Preserving traditions, shaping the futureSIHH 2009: Montblanc at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie
At this year's SIHH, the Star Nicolas Rieussec Monopusher Chronographs were the first watches presented by Montblanc to feature movements manufactured entirely in the company's own workshops. At the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie from 19 to 23 January 2009, the company will be extending its wide range to include several new products.
Montblanc Montre SA and its status as a manufacture
Like many other things in the watch industry, the French term manufacture has a very specific meaning. In this case, it is not primarily based on a literal translation of the Latin words manus (hand) and factum (the act of doing), meaning 'made by hand', but refers to the company in question's vertical range of manufacture. Today, the generally valid and accepted definition in the industry is that a company only earns the right to call itself a manufacture when it has produced a watch movement entirely in-house. With its first two movements – the MB R100 and the MB R200 – for the Star Nicolas Rieussec Chronographs, both of which were manufactured in its own workshops at Montblanc Montre SA in Le Locle, Switzerland, Montblanc took this bold initial step, thus underscoring the brand's claim to aspire only to the highest quality standards and authenticity in everything to which it turns its hand. This means that the name Montblanc continues to establish itself in the watch segment as a brand with all the expertise of a genuine Swiss manufacture.
The Montblanc Star Pluie d’ Étoiles Lady Automatic Diamonds: a true cascade of stars
Traditional Swiss watchmaking and the art of the jewellery maker have much in common. For Montblanc an ideal opportunity to transform a timepiece into a fabulous decorative piece for life's special events and moments, and create a watch designed to enchant any woman. As befitting of a gem like this, the new Montblanc Star Pluie d'Étoiles Lady Automatic Diamonds sparkles with the fire of a total of 379 diamonds: exclusive VVS Top Wesselton baguettes and brilliants, with the unique diamond featuring the patented Montblanc emblem cut inlaid in the crown. The black mother-of-pearl dial is a miniature work of art in its own right and features a cascade of 218 meticulously set brilliants weighing a total of 0.436 carats, all testifying to the skill of the setter. They become increasingly close-packed around the guilloched Montblanc emblem, which forms a counterpoint to the flowing lines of the figure '12'. This truly fabulous image is encompassed by a circle of 80 diamonds, whose round brilliant cut provides a fascinating contrast to the 80 baguette-cut diamonds on the bezel.
Rhodium-plated hands turn above the dial, keeping time with the mechanical movement that stands for the art of traditional watchmaking. The whole picture is framed by an elegantly simple white gold case, with a slightly domed antireflective sapphire glass over the dial and, at the back, a cover of 18K white gold. The large, knurled white gold crown is easy to use and set with the exclusive Montblanc Diamond. Its patented cut with 43 facets is in the shape of the Montblanc emblems, whose six arms represent the glacial tongues at the peak of the highest mountain in Europe. The watch is fitted with a black alligator leather strap with an 18K white gold pin buckle.
The fact that the Montblanc Star Pluie d’ Étoiles Lady Automatic Diamonds is limited to just ten pieces makes it even more exclusive. The retail price is € 35 000,-.