Watches I Have Come Across - The Montblanc Villeret 1858 Pulsographe

Throughout my watch collecting journey, I have been blessed to have come across many timepieces and I intend to document them in this photo essay. These are timepieces I don't own but have been fortunate to be able to see, feel, touch and photograph them. This time, I feature The Montblanc Villeret 1858 Pulsographe Monopusher.

I own the rose gold black dial version of this timepiece but I have had the opportunity to photograph this piece which comes in white gold case and white enamel dial. Both dials are Grand Feu enamel dials.

Featured here is the two timepiece - both limited to 58 pieces each.

Thanks to the Montblanc Boutique who allowed me to photograph the watch in the Boutique.

The timepiece comes with a white (Grand Feu) enamel dial and white gold case.

The blue hands, red chrono hands and black and red numerals on white enamel makes this a very attractive piece.

This is a monopusher which means the "Start", "Stop" and "Reset" are all done with a single push button at the 2 o'clock position.

And on to the business side... the movement!

Featuring the Minerva Calibre 13-21 column wheel chronograph movement, it's one of the most beautiful chronograph movement there is...

Can you spot the Devil's Tail?

The finishing is what you would expect from the top notch manufacture

Front or back, the Montblanc Villeret 1858 Pulsographe Monopusher is a winner for me. Here are some photos of my own black dial version...

My understanding is that black enamel dial is more difficult to make than white enamel dial.

I hope you like the macro shots of the black dial and the movement shot below.

Had this been branded Minerva, the recognition for this piece would be vastly different. What do you think?

Watches I Have Come Across - Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde

Throughout my watch collecting journey, I have been blessed to have come across many timepieces and I intend to document them in this photo essay. These are timepieces I don't own but have been fortunate to be able to see, feel, touch and photograph them. I'll start with the Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde enamel.

The Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde with a two part enamel dial.

The two part, two toned enamel dial were the signature of Jaquet Droz. Grand Feu Enamel of course.

Encased in white gold case with heated blued hands, this is one beautiful timepiece.

Comes with an automatic movement.

They are as good as it gets with Grand Feu Enamel dials. Gorgeous!

Honeycomb, Honeygold! Vitreum Champlevé Enamel Dial

When they first launched, most of us have not heard of Vitreum Watches. But what intrigued me was their limited production of an enamel dial with Honeycomb motif.

Based in Randers, Denmark and founded by Kasper Reisner the folks at Vitreum launched in limited quantities two versions of the Champlevé enamelled dial - the Starry Night and Honeycomb. Was it Starry Night or Honeycomb? Tough choices but I settled for the Honeycomb.

The hand wound FH01 launched the brand. The enamel dials are made in Wales but the timepiece assembly is done in Denmark.

These mechanical timepieces come with a Grand Feu Enamel dial and for the Honeycomb, uses the Champlevé technique. What that means is that the cells in the Champlevé dial are first shaped in a solid piece of silver, after which each cell is engraved by hand creating the miniature sunbust pattern. Then honey-coloured vitreous enamel (raw enamel) is carefully filled into the recess (in this case the honeycomb) and then fired at 850°C to achieve the grand feu enamel dial.

As with any hand crafted products, no two are alike. Similar but never the same. With hand crafted enamel work each layering, firing, polishing will bring different results. Even between cells of the honeycomb, you can see differences guaranteeing that its hand crafted and not commercially done - not sure if you can actually do commercial enamel dials like these.

And with hand made enamel dials, there are bound to be imperfections. Because they are hand made, no two dials are alike as each dial will have a different colour configuration. When one buys the Vitreum Honeycomb, they will get a unique piece.

The FH01 is released in a a limited quantity of 5 per variant. As I understand it, this might not be the only Honeycomb Vitreum might do. Seems like there will be future releases too. In what form and shape, I don't know.

The overall package is a compelling one. Even the hands are pretty well made too...

My only gripe is the case back... closed case back. I wish they had an exhibition case back also showing off the movement. Beating inside is a hand wound Sellita SW210 movement.

And a nifty detail... there is a recess in the case. Pulling out the crown is that much easier.

The timepiece also comes with a signed buckle...

The watch also comes with a strap with quick change mechanism. For a strap change clutz like me, this is a nice detail.

The 39.5mm steel case comes with a combination of satin and polished finishing. The size is perfect for someone like me with a smallish wrist size.

Many challenges along the way, but the folks at Vitreum have come through with a very unique product. Congratulations to Kasper and the Vitreum team. Can't wait to see what's next in the line up.