I'm surprised to see that I see more things (and positive) from the steel version picture than from the rose gold one. I guess it is due to the blue dial/steel case combination.
I find it great and very appealing indeed (as I did already with the first Villeret limited editions).
The movement: perfect as it is (a little less important to allow a smaller case though)
The front side: very nice but I would say at first I didn't know why they used this brand name. They've been trying to convince buyers that you buy a Montblanc watch and not a pen and now they change the name on the best of the higher-end product, i.e. the product which changes de image of the lower collections. But, hey, they are the professionals, not me...
However, the downside is the case's size in 44mm: this is much too big (at least you have a 18mm wrist), especially as from experience with big Villeret cases, the lugs are much too long (even in regular models, but if small cased, it isn't a problem). I don't think they had to take the largest movement they could as they proved before they had smaller and as good ones.
As for the 5170 (or 5070) comparision, you new I would say something :p
Well, I would just say that they are not made at the same volumes. So it is difficult to be compared to many of the indies (very low volumes) or to such limited editions (as this one or the previous MB LEs which were usually 58 pieces). Minerva focuses on very low levels of production for these Villeret calibers: it is not a one shot, a single project given to a special "task force" for one watch, it is a kind of caliber they don't produce rapidely.
Aesthetically speaking, the watches are very far in terms of style more or less discreet and sober versus more impressive and more character etc... Aside from the subjective level of finding which is better, they are soo different in style.
As for the movements, I'm not sure that the Patek's caliber last improvements don't make it as precise and reliable (or maybe more?... I don't know but that's an important issue imho). The only thing we can compare is the finishing level. I'm sure that if you ask JLC to make a 100 LE model that way, they'll do as good as this MB (I'll do as if I didn't know they are in the same group :p ). But if you compare the JLC Master chrono or even the Duometre à Chrono, it would be unfare for JLC as it is not aimed at reaching the same finsihing for the beginning. Thus, not comparable.
You say that you would like to see more of them, well I think that since the
first steps of the Villeret collection, Montblanc has been on the same
trend and provided the same quality of watches (even more with the first
enameld dials) with the same movement finishing.
As for "should
the output of Villeret be more important versus the rest of the
Montblanc catalogue", it is not difficult to know I would say yes but they are
just starting and, at the beginning, these Villeret didn't sell really
easily (understandable).
That was interesting to learn about the origins of this model and indeed a very appealing novelty (even if I'll wait for the "live" experience to see how the dial and case show), thanks Nicolas.
Cheers, Mark
This message has been edited by Mark in Paris on 2015-11-22 07:45:32