Montblanc’s new Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph limited edition cross-pollinates the brand’s histories in horology and writing instruments
Always game for a theatrical presentation, Laurent Lecamp, the managing director of Montblanc’s watch division, is in his element when presenting the new Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph limited-edition watch.
“Are you ready?” he asks, pausing for dramatic effect. Without waiting for an answer, Lecamp reaches for a tiny ultraviolet (UV) torch and shines it across the watch’s dial. As he does so, illustrations on the black dial are illuminated with an ethereal blue hue, glowing and disappearing just as quickly with the movement of the UV light.
“It is a secret,” says Lecamp when asked about the dial’s unusual luminescence. Unlike regular Super-LumiNova treatment that gets ‘charged up’ and stays illuminated in the dark, the version on this watch glows only under the presence of UV light.
What is more obvious, however, is the dial’s artwork. The design is a blueprint of Montblanc’s iconic Meisterstück fountain pen from the 1920s—including the dimension table of the Montblanc logo that features on the cap of every Meisterstück and on the crown of Montblanc timepieces.
Born from demands by customers for a more sophisticated and refined product for ‘Sunday use’, the Meisterstück (German for ‘masterpiece’) celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. The world-famous writing instrument, which quickly fulfilled its promise to transcend from being a functional tool to become a signifier of luxury and stature, has since become emblematic of Montblanc, which has pulled out all the stops to commemorate the milestone.
Alongside a coveted range of limited-edition writing instruments that pay homage to the Meisterstück’s history (Meisterstück The Origin Collection: Resin Editions), Montblanc has also decided to immortalise the iconic accoutrement in a timepiece. And there is no better watch than the Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec to do the job.
Miniature Masterpiece
Easily one of the most distinctive modern chronograph wristwatches ever made, the Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec is named after the watchmaker who patented one of the earliest chronograph mechanisms in 1821. Its unique chronograph display, which features rotating discs with stationary hands—as opposed to regular chronograph subdials—takes direct inspiration from Rieussec’s original 1821 design, which used rotating inked discs to measure time intervals during horse races.
Serendipitously, the idea of using instruments of ink to mark time and events—with a Meisterstück fountain pen, as well as Rieussec’s early ‘time writing’ chronograph— now anchors the Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph 43mm Meisterstück 100 Years Limited Edition.
Capped at 500 pieces, the watch comes in a 43mm stainless steel case that frames the inimitable dial. In addition to its spectral, on-demand luminescence that Lecamp gleefully showcased, the watch is lavished with design nods to the Meisterstück writing instrument.For one, the stainless steel case and black dial is a direct reference to the Meisterstück’s black-and-white aesthetic. And just as the writing instrument was adorned with gold accents and equipped with a solid 18k gold nib, the watch, too, features a gold-coloured bridge that connects the two chronograph discs, as well as rose gold-coated hands and numerals.
Like all other Star Legacy Chronograph Nicolas Rieussec models that came before, this version is a mechanical marvel. At its heart is the automatic monopusher chronograph movement MB R200 with a 72-hour power reserve—the first in-house movement produced by Montblanc.
Fittingly, the engine features components commonly found in high-end chronographs, such as a column wheel for smoother activation of the complication, and a quick-reset mechanism for the hour and date, which is useful for travellers who journey between different time zones.
“It is all about having both style and substance with what we do. The Meisterstück is a great writing instrument, but it is also more than that—it is a symbol of luxury and creativity,” says Lecamp. “I think we’ve managed to capture this spirit beautifully in this watch.”
This story first appeared in the August 2024 issue. Purchase it as a print or digital copy, or consider subscribing to us here
