The Beauty of the Montblanc Villeret Vintage Pulsographe

It was love at first sight for me when I saw the Villeret 1858 Vintage Pulsographe and then I had to find out more about the timepiece.

I had acquired the rose gold black dial version and I blogged about it on Deployant. As you may know, the Vintage Pulsographe comes in two tones - the rose gold black dial version and the white gold white dial version. Both comes with Grand Feu enamel dials - beautifully fired enamel dials. So I had to find the white gold version.

I was told by my friend Andy that they still have one piece at the boutique here in Singapore. Enter Katharina Ueltschi at the Montblanc Boutique in Singapore at the Marina Bay Sands. I had contacted her for a private viewing of the white gold version and she was very obliging. But on the day of the appointment, a bigger surprise awaited me! Julien Miribel showed up for the appointment and with the white gold version in hand!

The Montblanc Villeret Vintage Pulsographe is one beautiful timepiece. Who can argue with something as exquisite as this? And a monopusher? That's another plus!

First the front... and then the movement side featuring the Minerva Calibre 13-21...

The more important point is this - how does one make such a timepiece? As Montblanc, they are probably more well-known as a brand of writing instruments. Their original range in their manufacturer in Le Locle churns out commercial quantities while this, and other high end pieces are done in their other location in Villeret. The Richemont group who owns the movement maker Minerva SA started that collaboration and this and a few others were the result of that collaboration.

The black and white enamel dials are forged using the Grand Feu techniques which fires the enamel in excess of 800 degrees Celcius. Enamel dials are said to be very long lasting. That delightful shine on the enamel dial is unmistakably the work of a master. It is said as much as 30-40 dials are made for one good example!

Even the hands and markers are extremely well done making the timepiece an overall handsome proposition. The actual piece in metal is even more alluring - blue hands and red chronograph seconds hands. What a package!

At the back, what a glorious sight. Expertly hand finished column wheel chronograph movement is a sight to behold. And what more the signature devil's tail. Julien tells me hours and hours of work goes into finishing the movement and adjusting it before final encasement. And the results are stunning!

And the movement is something altogether. Not just any movement but the Calibre 13-21 which is a vintage calibre from Minerva. Smaller than the Calibre 16-29 which is suited for the larger 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter (44mm timepiece), the calibre 13-21 is no less impressive in its finishing and layout. The words Minerva clearly engraved on the movement.

The timepiece is a very wearable 39mm especially for the Asian wrists and in particular, mine!

A final look at the two metals. This link will bring you to my previous post on the rose gold black dial version. Both are equally magnificent. I just happen to be lucky enough to get my hands on the rose gold piece.

But it is not too late - there is still one piece left of the white gold version and it is available at the Marina Bay Sands Boutique. Head down there and see if you agree with me that this is one classy timepiece.

Beauty is in the Enamel - The Montblanc Villeret Vintage Pulsographe

When two enamel dials come head to head, what is your preference?

Many thanks to the folks at the Montblanc Boutique at Marina Bay Sands and in particular Julien Miribel and Katharina Ueltschi. I managed to capture the beauty of the white gold, white dial Villeret Vintage Pulsographe.

Compare the black dial version in a rose gold case against the white dial version in a white gold case - which would you prefer? The dials are fired using the Grand Feu technique at temperatures exceeding 800 degrees Celsius. A Grand Feu enamel dial is said to be very durable and I can attest to that. Take a look at my Lange pocket watch which dates back to 1908 - the enamel dial is still pristine!

I had earlier written a post for my friends at Deployant featuring my experience in acquiring the beautiful rose gold, black dial piece.

A look at the handsome pair.

Subsequently, I put out my own blog on the Villeret 1858 Vintage Pulsographe. Needless to say I am extremely happy with the acquisition and definitely a keeper. Look out for more photos of the white gold version. Coming soon to a screen near you!

The Art of Living with Blancpain

Blancpain earned the reputation of having developed the most complicated and expensive timepiece many years ago and that is what stuck to my mind.

In my earlier years of watch appreciation, I really liked the Blancpain Villeret collection for the simple look and that collection has stuck with me since then. Of course one learns of the Fifty Fathoms diver's watch but it is the Villeret collection that I find most appealing. So when I was invited to view some artistic pieces by Blancpain, I jumped at it of course.

The Blancpain Art De Vivre (The Art of Living) event features handcrafted timepieces - many piece unique. When you enter the Mount Pleasant bungalow you are greeted with a watchmaker's work bench and Ms Caroline working on the engraving of a dial. Caroline is one of the few in-house artists with the talent for engraving. Looking through the microscope, Caroline sits at the bench showing off her skills and the TV in the background shows the ongoing work.

I was immediately drawn to the Blancpain Villeret Damasquinée which features a snake - this is made for those born in the Year of Snake. A beautifully crafted timepiece featuring a hand engraved 18K golden snake on a titanium dial.

On the back features an in-house manual winding ultra-thin Calibre 15B with a power reserve of about 40 hours. Well finished timepiece with a 45mm rose gold case.

Then I was introduced to the Blancpain pocket watch - honestly, I didn't know they still made pocket watches. In this case, it is still in the Villeret collection and it is called the Blancpain Montre de Poche demi-Savonnette which I believe in French means pocket watch... The dial is cambered grand feu white enamel.

And the movement is entirely hand decorated and in this case, with the Rose des Vents motif. The pocket watch is almost 45mm and in a rose gold case.

Then came the "simple" Villeret timepiece - or so I thought... But this is no simple Villeret. Rather, it is called the Grande Décoration.

What's so special about this Villeret Grande Décoration timepiece? Well the front comes with a grand feu white enamel dial and the beauty is also at the back! In this case, it features the building of Blancpain in Le Brassus.

The second on featured that night was that of the Sydney Opera House - piece unique as with the Le Brassus piece.

Closer to home, the next movement features the Petronas Twin Tower in Kuala Lumpur. Also hand decorated and piece unique.

All these timepieces comes with the hand wound Calibre 15B with a power reserve of about 40 hours. The case is 45mm and in rose gold. Impressive!

I enjoyed the evening thoroughly mingling amongst friends and fellow horology enthusiasts. Many thanks to Jenny and Blancpain for the invitation.

Photos taken with an iPhone 6.