====== Montblanc ======
{{wst>menue|Montblanc}}

{{wst>image_cr|Montblanc|Star Nicolas Rieussec Monopusher Chronograph}}

**Montblanc** is a German manufacturer of writing instruments and also of wristwatches since [[1997]] and is currently one of the Maisons of [[Richemont]].

===== In addition to writing utensils now also luxury watches =====
Montblanc is one of many luxury brands belonging to the luxury goods group [[Richemont]].

Montblanc launched its line of wristwatches in [[1997]] under CEO [[Norbert Platt]] and watchmaker [[Thierry Pellaton]]. At first, the company's watches capitalized on the black and gold aesthetic of the Meisterstück fountain pen. But the company quickly added more traditional looks in stainless. All Montblanc watches featured the company's star logo on the crown. In [[1999]], Montblanc celebrated 75 years of the Meisterstück pen by introducing the Rèveil Automatic, with the historic [[AS 5008]] alarm movement.

Montblanc began transitioning to become a serious [[manufacture]] in the next decade. With the help of [[ValFleurier]] and other [[Richemont]] assets, Montblanc established a base in [[Le Locle]] to produce a new [[manufacture]] calibre, the [[MB R100]], in [[2008]]. It celebrated its spectacular debut in the model [[Montblanc Star Nicolas Rieussec Monopusher Chronograph|Star Nicolas Rieussec Monopusher Chronograph]]. With this new movement, Montblanc can count itself now to the skilled [[manufacture|manufactures]] and thus finally leaves the sphere of mere accessory production focussed on passing fashions. The name //Rieussec// refers to the actual meaning of the word "[[Chronograph]]", namely "time writer". It was this French watchmaker, who in [[1821]] had registered the first real time writer with ink as a patent. The new [[monopusher chronograph]] now adopts the basic idea via an interesting slice display, which is used instead of the usual display of hand-stopping time measurement. Montblanc added an automatic version of this calibre, [[MB R200]], shortly after. A second manufacture calibre, [[MB LL100]], was created for the Timewalker TwinFly chronograph in [[2011]], with a different architecture but similar specifications.

Meanwhile, in [[2007]], Richemont purchased the traditional watch [[manufacture]], [[Minerva]]. Located in [[Villeret]], Minerva was renowned for their [[column wheel]] [[chronograph]] movements and hand finishing. Montblanc established "Villeret" as their top line, with additional "1858" pieces added in [[2015]].

===== Current Models =====
  * Bohème - ladies
  * Heritage
    * Heritage Chronométrie
    * Heritage Spirit
  * Nicolas Rieussec - [[Le Locle]] [[manufacture]]
  * Profile - ladies
  * Sport
  * Star
    * Star Classique
    * Star 4810 - [[Sellita]] and [[Minerva]] movements
  * Summit
  * Timewalker - modern
    * Timewalker TwinFly - [[manufacture]] calibre [[MB LL100]]
  * Tradition
  * Travel Timepieces
  * Villeret - [[Minerva]]
    * 1858

===== Calibres =====
{{wst>image_cr|Montblanc|MB R100|Montblanc Calibre MB R100}}

The initial Montblanc watches used [[ETA]] movements, but the company has mostly switched to [[Sellita]] as movement supplier for most lower-priced watches today. Many in the Heritage Chronométre line use modules on Sellita bases.

Montblanc has moved to become a true [[manufacture]] by building their own calibres at their facility in [[Le Locle]] as well as at their subsidiary, [[Minerva]]. Design and [[assortment]]s come from [[ValFleurier]] to Le Locle.

  * [[MB R200]] - [[Automatic]] [[column wheel]] [[chronograph]] with [[vertical clutch]] and [[second timezone]]
  * [[MB R100]] - [[Chronograph]] [[hand-wound]] (also R110, and R120 limited edition with [[silicon]] escapement)
  * [[MB LL100]] - [[Automatic]] [[column wheel]] [[chronograph]] with [[vertical clutch]] with [[flyback]] and [[second timezone]], [[double barrel]] for 72 hour power, titanium

===== Address =====
Montblanc International GmbH\\ Hellgrundweg 100\\ D-22525 Hamburg

Tel. +49 (0)40-84-001-0\\ Fax +49 (0)40-84-001-320

===== Weblinks =====
  *[[http://www.montblanc.com/en/collection/watches.filter.html|Montblanc/Watches]]


{{tag>Watch_brands Watch_brands_Switzerland Vendôme_Luxury_Group Richemont Le_Locle Villeret Jura_triangle FHH}}