Month: November 2014

A handful of nice precision turned elements suppliers pictures I identified:

Montblanc Boutique in the Yorkdale Mall, Toronto, Ontario – 115

Image by antefixus21
Montblanc Wrist Watch wall display case.

Chronograph – Nicholas Rieussec time piece.

Swiss made.

Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph Automatic Watch Review
WRIST TIME Critiques
20 COMMENTSJANUARY 3, 2011 BY ARIEL ADAMS

This watch overview is going to be a bit distinct than how I normally do them. Why? Because shortly ahead of the review I was really in a position to pay a visit to the manufacture making the movements of this watch. That experience provided me some specific insight that allowed me to understand this timepiece much more.
I know there is a lot of talk on the &quotmanufacture&quot movement. In truth, a recent panel discussion I had with fellow watch professional journalists allowed me to realize that there is no strict definition of &quotwatch manufacture&quot or &quotmanufacture movement.&quot This definitional ambiguity hurts my ability to explain things appropriately, but let it be said that Montblanc tends to make the movement in each and every of the Nicolas Rieussec watches themselves. Of course there is some assist from suppliers, but this is about as &quotin-home&quot a job as most men and women want it to be. My understanding is that the elements of the movements are created at the Valfleurier facility in Buttes Switzerland. The pieces are then sent to Montblanc Le Locle for assembly and testing.

What fascinated me most about the Montblanc manufacture in Le Locle Switzerland was just how contemporary it was. I imply it is true that numerous watch manufactures feel like you are in some combo of a hospital and science lab, but the machinery available to the watch makers at the Le Locle facility was impressive. I have a larger function length article on this topic that will come out soon – but in brief, when it comes to the Nicolas Rieussec line of timepieces, Montblanc relies on a clever atmosphere that combines the human method of watch makers with the precision help of machines.

A few example of this synergy among man (or woman) and machine? Here are two. A single of the images here is of a machine that robotically applies lubricant to designated spots in a watch. Such lubricant must be precisely applied with an precise quantity. The more regularly applied the far better. While a human assembles the movement, a robot is employed to apply the lubricant much better and with much more precision in terms of quantity than any human can do regularly. Yet another instance is a machine that enables a watch maker to adjust the screws on a balance wheel and test the accuracy of the price in actual time. Fundamentally the machine combines a magnifier, laptop controlled screw driver, and a watch movement rate tester in one particular. While it is operated by a person, the machine makes it simple to adjust a standard weighted balance wheel to its most precise weight distribution in the escapement assembly.

A single of my favored images right here that illustrates the culture of the manufacture is the image of the watch tools with the personal computer mouse. If you appear closely you will also notice the presence of a Montblanc pen. Every operate station provides watchmakers a computer terminal as nicely as watch generating tools. Whilst I have seen this ahead of, it definitely isn’t widespread.

With their movements all created in Switzerland by Montblanc, the Nicolas Rieussec collection at the moment consists of a couple of watches. My principal focus here is on the Automatic Chronograph that also has a GMT and date complication (that I tested). The movement is recognized as the R200. The two manually wound variants (with slightly distinct functions) are the R100, R110, and R120 (a limited edition that utilized a silicium escapement). I am not going to go overboard with technical particulars, but the movements represent an interesting medium in between the ultra-high end, and mass manufactured pieces.

The R200 has a lot of impressive characteristics on paper. Notable to the watch nerd is that it has a column wheel primarily based chronograph that makes use of a vertical clutch. These characteristics provide much more durability and precision when employing the chronograph. There are really couple of European chronographs that feature each of these features. I ought to also note that some of Seiko’s greater-finish chronograph movements also feature column wheels and vertical clutches, as do pieces by brands such as Patek Philippe and (the former) Daniel Roth. Why all the concentrate on the chronograph? Well that is the new signature complication of Montblanc. The brand latched on to the complication for good purpose (as properly as to Mr. Nicolas Rieussec). &quotChronograph&quot actually implies &quottime writer.&quot What is Montblanc identified for? Yes, making pens. Sound as well excellent to be true to have a watch in your collection that is a &quottime writer?&quot So the emphasis on this complication make perfect sense. Nicolas Rieussec is guy credited with &quotinventing the chronograph.&quot Montblanc adopted him.

A while ago Rieussec created a device that looks like an early seismograph. It was a clock with a stop and begin function that pulled a disc of paper along a smaller writing tip. This device was the initial recognized &quotchronograph.&quot It was meant to measure time in horse races and actually &quotwrote.&quot The appear of the chronograph on the watch is taken from this early device. Montblanc keeps replicas of them about the manufacture for inspiration. Each Nicolas Rieussec watch utilizes two discs that move along stationary hands to show the chronograph time (up to 30 minutes). These are also monopusher chronographs that use a single pusher to cycle by means of &quotstart, quit, and reset&quot functions for the chronograph. The pusher is huge, straightforward to find, and placed at the five o’clock position on the watch. Do not miss the exposed synthetic palette rubies exposed on the top of the chronograph dials.

