Montblanc: Rieussec's Legacy

New colors for a historic model.

An instrument was created in 1821 to record time intervals using ink by the watchmaker to the French Royal Court Nicolas Mathieu Rieussec (1781-1866) — but can we call it a watch? This is probably a rhetorical question, like discussions about whether watches can be considered modern wristwear gadgets.

Louis Moinet ultimately secured the title as "inventor of the chronograph" (in pocket-watch form) with his "Compteur de Tierces" completed in 1816. Rieussec still held onto his inventor status for coining the term "chronograph", which literally means an instrument for writing time, from the Greek "chronos" (time) and "graph" (to write).

Montblanc has recreated the look of Rieussec's instrument in a watch called Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph. The line recently welcomed two novelties: one with a silvery-gray dial and blue counters and another with an anthracite dial. The second version which allows you to appreciate different shades of gray is launched as a limited edition of 500 pieces.

Apart from the new color schemes, the designers have worked on the dimensions. The previous version measured 44.8 mm in diameter but it’s been sized down to 43 mm. The case height is 15.01 mm.

Steel is used as the case material for both fresh versions of the Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph. The limited edition has been given a black DLC-coating. Contributions to the geometry of the case are made by the onion-shaped winding crown and the single pusher for controlling the chronograph at 8 o'clock.

The dials on both models are decorated with a “Clous de Paris” hobnail motif, which is echoed by the weave on the blue textile strap. The watches used to come with straps made of alligator skin but now the brand has placed its bets on fashionable ethical materials.

Housed inside the Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph is the automatic Caliber MB R200, composed of 319 components. Its double barrel ensures a power reserve of 72 hours. The transparent caseback reveals a view of the large balance wheel (10mm in diameter) and the column wheel at 2 o'clock.

The third hand keeping the hour and minute hands company is not to be confused: it's a secondary timezone hand. Apart from that, the dial also has a date aperture and a day/night indication.