Montbanc’s new Meisterstück Heritage Pulsograph is a limited edition, classically styled, monopusher chronograph with pulsometer, powered by a Minerva Villeret movement, all at a more affordable price point than before.

The Montblanc Meisterstück Heritage line is dedicated to its most famous pen, the Meisterstück 149. Though the new line is comprised of several models (more on them in the coming days), the most notable model in the new collection is the Montblanc Meisterstück Heritage Pulsograph, powered by a Minerva movement.

Designed in the style of mid-twentieth century chronographs, the Meisterstück Heritage Pulsograph is a monopusher doctor’s watch. Finished with a silvered, sunray brushing, the dial has a pulsometer on its outer rim.

A pulsometer allows a doctor to take a patient’s pulse without having to measure it for a full minute. As it is calibrated for 30 pulses, a doctor merely has to start the chronograph as soon as he starts taking the pulse, and then stops it once the pulse hits 30. The seconds hand will then point to the number of heartbeats per minute.

Inside is the Montblanc Calibre MB M13.21, which is based on the Minerva cal. 13.20. Essentially a vintage chronograph movement repurposed for modern use, the cal. MB M13.21 still beats at the slow 18,000 bph characteristic of movements from that era. The bridges and base plate are rhodium plated German silver, and all components are hand finished. Minerva decorates its movements beautifully, as an earlier example of this movement illustrates.

Measuring 41 mm, the case is rose gold with a Montblanc star-shaped diamond set into the case band at six o’clock. The Pulsograph is a limited edition of 90 pieces to mark the 90th anniversary of the Meisterstück pen. The retail price is €27,000 (~US$46,600) with delivery in Autumn 2014. That is about a third less than an equivalent, similar model in the current collection.

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