is sweet rhythmically speaking close to that of the human heart. These two are obviously wonders with gauges including a new generation mechanism resetting the central hand by pulling the crown. This simple device was apparently appreciated by lovers who willingly adjust their timepieces dedicated sites on the Internet.This mechanism is similar in meaning to that of a chronograph and it establishes a heart mounted on the shaft of the second hand and a reset mechanism similar to those lap times. Calibers, while new generation remain committed to the tradition and the pace remains, as in the past.
Everything starts in northern Germany, Hamburg, 1906 At this time, writing requires practice a ritual gesture dip his pen into an inkwell before asking the tip on a piece of paper and begin anew . A "technical" practiced almost without change for several centuries ... Alfred Nehemias and August Eberstein, one engineer and one banker, are back from a trip to the United States and England, where they discovered a amazing invention likely for them to change the situation: a writing pen using a stored at the heart of the object ink. Advantage of the system, it would save the user the constant back and forth between the ink and paper, and therefore, limit the spots.
Back in Hamburg, the two men make the first copies of the famous fountain pen and go from papermakers in the city to try to ensure the promotion and dissemination. One such paper mill shows not only satisfied, but also enthusiastic. It is called Claus Johannes Voss and immediately decided to partner with Eberstein and Nehemias! All three declared the objective to manufacture high-end fountain pens, practical and reliable.
In 1908, after more than two years of development, the first pen made by their company called "Simplo Filler Pen Company" appeared. Its designers call it "The Red and the Black", a tribute to the work of Stendhal and evoking the colors of the black body and red hard rubber cap for the head. The advertising slogan is simple and direct: a fountain pen that no longer stains.
The success of the revolutionary pen of three friends is such that they decided to find a more consistent with their ambitions name.
Their choice is quickly name a rich symbol, Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Europe.Another advantage, the shape of the summit from the sky, a star formed of six valleys, would be a perfect logo. And so in 1909 became Montblanc Montblanc.
Lutz Bethge
"Time is too short to waste being unhappy, unproductive and lacking in creativity. "
Meeting the boss of a reputable company, usually we try to scrutinize his face and personality to explore whether it truly embodies the brand he heads. In the case of Montblanc Lutz Bethge and the answer was immediately yes!
The man is smart and outgoing. Listening is exciting ... And yet this CEO of a luxury brand manufacturing products with high emotional value comes from the cold world of finance. Supply chain planning and production control, financial management, nothing regarding the operational and management is foreign to this 56 year old German born in Hanover, near Hamburg, where are located is the historic seat of Montblanc and manufacturing units pens.
It was in 1990 that this amateur ski, golf and running (also collector of Bordeaux and Rioja) joined the brand in taking responsibility for finances. It will cross various stages of management and executive before becoming in 2007 the CEO of Montblanc International.
Lutz Bethge officially entered the world of watchmaking in 1997 when Montblanc decided to produce watches. "One of the most exciting experiences of my life," he says today.
For him, the establishment of the Montblanc Manufacture in Le Locle, Switzerland, followed later by the opening of a second Manufacture in Villeret, have created two unforgettable moments of his career. "I read more about watches during these periods than any other subject," he jokes. Yet this universe was not unknown to him: "I grew up in a small village in southern Germany, near Pforzheim, we watch industry and jewelery allowed to live near the half the population.The beauty and value of watches, as their importance to many of my parents' friends and relatives of my friends have left me a deep impression. I received my first nice watch the hands of my grandfather during my fellowship. It was not a brand known today, but a piece made by local watchmakers. "
Lutz Bethge says so fascinated by the technological expertise of watch that develop and produce Montblanc watches ("Major complications make me really believe in creativity and the ability to amaze"), the relationship between time inspired him very beautiful words: "Time itself is infinite, but as human beings, we only have about two billion seconds to live That's 2 billion seconds invaluable Using the latest technologies, computers!. phones, BlackBerry and other smart phones, we are able to live remaining operational round the clock, 7 days 7 This allows us to be successful in business, but disrupts our balance in life! "
Before the passage of time and the hectic pace we impose the current lifestyle, CEO of Montblanc has an antidote: "Our brand has a tradition of supporting the arts and culture because we believe that listening to a concert classical music, enjoy an opera, attending a play or just feel the creativity and passion of an artist in a museum, we can bring this balance. Finding the time to go down a notch, to expand our field of view, to recharge our batteries, taking into account the point of view of the artists, is likely to inspire all of us and make us better. Same inspiration can come from the master craftsmen in the field of watchmaking . Their involvement in designing a tourbillon, hand-assemble a spiral and a balance with a precision that few machines could reach expresses the passion, the depth of the soul and the determination to create the extraordinary. An extraordinary that only a mechanical watch produced manually can have. "
How can you resist such a plea and did not rush to buy a Montblanc watch? ...
