Month: January 2015

Some cool precision turned components suppliers images:

Montblanc Boutique in the Yorkdale Mall, Toronto, Ontario – 114

Image by antefixus21
Montblanc Wrist Watch wall display case.

Chronograph – Nicholas Rieussec time piece.

Swiss made.

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

This watch evaluation is going to be a bit diverse than how I generally do them. Why? Due to the fact shortly before the overview I was actually capable to pay a visit to the manufacture creating the movements of this watch. That knowledge supplied me some specific insight that permitted me to understand this timepiece far 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 specialist journalists permitted me to recognize that there is no strict definition of &quotwatch manufacture&quot or &quotmanufacture movement.&quot This definitional ambiguity hurts my capability to explain items effectively, but let it be mentioned that Montblanc tends to make the movement in every of the Nicolas Rieussec watches themselves. Of course there is some support from suppliers, but this is about as &quotin-residence&quot a job as most men and women want it to be. My understanding is that the components 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 accurate that several 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 bigger function length post on this subject that will come out soon – but in short, when it comes to the Nicolas Rieussec line of timepieces, Montblanc relies on a clever environment that combines the human approach of watch makers with the precision assistance of machines.

A few instance of this synergy between man (or woman) and machine? Right here are two. One particular of the photos right here is of a machine that robotically applies lubricant to designated spots in a watch. Such lubricant need to be precisely applied with an exact quantity. The a lot more consistently applied the better. Even though a human assembles the movement, a robot is utilised to apply the lubricant better and with a lot more precision in terms of amount than any human can do consistently. One more instance is a machine that makes it possible for a watch maker to adjust the screws on a balance wheel and test the accuracy of the rate in true time. Essentially the machine combines a magnifier, laptop controlled screw driver, and a watch movement rate tester in one particular. Even though it is operated by a individual, the machine tends to make it easy to adjust a classic weighted balance wheel to its most precise weight distribution in the escapement assembly.

1 of my preferred images right here that illustrates the culture of the manufacture is the image of the watch tools with the pc mouse. If you look closely you will also notice the presence of a Montblanc pen. Every work station gives watchmakers a pc terminal as nicely as watch making tools. While I have seen this before, it undoubtedly is not typical.

With their movements all made in Switzerland by Montblanc, the Nicolas Rieussec collection at present consists of a couple of watches. My major focus here is on the Automatic Chronograph that also has a GMT and date complication (that I tested). The movement is known as the R200. The two manually wound variants (with slightly various functions) are the R100, R110, and R120 (a restricted edition that used a silicium escapement). I am not going to go overboard with technical information, but the movements represent an fascinating medium among the ultra-higher finish, 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 based chronograph that utilizes a vertical clutch. These functions offer more durability and precision when employing the chronograph. There are quite couple of European chronographs that function both of these attributes. I need to also note that some of Seiko’s larger-end chronograph movements also function 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? Effectively that is the new signature complication of Montblanc. The brand latched on to the complication for very good explanation (as effectively as to Mr. Nicolas Rieussec). &quotChronograph&quot actually implies &quottime writer.&quot What is Montblanc recognized for? Yes, producing pens. Sound also very good to be correct to have a watch in your collection that is a &quottime writer?&quot So the emphasis on this complication make ideal sense. Nicolas Rieussec is guy credited with &quotinventing the chronograph.&quot Montblanc adopted him.

A although ago Rieussec developed a device that appears like an early seismograph. It was a clock with a quit and begin function that pulled a disc of paper along a smaller sized writing tip. This device was the first identified &quotchronograph.&quot It was meant to measure time in horse races and in fact &quotwrote.&quot The appear of the chronograph on the watch is taken from this early device. Montblanc keeps replicas of them around the manufacture for inspiration. Each Nicolas Rieussec watch makes use of 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, cease, and reset&quot functions for the chronograph. The pusher is massive, straightforward to uncover, and placed at the five o’clock position on the watch. Never 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. Whilst 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 really 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. Working just like you would assume, the principal 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 beneficial complication help you know if it is day or night on your second timezone offered 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? 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 far better than possessing it be a date indicator.

Whilst the left of the dial has the day/night indicator, the appropriate has a date wheel. For symmetry Montblanc uses a window of a comparable shape, but I never considerably care for &quotopen&quot date windows. It also does not appear spectacular with the upper and reduced date becoming partially under the dial – even though that does actually help with keeping your focus on the actual date. Whilst the windows that flank the time dial look good, I have a feeling Montblanc may well operate to revise or polish the style in future generations of the watch.

