Accurate measuring as we know it today was born on aboard ship: or, to be more precise, aboard vessels voyaging on the high seas.

Before the dawn of satellite-assisted navigation, highly accurate clocks were the only instruments which could enable a mariner to exactly determine his position at sea.

This is reason enough for Montblanc to devote its efforts to this theme and to devise innovative ideas that refresh watch lovers’ memories about this important tradition.

The result debuts in the new Régulateur Nautique watch set in the Montblanc Collection Villeret 1858, which was unveiled at the SIHH 2012.

Each set consists of a wristwatch chronograph with regulator dial and two time zones, along with a large navigational clock which, in addition to showing three time zones on its main regulator dial, also includes a world-time indicator.

The case is made in polished nickel and measures 640mm x 560mm x 930mm and weighs 120 kilograms while the crystal is sapphire.

Powered by the Swiss manual-wind Montblanc in-house calibre movement with 13 jewels, 18,000 vph, it boasts of a power reserve of 360 hours.

Functions include local time, port departure time, port arrival time, GMT, day/night indicator and power reserve indicator.

This Montblanc Nautique Regulator is a limited edition set of just 16 pieces – 8 sets with red gold wristwatch chronographs and 8 more with wristwatch chronographs in white gold cases.

The cost for one of these nautical objets d’art is $385 700. They will be available at Montblanc boutiques and select jewelers beginning in June.