Montblanc Homage to Nicolas Rieussec Part I

jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) · 2014-11-10T05:44:38Z

Discover the Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec, Montblanc's most iconic watch. Explore its history, in-house movement, and collector perspectives on design and wearability.

jrwong23 (aka watchthebin)

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The Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec is perhaps the most iconic watch from Montblanc's watch collection to date. Yes, Montblanc has its very high end and exclusive Villeret collection, started its watch offering in 1997 with the Star collection, won many new fans with its Timewalker collection since 2004 and more recently impressed with the Meisterstuck Heritage and Boheme collection from 2014.... But Montblanc's first in-house movement, designed and manufactured from scratch in their LeLocle manufacture and released in SIHH 2008, was the Nicolas Rieussec. And since then, with the various generations of the Nicolas Rieussec, this collection has become, to most collectors, the most iconic collection in Montblanc's watch offering.

A short recap on the various generations of the Nicolas Rieussec watch collection, from a post Mike did some months back:

montblanc.watchprosite.com

A short description of Nicolas Rieussec's first patented chronograph is provided below (information provided by Montblanc HQ):

Nicolas Rieussec’s first patented chronograph from 1821 inspired the watchmakers at Montblanc to create the Nicolas Rieussec watch collection with manufacture movements and distinctive styling. The timepiece’s unmistakable appearance combines an off-centre hour-circle in the upper part of the dial and the chronograph’s elapsed-time displays in the lower portion of the face. As on the original from 1821, elapsed time is shown on two rotating discs, above each of which a motionless hand indicates the passing seconds and minutes. Nicolas Rieussec, watchmaker to the French royal court, invented this construction to precisely measure the running times of individual horses at a horserace. When the starting gun was fired at the track, the patented “ink chronograph” was set in motion so that two white enamelled discs began to turn: one disc was calibrated for 60 elapsed seconds, the other for 30 elapsed minutes. The user pressed a button each time a horse crossed the finish line: this pressure momentarily lowered an elongated rhombic carrier with two ink-filled tips onto the enamel discs, where each tip left a droplet of ink. These inky markings on the scales of the chronograph’s discs enabled the user to read the exact running time of each horse. Rieussec’s device was literally a “time writer,” so he accordingly named it a “chronograph” from the Greek words “chronos” (time) and “graphein” (to write). In 1822, the Académie des Sciences in Paris granted a patent on this device to Nicolas Rieussec, who went down in horological history as the inventor of the world’s first patented chronograph.

When Montblanc first launched the Star collection back in 1997, it was reported that a watch journalist asked a Montblanc executive jokingly "so where do you put the ink?". 10 years later, when Montblanc launched their first in-house movement in the form of the Nicolas Rieussec generation one, I personally believe Montblanc gave the perfect answer to this question. A chronograph means "Time Writer" in Greek. So there you have it... Writing time... this theme fits Montblanc perfectly and since then, chronographs have become a staple complication amongst Montblanc's watch collection (the Villeret collections are consistent with this focus too, Minerva being a chronograph specialist).

A few collector friends of mine mentioned to me they love the concept of the Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec, especially the very unique chronograph discs which turn, true to Nicolas Rieussec's original chronograph. However, some of them were not sure about the "bullish" look on the dial (although some love that unique look).

*side note: I actually like this black dial Nicolas Rieussec alot too but didnt buy it because I felt it was a tad big for me... my wrists are too small! Anyone who feels otherwise, pls help convince me! :P

Then in SIHH 2014, Montblanc launched a limited edition Homage to Nicolas Rieussec... that wowed many of these friends.

The Limited Edition Homage to Nicolas Rieussec

This was a wristshot of my friend with larger wrists. Looks so nice on him!

In 2014, Montblanc pays tribute to this great clockmaker with a new interpretation of his chronograph from 1821. The Montblanc “Homage to Nicolas Rieussec” chronograph faithfully replicates every detail of the colour scheme and the styling of the hands as they appeared on the original “time writer”, but relies on innovative materials and technologies to transport the historical device into our contemporary day and age. The new “Homage to Nicolas Rieussec” chronograph from the Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec collection shows the date, indicates the time in two different time zones and also offers a day/night display. The timepiece will be manufactured in limited editions in rose gold and steel.