Coming in a handful of tones, the dial of the Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec is an fascinating creature. It took me a even though to warm up to it, but I am enjoying the design. Although entirely different than other collection Montblanc provides, the Nicolas Rieussec does share the brand’s DNA nicely. Of course the crown has that beautiful white Montblanc star, and the case is very considerably inspired by the Star collection. To develop visual depth, the energy element of the dial is partially &quoteclipsed&quot by a plate of Geneva stripe polished metal – plus, the dial looks to be produced up of a handful of layers. The chronograph dials are covered with a sort of want-bone like bridge that uses 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. Although this might boost the expense a bit, I think it would be genuinely welcome. The bridge is created from stamped steel. What if it could be created from milled and hand-polished steel? It would supply a fantastic visual cue and reminder that this is a hand-assembled watch. Possibly in the future.

Let’s visit the R200 movement once again. It is an automatic version of the R100 with a few addition complications (as mentioned above). You can see the rotor placed over the movement, with the small Montblanc star shaped hole that is created to pass appropriate over the column wheel opening window. The movement has two mainspring barrels for a power reserve of 72 hours. The movement operates at 28,800bmp and can be adjusted to be quite correct. I saw a movement at the manufacture that was adjusted to operate within much less than one second of deviation a day. I adore that the movement combines modern day technologies and traditionalism. Like I said, it makes use of a totally free-weighted balance spring and column wheel, enjoys assists from very 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. Its height is visually lowered by the highly curved lugs. Front and rear crystal are sapphire (with the front crystal having double AR coating), even though 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 a lot more interest in the future, which is aided by the reality that the watch is a marketing achievement. One of the reasons for this is the pricing. Although the watches aren’t low cost they are far more reasonable that you’d count on. 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. Actually, their platinum version is about ,000 – which in the luxury market is not 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 develop a brand new metal bracelet for the Nicolas Rieussec collection.

General these are enjoyable watches. The Montblanc identity is a significant good, and I take pleasure in the visual design and functionality of the R200 movement. Whilst distinctive in its appears, this is an effortless watch to wear everyday. Montblanc isn’t creating a mere collector’s piece here. Designed to avoid boredom but keep utility the Nicolas Rieussec watch collection is intended for all varieties of watch lovers to worn day-to-day.

Montblanc Boutique in the Yorkdale Mall, Toronto, Ontario – 117

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 three, 2011 BY ARIEL ADAMS

This watch review is going to be a bit various than how I usually do them. Why? Since shortly before the overview I was truly able to visit the manufacture creating the movements of this watch. That encounter provided me some particular insight that permitted me to understand this timepiece much more.
I know there is a lot of talk on the &quotmanufacture&quot movement. In fact, a current panel discussion I had with fellow watch professional journalists allowed me to understand that there is no strict definition of &quotwatch manufacture&quot or &quotmanufacture movement.&quot This definitional ambiguity hurts my potential to explain things correctly, but let it be mentioned that Montblanc tends to make the movement in every of the Nicolas Rieussec watches themselves. Of course there is some support from suppliers, but this is about as &quotin-property&quot a job as most individuals 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 modern day it was. I imply it is correct that several watch manufactures really feel like you are in some combo of a hospital and science lab, but the machinery obtainable to the watch makers at the Le Locle facility was impressive. I have a larger feature length article on this topic that will come out quickly – but in quick, when it comes to the Nicolas Rieussec line of timepieces, Montblanc relies on a clever environment that combines the human strategy of watch makers with the precision help of machines.

A handful of example of this synergy amongst man (or woman) and machine? Here are two. 1 of the pictures here is of a machine that robotically applies lubricant to designated spots in a watch. Such lubricant need to be precisely applied with an precise amount. The far more regularly applied the greater. Whilst a human assembles the movement, a robot is utilised to apply the lubricant far better and with much more precision in terms of quantity than any human can do regularly. One more example 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. Basically the machine combines a magnifier, personal computer controlled screw driver, and a watch movement price tester in a single. Even though it is operated by a particular person, the machine makes it straightforward to adjust a classic weighted balance wheel to its most precise weight distribution in the escapement assembly.

One particular of my favored images right here that illustrates the culture of the manufacture is the image of the watch tools with the computer mouse. If you look closely you are going to also notice the presence of a Montblanc pen. Each and every work station provides watchmakers a laptop terminal as well as watch making tools. Even though I have seen this ahead of, it surely is not common.

With their movements all produced in Switzerland by Montblanc, the Nicolas Rieussec collection at present consists of a couple of watches. My major concentrate 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 restricted edition that used a silicium escapement). I am not going to go overboard with technical specifics, but the movements represent an interesting medium among the ultra-high finish, and mass manufactured pieces.

