Jewellery & Watch News
In 2007, Montblanc advanced its already well-established reputation within the mechanical watchmaking industry with the creation of the Institut Minerva de Recherche en Haute Horlogerie at Villeret. In celebration of one of Minerva’s most legendary calibres, the Minerva calibre No. 48, Montblanc has recreated its composition following the golden ratio principle. Named the Manufacture Calibre MB M14.08, the movement finds itself a home within two limited edition Montblanc Heritage Pythagore Small Second watches.
Minerva... It’s a name widely associated with the Montblanc brand. The Villeret-based establishment was originally founded in 1858 by brothers Charles and Hyppolite Robert who began utilising third party movements into their own pocket watches before later producing their own in-house calibres. A century and a half later, Swiss luxury goods group Richemont brought the company and in turn acquisitioned a partnership between Minerva and Montblanc with Minerva becoming a department of Montblanc led under the name Institut Minerva de Recherche en Haute Horlogerie. It was here that Montblanc’s talented watchmakers began to create their own in-house calibres while also exploring its incredible heritage and finding inspiration in its historical functions and design codes. Today, the historic Minerva calibre No. 48, which was developed and produced in 1948 becomes the brand’s latest muse.
When it was released, the Minerva calibre No. 48 was considered a true technical feat. It was launched within a watch called the Pythagore, named after the movement’s unique composition built using mathematical proportions defined by the Golden Section, a breakthrough of which is attributed to Pythagoras. The very same geometrical shapes and straight lines found in the Minerva calibre No. 48 can be seen in Montblanc’s newest movement, the Manufacture Calibre MB M14.08. The modern movement comes in at 31.6mm in diameter so to fit within a contemporary sized case and allow enough room to apply the golden pentagon in which a five-point branch star is obtained via the intersection of golden triangles. The manual winding Calibre MB M14.08 also delivers central hands for hours and minutes, a small seconds subsidiary dial and an 80 hour power reserve.
To present the new Manufacture Calibre MB M14.08, Montblanc have launched two stunning new limited editions, the Montblanc Heritage Pythagore Small Second watches which suitably take their name from the original Minerva Pythagore watch. The first design comes under reference 128666 and features a handsome 18 carat white gold case, a navy blue dial and a matching blue Sfumato alligator leather strap. Meanwhile, reference 128667 opts for a luxurious 18 carat rose gold case with a smoked caramel dial and a brown alligator strap.
Both Montblanc Heritage Pythagore Small Second watches showcase the MB M14.08 manual winding movemnet through their exhibition case backs and measure to 39 millimetre in diameter, 9.5 millimetre in height and a water resistant rating of 50 metres. Their dials are particularly breathtaking, decorated with applied hours and dauphine hands, both treated to luminous coating, a grained hours ring, white printed minutes track and a snailed small seconds counter. The Minerva name can also be spotted on the dial in the form of a secret signature between 4 and 5 o’clock.
Exclusive to 148 pieces each, the Montblanc Heritage Pythagore Small Second Limited Edition watches are available to order now on the C W Sellors website. If you’d like to learn more about these models and explore more Montblanc Watches & Wonders 2021 releases, click here or get in touch with our team by calling 01335 453453.
Specifications: Montblanc Heritage Pythagore Small Second Limited Edition Watches (128666, 128667)
- Case Size: 39mm
- Case Material: 18 carat white gold or 18 carat rose gold
- Bezel: Fixed
- Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
- Case Back: Exhibition
- Crown: Non-screw locked
- Water Resistance: 50 metres
- Movement: Manufacture MB M14.08 manual winding
- Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds
- Power Reserve: 80 hours
- Dial: Blue or caramel
- Strap: Blue or brown Sfumato alligator leather
- RRP: £16,800
- Limited Edition: 148 pieces each