This chronograph style is the signature appear of the Nicolas Rieussec collection. The time is displayed on an off-centered dial at the prime of the face. Although little, Montblanc genuinely helped that dial standout and be legible. It makes use of that fancy looking font that you’ll locate on most Montblanc Star watches. I actually do enjoy that font.

On the manually-wound versions of the Nicolas Rieussec, the time dial has a third hand utilised for the date. On the automatic, the third had is GMT hand. Functioning just like you would assume, the main time hour hand can be independently adjusted to alter the time when moving by way of time zones when traveling. To the left of the dial is a day/evening indicator linked to the GMT hand. This beneficial complication help you know if it is day or evening on your second timezone given that it is displayed on the 12, versus 24 hour scale. Who’d a though this would turn out to be such a beneficial travel watch? Each time zones share the minute hand. I was typically impressed by the GMT functionality of the watch and feels that the R200 movement’s use of the third hand is greater than possessing it be a date indicator.

Whilst the left of the dial has the day/evening indicator, the appropriate has a date wheel. For symmetry Montblanc utilizes a window of a comparable shape, but I never much care for &quotopen&quot date windows. It also does not look spectacular with the upper and decrease date getting partially under the dial – although that does really assist with keeping your focus on the actual date. Although the windows that flank the time dial appear good, I have a feeling Montblanc might work to revise or polish the design in future generations of the watch.

Coming in a few tones, the dial of the Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec is an intriguing creature. It took me a whilst to warm up to it, but I am enjoying the design. While completely diverse than other collection Montblanc offers, the Nicolas Rieussec does share the brand’s DNA nicely. Of course the crown has that lovely white Montblanc star, and the case is extremely a lot inspired by the Star collection. To create visual depth, the power part of the dial is partially &quoteclipsed&quot by a plate of Geneva stripe polished metal – plus, the dial looks to be made up of a handful of layers. The chronograph dials are covered with a sort of wish-bone like bridge that uses blued steel screws (blued steel is also utilised for some of the hands). This is a nice element, but I had one suggestion for Montblanc. Even though this may improve the expense a bit, I feel it would be truly welcome. The bridge is made from stamped steel. What if it could be made from milled and hand-polished steel? It would supply a superb visual cue and reminder that this is a hand-assembled watch. Probably in the future.

Let’s visit the R200 movement again. It is an automatic version of the R100 with a couple of addition complications (as talked about above). You can see the rotor placed more than the movement, with the little Montblanc star shaped hole that is made to pass correct over the column wheel opening window. The movement has two mainspring barrels for a energy reserve of 72 hours. The movement operates at 28,800bmp and can be adjusted to be very correct. I saw a movement at the manufacture that was adjusted to operate within less than 1 second of deviation a day. I really like that the movement combines modern technology and traditionalism. Like I mentioned, it makes use of a free of charge-weighted balance spring and column wheel, enjoys helps from extremely sophisticated machinery in its assembly and manufacture.

The Nicolas Rieussec watch case is 43mm wide and 14.8mm tall. It isn’t a small watch, but it does put on like a medium one particular. Its height is visually decreased by the extremely curved lugs. Front and rear crystal are sapphire (with the front crystal getting double AR coating), while it is water resistant to 30 meters.

Montblanc has assured me that their dedication to the Nicolas Rieussec collection is intense. The collection will receive much more attention in the future, which is aided by the reality that the watch is a advertising and marketing good results. 1 of the reasons for this is the pricing. While the watches are not low cost they are a lot more affordable that you’d anticipate. The pieces come in gold, platinum, and steel. The gold models are in the ,000 range. Not low-cost, but Montblanc isn’t asking for ,000. In fact, their platinum version is about ,000 – which in the luxury marketplace isn’t that significantly for a platinum watch. In steel the watch retails for about ,200. It comes in a steel bracelet or an alligator strap (black or brown). I am told that soon Montblanc will develop a brand new metal bracelet for the Nicolas Rieussec collection.

General these are enjoyable watches. The Montblanc identity is a main good, and I get pleasure from the visual design and functionality of the R200 movement. Whilst exclusive in its appears, this is an effortless watch to put on everyday. Montblanc is not producing a mere collector’s piece right here. Created to avert boredom but keep utility the Nicolas Rieussec watch collection is intended for all varieties of watch lovers to worn daily.

