EDITOR’S PICK: Our video review of the Montblanc 1858 Small Second with blue dial
Andrew McUtchenEditor’s Note: The 1858 collection has quickly become a mainstay of Montblanc’s watch landscape, with new versions offered in 2017 in bi-material bronze and steel and also with a Dual-Time complication that you can get a glimpse of in this video. Before these welcome developments came a dressy blue dial variant offered in 2016, on an excellent blue strap.
It started with the 1858, which – in an insanely busy year for Montblanc – dropped out of the big blue sky. We were excited. We were titillated. We were a little flummoxed to be honest. Thoroughly embracing the spirit of the Manufacture Minerva that Montblanc acquired, it was almost a case of innovation overload. Almost. Because when we saw it in the metal, we better understood the play, which seemed to be:
1.Wrap Minerva into the brand story at an entry as well as elite price point.
2. Give the elegant Heritage Chronométrie range a more rugged brother to cover all bases.
3. Tap that evergreen classic military style.
The model was well received and now there’s a whole collection to choose from – at all price points – including this inky blue-dialled beauty, which proves that colour can be just as versatile as black. That’s certainly how Felix felt when he met this dark horse – the Montblanc 1858 Manual Small Second.
Montblanc 1858 Manual Small Second Australian Pricing
The Montblanc 1858 Manual Small Second, with blue dial on leather, $5120