Some cool precision turned components suppliers images:
Outing for a choose-up at the Montblanc Boutique on Bloor Street West Toronto (11)
Image by antefixus21
Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec chronograph automatic wrist watch.Swiss created.
Montblanc Wrist Watch wall display case.
Chronograph – Nicholas Rieussec time piece.
Swiss created.
Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph Automatic Watch Overview
WRIST TIME Critiques
20 COMMENTSJANUARY three, 2011 BY ARIEL ADAMS
This watch overview is going to be a bit distinct than how I normally do them. Why? Simply because shortly ahead of the overview I was really able to check out the manufacture making the movements of this watch. That experience provided me some special insight that permitted me to recognize this timepiece more.
I know there is a lot of speak on the "manufacture" movement. In reality, a recent panel discussion I had with fellow watch professional journalists allowed me to comprehend that there is no strict definition of "watch manufacture" or "manufacture movement." This definitional ambiguity hurts my ability to explain things properly, but let it be stated that Montblanc makes the movement in each and every of the Nicolas Rieussec watches themselves. Of course there is some support from suppliers, but this is about as "in-property" a job as most people want it to be. My understanding is that the components of the movements are made at the Valfleurier facility in Buttes Switzerland. The pieces are then sent to Montblanc Le Locle for assembly and testing.
What fascinated me most about the Montblanc manufacture in Le Locle Switzerland was just how modern day it was. I imply it is accurate that many watch manufactures feel like you are in some combo of a hospital and science lab, but the machinery accessible to the watch makers at the Le Locle facility was impressive. I have a bigger feature length article on this subject that will come out quickly – but in quick, when it comes to the Nicolas Rieussec line of timepieces, Montblanc relies on a clever environment that combines the human method of watch makers with the precision help of machines.
A few example of this synergy between man (or lady) and machine? Here are two. One of the images here is of a machine that robotically applies lubricant to designated spots in a watch. Such lubricant should be precisely applied with an precise amount. The a lot more regularly applied the far better. Even though a human assembles the movement, a robot is utilized to apply the lubricant far better and with more precision in terms of quantity than any human can do regularly. One more instance is a machine that makes it possible for a watch maker to adjust the screws on a balance wheel and test the accuracy of the price in true time. Fundamentally the machine combines a magnifier, laptop controlled screw driver, and a watch movement rate tester in 1. Whilst it is operated by a person, the machine makes it straightforward to adjust a standard weighted balance wheel to its most precise weight distribution in the escapement assembly.
A single of my favourite photos here that illustrates the culture of the manufacture is the image of the watch tools with the pc mouse. If you look closely you are going to also notice the presence of a Montblanc pen. Each function station gives watchmakers a pc terminal as effectively as watch generating tools. Although I have seen this before, it undoubtedly is not frequent.
With their movements all created in Switzerland by Montblanc, the Nicolas Rieussec collection currently consists of a few watches. My primary focus here is on the Automatic Chronograph that also has a GMT and date complication (that I tested). The movement is identified as the R200. The two manually wound variants (with slightly diverse functions) are the R100, R110, and R120 (a limited edition that used a silicium escapement). I am not going to go overboard with technical information, but the movements represent an fascinating medium between the ultra-higher finish, and mass manufactured pieces.
The R200 has a lot of impressive characteristics on paper. Notable to the watch nerd is that it has a column wheel primarily based chronograph that uses a vertical clutch. These characteristics offer much more durability and precision when making use of the chronograph. There are really handful of European chronographs that function both of these functions. I ought to also note that some of Seiko’s larger-finish chronograph movements also feature column wheels and vertical clutches, as do pieces by brands such as Patek Philippe and (the former) Daniel Roth. Why all the concentrate on the chronograph? Properly that is the new signature complication of Montblanc. The brand latched on to the complication for good explanation (as effectively as to Mr. Nicolas Rieussec). "Chronograph" literally implies "time writer." What is Montblanc recognized for? Yes, making pens. Sound too great to be accurate to have a watch in your collection that is a "time writer?" So the emphasis on this complication make ideal sense. Nicolas Rieussec is guy credited with "inventing the chronograph." Montblanc adopted him.
A although ago Rieussec produced a device that appears like an early seismograph. It was a clock with a cease and commence function that pulled a disc of paper along a smaller sized writing tip. This device was the very first identified "chronograph." It was meant to measure time in horse races and actually "wrote." The appear of the chronograph on the watch is taken from this early device. Montblanc keeps replicas of them about the manufacture for inspiration. Each Nicolas Rieussec watch uses two discs that move along stationary hands to show the chronograph time (up to 30 minutes). These are also monopusher chronographs that use a single pusher to cycle via "start, cease, and reset" functions for the chronograph. The pusher is huge, easy to locate, and placed at the five o’clock position on the watch. Don’t miss the exposed synthetic palette rubies exposed on the leading of the chronograph dials.
