Nestled comfortably amongst the Independent watchmakers’ presentations on Day 3 of IGOTT was Montblanc. While Montblanc may be relatively new to high-end watchmaking, they are carefully nurturing the original Minerva Manufacture and the skills contained within.

Jan-Patrick Schmitz, President of Montblanc North America, reminded the audience that Montblanc had been in business for more than a century (the company was founded in 1908), and it most definitely plans to be making watches in another 100 years. So now is the time to get the heirlooms for future generations!

Mike, introducing the Montblanc staff ...

Florian Broussard and Monique Wyssmuller, from Montblanc Villeret, demonstrated traditional watchmaking skills such as the assembly of the hairspring and balance wheel. The lighting made Monique’s job particularly difficult, and she did most of the work by mechanical memory!