The R200 has a lot of impressive functions on paper. Notable to the watch nerd is that it has a column wheel based chronograph that makes use of a vertical clutch. These attributes offer far more durability and precision when utilizing the chronograph. There are quite couple of European chronographs that function each of these functions. I need to also note that some of Seiko’s greater-finish chronograph movements also function 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? Effectively that is the new signature complication of Montblanc. The brand latched on to the complication for excellent purpose (as properly as to Mr. Nicolas Rieussec). &quotChronograph&quot actually means &quottime writer.&quot What is Montblanc identified for? Yes, producing 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 ideal sense. Nicolas Rieussec is guy credited with &quotinventing the chronograph.&quot Montblanc adopted him.

A even though 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 1st known &quotchronograph.&quot It was meant to measure time in horse races and really &quotwrote.&quot The look 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 by means of &quotstart, stop, and reset&quot functions for the chronograph. The pusher is large, effortless to uncover, and placed at the 5 o’clock position on the watch. Don’t miss the exposed synthetic palette rubies exposed on the best of the chronograph dials.

This chronograph style is the signature look of the Nicolas Rieussec collection. The time is displayed on an off-centered dial at the prime of the face. Even though little, Montblanc truly helped that dial standout and be legible. It makes use of that fancy looking font that you are going to uncover on most Montblanc Star watches. I really do really like 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 through time zones when traveling. To the left of the dial is a day/evening indicator linked to the GMT hand. This helpful complication aid 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 even though this would turn out to be such a useful travel watch? Both time zones share the minute hand. I was usually impressed by the GMT functionality of the watch and feels that the R200 movement’s use of the third hand is far better than having it be a date indicator.

While the left of the dial has the day/evening indicator, the appropriate has a date wheel. For symmetry Montblanc makes use of a window of a similar shape, but I do not considerably care for &quotopen&quot date windows. It also does not appear spectacular with the upper and decrease date getting partially beneath the dial – though that does in fact aid with maintaining your focus on the actual date. While the windows that flank the time dial look nice, I have a feeling Montblanc may well operate to revise or polish the design and style in future generations of the watch.

Coming in a couple of tones, the dial of the Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec is an exciting creature. It took me a even though to warm up to it, but I am enjoying the design and style. Whilst totally different 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 really much inspired by the Star collection. To develop visual depth, the energy component of the dial is partially &quoteclipsed&quot by a plate of Geneva stripe polished metal – plus, the dial looks to be created up of a handful of layers. The chronograph dials are covered with a sort of want-bone like bridge that makes use of blued steel screws (blued steel is also utilized for some of the hands). This is a nice element, but I had one particular suggestion for Montblanc. Even though this may well increase the expense a bit, I think it would be really welcome. The bridge is made from stamped steel. What if it could be created from milled and hand-polished steel? It would give a wonderful visual cue and reminder that this is a hand-assembled watch. Perhaps in the future.

Let’s pay a visit to the R200 movement once again. It is an automatic version of the R100 with a few addition complications (as described above). You can see the rotor placed over the movement, with the modest Montblanc star shaped hole that is created to pass appropriate 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 extremely precise. I saw a movement at the manufacture that was adjusted to operate inside less than one second of deviation a day. I enjoy that the movement combines contemporary technologies and traditionalism. Like I mentioned, it uses 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 is not a small watch, but it does wear like a medium 1. Its height is visually reduced by the hugely curved lugs. Front and rear crystal are sapphire (with the front crystal possessing double AR coating), whilst it is water resistant to 30 meters.

Montblanc has assured me that their dedication to the Nicolas Rieussec collection is intense. The collection will acquire much more attention in the future, which is aided by the truth that the watch is a marketing and advertising success. One of the reasons for this is the pricing. Even though the watches are not low-cost they are a lot more affordable that you’d expect. The pieces come in gold, platinum, and steel. The gold models are in the ,000 range. Not inexpensive, but Montblanc isn’t asking for ,000. In fact, their platinum version is about ,000 – which in the luxury industry is not 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 quickly Montblanc will create a brand new metal bracelet for the Nicolas Rieussec collection.

All round these are enjoyable watches. The Montblanc identity is a main good, and I enjoy the visual design and style and functionality of the R200 movement. Even though exclusive in its looks, this is an effortless watch to put on everyday. Montblanc isn’t producing a mere collector’s piece right here. Created to prevent boredom but maintain utility the Nicolas Rieussec watch collection is intended for all sorts of watch lovers to worn every day.