Hands-On The Montblanc Heritage Small Second Limited Edition 38

In 2006, the Richemont Group acquired the historically important independent Swiss watchmaking marque Minerva, founded in 1868, and folded it into Montblanc, then known primarily for its writing instruments The watch we're going hands on with today, the Montblanc Heritage Small Second Limited Edition 38, has its roots in this time It's a limited edition of 38 examples, using movements made three years prior to the Richemont acquisition and subsequently discovered by Montblanc in the Minerva archives.

With this acquisition and investment, Montblanc was able to substantially bolster its own standing as a watchmaker Today, Montblanc operates two watchmaking centers - the erstwhile Minerva, in Villeret, where lavish finishing and hand assembly prevail, and another in a converted Art Nouveau mansion in Le Locle, where more commercial products are made Naturally, the limited nature of the new old stock caliber MB M6200 found in this watch, and the fact that it was made prior to the Richemont acquisition, make it pretty special and rare, though it isn't the first time that Montblanc has used it in a limited edition.

The caliber was made between 2003 and 2006, and Montblanc says that only 250 were made during that span. . Source