KMII introduces the Montblanc Summit, the brand's first smartwatch, launched at a pre-Baselworld event in London. This article explores Montblanc's strategic move into smart horology, combining traditional watch aesthetics with modern technology, and the ensuing community discussion on its implications for luxury watchmaking.
"Nothing compares to the sensation of traditional fine Swiss
watchmaking, but in a fast moving world being able to access all kinds of
information digitally has become essential."
Jerome Lambert, CEO of Montblanc International
Montblanc has just presented its first smartwatch - the Montblanc Summit at a pre-Baselworld event in London. Montblanc's pioneering spirit that brought us the Augmented Paper in the field of writing last year, this has now been applied to the field of horology in co-operation with Google. The watch combines fine watchmaking
with Android Wear™ 2.0, Google’s latest operating system for smartwatches, and
the Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ Wear 2100 processor— one of the most advanced and
powerful wearables processors in the market for smartwatches at the moment.
Image courtesy of Montblanc
The design of the watch will be familiar to many here, being closely based on the 1858 Tachymeter, making it probably the most elegant smartwatch out there at the moment. In order to make it resemble its mechanical stablemates even more closely, a slightly curved sapphire glass has been integrated - a first on a smartwatch. Available in titanium and steel in four different combinations (black PVD coated stainless steel, bicolour stainless steel with a PVD coated stainless steel bezel, satinated stainless steel as well as a Grade 5 titanium one) , the case measures 46mm, so will fit right into the Villeret portfolio size wise. The size is necessary to accomodate the 1,39 inch AMOLED display.
All case combinations come with the classical 1858 Monopusher crown.
Image courtesy of Montblanc
In terms of watchfaces, there is a preloaded selection from the 1858 range, including the chronograph (most will probably start here), the small seconds as well as a time / date one. For a more contemporary alternative, Montblanc TimeWalker Urban Speed watchfaces are available, too. There are possibilities to personalise all of these further.
For the ultimate in personalisation, Montblanc also offers users the possibility to design their own unique watchfaces, in conjunction with the Montblanc Creative Director. It does not come cheap but the options are limited only by your imagination.
The personalisation continues with the straps, with a choice of rubber NATO in black, blue, green or red, classic black calfskin leather or brown or navy blue sfumato calfskin straps, as well as alligator options. In order to allow users to easily exchange these to match their style, quick release springbars are used. All in all, there are over 300 watch case / strap combinations available.
Image courtesy of Montblanc
Instead of a Minerva Cal 16.29 the heart beating inside is a Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ Wear 2100. And the operating system is Android Wear™ 2.0, which ensures an excellent compatibility both to Android and iOS devices. This has been much improved from previous generation Android Wear and is definitely a highly necessary feature.
In terms of functionality there is a heartrate monitor, an integrated microphone for voice commands, gyroscope, compass, barometer (for altitude) and an ambient light sensor for auto-dimming.
There is a plethora of apps to make it easier to overcome the beauty of a mechanical movement beating inside, with some being pre-installed and others available from the Appstore. Be it Runtastic, Google Play, Uber, Foursquare, voice translation apps... - the watch will have you covered for all your daily needs.
The watch will be available from May 2017 onwards with a starting RSP of €890.
So, what's the verdict? I am pretty sure you will not ditch your regular 1858s for this in droves but I also feel that Montblanc has managed to produce an excellent complement to a mechanical watch with the new Summit. It has an excellently executed design, a high level of finish and offers the practicality and functionality of a smartwatch. The power reserve of about 24h is not quite the same as your mechanical watch but is also not as bad as the first generation of smartwatches. And at the price level it is great value and definitely worth a try.
