Finally my birthday present arrived more than one month later. You know the saying “Better later than never”.

Let’s start with the box. It weights “only” 10kg. But what’s inside?

Well, another box…

And now let’s open the cover of the wooden box. 

Here it is….Montblanc Villeret 1858 Grand Feu Chronographe.

I’ve been always fascinated by these slow oscillators. For me these watches look like American muscle cars with a big V8 aspirated from the 70’. Just open the cuvette and you will sense the Minerva history behind it. The finishings are marvelous, if I close my eyes I can see the angleur spending hours at his desk beveling the bridges. Geneva stripes, circular graining – this watch has the whole package. These watches are “breathing” Haute Horlogerie at its best!

And what about the enamel dial? Magnificent!

And this large balance wheel fitted with custom-made hairspring… They need to make it in house because of the size… And these chatons add a touch of light to this enormous movement.

Yes, it’s big but I’m a big boy too (my wife says it not me)!

I tried both 41mm and 47mm in WG and RG. I also tried the 43.5mm Vintage but the quality is not the same, you can feel it. I was afraid that 47mm watch is too big for my wrist so that I asked my wife about her opinion. She said 47mm RG looks better so I purchased it accordingly. 

Ohhh, I wanted badly this Minerva calibre 16.29.

Pros: old school movement with impeccable finishings, enamel dial

Cons: the lugs could be shorter even by 2mm, but nothing is perfect in this world; because of the size it is not for everybody