Missed this one I see...

Montblanc 1858 The Unveiled Minerva Monopusher Chronograph

For the past couple of years, Montblanc has punctuated its annual releases with high-end, skeletonized monopusher chronographs produced in its historic Minerva factory in Villeret. These are called Unveiled due to their openworked dials, but this year’s editions are even more “unveiled” than past editions.

Montblanc 1858 The Unveiled Minerva Monopusher Chronograph

Like previous models, the movement is reversed to show the chronograph’s intricate workings which, with traditional watches, you’d usually need to flip the watch over to view through the watch’s caseback. Here, it’s on display through a sapphire crystal dial. It’s been given a new aesthetic treatment with blue-plated German silver plates and bridges contrasting with the gold-plated going train. This new version of the hand-wound movement is called the MB 17.26, an update to the MB 16.26.

Montblanc 1858 The Unveiled Minerva Monopusher Chronograph

The major difference for this years model is just how much the brand has aimed to increase the visibility of the movement. The 43mm-wide case features five sapphire crystal windows on its sides. These not only offer a peek at the movement from different angles, but they also allow more light in for your viewing pleasure. Achieving a similar effect, the dial features more clear sapphire crystal elements, and the movement is mounted on “pillars.”

Montblanc 1858 The Unveiled Minerva Monopusher Chronograph

Tech Specs

Movement: Montblanc MB 17.26 hand-wound

Case: 43mm x 14.78mm; steel

Dial: Sapphire crystal

Strap: Blue sfumato calf leather with alligator print

Availability: Limited to 100 examples

It is an amazing watch...they only are making 100 pieces...excited to be getting one of them...got the chance to spend some serious time with it at W&W...incredible watch...

Make sure to check out the video...

https://youtu.be/U5U6jgyNO-E?si=9AtKTKuXEuXg6r6i

From The Watch Forum (UK)

Link: Normana - Going Postal | UK Watch Forum (thewatchforum.co.uk)

Normana, FEF 310,15 jewels, Normana Watch Co/Nordmann & Co/J.J Nordmann/Benoît Nordmann & Fils. La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. Mid 1940's.

The only watch company I know of who actually operated, (sponsored?), an airmail service in South America.This watch is another of my favourite watches. Gold plated and in excellent condition for its age, and has been serviced a number of times during its life.

The watch has obviously had a great deal of use though, as the gold plating on the back of the watch has been virtually all worn away. It is a very large watch for that era, at just under 37mm including the crown. The face has a certain purity to it, very simple but with style and grace. The indices and very thin hands look black, but in certain lighting conditions they reveal themselves to be gold coloured.

The Normana marked FEF 310, (Fabrique d'Ebauches de Fleurier, Fleurier, Switzerland), with Incabloc shock protection, looks really attractive, and keeps very decent time for a movement around 80 years of age. It runs really well and times out at +27s/24h, plenty good enough for me.

In 1874, Joseph Nordmann founded Normana. In 1895, after Joseph Nordmann retired, his younger brother, Binovat Nordmann, took over the company together with his son Lugan. They renamed the company Benoit Nordmann & Fils.

In 1912, Benoit Nordmann & Fils launched the "Chronometro Sidola" series of watches and components. In 1915 the company changed its name again to Nordmann & Cie. Helena Nordman Weir, wife of Novart Nordmann, became a limited shareholder. She was apparently an outstanding administrator, and her management is said to have laid a solid foundation for Normana in the future.

In 1920, the company decided to officially change its name to Normana Watch Co., Ltd. At the same time, the company began to base itself on promoting the brand to all parts of the world.

In 1926, at the request of the German aviation engineer, airplane maker and friend of Lugan Nordmann, Claudius Dornier, Normana Watches became the first operator of the postal route between the Chilean Andes and Argentina. The route used a WAL-type Dornier seaplane. The apparently famous aviator Antonio Locatelli completed the flight wearing a skeletonised "Fantasy" series watch produced by the Normana Watch Company. I don't really believe that Normana ran and operated the postal route after this, but in reality only sponsored the first flight of Locatelli.From 1928 to 1940, after the great success of new launches, Normana decided to develop a women's watch with the same qualities but more fashionable.

In 1941, Lugan retired and his two sons, Albert and Georges, joined the company. The two men concentrated on expanding their business to North America. In the summer of 1954, hundreds of watch connoisseurs and Normana watch fans celebrated the 80th birthday of Normana at an event in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Many new models were launched during the event. In 1955 Normana registered a company in New York engaged in the import and production of jewellery and 14k gold watches. The sale of watches in the US market is said to have established a new international image for the Normanna brand and gained global recognition. How true that claim actually is I do not know.

By the late 1960's the company was becoming concerned about market trends in Europe and the world, especially the emerging Asian market and eventually formed an allíance with the Chinese Xinguang Group.

