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Kong
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Visit to Singapore New Montblanc Boutique & Viewing of SIHH 2010 Pieces

Visited the new and largest boutique of Montblanc in South-East Asia located at the busy shopping belt of Singapore at Mandarin Gallery.  With a build-in of 5,000 sq-ft, it is also the brand’s first duplex outfit in Singapore.

The decor of Montblanc Mandarin Gallery Boutique is different from their other boutiques, with elegant façade framed by polished tall glass windows, mesmerizing art installation and two lavish private-viewing rooms.

Bespoke is the keyword for this Boutique.  Customers could commission their own custom designed writing instruments, timepieces, jewelery and leather goods. The first of its kind ‘nib analysis’ service is available to assist in selecting various and ideal nib size for the fountain pens,based on individual handwriting technique.

Latest from Montblanc, even the inks could be custom-blended with specific DNA to uniquely identify the owner of the ink!  How marvelous!



The facade of the Montblanc Mandarin Gallery, with private drop-off zone beside the boutique ...


The front entrance ...


The leather goods section ...


To the right of the boutique is the Watch section.  The front section is dedicated to pieces from Le Locle while the inner section is
to the Villeret series.


Greeted by the rising star of Le Locle - The Star Nicolas Rieussec Monopusher Chronograph ...


A piece of the Nicolas Rieussec time-writer ...






A comprehensive range of the other models showcased ...


offering choices to customers ...






To the Villeret sanctuary ...




A story-board listing the history of Montblanc till the integration of Minerva Villeret ...


The Villeret pieces by the side-cases ...










Proceeding to second level ...


One of the highlight - the art installations.
This grand four-metre high glass chandelier was decorated with more than 600,000 Swarovski crystals.

These individually-curved glass panels when pieced together  will form the word ‘Montblanc’, written in a whimsical nib stroke.


Only Europe’s largest boutique in Rue de la Paix in Paris and the Montblanc Mandarin Gallery have these impressive installations
.





A closeup of the laborious work ....


densely packed Swarovski crystals.




The second level is dedicated more for the Ladies with accessories and bags, however several islet showcases with watches, accessories
and pens are set up  for the benefits gentlemen accompanying the ladies. 


A look from the outside of one of the private viewing rooms.  The sliding doors were also decorated with the whimsical stroke of
the word 'Montblanc'.


This private viewing room is huge.  A great venue for events !


A view to the outside from the opposite end of the private-viewing room...




A bar-top concept at one corner with a breath-taking panoramic picture of Mont Blanc ...




This panoramic picture, another superb installation, super high resolution!


A few Limited Editions are showcased too ...


The current Patron of Art Series - Queen Elizabeth I.



Now for a few of the SIHH 2010 Pieces ...

Firstly the TimeWalker Steel.

In 2008 collection, there was already a steel version of this TimeWalker Automatic. 

The difference is, the 2010's TimeWalker Automatic, the case diameter is at 39mm instead of the typical 42mm. 
Perhaps It is to address the lady segment and the emerging economies.  With a  thin bezel , the 39 mm still gives the perception
that its diameter is above 40mm! 

Two dial variations - black or white with  choice of bracelets or alligator-skin straps.





The case work is interesting as it is shaped like a singing (rin) bowl with skeletonised lugs which are likely welded and soldered
as you will see later.


Non-screw down crown and pretty slim profile at 10.4mm thick.








Indexes and hands ( luminescent coated) are red-gold plated, and the sapphire is anti-reflective coated.





Movement is ETA-based automatic and decorated, and named as Caliber 4810.


With leather straps, the elaborate tang buckle is with rectangular-pin for ...


a more sporty rectangular-holes and buffered straps.


The rin bowl-shaped case , and with the lugs installed,  gives a futuristic look.  Look some sort of a fly-saucer about to land.


Touched down

Somehow this case-design makes the TimeWalker interesting .... as there is another brand with its hot selling model has similar
construction ....


One of the main benefits of this tapered down lug-design is it could enable big diameter watch to be worn on a petite wrist and not
having the lugs jut over the wrist.



Back to the Montblanc,  this is the black dial version with rhodium plated indexes and hands.



From the list price, the difference between the leather straps and the metal bracelet with deployant buckle, is about USD270.
The good news, it seems that Montblanc does not charge a premium if purchasing the bracelet later.

Some pics of the steel bracelet ...




When close.  Its comfortable as the triple-fold buckle does not have a single stress point pressing into the skin.


Seamless when fully closed.


The lugs-end ...




The edges of the links are chamfered to remove sharp edges.



Depressing the release-lock to release deployant.


A side by side of the white & black dial.




Next is the black TimeWalker Dual Carbon Dual Time ...

Sharing a same case of  42mm stainless steel case  with the bigger TimeWalker and it is dual carbon treated (black DLC-coating) which has exceptional scratch-resistance.  

