Like on the original timepiece from Minerva from which it takes its inspiration, the new Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph features a telemeter scale that runs around the dial, which was a typical feature on the legendary Minerva chronographs. A telemeter makes it possible to measure the distance of a phenomenon which is both visible and audible, like the lightning and thunder in a storm. The chronograph hand starts at the instant the phenomenon is seen —for instance lightning— and then it is stopped when the sound is heard —thunder. The position on the scale shows at first glance the distance in kilometers separating the phenomenon from the user from the storm, in this particular example.