With the Heritage Pythagore Small Second Limited Edition 148, Montblanc presents two new timepieces that draw on the rich past of the Minerva watch manufacture. With them, the new Montblanc manufacture calibre MB M14.08, inspired by a historic Minerva calibre, makes its debut. It was constructed according to the proportions of the golden ratio and thus has a particularly harmonious look. The Heritage Pythagore is available in either white or rose gold. However, both versions are limited editions of 148 pieces.

The 39 mm case in 18-carat white or rose gold is reminiscent of the historical designs of the collection. Accordingly, the case of the Montblanc Heritage Pythagore is completely polished and features rounded lugs with facets. With a height of 9.5 mm, the watch is also extremely slim. Meanwhile, the fluted crown bears the Montblanc star. In addition, a domed box sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating protects the dial. On the back, the exhibition case back reveals the mechanics inside the watch. With a water resistance of up to 50 metres, however, the watch should not come into contact with too much water.

The domed dials pick up on the vintage look and come in either blue or brown. Both dials have a sunburst decoration in the centre of the dial. This is followed by a “Grainé” finish on the hour ring. Finally, the manufacture applies a brown or blue sfumato colour gradient, which becomes increasingly darker from the centre outwards.

The Montblanc Heritage Pythagore has applied dot indices and numerals in 18-carat gold. These, like the curved Dauphine hour and minute hands, have luminous material on them to improve legibility. At 6 o’clock, there is a small seconds with a gold-plated baton hand. Furthermore, Montblanc targets collectors and watch enthusiasts with the “hidden” Minerva signature between 4 and 5 o’clock. In addition, there is the historic Montblanc logo at 12 o’clock with a reference to the new MB M14.08 calibre that ticks away inside the watch.

The Montblanc Heritage Pythagore Small Second Limited Edition 148 marks the debut of the new MB M14.08 manufacture movement inspired by the historic calibre 48 of the Minerva Pythagore from the 1940s. The bridges of this calibre were positioned according to the golden ratio, which resulted in harmonious and pleasing aesthetics. The straight lines and geometric angles in particular were exceptional. Montblanc made use of this very same architecture when designing the new MB M14.08 calibre.

The MB M14.08 calibre measures 14 lines and consists of 133 individual parts and 19 rubies. It has manual winding and a power reserve of approximately 80 hours. Montblanc uses a screw balance with a frequency of 18,000 vibrations per hour (2.5 Hz). The manufacture also decorates the bridges made of rhodium-plated nickel silver with Geneva stripes. The plate is of the same material, but has a perlage finish. The edges are not ignored either and are polished and bevelled by hand.

The Montblanc Heritage Pythagore Small Second Limited Edition 148 comes on a brown or blue sfumato alligator leather strap, depending on the case material. The pin buckle made of gold secures the watch on the wrist. Both watches have gone through the internal Montblanc Laboratory Test 500 and are limited to 148 pieces. Finally, the Montblanc Heritage Pythagore Small Second Limited Edition 148 costs 18,500 euros.

Unveiled by Montblanc on occasion of the Watches & Wonders digital event, the Montblanc Heritage Pythagore Small Second Limited Edition 148 is an elegant timepiece developed around a manufacture movement inspired by the historical Minerva Pythagore calibre 48 produced in the 1940s.

Since the acquisition of Minerva by the Richemont Group (who also owns the Montblanc brand), Montblanc created several watches based on the exceptional heritage of the Villeret-based Manufacture.

The Minerva Pythagore calibre 48 was designed by Andrey Frey, owner and watch engineer of the Manufacture at the time, with the idea to position the bridges using mathematical proportions defined by the Golden Section (φ = 1.618…), a discovery attributed to Pythagoras, hence its name.

The result was a calibre characterised by straight lines and geometrical angles appreciated by watch enthusiasts.

Matched to a brown or blue sfumato alligator leather strap, the Montblanc Heritage Pythagore Small Second Limited Edition 148 has a price of Euro 19,000, either in rose gold (ref. 128667) or in white gold (128666).