More recently in Watches and Wonders 2014, a special edition of the Homage to Nicolas Rieussec was launched, with a superluminova horse. I covered this more in my Watches and Wonders report. Really a cool feature.

On my wrist. At 43mm a tad too big for me but ok for most men I beileve

(please someone tell me it's not too big for me... pleeeeease)

The Super Lumi-nova comes alive. Notice the Horse and the bridge of the chrono dics now having this same effect in the dark.

Both the Homage to Nicolas Rieussec and its special edition versions are very appealing to me. Though I love the black dial Nicolas Rieussec, I must admit the clean, white grainy dial and the chronograph discs and bridge, being closer in design to the original chronograph on this Homage version, appeals alot to me. Plus these are both Limited Edition watches.

I will follow up with more posts on the Homage to Nicolas Rieussec regarding the design codes, the mysterious superluminova and some details on the MB R200 movement found on this watch. Stay tuned!

Cheers

robin

This message has been edited by jrwong23 on 2014-11-10 05:45:24 This message has been edited by jrwong23 on 2014-11-10 05:47:50

About the Montblanc Calibres Ref. MBR200

The Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec Monopusher Chronograph, featuring the in-house caliber MBR200, represents a significant horological offering from Montblanc. This model pays homage to Nicolas Rieussec, the inventor of the chronograph, by incorporating his original ink-dropping time-recording mechanism into its dial design with rotating discs for elapsed seconds and minutes.

The MBR200 is an automatic monopusher chronograph movement, distinguished by its column-wheel mechanism and vertical clutch. It operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) and offers a substantial power reserve. The movement is visible through a sapphire caseback, showcasing traditional finishing techniques such as Côtes de Genève and circular graining.

This reference is notable for its blend of historical inspiration and modern watchmaking, positioning Montblanc as a serious contender in the manufacture space. Its unique dial layout and sophisticated movement appeal to collectors seeking distinctive chronographs with in-house capabilities.

Specifications

Caliber: MBR200

Crystal: Sapphire

The Discussion

jlux

Nov 11, 2014

Unfortunately I have the same problem as you : it just does not sit well on my wrist. It is not the size of 43mm, it is the design,shape and lenght of the lugs that make it feel like an alien on the wrist. This is a pity as otherwise I would have already a Rieussec (and perhaps this Homage) in my collection as it is one of the nicest modern chronographs on the market. Best, Gerard

MichaelC

Nov 11, 2014

I really prefer the manual winding versions, and several really tempted me. I must admit, the bridge between the chrono dials is really cool on this homage piece. The subdials are very clean. And the use of the Luminova is quite original. Nice report Robin, thanks!

GLau

Nov 12, 2014

love the Rieussec watches !! The new one with the Horse looks good on your wrist (and achieves the Chinese Zodiac objective in an understated way)!! Cheers, Gordon p.s. unfortunately your wife will hate me for writing the above. Remember to defend me by using the Chinese Zodiac angle :)

Tick Talk

Nov 13, 2014

Stopped by the boutique in Hong Kong airport while killing time during a ridiculously long lay-over. Did you know they took out all the chaise lounges :-( Also discovered newly opened IWC and Blancpain stores (well, the BP was more of a closet with counter). Sadly, as I feared, the piece is just too large for my thin wrist, both in width and height. I know display models get handled roughly, but the mechanism didn't feel right and the counters weren't resetting properly, which leaves a bad impre

mkt33

Nov 13, 2014

Sorry to hear about your experience in HK...it does leave an unpleasant impression if the highlight of the boutique wasn't working properly. I really like the Rieussec...just needs to be a tad thinner... Best, Mike

jrwong23 (aka watchthebin)

Nov 14, 2014

Thanks Gerard for your feedback. Agree with you it's a tad big for us with small wrists. Hopefully there will be a 40mm Rieussec someday :) Cheers Robin

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Montblanc Homage to Nicolas Rieussec Part I

About the Montblanc Calibres Ref. MBR200

Specifications

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