Introducing: The Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph In Steel And A Bronze Limited Edition

April 24, 2020

Continuing to iterate within the Minerva-inspired 1858 line up, Montblanc has recently unveiled a new monopusher automatic chronograph that is available in both steel and a bronze limited edition. With warm new-vintage styling and an entirely enthusiast-spec complication, the 1858 Monopusher Chronograph is a nicely sized and sporty design that offers a cool complication at a less-than-common price point.? Initial Thoughts In either steel or bronze, the 1858 Monopusher Chronograph is 42mm wide and 14.7mm thick with a solid caseback, 100 meters water resistance, and an anti-reflective domed sapphire crystal. While the styling is much in line with other pieces from the 1858 collection, the bronze limited edition offers a distinctive take (that will likely look entirely rad as the patina develops), and it's hard to overlook the monopusher aspect at, or around, $5,000 (especially given previous LE monopushers from Montblanc).? The 1858 Monopusher Chronograph uses the MB 25.12 automatic movement, which, like the MB 25.11, is based on a Sellita SW500. Those hoping that the monopusher was an expression of the MB 25.10 (which is based on IWC's in-house and column wheel-equipped 69370 movement) will have to be OK with a cam-operated Sellita, likely some derivation of the SW510 MP that we've seen put to good use in the Bremont Arrow. Ticking at 4Hz, the MB 25.12 has a power reserve of 48 hours and offers a 30-minute chronograph measure with central chrono seconds and running seconds at nine o'clock.? A few hairs thinner than the aforementioned Bremont, the 1858 Monopusher Chronograph sits at a similar price point but offers an entirely different look and feel. The steel version starts at $4,900 on a leather strap or $5,200 on a nicely matched "beads of rice" style steel bracelet. The bronze (which is limited to 1,858 pieces) carries a price tag of $5,600 C just add your own patina.? The Basics Brand: Montblanc Model: 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Limited Edition Reference Number: 125581 (steel on leather), 125582 (steel on bracelet), 125583 (bronze)?Diameter: 42mmThickness: 14.7mmCase Material: Steel or bronzeDial Color: BlackIndexes: PrintedLume: YesWater Resistance: 100 metersStrap/Bracelet: Steel bracelet or brown leather strap (for steel version), beige NATO with bronze-coated stainless steel pin buckle (for bronze LE)? The Movement Caliber: MB 25.12Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, 30-minute chronograph, central chronograph secondsPower Reserve: 48 hoursWinding: Automatic Frequency: 28,800 vphJewels: 27Additional Details: Monopusher chronograph? Pricing & Availability Price: $4,900 (steel, leather), $5,200 (steel, bracelet), $5,600 (bronze LE)Limited Edition: 1,858 pieces for the bronze versionFor more, click here.