Innovation
In 2015, jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) explored Montblanc's innovative e-Strap, a wearable technology designed to integrate smart functionalities with traditional timepieces. This article delves into the e-Strap's features, compatibility, and potential impact on how collectors interact with their watches, offering a unique perspective on early smartwatch integration in luxury horology.
In part 1 of this report series, I covered the latest collection from Montblanc’s Timewalker line: the new TimeWalker Urban Speed Collection, introducing the concept of the e-Strap, a wearable technology device from Montblanc that allows PuristS like us to enjoy the functionalities of wearable smart devices yet continue to enjoy our bond with our beloved timepieces. Today, I will focus on the e-Strap.
Firstly, the e-Strap works with both Android and iOS smartphones so this covers the majority of the smartphone market. The e-Strap connects to smartphones via low energy Bluetooth to maximize battery life. The battery life is pretty impressive at up to 5 days per charge, according to Montblanc.
To use the e-Strap, there is an inbuilt touch screen display, readable in daylight, to display information and navigate through the various functionalities of this smart device. These are the various functionalities offered by Montblanc’s e-Strap:
Smart notifications: the e-Strap signals instantaneously an incoming communication by discreet vibrations. It allows users to preview e-mails, text messages, incoming calls, notifications from social media platforms, and other important reminders such as calendar or task notifications. There are 2 key benefits from this feature of the e-Strap.
Firstly, I am pretty sure I can feel the vibrations from the e-Strap on my wrist even when my smartphone is in my bag or pocket when traveling or walking around. Often, I cannot feel the vibrations of my iPhone when it is in my back pocket as I am walking around but I am sure I can feel the vibrations on my wrist from the e-Strap.
Secondly, I don’t have to look at my smartphone for these messages which is important during important meetings when I have to be discreet at checking messages or when I am driving and I do not want the traffic police to catch me using my phone!
Activity tracker: This is useful for those wanting to keep fit. The e-Strap helps keep track of physical activities of the user vs set targets (e.g. personal targets of calories to burn in a day). It estimates the number of steps taken per day, calories burnt and the distance travelled and reminds the owner to stay active through discreet vibration alerts (can be a stressful feature for me personally!). There is an accompanying smartphone application to enable to user to view his/her daily, weekly or monthly progress.
Remote control: Allows the user to control certain functions of his/her smartphone connected to the e-Strap. Typical use case includes taking a selfie by controlling the camera function of the phone via the e-Strap or controlling the music player remotely (play, pause, next song, etc). The camera remote control feature is something I suspect I would use very often especially in watch boutiques! Often I want to take pictures in watch boutiques using my iPhone and lighting can be a challenge so I need to find the right angle to take the pic. Sometimes the position of the watches or the phone can be awkward so if I can position the phone and watches in a way I like and take control of the phone’s camera on the e-Strap, that will be great!
Find-Me function: The user of the e-Strap can search for the watch or phone within a range of up to 30 meters between the two devices, either by tapping on the e-Strap to find the smartphone or by using the smartphone application to find the watch. I often can’t remember where I had placed my iPhone (often in silent mode so calling does not help) in my home and rely on my kids to help me find them so I can see this feature being useful for someone like me. Not surprisingly, I NEVER forget where I left my watches around the home.
The e-Strap’s functionalities can be operated in a variety of languages including English, German, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean and Japanese.
A key question for me is whether the Montblanc e-Strap can be used on other watches, beyond just the TimeWalker Urban Speed line or any other TimeWalkers. The good news is this smart device can indeed be fixed and adjusted to watches with strap sizes of 20/22mm according to Montblanc. I suspect whilst that is true, not all watches and their strap combinations will fit well with the e-Strap from both a comfort and aesthetic perspective so I will suggest trying before purchasing the e-Strap for other watches.
The rubber cover of the e-Strap and the curved metal holder (Montblanc calls it the “connected box”) of the device from the pictures suggest the e-Strap will sit and “curve” nicely around the wrist of the user and should be comfortable to wear. I didn’t get to try it in person when it was in Singapore during the Black and White week preview and hope to try it next time when it is available for sale in Singapore.
The e-Strap needs to be charged approximately every 5 days. It has to be removed from the strap of the watch (sliding it out easily), removed from the connected box (the rubber holder of the device) and connected to a USB power source. The illustrations below show the steps seem pretty easy to me.
To conclude my posts on the TimeWalker Urban Speed collection with the e-Strap, I would like to share two other models from the Urban Speed line. We often only see the Chronograph but there are 2 other TimeWalker Urban Speed watches, i.e. the TimeWalker Urban Speed Date Automatic and the UTC. Both watches share exactly the same design codes as their Chronograph siblings, such as the extreme leather nato strap and the sporty color combination of black and red. These 2 are slightly smaller at 42mm whereas the Chronograph model has a case size of 43mm.
This would be my preference over iphone / iwatch type wristwatches. Bill
Since Montblanc has an Accessory Line, it makes sense that the e-Strap can be used for other branded watches. We use Montblanc pens, wallets, bags and trouser belts. The e-Strap is not exclusive to their own branded watches and the ability to use both Android and IOS phone devices makes access by most of the population. I would consider this because I have no iPhone; that was always the weakness of other 'smartwatches'. As a side effect, the special leather that Montblanc uses is a bonus...water
Because you are a PuristS and WIS lol! Cheers Robin
I didn\'t think of the e-Strap as an extension of Montblanc\'s accessory line. That sounds very logical I understand Montblanc has plans to upgrade the E-Strap over the next few years so this is but the first version. Exciting to see how they evolve this! Cheers Robin
Quick question - Will Montblanc be providing software updates for the e-strap? And if so, downloadable through the USB port? Cheers, Anthony
Montblanc will provide software upgrades for the E-strap Cheers Robin
This thread is active on the Montblanc forum with 6 replies. Share your knowledge with fellow collectors.
Join the Discussion →