(Witness the scratch test by clicking here )


Contrasting black dial with red gold plated indexes and hands.


Double anti-reflective coated dome sapphire giving a greenish tint on the dial at a certain angle.
From the specifications, the straps-pins are of 18K red gold!


The Second time zone subdial.
Interesting a black mask to camouflage the tube.




Skeletonised rotor.




Non screw-down black ceramic crown with Montblanc signet.



TimeWalker Dual Carbon Chronograph


The case is the same as the Dual Carbon Dual Time with Dual Carbon (black DLC) treatment and diameter of 43mm.

Centre hours and minutes, small seconds at 9 o`clock , Centre chronograph hand, 30-min counter at 12 o`clock  and 12 hour-counter
at 6 o`clock. 


The subdials are of difference sizes.  Somehow the Dual Carbon Chronograph looks slightly smaller than the Dual Time.
Perhaps due to more  'white-space' on the Dual Time dial.


Ceramic crown with Montblanc signet.  The pushers and the strap-pins are of 18K red gold.


The indexes and hands are red gold plated.









Sapphire caseback  with an ETA7750 .  Rotor was skeletonised and plated.  Blued screws.  However, the bridges were not decorated.
Perhaps only for this traveling sample.



Following is the Star 4810 Chronograph Automatic ...

Looking at the last year catalogue, the difference for this 2010 version of Steel Automatic seemed to be with the more contrasting
red-gold plated indexes and hands.  This model is the alternative for those who prefer white dial...


Case is 44mm stainless steel with a height of 14.5mm .


Same movement as the TimeWalker Dual Carbon Chronograph above. 
Centre hours and minutes, small seconds at 9 o`clock , Centre chronograph hand, 30-min counter at 12 o`clock  and 12 hour-counter
at 6 o`clock. 


A little modification at the second-subdial (at 9 o'clock), tiny markers are added for the first fifteen-second quadrant.


Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating.


The guilloche added a certain animation to  the dial.  Different angle, different ray-patterns rippling out from the Star.




Open caseback.  The Dual Carbon decorative work (above) looks more attractive than this understated.

The Star series seems to have more details in the design, with a guilloched Star rippling effect, a Montblanc signet at the counterweight
area of the big second-hand, red index markers (on the rehaut) and a pop-out Montblanc logo (at 3 o'clcok) instead being printed.
Perhaps it would be nice, to add a little bit more work on the movement for the Star Series to complete the full look.


This series of Star 4810 Automatic come with deployant buckle and alligator-skin straps.



Next is the Star 4810 Automatic ...


The three-hand version with a smaller diameter than the Chronograph version at 41.5mm and thinner at 11.6mm .


The guilloched dial rippling optical-effect is more dramatic without the sub-dials breaking its pattern. 




A good balance perhaps.  The hour-markers are annotated with even number, while the date is in odd number.







An Alternative three-hand, the Montblanc Star Date Automatic ...

Comes in white and black dial with the option of steel bracelet.


This model could appeal to those who prefer Arabic hour markers, sub-40 diameter and a thinner profile just below 10mm.


White dial with red-gold (5N) plated indexes and hands.  Onion crown with Montblanc signet and the lettering of Montblanc engraved
on the caseband.


Sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective coating.






Open caseback.


And deployant buckle.


The black dial version with rhodium-plated hour markers.  Stainless steel case at 39mm and 9.9mm thick.


Try scrolling up & down.  Do you observe the guilloche pattern rippled?  Or is it just my notebook monitor?





Did you see a bigger and lighter shade star pattern circumsribe by the 9 & 3 o'clock markers and the logo?










Next, something really decent for the Ladies, the Montblanc Star Lady Chronograph ...

Fitted in the comfortable size of 36mm stainless steel case, is the beautiful Mother-of-Pearl (MoP) dial with nine diamond-markers
and paired it off with lustrous satin straps.


Always enamored by the iridescent shimmer from the MoP.


Much work were done on the delicate main MoP dial. 
The three subdials are cut-out and placed with different MoP set so as to provide a contrast.
Diamonds were later set on.


Tang buckle with satin straps.




Pushers of the quartz chronograph.








The Black Mother-of-Pearl model....


This piece is stunning.  The light play on the MoP is spectacular and the sparkle of the nine diamonds are just beaconing and clear
with the constrasting darker background. 


Time reading is easy with the hands and the hour markers rhodium plated and coated with luminescent.






A close look at  the subdial and diamond setting on the delicate MoP.
Even the printed little minute-markers seemed to be popping out from the MoP surface!




E




This model is going to be a challenger to the same segment.  Lots of mileage for the ladies, versatile, could be a day and night watch.
Gentlemen, idea for Christmas


Some WristShots for reference ...














































Hope all of you enjoyed the eTour. 

Thanks to Montblanc Singapore Team for their time.


Kong