Montblanc Boutique in the Yorkdale Mall, Toronto, Ontario – 118

Image by antefixus21
Montblanc Wrist Watch wall show case.

Chronograph – Nicholas Rieussec time piece.

Swiss produced.

Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph Automatic Watch Evaluation
WRIST TIME Critiques
20 COMMENTSJANUARY 3, 2011 BY ARIEL ADAMS

This watch evaluation is going to be a bit distinct than how I typically do them. Why? Since shortly before the evaluation I was really capable to go to the manufacture producing the movements of this watch. That knowledge supplied me some special insight that allowed me to comprehend this timepiece more.
I know there is a lot of speak on the &quotmanufacture&quot movement. In reality, a current panel discussion I had with fellow watch expert journalists allowed me to understand that there is no strict definition of &quotwatch manufacture&quot or &quotmanufacture movement.&quot This definitional ambiguity hurts my capability to clarify things properly, but let it be stated that Montblanc tends to make the movement in every single of the Nicolas Rieussec watches themselves. Of course there is some assist from suppliers, but this is about as &quotin-home&quot a job as most people want it to be. My understanding is that the components of the movements are made at the Valfleurier facility in Buttes Switzerland. The pieces are then sent to Montblanc Le Locle for assembly and testing.

What fascinated me most about the Montblanc manufacture in Le Locle Switzerland was just how contemporary it was. I imply it is accurate that numerous watch manufactures feel like you are in some combo of a hospital and science lab, but the machinery offered to the watch makers at the Le Locle facility was impressive. I have a larger feature length article on this subject that will come out soon – but in quick, when it comes to the Nicolas Rieussec line of timepieces, Montblanc relies on a clever atmosphere that combines the human approach of watch makers with the precision assistance of machines.

A few example of this synergy in between man (or lady) and machine? Right here are two. 1 of the photos here is of a machine that robotically applies lubricant to designated spots in a watch. Such lubricant must be precisely applied with an precise amount. The much more consistently applied the far better. While a human assembles the movement, a robot is used to apply the lubricant much better and with a lot more precision in terms of quantity than any human can do consistently. Another example is a machine that permits a watch maker to adjust the screws on a balance wheel and test the accuracy of the rate in real time. Essentially the machine combines a magnifier, pc controlled screw driver, and a watch movement price tester in 1. Whilst it is operated by a particular person, the machine tends to make it easy to adjust a conventional weighted balance wheel to its most precise weight distribution in the escapement assembly.

One particular of my favorite images right here that illustrates the culture of the manufacture is the image of the watch tools with the personal computer mouse. If you look closely you will also notice the presence of a Montblanc pen. Every single work station gives watchmakers a laptop terminal as well as watch generating tools. Whilst I have observed this prior to, it certainly is not typical.

With their movements all made in Switzerland by Montblanc, the Nicolas Rieussec collection at the moment consists of a handful of watches. My principal concentrate right here is on the Automatic Chronograph that also has a GMT and date complication (that I tested). The movement is recognized as the R200. The two manually wound variants (with slightly diverse functions) are the R100, R110, and R120 (a limited edition that utilized a silicium escapement). I am not going to go overboard with technical details, but the movements represent an fascinating medium between the ultra-higher end, and mass manufactured pieces.

The R200 has a lot of impressive attributes on paper. Notable to the watch nerd is that it has a column wheel primarily based chronograph that uses a vertical clutch. These attributes offer much more durability and precision when using the chronograph. There are really couple of European chronographs that function both of these attributes. I must also note that some of Seiko’s greater-finish chronograph movements also feature column wheels and vertical clutches, as do pieces by brands such as Patek Philippe and (the former) Daniel Roth. Why all the concentrate on the chronograph? Nicely that is the new signature complication of Montblanc. The brand latched on to the complication for good purpose (as nicely as to Mr. Nicolas Rieussec). &quotChronograph&quot actually indicates &quottime writer.&quot What is Montblanc identified for? Yes, making pens. Sound as well good to be correct to have a watch in your collection that is a &quottime writer?&quot So the emphasis on this complication make best sense. Nicolas Rieussec is guy credited with &quotinventing the chronograph.&quot Montblanc adopted him.

A although ago Rieussec created a device that looks like an early seismograph. It was a clock with a stop and start function that pulled a disc of paper along a smaller writing tip. This device was the very first recognized &quotchronograph.&quot It was meant to measure time in horse races and truly &quotwrote.&quot The appear of the chronograph on the watch is taken from this early device. Montblanc keeps replicas of them about the manufacture for inspiration. Each and every Nicolas Rieussec watch uses two discs that move along stationary hands to show the chronograph time (up to 30 minutes). These are also monopusher chronographs that use a single pusher to cycle via &quotstart, cease, and reset&quot functions for the chronograph. The pusher is massive, effortless to find, and placed at the 5 o’clock position on the watch. Do not miss the exposed synthetic palette rubies exposed on the top of the chronograph dials.

