Unveiling a reimagined chronograph functionality

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Swiss company Montblanc introduces its new Unveiled Timekeeper Minerva, a limited-edition timepiece that rethinks the expected. Based on a historic caliber from 1923, all the traditional Minerva design codes and watchmaking finishes are present, but a keen eye will immediately notice the absence of chronograph pushers, raising the question – how does this chronograph work?

The new piece takes the fluted bezel from the 1858 Minerva Monopusher Chronograph Red Arrow and turns it into a chronograph function, marking the first time in Montblanc’s watchmaking repertoire it has been possible to activate a chronograph without having to push on something.

Instead of a pusher on the side of the watch, a click of the 18K gold fluted bezel will start the chronograph, a second click will stop it, and a third click will reset it, transforming the way a chronograph has traditionally been activated. This hidden feature respects the beauty of the historic caliber, while incorporating modern-day know-how to create a contemporary timepiece.

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Despite the 100th anniversary of the Caliber 13.20 movement, Montblanc’s chronograph story goes back even further in time. Montblanc’s Villeret watchmaking tradition began in 1858 when Charles-Yvan Robert founded a watch workshop in the Saint-Imier valley. As early as the 1880s, the Minerva Manufacture in Villeret had already gained international recognition for its precise timekeepers. In 1909, Minerva started to develop chronographs, quickly becoming a leading specialist in the fabrication of professional watches and stopwatches, and in 1923 — exactly a century ago — it unveiled its first manually wound monopusher chronograph dedicated to wristwatches.

Fast-forward 100 years, Montblanc is now unveiling a chronograph function that shows how Montblanc is continuing the Minerva legacy, transforming it from the past to the present through design, style, and technical expertise.

The Montblanc Unveiled Timekeeper is being debuted with two limited editions. The first comes in a stainless-steel case with an 18K white gold bezel, blue dial, and red accents.

This model is limited to 100 pieces in reference to the 100-year anniversary of the Caliber 13.20. The second limited edition is housed in a Lime Gold case, features a dark green dial, and comes in a more exclusive limited edition.

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