“Writing Time – Two Centuries of Chronograph History” @ MONTBLANC

Following the common interest and commitment to safeguard and further develop the heritage and traditional manufacturing principles of Swiss haute horlogerie, Montblanc and the Musée International d’Horlogerie (MIH) in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland have joined forces. This partnership begins with a special exhibition on the chronograph history, open at the museum’s premises from April 7^th to October 2^nd 2011. This concised exhibition will be presented to the interested public in the frame of a worldwide roadshow between August 2011 and February 2012. 

  

  

  

”Writing Time – Two Centuries of chronograph history” unveils the impressive development of chronograph innovations and their usage since the chronograph invention in 1821, when Nicolas Rieussec patented his table watch for tracing a period of time using two rotating discs and a drop of ink to mark thereon two points in time. Since then, the chronograph has seen an impressive development both in usage and application but also in functionality and watchmaking technology.With its very name from Greek "chronos" for time and "graphein" for writing, the chronograph complication is very close and strongly associated to the soul and historical roots of Montblanc – it gives special evidence to this partnership and makes the cooperation with the MIH a particularly meaningful one.

 

The temporary exhibition of two centuries of chronograph history offers the visitor three complementary approaches to the chronograph: On an impressive timeline, the technological history of chronograph inventions and developments is described and richly illustrated with highlights and selected icons of the chronograph history, such as Nicolas Rieussec’s chronograph invention from 1821. This historical timeline is supported by presenting the amazing technological and creative developments with watches, movements and dials from over 200 years of watchmaking, including not only historical pieces from the 19th century but also some amazing innovations from more recent years. Finally, the multiple usages of chronographs are illustrated along the exhibition space with visual impressions of the zeitgeist that drove the progress in chronograph development: from horse racing to the science and industrialisation up to aviation and today’s world of luxury.  

  

  

In accordance to the heritage and long tradition of fine Swiss watchmaking competence Montblanc is engaged in numerous projects which include the support of young watchmakers in creating innovative complications using traditional techniques or the engagement of watchmaker apprentices to introduce them to the heritage of haute horlogerie. By means of its Institut and Fondation Minerva de Recherche en Haute Horlogerie, Montblanc will closely cooperate with the MIH in researching, documenting, and preserving the heritage of Swiss watchmaking. The two partners envision future cooperation areas potentially including the documentation and preservation of historical timepieces as well as continuous exchange of know-how and research in applying traditional watchmaking techniques today.