This chronograph style is the signature appear of the Nicolas Rieussec collection. The time is displayed on an off-centered dial at the top of the face. Although modest, Montblanc really helped that dial standout and be legible. It utilizes that fancy searching font that you will locate on most Montblanc Star watches. I genuinely do really like that font.

On the manually-wound versions of the Nicolas Rieussec, the time dial has a third hand utilized for the date. On the automatic, the third had is GMT hand. Functioning just like you would assume, the main time hour hand can be independently adjusted to alter the time when moving by means of time zones when traveling. To the left of the dial is a day/night indicator linked to the GMT hand. This valuable complication assist you know if it is day or night on your second timezone provided that it is displayed on the 12, versus 24 hour scale. Who’d a although this would turn out to be such a beneficial travel watch? Both time zones share the minute hand. I was typically impressed by the GMT functionality of the watch and feels that the R200 movement’s use of the third hand is far better than obtaining it be a date indicator.

Whilst the left of the dial has the day/night indicator, the proper has a date wheel. For symmetry Montblanc utilizes a window of a comparable shape, but I never much care for &quotopen&quot date windows. It also does not appear spectacular with the upper and lower date being partially beneath the dial – even though that does truly aid with maintaining your concentrate on the actual date. While the windows that flank the time dial look nice, I have a feeling Montblanc may operate to revise or polish the design and style in future generations of the watch.

Coming in a few tones, the dial of the Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec is an intriguing creature. It took me a whilst to warm up to it, but I am enjoying the design. Whilst entirely various than other collection Montblanc delivers, the Nicolas Rieussec does share the brand’s DNA nicely. Of course the crown has that beautiful white Montblanc star, and the case is quite considerably inspired by the Star collection. To generate visual depth, the energy component of the dial is partially &quoteclipsed&quot by a plate of Geneva stripe polished metal – plus, the dial appears to be produced up of a couple of layers. The chronograph dials are covered with a sort of wish-bone like bridge that makes use of blued steel screws (blued steel is also used for some of the hands). This is a nice element, but I had one particular suggestion for Montblanc. Even though this may possibly increase the expense a bit, I believe it would be genuinely welcome. The bridge is created from stamped steel. What if it could be made from milled and hand-polished steel? It would provide a wonderful visual cue and reminder that this is a hand-assembled watch. Maybe in the future.

Let’s check out the R200 movement once more. It is an automatic version of the R100 with a handful of addition complications (as pointed out above). You can see the rotor placed over the movement, with the small Montblanc star shaped hole that is made to pass correct more than the column wheel opening window. The movement has two mainspring barrels for a energy reserve of 72 hours. The movement operates at 28,800bmp and can be adjusted to be quite precise. I saw a movement at the manufacture that was adjusted to operate inside less than 1 second of deviation a day. I enjoy that the movement combines contemporary technologies and traditionalism. Like I mentioned, it utilizes a cost-free-weighted balance spring and column wheel, enjoys assists from highly sophisticated machinery in its assembly and manufacture.

The Nicolas Rieussec watch case is 43mm wide and 14.8mm tall. It is not a tiny watch, but it does put on like a medium 1. Its height is visually decreased by the extremely curved lugs. Front and rear crystal are sapphire (with the front crystal getting double AR coating), while it is water resistant to 30 meters.

Montblanc has assured me that their dedication to the Nicolas Rieussec collection is intense. The collection will get much more consideration in the future, which is aided by the fact that the watch is a marketing and advertising success. One of the motives for this is the pricing. While the watches are not cheap they are far more affordable that you’d anticipate. The pieces come in gold, platinum, and steel. The gold models are in the ,000 variety. Not low cost, but Montblanc isn’t asking for ,000. Actually, their platinum version is about ,000 – which in the luxury industry isn’t that a lot for a platinum watch. In steel the watch retails for about ,200. It comes in a steel bracelet or an alligator strap (black or brown). I am told that soon Montblanc will create a brand new metal bracelet for the Nicolas Rieussec collection.

General these are enjoyable watches. The Montblanc identity is a major constructive, and I take pleasure in the visual style and functionality of the R200 movement. While unique in its appears, this is an effortless watch to wear every day. Montblanc isn’t creating a mere collector’s piece here. Made to avoid boredom but keep utility the Nicolas Rieussec watch collection is intended for all kinds of watch lovers to worn daily.