This chronograph style is the signature look of the Nicolas Rieussec collection. The time is displayed on an off-centered dial at the prime of the face. Whilst tiny, Montblanc actually helped that dial standout and be legible. It utilizes that fancy looking font that you’ll uncover on most Montblanc Star watches. I truly do adore that font.
On the manually-wound versions of the Nicolas Rieussec, the time dial has a third hand employed for the date. On the automatic, the third had is GMT hand. Working just like you would assume, the main time hour hand can be independently adjusted to alter the time when moving by means of time zones when traveling. To the left of the dial is a day/evening indicator linked to the GMT hand. This helpful complication aid you know if it is day or evening on your second timezone offered that it is displayed on the 12, versus 24 hour scale. Who’d a even though this would turn out to be such a helpful travel watch? Both time zones share the minute hand. I was generally impressed by the GMT functionality of the watch and feels that the R200 movement’s use of the third hand is much better than having it be a date indicator.
Whilst the left of the dial has the day/evening indicator, the right has a date wheel. For symmetry Montblanc utilizes a window of a related shape, but I don’t significantly care for "open" date windows. It also does not appear spectacular with the upper and reduced date becoming partially beneath the dial – although that does really help with keeping your focus on the actual date. While the windows that flank the time dial look good, I have a feeling Montblanc might function to revise or polish the style in future generations of the watch.
Coming in a couple of tones, the dial of the Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec is an intriguing creature. It took me a while to warm up to it, but I am enjoying the style. Although totally various than other collection Montblanc provides, the Nicolas Rieussec does share the brand’s DNA nicely. Of course the crown has that beautiful white Montblanc star, and the case is extremely much inspired by the Star collection. To produce visual depth, the power part of the dial is partially "eclipsed" by a plate of Geneva stripe polished metal – plus, the dial appears to be created up of a couple of layers. The chronograph dials are covered with a sort of wish-bone like bridge that utilizes blued steel screws (blued steel is also used for some of the hands). This is a nice element, but I had one suggestion for Montblanc. Even though this may well boost the price a bit, I feel it would be really welcome. The bridge is produced from stamped steel. What if it could be created from milled and hand-polished steel? It would provide a wonderful visual cue and reminder that this is a hand-assembled watch. Perhaps in the future.
Let’s visit the R200 movement again. It is an automatic version of the R100 with a few addition complications (as mentioned above). You can see the rotor placed over the movement, with the small Montblanc star shaped hole that is made to pass proper over the column wheel opening window. The movement has two mainspring barrels for a energy reserve of 72 hours. The movement operates at 28,800bmp and can be adjusted to be extremely correct. I saw a movement at the manufacture that was adjusted to operate within much less than a single second of deviation a day. I love that the movement combines modern technologies and traditionalism. Like I stated, it uses a free-weighted balance spring and column wheel, enjoys helps from highly sophisticated machinery in its assembly and manufacture.
The Nicolas Rieussec watch case is 43mm wide and 14.8mm tall. It is not a tiny watch, but it does wear like a medium 1. Its height is visually reduced by the hugely curved lugs. Front and rear crystal are sapphire (with the front crystal having double AR coating), although it is water resistant to 30 meters.
Montblanc has assured me that their dedication to the Nicolas Rieussec collection is intense. The collection will acquire far more focus in the future, which is aided by the reality that the watch is a advertising and marketing good results. A single of the motives for this is the pricing. Although the watches are not low cost they are a lot more affordable that you’d expect. The pieces come in gold, platinum, and steel. The gold models are in the ,000 range. Not low cost, but Montblanc is not asking for ,000. In fact, their platinum version is about ,000 – which in the luxury market place is not that considerably for a platinum watch. In steel the watch retails for about ,200. It comes in a steel bracelet or an alligator strap (black or brown). I am told that soon Montblanc will create a brand new metal bracelet for the Nicolas Rieussec collection.
General these are enjoyable watches. The Montblanc identity is a significant good, and I appreciate the visual style and functionality of the R200 movement. Even though distinctive in its looks, this is an straightforward watch to wear day-to-day. Montblanc isn’t generating a mere collector’s piece right here. Developed to avert boredom but sustain utility the Nicolas Rieussec watch collection is intended for all types of watch lovers to worn every day.