Montblanc Star Legacy 40 mm Mother-of-pearl 18k

Case, dial & bracelet

Case dimensions

40 mm

Case thickness

8.8 mm

Case material

18k yellow gold

Bezel

Unidirectional ceramic 60-minute

Crystal

Box sapphire with AR coating

Dial

Mother-of-pearl

Hands

Rhodium-plated baton hands with luminous fill

Indexes

Applied Roman numerals

Bracelet / strap

Oyster bracelet

Clasp / buckle

Titanium deployant clasp

Water resistance

150 m

Movement

Movement / calibre

Calibre 83A — High-beat automatic

Movement type

High-frequency automatic

Frequency

25,200 vph (3.5 Hz)

Power reserve

38 hours

Number of jewels

45 jewels

Complications

Time and date

Functions

GMT second time zone, date

Watchmaker

Finishing, assembly and timing are carried out in the manufacture's own atelier.

Production & market

Production period

1972 – 1979

Limited-edition quantity

Not applicable

Current market information

Thin secondary-market supply — pricing is set piece by piece at auction.

Designer

Gérald Genta

Gérald Genta (1931–2011) trained as a goldsmith in Geneva and became the most influential watch designer of the 20th century. Working freelance, he sketched the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak overnight in 1970, followed by the Patek Philippe Nautilus, the IWC Ingenieur SL and the Bulgari Bulgari — defining the integrated-bracelet luxury sports watch as a category.

Historical significance

Montblanc Star Legacy 40 mm Mother-of-pearl 18k sits within Montblanc's Star Legacy line, introduced in 1972. It carries the house codes established since 1906 — 18k yellow gold case, mother-of-pearl dial and high-beat automatic — and is one of the references collectors use to date the evolution of the collection.

Interesting facts

• The movement's bridges are decorated even where they will never be seen once the watch is cased.
• The case is finished by hand, alternating polished and satin-brushed surfaces in a single pass so the edges stay razor sharp.