Collection
Earlier this week Robin's post aimed to highlight the Star Collection's DNA Just to reiterate these design points are: 1. The onion shaped crown with the Montblanc "snow cap" emblem in precious resin 2. Arabic numerals 3. Feuille (leaf) hands 4. Round case with domed crystal and stepped lugs Now tak
Earlier this week Robin's post aimed to highlight the Star Collection's DNA
Just to reiterate these design points are:
1. The onion shaped crown with the Montblanc "snow cap" emblem in precious resin
2. Arabic numerals
3. Feuille (leaf) hands
4. Round case with domed crystal and stepped lugs
Now take a look at this picture:
Over the past decade, indeed, the same aesthetic elements (DNA) can be found in the Star collection despite the various complications. However, as with mother nature, sometimes there are divergences in the evolutionary tree.
We began to see offshoots of the Star collection at the same time Montblanc started to emphasize its watchmaking segment.
In 2010, Montblanc debut its Star 4810 series. Design consultant Marcus Eilinger, who also had a hand in the creation of the Rieussec, altered the Star collection's DNA.
Here we still have the round case and stepped lugs. But the onion crown, feuille hands, and Arabic numerals were replaced to dramatically change the appearance.
Our PuristSPro moderator Art Dakessian reviewed this new Star 4810 Automatic here:
http://home.watchprosite.com/show-forumpostf/fi-1006/pi-2920486/ti-486541/s-0/
Do you think Montblanc's attempt at changing the Star collection's DNA was successful at creating an "elegantly austere" design? This contemporary look attracted more enthusiasts to the Montblanc brand.
Similarly, as a preference towards thinner watches started to emerge over the past few years, Montblanc recognized this shift and a second branch off the original Star collection appeared in 2012.
This new offshoot was the Star Classique Collection. Montblanc returned to the original Star collection design points but redesigned the case...overall a much more coherent reinterpretation of its DNA.
Thin case...
Coupled with clean design.
For the gentleman, this means a true dress watch.
But this is a great collection for the ladies. The thin case visually creates a larger dial surface which is accentuated by the wonderful mother of pearl dial Montblanc sources from its supplier.
And I think Montblanc agrees with me because the Montblanc Star Classique family is the only collection where the available women's models OUTNUMBER the editions available to men!
I hope this week Robin and I have provided the PuristS community with a better understanding and perhaps a little more appreciation of the Montblanc Star collection. While not necessarily having the panache of the Rieussec or Villeret watches, the Star collection provides diverse, entry level, but well built offerings to enthusiasts interested in trying the Montblanc brand.
HAGWE,
Mike
The Montblanc Star 4810 Automatic is part of a collection that debuted in 2006 to commemorate the brand's 100th anniversary. This line was re-launched in 2016 for Montblanc's 110th anniversary, building upon the original design and commercial success. The 4810 collection, named after the height of Mont Blanc, represents a significant offering within the brand's watchmaking portfolio, emphasizing classic design principles and mechanical watchmaking.
This reference features a stainless steel case, typically measuring 42mm in diameter. It is equipped with an automatic movement, visible through a sapphire crystal case back, and protected by a domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on the dial side. The movement provides a power reserve of approximately 38 hours, ensuring reliable timekeeping.
The Star 4810 Automatic appeals to collectors seeking a well-finished, accessible mechanical timepiece from Montblanc. It serves as a foundational piece in the brand's contemporary watch collections, often featuring a silver-white dial with an exploding star guilloché pattern and rhodium-plated hands and numerals. The design maintains a balance between traditional watch aesthetics and Montblanc's distinct brand identity.
Interesting post! But can someone please explain what 'precious resin' is, and how it's actually precious?
What is "precious resin?" " It's a trade secret. Even I don't know the recipe." :-) But seriously, this has been debated in the pen community for years and from people who have made tours of the pen manufacturing plant and they can't even agree on what they see. Somewhere in the back of my mind I recall someone once saying that it was fiberglass reinforced tree sap which then is polymerized in a process called "amberizing" Thanks for reading the post, Mike
Many of my female friends and family love the Star ladies collection and especially mentioned the Star Classique line as being very elegant and timeless in looks. One of the key attraction is also their competitive prices. I just got the star ladies moonphase for my mom. I asked my wife a few months ago and she passed and now she is full of regrets as a new piece will take months to arrive I showed her the Star Classiques in your post and she likes it too! Thanks Mike for continuing our discussi
Mike, thanks - I figured that the the stuff that they make the pens out of was probably some sort of plastic with little inherent value and significant profit margins. So to hear that this material may be a treated tree sap - well, that's rather more interesting (although I still have no idea how expensive it would be to produce or use)!
Although I am sure there will be some who will say it is plastic. I will tell you it is not regular "plastic". Having owned quite a few MB pens, the material can be highly polished but it is brittle. I dropped a cap on the floor before and it shatted into pieces...not crack...like a porcelain or glass dish. That is why a lot of people think that there is a glass filler in the material. I can't believe the sap is extremely difficult to obtain because if it were, MB would have taken advantage of t
Hahaha - excellent point - if it were truly 'precious', i.e. difficult to get, MB would have made a big deal of it. Anyway, interesting that it's something more than just a petroleum byproduct. I'll admit I've often wondered about the 'value' of good pens. But this is not the place...and if I were to go down that road, I'd start thinking the same thing about watches too....which would be very dangerous!
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