Inspired by the Mont Blanc mountain that was the original inspiration behind the Maison’s creations, Montblanc unveils three new timepieces in a new Montblanc Star Legacy LE1786 Blue Capsule.
Created in 1906, Montblanc was named after the famous Mont Blanc mountain which appealed to the brand’s founders as a symbol of luxury craftsmanship. The peak became a symbol for them to always strive for the greatest heights and remains today, the brand’s inspiration.
The Montblanc emblem was created in 1913, representing a bird’s eye view of the Mont Blanc mountain with its six glacier valleys. It was this emblem that inspired the very first Montblanc Star Legacy watch collection in 1997, and which in turn, has energized this new capsule today. There are three key limited-edition models in this new Montblanc Star Legacy LE1786 Blue Capsule—an Automatic Date 39mm, a Moonphase 42mm, and a Chronograph 42mm.
All of the models embrace the connection to the Mont Blanc with new glacier dials in dark blue. The dials are decorated with a layered ice design that was inspired by the Mer de Glace, the main glacier of the Mont Blanc mountain. The center of the dial is created using a special stamp that reproduces this glacier texture and celebrates “The Blue Hour”, this shade of intense blue falling upon the glacier at dusk when the moon rises and the stars begin to shine.
It was during this “Blue Hour” that Jacques Balmat became the first person to reach the summit of the Mont Blanc—at 18h23 on August 7th in 1786—which also happens to be the number of these limited editions. Balmat was not only fascinated by the mountain, but he was also seeking gold. It is for this reason that the dials of these new timepieces are adorned with rose-gold-coated indexes and hands, celebrating this adventurer but also providing an elegant contrast with the blue glacier color.
Many design elements come into play in the Montblanc Star Legacy Collections. Their form is inspired by Minerva pocket watches from the beginning of the 20th century with their pebble-shaped cases and domed sapphire crystals, front and back. They are also recognizable thanks to their onion crowns, with the Montblanc emblem on the crown and seconds hand, railway minute track, leaf-shaped hands, and filet sauté.
The Montblanc Star Legacy Automatic Date 39mm model comes in a stainless steel case with rose-gold-coated hands and Arabic numerals and this eye-catching dark blue glacier color dial. The Montblanc emblem is present on the seconds hand and the dial just above the date, allowing them to cross paths every minute.
The new Montblanc Star Legacy Moonphase 42mm is a complication that displays the phases of the moon at six o’clock and overlaps the glacier pattern in the background. This new timepiece now features a larger opening, making it even more visible. It includes an elegant rose-gold-coated moon and stars and is surrounded by a round date indicator.
The new Montblanc Star Legacy Chronograph 42mm comes with two counters at three and nine o’clock for an elegant look and important legibility. The glacier pattern can be perceived in the background, while the filet sauté has been replaced with an inner flange to bring volume to the dial. The time functions are displayed with rose-gold-coated, leaf-shaped hands, while the chronograph indications use rhodium-coated “baton” hands.
The Chronograph and Moonphase come on a choice of a blue alligator leather strap or a stainless steel bracelet, while the Automatic Date comes on a blue calfskin leather strap or a stainless steel bracelet. When Balmat reached the summit on that historical evening, the colors of “The Blue Hour” would have stretched as far as his eyes could see. If ever a watch could bring a similar sense of joy and accomplishment to its owner, this could well be it.
Montblanc is available at Rustans, Greenbelt 5, City of Dreams, and Resorts World. Visit www.rustans.com to know more.
