With SIHH 2016 just around the corner (starts January 18th), many of the participating watch companies have been releasing previews, including Montblanc – who just released details on the Heritage Chronométrie Twincounter Date.

It has an entry-level price with aesthetics you might see on a much higher-end timepiece. This is clearly part of Montblanc’s strategy going forward, as in recent years much of their collection was overlapping with higher-end siblings within the Richemont group. Now, there is much more of a price distinction. Read on to see the details and price.

The new Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie Collection Twincounter Date introduces a new date complication (module) that has been completely developed and manufactured in-house by Montblanc’s master watchmakers.

A conservatively sized stainless steel case measuring 40 mm by 9.85 mm should appeal to purists who typically prefer smaller watches. The case middle is polished with satin-finishing on the top of the lugs, and the bezel with a mixture of polished and satin finished surfaces. The caseback is clear, although no shots of the back have been provided at this time.

Interestingly, in a departure from the typical black and white Montblanc emblem on the crown, this model has a stainless steel crown with a Montblanc emblem in raised relief, in steel. Personally, I like this change because it subtly communicates the more contemporary design language seen at Montblanc the past couple years. And I would not be surprised if it also helped them save on production costs, reflected in the relatively low retail price.

Inside is MB caliber 24.23, which is automatic with 31 jewels and a 38-hour power reserve. The movement, and entire timepiece have been certified via the Montblanc Laboratory Test 500 that simulates rigorous real-life situations for a total of 500-hours, guaranteeing the timepiece’s high quality and precision (similar to Jaeger-LeCoultre’s 1000-hour test).

One highlight of the watch is its silvery-white dial with sunburst pattern, facetted indexes, Arabic numerals “6 & 12” as red gold-plated applied numerals, red gold-plated sword hour and minute hands, blued date hand, and blued small second hand. The date by hand gives the watch a look similar to a dual-register chronograph, and it is also easier to set than a typical aperture date.

Notably, the Twincounter Date takes its inspiration from the classic double counter look of the Minerva chronographs from the 1950s.

Finishing off the timepiece is an elegant alligator leather strap made by the Montblanc Pelletteria, the Maison’s own leather manufacture in Florence, Italy. (Ref. 114872) The retail price is $2,845.