What do you get when you combine...

[terrenceterrence]

a

monopusher chrono
AM/PM indicator
independent GMT hand
haute calibre
reasonable price?

is there such a watch? a watch that the Hokkiens would say "Ham Mi Sai Tu Uu" ....

presenting the Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec GMT Chrono



and if you're wondering, no I do not own the watch. Just that I was just browsing the windows of the shops yesterday was was captivated and intrigue by this watch. I can say that i am duly surprised by the price of this piece for all that it is offering. Retailing about SGD13k from the windows. If anyone knows whats the discount given usually for pieces like these, please give me a PM.

While most watches are more preoccupied with playing up their heritage and selling and rehashing the same things over and over again (although i must admit i myself is a guilty sucker for this since I do own pieces of Rolex and Panerai. Zenith you are in the same bandwagon too) this mass produced piece actually is pushing the boundaries.

As whether MB is a "true" manufacturer...; well we can really debate about that but kudos to them for putting up this piece. After reading some reviews from the guys in PuristPro, I am really inclined to have a feel for it on the wrist. Any guys here, handled one before?

Here's the great indepth review by the guys in PuristPro:

http://montblanc.watchprosite.com/?show=nblog.post&ti=510581

[ck77]

Too complicated for my liking.
You know, I like it simple (same goes to woman) 
Nonetheless, it is a interesting piece 
 

[sshark]

Woman and simple dun go together... if it was, it was a big fat lie.

[terrenceterrence]

they are only simple during the dating phase 

[sshark]

and man was c2pid enuf to fall for it... what to say hahhhaha

[takashi78]

This one is indeed nice.
I prefer the manual wind version.
Its retail price seem to be cheaper in SG.

So no more TT Daytona for you then? ehehehe

[terrenceterrence]

The manual wind does not have a GMT hand and day night indicator.

Think it's also a LE of 500 in various metals.

Like how the chrono module can be run perpetually and the seconds module can be hacked and set the time precisely.

Funds are limited and wants are unlimited bro...how ar?

[TheHobbit]

I have 'molested' the watch before and I have to say that I like the watch, enough to consider getting one. The movement is nice and the winding is smooth as butter. It has all the complications I want in a watch, GMT, chronograph (column wheel no less) and date. Sadly I have yet to pull the trigger.

There are problems with getting watches like these. They cater to a select group, basically those who like the watch for what it is and not a 'flip' consideration. The appreciation lies in the movement, complication and build quality and not by brand name and the flip factor.

I do have a soft spot for Montblanc, regardless of what people say about the brand. True it 'cut' the trip short by getting Minerva from 'daddy' but that is life (fight between Panerai and Montblanc). Everyone has to start somewhere.

My only (and hopefully not last) Montblanc.

[sshark]

Funds are limited and wants are unlimited bro...how ar?

You still hv ur rear to consider

[ivanswk]

getting the complicated watch bug already 

[Watchnewby]

That is one nice MB watch, Hobbit. Clean black dial.   

[TheHobbit]

That is one nice MB watch, Hobbit. Clean black dial.   

Brown dial actually.

[terrenceterrence]

Managed to try on the watch on the way to work the other day.

Like Hobbit said, the winding is smooth and solid. Gosh now having sleepness nights thinking about it.

But target for this year still remains at a YM 16622 for the wife and if there's anything leftover for myself, this would be it.

Another Chrono would befitting the collection after having selling my Tudor.

[takashi78]

ohhh....must have wristshoots when you go try it out ma hehe....
Did you try on the bracelet or strap version?

[pexus]

Learned something interesting today from an article on history of chronograph (World of Watches). At least for a novice like me...

Apparently the chronograph was invented by Rieussec and was unveiled at a horserace in Paris  It involved the use of ink-filled nibs and 2 dials. 

In Montblanc's desire to develop its own in house chronograph movement, they wanted to find some historical linkages as form of marketing.  Everything fell into place when they discovered Rieussec's mechanism...the French connection, the use of ink, all suited to the brand's reputation in writing instruments.  The end product is a chronograph watch with strong connection to Montblanc's own history. 

[terrenceterrence]

ohhh....must have wristshoots when you go try it out ma hehe....
Did you try on the bracelet or strap version?

Tried on the one with bracelet. Luckily my favourite dial among all is the anthracite and silver dial which comes in both either bracelet and leather. The difference is around SGD 1k. But the bracelet is not actually that striking and I think the "head" is too heavy for the bracelet and u can see the "stretch" when u have the case dangling on it's side while holding the bracelet.

Guess that is why those horological beast only comes with the leather option cause u really need a hefty beef of a bracelet to complement it ala DSSD, Pam and Sinn. Bracelet like those would really break the lines in the design in the design of pieces like these.

It's all nothing but a smart marketing ploy by MB to choose this path and name for the watch. When they found that the machine invented by Rieussec was dubbed as the "time writer", it all falls into place.

Anyway with all of these being said, I must admit it is one handsome watch and a magnificent fresh entry into the field by Montblanc that wholy stunned and delightfully surprised everyone.

Argh!!!!!!! Really can't get it out of my mind 

[terrenceterrence]

Some really enticing photos ....

[@L]

a very nice piece indeed....should be able to get a few attentions if you wear this out... 

[TheHobbit]

Question of when rather than if. 

[sshark]

Usually, leather makes a watch more elegant and complement a elegantly designed watches. The drawbacks are the maintenance effort and the cost of replacing the leather. It is not suitable for ppl who sweat a lot. It gives out strange smell.

[pexus]

The blue white thing on the left is the am pm indicator?

[hanz079]

The blue white thing on the left is the am pm indicator?

Good question... I think it's a power reserve indicator but let someone who knows better confirm... 

[sshark]

It is an am/pm indicator not a PR. I  Thought it was a PR indicator until
I read an article referred by Terence

[pexus]

so the time shown on the pic...its 2.46 am or pm?
since the blue more dominant than white, so its 2.46pm?

or can we interpret as 2.46 am, since it means the night is coming to an end and daylight is taking over?

[TheHobbit]

The blue white window is for the 3rd hand which is hidden by the larger hour hand. The 3rd hand, which is blue and pierced, is used to indicate home time. The upper hour hand can be used to set the local time in hourly increments. Since the display is a 12 hour display, the blue white window is used to display night or day. The date will follow the upper hour hand and can be adjusted forward or backwards dependent on the direction of travel.

The GMT function, as I understand it is only on the automatic version of the watch, while the manual wind has the date display. It is also interesting that the chronograph uses the column wheel and vertical clutch system, something you don't see very often now.

Oh and as for the time, I would think that the home time is 9:46 pm while the local time could be 2:46 am or pm (based on the photograph below).