Two New Montblanc Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec Models in Steel and Red Gold

It might be hard to believe but we’re already into December, which means it’s nearly January. Incredible as it sounds, the first major watch fair of the New Year is just a few weeks away. That means it’s preview time. We’ve already shown you several models from the likes of IWC, Piaget, HYT and Laurent Ferrier. Now it’s Montblanc’s turn. First on our list are two new Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec Chronographs.

Before you say anything, yes, calling these watches ‘new’ is probably a bit of a stretch. They’re new in the technical sense of the word but practically speaking, they are modest extensions of the existing range. This makes sense given last year’s refresh, which included a new dial layout and redesigned case.

In addition to the familiar steel case, this year sees the introduction of a red gold case, each measuring a healthy 44.8mm x 15.02mm. Both models feature attractive anthracite dials adorned with a distinctive guilloché pattern. The dial layout remains the same, with hours and minutes shown on the off-centre dial below 12 o’clock via blued leaf-shaped hands. There’s also a silver skeletonized second-time-zone hand, which sits on the same axis.

The hour dial features slimmed-down Arabic numerals and there is a subtle azuré finishing in the centre, which gives an added sense of depth.  At 9 o’clock there is a day/night display, while the date is shown through a window at 6 o’clock, framed by a cartouche held in placed by blued screws. A travel function allows for the rapid reset of the hour hand and date display either forward or backward via the crown.

In the bottom half of the dial, we find the chronograph displays. Two domed counters sit at 5 o’clock and 8 o’clock respectively, with a fixed blued central hand in between. As you probably know already, in this chronograph, the discs (or sub-dials if you prefer) rotate instead of the hands. The counter on the left tracks elapsed chronograph seconds, while the right is responsible for elapsed chronograph minutes. There is no running seconds shown on the dial.

Turning the watch over, a sapphire caseback displays the Montblanc Manufacture Calibre MB R200 inside. This automatic winding movement features a double barrel and a monopusher chronograph, with column wheel and vertical coupling. Beating at 28,800vph, it offers a power reserve of around 72 hours.

Both models are offered on a Grey Sfumato alligator skin strap from the Montblanc Pelletteria in Florence, Italy with a triple-folding clasp in the metal matching the case. Price in steel will be EUR 7,450 and EUR 20,000 in red gold. More details at www.montblanc.com.