This year marks the 9th edition of the renowned Only Watch charity auction and also the 200th anniversary of the inking chronograph created by Nicolas Rieussec.
To celebrate both important milestones, Montblanc has decided to pay tribute to both events with the creation of the Montblanc Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph Only Watch’21 Unique Piece. During the Only Watch 2021 Charity auction, this one-of-a-kind creation will be auctioned together with a wooden replica of the historical chronograph from 1821.
Since 2009, Montblanc has supported the Only Watch Charity Auction held by Luc Pettavino, President of the Association Monégasque contre les Myopathies and the founder of Only Watch that has raised over 70 million Euros to date. The auction is under the patronage of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and is organized in partnership with Christie’s.
The Montblanc Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph Only Watch’21 Unique Piece comes in a 43 mm 18 K yellow gold case that is shaped like a pebble, offering comfort and elegance on the wrist. For Montblanc, the details make all the difference, with sapphire crystal on the front that has been treated with an anti-reflective coating on both sides to allow the wearer to admire the dial.
Paying tribute to the charity auction, the caseback features a special engraving Only Watch Unique Piece. Furthermore, the movement’s oscillating weight has been crafted out of 18 K yellow gold and decorated with a guilloché grain d’orge pattern. It also includes a cartridge where a further engraving can be added – either Only Watch 2021 or the name of the future owner, making this unique timekeeper a true collector’s piece.
For each Only Watch auction, a colour theme is chosen, which for this 9th edition will be orange. Following this fun theme, Montblanc has added subtle orange touches to the dial’s railway track, the skeletonized second time zone hand, the chronograph’s double index, and the date number six, as a nod to the day of the auction.
The complex dial is composed of six different parts, providing a three-dimensional effect. It has been developed with particular attention paid to the proportions of the aesthetic as well as the horological details. Like on the original timekeeper, the base of the dial is made in a gold colour with a traditional guilloché grain d’orge decoration.
Paying tribute to the famous chronograph’s inventor, a ring with the inscriptions Nicolas Rieussec and Homage 200 ans (Tribute to 200 years) has been applied on the outer part of the dial and is surrounded by a refined filet sauté guilloché.
The contemporary shape and classic finishes of the Montblanc Manufacture calibre MB R200 can be admired through the sapphire crystal caseback. A keen eye will notice that the bridges feature Geneva stripes with bevelled and polished edges, while rubies, blued screws, and gold-coated wheels complete the ensemble.
This automatic monopusher chronograph has a column wheel and vertical disc clutch, double barrels, and a power reserve of 72 hours.
The unique piece is paired with a new brown alligator strap featuring orange stitching and alligator lining as a nod to the edition’s auction colour.
For this special occasion and, for the first time, Montblanc has developed a wooden replica of the Nicolas Rieussec historical inking chronograph from 1821.
Inspired by the original device, it is made of a walnut burl and features two white enamel rotating chronograph discs that can be easily started and stopped by a pusher located on the left of the device. The zero-reset has to be done manually by turning the counters with the help of the central axes like on the original one.
In addition to the one-of-a-kind timepiece and the historical chronograph replica, the successful bidder will receive a special invitation to a rare experience at the Montblanc Manufacture in Villeret in the beautiful area of the Jura Mountains.
The lucky owner will have the opportunity to discover the knowhow and craftsmanship of the Manufacture. He or she will also be able to assemble a Montblanc Calibre MB R200 with the master watchmaker who has created the unique chronograph.
As a final touch, the personalised 18 K yellow gold oscillating weight will be assembled in the presence of the watch’s owner.