Montblanc - Writing Time
Having made its name in writing instruments - without which there would be no civilization - Montblanc has also set out to leave its mark on that other milestone of human accomplishment, the measurement of time, without which there would be no progress. The manufacture Montblanc Montre S.A. in Le Locle, a town in the Swiss mountains where the finest watchmakers originated and still live, was established as the watchmaking arm of the almost 100-year-old luxury brand. Since its foundation in 1997, it has carved out a firm place for itself amongst the great watchmakers of our time. The company's first watches, in black and gold and bearing its trademark white star, inevitably evoked the nobility of the writing instrument Meisterstuck. Legendary models have made their appearance since, among them the Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph that pays homage to Nicolas Mathieu Rieussec, the inventor of the "instrument of writing time" - known to the world as the chronograph.
In 2007, Montblanc was entrusted a unique treasure in the world of haute horlogerie: the manufacture Minerva in Villeret, where extremely fine timepieces are manufactured since 1858. In the unchanged spirit of a hundred year old company, Montblanc set out to safeguard this extraordinary heritage. The innovation of today is the tradition of the future. While the traditional technical and artistic skills are still practiced today in Villeret, Montblanc encourages innovations that further develop - but at the same time respect - the proud principles of traditional haute horlogerie. This philosophy is beautifully embodied in the timepieces of the Montblanc Collection Villeret 1858.The book is introduced under the patronage of Mr. Franco Cologni, founder and president of the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie, who has also written the preface to the oeuvre. Writing Time tells the story of Montblanc watches through the perspective of three experts in the field of watchmaking on 288 pages. Gisbert Brunner is an eminent watch specialist. As an internationally reknown expert, he is a contributor to many leading specialized watch magazines and member of the Jury of the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Geneve. He is also the author of various books on horology.Laurence Marti is a historian and doctor of sociology, and author of a book on Longines and its region.Reinhard Meis is a watchmaker and movement constructor. As Head of Development at Lange & Söhne he bly influenced the product design and characteristics of the "New Lange" watches. He is also the author of various specialized books on horology.