By 2009, or perhaps much earlier, all watches were assembled in China, but were said to be designed in Switzerland. As of now it appears that the Chinese Normana no longer exists.

If you want more information on the FEF 310 movement, follow this link:

FEF 310 (ranfft.org)

FEF 310

UPDATE

Basic Information

Name FEF 310 Manufacturer Fabrique d’Ebauches de Fleurier

Launch Year1945 Caliber Family Description 290: 10.5" , sub second 290-1, 330: 10.5" , sweep second 310: 11.5" , sub second 310-1, 340: 11.5" , sweep second

Related calibers FEF 290, FEF 290-1, FEF 291, FEF 291-1, FEF 292, FEF 292-1, FEF 293, FEF 293-1, FEF 294, FEF 294-1, FEF 295, FEF 295-1, FEF 296, FEF 296-1, FEF 297, FEF 297-1, FEF 298, FEF 298-1, FEF 299, FEF 299-1, FEF 300, FEF 300-1, FEF 301, FEF 301-1, FEF 302, FEF 302-1, FEF 303, FEF 303-1, FEF 304, FEF 304-1, FEF 305, FEF 305-1, FEF 306, FEF 306-1, FEF 307, FEF 307-1, FEF 308, FEF 308-1, FEF 309, FEF 309-1, FEF 310, FEF 310-1, FEF 311, FEF 311-1, FEF 312, FEF 312-1, FEF 313, FEF 313-1, FEF 314, FEF 314-1, FEF 315, FEF 315-1, FEF 316, FEF 316-1, FEF 317, FEF 317-1, FEF 318, FEF 318-1, FEF 319, FEF 319-1, FEF 320, FEF 320-1, FEF 321, FEF 321-1, FEF 322, FEF 322-1, FEF 323, FEF 323-1, FEF 324, FEF 324-1, FEF 325, FEF 325-1, FEF 326, FEF 326-1, FEF 327, FEF 327-1, FEF 328, FEF 328-1, FEF 329, FEF 329-1, FEF 330, FEF 340

Is COSC certifiedNo

Technical Details

Lignes Dimensions11.5‴

Dimensions 25.94 mm

Height 3.55 mm

Further Measures

Mounting Diameter (Dm): 25.6mm

Power Reserve 50 hours

Frequency 18,000 vph

Jewels 15

Lift Angle 52 degrees

Complications and Specifications

Shape Round

Complications

• Sub Second

• Perpetual Calendar

Shock Protection Incabloc

Regulator Type Pinned Regulator (or Index Regulator)

Movement Type Manual

Escapement Type Swiss Lever

Control Type Balance Wheel

Winding Type Stem Winding

Setting Type Stem Set

Additional Information

Hand Sizes 1.30 x 0.60 / 0.21mm

Hand Count 3

Country Of Manufacture Switzerland

Notes

Remarks: differences not known between 310...329

Other data: balance staff: U819 / U3101 balance with/without screws stem: W879 mainspring / battery: Zf1211, 1.50 x 9.0 x 0.10 x 290mm balance staff ronda: 5157 (10,5) balance staff ronda: 949 (11,5) stem ronda: 24 (11,5)

Signature ca. 1945: Swiss Made, 15 Jewels; Incabloc

Metadata

Created AtSep 15, 2023 Updated AtFeb 9, 2024, 6:28:15 PM

© Ranfft DB 2024

Hello Jack!

The watch is by the British microbrand TC-9 (Tropical Cyclone 9).

The specific watch details are as follows:

Brand: TC-9 (Tropical Cyclone 9)

Model: Titanium Pilot

Model Number: Classic Grey Titanium

Movement Type: Manual

Movement Engine: Seagull ST3620 (ETA/Unitas 6498)

Power Reserve: 48 hours

Case Size: 43mm

Case Thickness: 11.5mm

Case Material: Titanium

Crystal: Sapphire

Luminescence: Hands and Markers

Bezel/Material: Fixed Titanium

Crown: Push/Pull

Water Resistance: 50M / 165FT

Band: Black Horween Leather Strap w/Titanium Buckle

Band Width: 22mm

List Price: $400

Not sure if the one you purchased has been modded as I was not aware that the titanium case was available in black PVD/DLC. The strap could be a TC-9 strap, but I have loads of them and that one does not look familiar to me.

They also made this watch in open dial format "skeleton"...

Nice one Rich! Pure class

Hello Morris - I think the quality of AS is very high. I have several in the collection and would have to say that they use solid industry standard movements, many of which are enhanced with additional decoration. The finishing on the cases is superb and the straps are all high quality, many with exotic materials like ostrich and stingray. Hope that helps.

Spectacular Wall! I fully endorse your dreams. Thanks for sharing - those are great choices to aspire to own.

Great question.

My wrist is 7.5 inches - no problem with the Ophion. The elongated lugs make the size work perfectly.