I can’t tell you how refreshing it was to see some achievable watches at SIHH this year, and the offering at Montblanc’s SIHH 2019 presentation, was exactly that, with the new Montblanc Heritage GMT tickling my fancy above all else.
THE HERITAGE COLLECTION
The new Montblanc Heritage collection integrates a comprehensive range of movements inspired by high-end Minerva calibres from the past, ranging from simple three-handers, to a Perpetual Calendar and a high-end, limited edition, Pulsograph, all taking styling cues from classic wristwatches from the 1940s and 1950s.
Vintage aesthetics include domed dials with two finishings and dots as indexes combined with 1940-50’s inspired colours such as salmon, smoked-caramel and silvery-white. Fully polished cases from 39 to 42 mm feature curved horns with facets and are fitted with sapphire crystal glass boxes for an elegant historical look.
THE HERITAGE GMT
My pick of the bunch, due to my penchant for dual timezone watches, was the Montblanc Heritage GMT in a 40mm, fully-polished stainless steel case with curved horns and the Minerva Manufacture embossing on the case back.
The Montblanc Heritage GMT is available in three versions: with a silvery-white domed dial and a grey Sfumato alligator-skin strap, silvery-white domed dial with a steel mesh Milanese bracelet, or with a salmon-coloured domed dial and a grey Sfumato alligator-skin strap coming from Richemont Pelletteria in Florence, Italy.
VARIATIONS
The three models have matching-coloured applied Arabic numerals, dots as indexes and hands, as well as domed sapphire crystals, powered by an automatic calibre equipped with a 24-hour GMT complication. Across the board, the dials are handsome, functional and legible, both featuring a slender blue GMT hand that looks especially nice contrasted against the Salmon.
For more info head to Montblanc and while you’re at it check out the best watches you can buy for under $5,000.
