Truth to be told, I was not very fan of the Heritage line till this year.
There were some good products, as, for example, the Meisterstück Heritage Pulsograph from the 2014 Collection...
... But it left me cold, despite the beautiful movement, the Cal 13.21.
This year, there are two pieces I already reviewed which are interesting and appealing, Heritage the Perpetual Calendar and the Automatic.
Link to reviews:
But the third one I want to show you is, in my opinion, a big step above, the Montblanc Heritage Manufacture Pulsograph LE 100.
Here, at the contrary of the Meisterstück Heritage Pulsograph from 2014, you have beauty, charm and soul.
If the 1858 Tachymeters or Split Seconds are too big for you, with their 44 mm case, then this one may well be made for you.
Indeed, the case of the " Heritage Pulsograph " is 40 mm big, and thinner than the 1858 Chronographs, with a height of 12, 65 mm.
Made in steel, the case has sensual lines and curves with beveled lugs, and a thin bezel. The proportions are harmonious. Good point. It also has the good taste to be water resistant to 50 meters.
The other part of the watch which is dign of interest is the salmon dial, which is slightly domed, whose finishings are complex: Grained, sunburst for the main dial, and circular decoration for the sub dials. Add applied round and numeral ( 6 and 12 ) hour markers, a blue pulsometer scale, and, nod to the vintage chronographs, markers at 3, 6 and 9 minutes in the chronograph minutes counter to time the telephone calls.
The inspiration from the past:
One thing I definitely don't understand is the option of putting luminova in the hands and in the small dots around the dial. they are so tiny that they are useless, and without lume, the outcome would be purer. And while we are at it, change the Dauphine hands for leaf shapes ones, for more sensuality!
Some words on the movement, which gives to this watch its lettres de noblesse, the Cal 13.21 from Minerva Villeret. A masterpiece of a chronograph movement, smaller than the other marvel, the 16.29, more compact, too, less aerial, but not less appealing, with the same level of finishings, and the famous " Devil's Tail, in fact a chronograph break lever.
The Cal 13.21 is 29, 50 mm big ( 9 mm smaller than the " giant " Cal 16.29! ), 6, 40 mm high, with a big balance wheel ( 11, 40 mm diameter ), beats at 18, 000 vibrations per hour, and offers a power reserve of 55 hours.
The official picture featuring the Cal 13.21:
To me, this Heritage Pulsograph LE 100 is a great complement to the 1858 Tachymeter.
More refined but less cool, a perfect size, easier to wear, and housing a different chronograph movement, it makes sense to consider both of them to have the Creme de la Creme, with a price which is a bargain, considering the high quality of this watch.
The flaws? The hands, the lume which is ridiculously small, and maybe the fact that it shares the same dial finishings than the even more affordable perpetual calendar, or the color of the first access " Heritage Automatic "?
An enamel dial in this Chronograph would have driven me crazy, totally crazy.
But still, as it is, a great offer from Montblanc, in my opinion.
Looking forward to reading your comments and thoughts,
Best.
Nicolas