At the start of 2026 Montblanc announced that Minerva would be run as a distinct entity within the maison, and launched the Unveiled Crownless, the first watch of the new era to carry the Minerva name alone on the dial.
2017
On 16 March 2017 Montblanc unveiled the Summit, its first smartwatch, built with Google on Android Wear 2.0, with a 46 mm case drawn from the 1858 collection.
2007
After Richemont bought Minerva, Montblanc turned the Villeret manufacture into the Institut Minerva de Recherche en Haute Horlogerie in 2007, with a brief to keep traditional skills alive and train young watchmakers.
2006
Richemont acquired the Minerva manufacture on Montblanc's behalf.
1997
Montblanc Montre S.A. was set up in Le Locle, Switzerland, after the brand entered the watch market.
1993
Montblanc became part of the Richemont group.
1927
Minerva patented a fluted bezel driving an internal countdown ring for pilots, which gloved hands could turn to track a flight plan. Nearly a century later Montblanc revived it, and on the Unveiled Timekeeper and Unveiled Crownless the fluted bezel operates the watch.
1912
In the spring of 1912 Minerva patented its V-shaped chronograph bridge, whose angle Montblanc says copies the Jura mountainside facing the Villeret workshop. The bridge still marks Minerva movements today.
1906
Founded in Berlin, Germany by August Eberstein and Alfred Nehemias.
Firsts and innovations
✦
2017. The first Montblanc Summit covered its display with slightly curved sapphire crystal, which Montblanc called a world first in smartwatches.
Ambassadors over the years
HJ
Hugh JackmanFrom 2014Actor, global brand ambassador
Named Montblanc's global brand ambassador at SIHH in Geneva in January 2014, covering markets outside North America; Montblanc extended the role to North America in April 2016.
Became a Montblanc global ambassador at SIHH in January 2015, as the face of the Bohème collection of women's watches, jewellery and pens.
More Montblanc references, by line
Lines without a guide page yet: every reference we list for them, with its strap size.
1858 Manual
1858 Manual Small Seconds Black 11386022 mm
1858 Monopusher
1858 Monopusher Chronograph Bronze 119908-MP22 mm
1858 Split-Second
1858 Split-Second Chronograph Ti 12961422 mm
Bohème Date
Bohème Date 30mm Silver 11120612 mm
Bohème Date Quartz 27mm Silver 11121114 mm
Bohème Day
Bohème Day & Night 30mm 11993815 mm
Bohème MB11993517 mm
Bohème Moonphase
Bohème Moonphase 34mm Diamonds 11249612 mm
Heritage Chronograph
Heritage Chronograph Silver 11995220 mm
Heritage Chronograph Blue 12629420 mm
Heritage Small
Heritage Small Seconds Salmon 11994519 mm
Heritage Small Seconds Silver 11994619 mm
Star Date
Star Date Automatic Silver 11507422 mm
Summit
Summit 46mm22 mm
Summit 46mm Steel22 mm
Summit 46mm World Time 11774222 mm
Summit 2
Summit 2 42mm 11972322 mm
Summit 2 42mm Bicolor Steel 11943922 mm
Summit 2 42mm Blue 12384922 mm
Summit 2 42mm Steel 11944022 mm
Summit 2 11943822 mm
Summit 2+ 43.5mm 12764822 mm
Summit 2+ 43.5mm Black 12765122 mm
Summit 3
Summit 3 42mm 12926822 mm
Summit 3 42mm 12926922 mm
Summit 3 42mm Bicolor Titanium Grey 13179822 mm
Summit 3 12926722 mm
Summit Lite
Summit Lite 43mm 12840822 mm
Summit Lite 43mm 12841122 mm
Summit Lite 12841022 mm
TimeWalker Date
TimeWalker Date Automatic Black 11605921 mm
TimeWalker Date Automatic Silver 11606021 mm
TimeWalker Extreme
TimeWalker Extreme Chronograph Black 11119722 mm
TimeWalker TwinFly
TimeWalker TwinFly Chronograph Grey 10913422 mm
TimeWalker UTC
TimeWalker UTC Black 11849421 mm
TimeWalker UTC Silver 11849521 mm
FAQ
What lug width do Montblanc watches use?
22 mm is the most common (30% of Montblanc references with a listed width), followed by 20 mm and 19 mm.
Do all Montblanc watches take the same strap size?
No. Montblanc uses 6 different lug widths across its collections, so check your exact model or reference.
When was Montblanc founded?
Montblanc was founded in 1906 in Berlin, Germany by August Eberstein and Alfred Nehemias.
Who are Montblanc's ambassadors?
Over the years Montblanc has partnered with Hugh Jackman (from 2014), Charlotte Casiraghi (from 2015).
Help
What is lug width?
The gap between the two lugs that hold the strap, in millimetres. A new strap must match it exactly: 20 mm lugs take a 20 mm strap.
Measure it in 30 seconds
Take the strap off, or look at the back of it: many straps print their width.
Measure the inside gap between the lugs with a caliper or a millimetre ruler.
Round to the nearest whole millimetre. Most watches use 18, 20 or 22 mm.
Strap, quick release or system?
Most watches use spring bars, so any strap of the right width fits. Many smartwatches use their own band system instead, such as Apple Watch bands or Garmin QuickFit.