Manufacture
jrwong23 provides an in-depth report from Watches and Wonders 2014, focusing on Montblanc's new Boheme ladies' collection and the Homage to Nicolas Rieussec Special Edition. His detailed observations and photographs offer a comprehensive look at Montblanc's strategy to cater to both genders with distinct yet complementary collections. This article highlights the brand's commitment to traditional fine watchmaking and feminine design cues.
So today, I spent even more time at the booth and I will have a surprise for PuristS here very soon. And also more private time on the novelties which allowed me to take better pics and some videos - more to come on these later so stay tuned 
For now, I would like to share some photos I took yesterday on some of the other W&W novelties as well as very recent 2014 collections, focusing on the new Boheme ladies collection as well as the Homage to Nicolas Rieussec Special Edition.
When I first read the press releases of the new ladies Boheme collection, I knew I had to see them in the metal but didn't have the time to drop by the boutique in Singapore. The new Boheme collection was recently launched in Shanghai (a global launch) a few weeks ago in Aug 2014. To be honest, I seldom pay attention to ladies watches (as my wife is not as crazy over watches as I am, although thanks to moderators like Blomman, she is fast catching up!) and hence didn't pay much attention to the launch of this new collection.
I am glad I could spend more time with the Boheme watches, seeing and feeling them in the metal at W&W. If we look back at Jan 2014 during SIHH, Montblanc generated a lot of buzz with the launch of the Meisterstuck Heritage collection, the Timewalker Extreme DLC to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Timewalker collection, the Homage to Nicolas Rieussec, etc. It seemed the ladies were neglected come to think of it
Not anymore with this new Boheme collection
The Boheme collection is featured prominently in W&W 2014 together with the novelties of W&W as well as other 2014 collections.
My first impression to the Boheme series is that across the collection, I see a very feminine design cue from the case design to the gem setting to the dial with the feminine Arabic numerials, along with the codes of traditional fine watch making, such as the beautiful guilloche dial on all the Boheme watches. This is very consistent from the entry level Boheme in steel all the way to the high complication such as the Boheme Perpetual Calendar or the haute jewelry series.
The other impression I have on this series is that it seems Montblanc created 2 traditional and classical new collections in 2014, having in mind the Meisterstuck Heritage series for gentlemen and the Boheme series for the ladies. Excellent strategy to cater to both genders. I also think it will be nice for a gentleman to have a Meisterstuck Heritage watch and his other half to have a Boheme. I think the 2 lines complement each other very well
Some pics to share in the Boheme collection:
The highlight of the collection is the Boheme Perpetual Calendar, in a 36mm Red Gold case and it uses the same MB caliber 29.15 as the Meisterstuck Heritage Perpetual Calendar. The watch has a look and feel of feminine sophistication and I could see it can match the Red Gold Meisterstuck Heritage Perpetual Calendar very well. I personally think with a smaller case size of 36mm, the dial looks more balanced as the sub-dials no longer feel cluttered in the middle. However, I feel the date subdial can be a little difficult to read.
This is one of my favorite Boheme, the Boheme Bleu. It comes in a steel case at 30mm and it has a royal blue guilloche dial.
The royal blue dial looks deep blue at times but also brightens up with lighting.
A red gold Boheme with not just a diamond bezel but also diamonds on the dial. I am sure my wife will like this as she really likes bling!
A more subtle Boheme in red gold and diamond bezel. This is the first time I see a two color strap of orange and yellow.
According to Montblanc, you can customize the strap colors. I think this combination is great. It makes a very feminine looking watch more youthful at the same time.
Different straps can be used for different occasions making the Boheme a more versatile watch.
Some Boheme strap options here.
Other than the Metamorphosis II, the other novelty of Montblanc at Watches and Wonders is the Homage to Nicolas Rieussec Special Edition.
This special edition is also limited to 100 pieces in steel and 30 pieces in red gold. It is essential the same as the Homage to Nicolas Riessec with 3 main differences.
1. It has a super lumi-nova horse on the dial signifying the first patented chronograph created to time horse racing
2. The bridge connecting the 2 chronograph discs also have a super lumi-nova strip
3. The caseback pays a special tribute to Nicolas Rieussec when he invented the first patented chronograph in Paris in Sep 1821
I will have more to share soon including some videos.
For now, I hope you enjoy this report and photos.
Cheers
robin
Really liked Montblanc as well, however, I do think Jerome Lambert is revisiting JLC design a bit with a few of the recent pieces. A bit similar in my view. The complicated pieces were very cool, and the Metamorphosis was neat, but too large to wear I think. In any case enjoyed the display. I tried on the "horse" watch also ;) Dave My shots:
Very well taken and thanks for sharing them here. Agree the Metamorphosis II at 52mm is large indeed. I have a wrist shot here. My wrist is very small around 6 inch plus a bit and it's too big for me. I have another photo here showing the side profile and you can see the lugs are short and slopes down alot. On a medium sized wrist (I will try to get a pic as another Purist who attended W&W took that shot and it looks nice on his medium sized wrist), it looks quite ok actually. Cheers robin
Like a secret signature, like the rest of the luminous indexes! That would have been really magic! Thanks for the great job, my friend. Your reports are top! Best, Nicolas
I appreciate your nice words of encouragement. :) Yes it is an interesting thought if only the Horse lumes up. Cheers robin
Honestly, the horse outline appears subtle in the photos. Interesting variation for sure. I'm quite drawn to the Boheme Bleu. Very striking. Thanks for the updates on MB at W&W 2014.
It's my favorite of the Boheme series. Imagine they have a WG version with blue enamel dial, LE series. WOW.... :) Glad you like the report Michael and thank you for your kind words. Cheers robin
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