So unique is the Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph that it is quite hard to forget its design after just seeing it once. The famous watch with rotating discs, instead of hands, for the chronograph 30-minute and running seconds counters had always been made as a tribute to the eponymous creator of the time writing device, so how is this year’s model different? The answer lies in its design.

True to its core genetics, the Homage to Nicolas Rieussec retains the off-centred hour and minute display, as well as the twin rotating discs. But apart from that, in place of two vertically positioned stationary hands, it has a double-ended hand that simultaneously tracks the two white-lacquered discs for running seconds and 30-minute counter. The numerals and indices have also been rendered as close to the original 1821 chronograph.

The hour and minute dial also doesn’t veer far from the original; it seems to be missing the 12 classical Montblanc numerals. Or does it? To find out, just turn out the lights, and voila! Invisible in the day, the numerals, like stars, only come out in the absence of light. Montblanc used an unprecedented technique where ultramodern hybrid ceramic is permeated with Super-LumiNova pigments used for the numerals. In other words, the numerals were not printed onto the dial, but rather, intrinsic to the material.

Homage to Nicolas Rieussec is powered by the Calibre MB R200 and offers a vertically coupled, column wheel-controlled chronograph, with date, power reserve indication and second time zone functions. Two barrels provide 72 hours of continuous running and naturally this movement features luxuriously finished components which you can see through the sapphire back of the 43mm rose gold case. Only 193 pieces will be available in the third quarter of 2014, each priced at €26,900 (approximately S$48,420).