Kensington Watches
Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chrono 42mm Mens Watch

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Montblanc

Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chrono 42mm Mens Watch

Ref. 125581

Among our 16 Montblanc watchesThis watch£4,500
Premium

Sits in Montblanc’s upper tier here — more premium than three quarters of the Montblanc watches we list, which start at £2,300.

Price range £2,300 to £7,200 across 16 Montblanc watches in stock.

The 42mm stainless steel case has a satin-brushed finish and sits 14.7mm thick, housing the automatic MB 25.12 calibre with a 48-hour power reserve running at 28,800 vph. A domed sapphire crystal sits above the deep black dial, which carries beige luminous Arabic numerals, cathedral hands, and a telemeter scale around the outer edge. The single chronograph pusher is integrated into the crown, cycling through start, stop, and reset. A 30-minute counter sits at 3 o'clock, with running seconds at 9. The cognac calfskin strap features beige stitching and fastens with a steel pin buckle.

Reference
125581
Brand
Montblanc
Collection
1858
Case size
42mm
Case thickness
14.7mm
Case material
Stainless steel
Case shape
Round
Dial
Black
Crystal
Sapphire
Movement
Automatic
Calibre
MB 25.12
Functions
Chronograph, Small seconds
Water resistance
100m
Bracelet / strap
Leather strap
Strap colour
Brown
Clasp
Buckle
Lume
Luminous
Retailer
Mappin & Webb
Additional specifications
Power reserve
48 hours
Learn more about Montblanc

Montblanc was founded in Hamburg in 1906 as a fountain pen manufacturer, and the six-pointed white star that marks its products represents the snow-capped summit of the mountain. It entered watchmaking in 1997, initially as a luxury accessory line.

That changed decisively in 2007, when Richemont transferred the Minerva manufacture in Villeret to Montblanc. Minerva, founded in 1858, was one of the great chronograph specialists — it had produced its own monopusher chronograph calibres since 1908, including movements capable of measuring to a hundredth of a second, and had continued making them by traditional methods long after the industry mechanised.

Montblanc inherited that capability along with the tooling, archives, and watchmakers. The Villeret and 1858 collections now house Minerva-derived calibres with their distinctive devil's tail chronograph bridges, screwed balance wheels, and hand-finished components — genuine high horology at a house most people associate with pens.

The volume side of the business, produced at Le Locle, covers the Heritage, Star Legacy, and TimeWalker lines, and the 1858 Geosphere with its twin rotating hemisphere globes has become the signature model.

Montblanc has also pursued smartwatches through the Summit range and remains part of Richemont.

1906
Founded in Hamburg as a fountain pen manufacturer.
1997
Watchmaking begins at Le Locle.
2007
The Minerva manufacture at Villeret is transferred to Montblanc.
2018
The 1858 Geosphere becomes the signature model.

All Montblanc watches

Also in 6 collections

This watch appears in the Montblanc 1858 range (7), Stainless Steel Watches (3,157), Automatic Watches (1,753), Chronograph Watches (1,205), Leather Strap Watches (1,052) and Sports Watches (793).

What the specifications mean

A mechanical watch for everyday wear.

Strengths

  • 100m water resistance covers swimming and watersports
  • Sapphire crystal, which resists scratching
  • Luminous hands and markers for low light
  • One of Montblanc's more premium watches

Worth knowing

  • 14.7mm thick, so it will not disappear under a cuff
  • Leather does not suit regular contact with water
Best forSwimmingTiming thingsFormal wear
Less suited toUnder a shirt cuff

Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chrono alternatives

Watches from other brands at a similar price, style and size, so you can see what else your budget can buy.

1858 Monopusher Chrono 42mm Mens Watch compared with 2 alternatives from other brands
SpecificationThis watch1858 Monopusher Chrono 42mm Mens Watch125581NorqainIndependence Skeleton Black 42mmN3000.07T01.B03.R01BremontAltitude MB Meteor Automatic 42mm Unisex Watch BlackALT42-MT-TI-BKBK-L-S
Price£4,500£4,400£4,600
Case size42mm42mm42mm
Water resistance100m100m100m
MovementAutomaticAutomaticAutomatic
StrapLeather strapRubber strapRubber strap
Power reserve48 hours41 hours68 hours
This watchClosely matchedClosely matched

Your new watch

Frequently asked questions, and things you should know about this watch

Can I swim with it?

Yes. At 100m it is rated for swimming and snorkelling, though not for diving.

Water resistance explained

Will the glass scratch?

Unlikely. Sapphire is second only to diamond in hardness and shrugs off everyday marking.

Sapphire, mineral and acrylic compared

Does it need a battery?

No. It is automatic — the motion of your wrist winds it, and there is no cell to replace.

Quartz, automatic and solar compared

How long does it run for when it's not worn?

About 48 hours fully wound — enough to survive a night off the wrist, but not a full weekend.

Is it a men's or women's watch?

Listed as men's.

Cheapest place to buy

Mappin & Webb is the only UK retailer we track stocking this reference, so there is nothing to compare it against today.

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