ling5hk
1708
Mike, I concur with most of the points you made but ...
here is my personal onservation.
Last month, a few watch nuts and I were invited by Mr. Gan (General Manager of MB in Malaysia) to MB boutique to view some Villeret collections in VIP lounge (even though none of us is qualified to be regarded as VIP - now you know how nice is Mr. Gan). Except for the price, nobody has any negative comment on the Villeret collections. After a few rounds of champagne and light refreshment, we discovered a scratch on the tip of the chrono level on one of the watches. We subsequently realised that it was caused by the friction between the level and one of the wheels (if I remember correctly, it is chrono wheel) when the chrono mechanism was engaged and disengaged. This was pointed out to Mr. Gan.
I want to believe that this is an isolated case of Villeret collections. Having said that, with that price point, MB should be extra more careful.
I like both watches that you posted.
Regards
Ling
The question which has no easy answer. How good is the Villeret collection's finishing?
Since posting the macro pictures a few days ago, I've received a few emails from new posters asking about the quality of the finish. This is an extremely difficult question to answer because for many enthusiasts, finish is EVERYTHING. I can't count the nu...
Among the best (even small independents included)...
I, like many other PuristS members, pay a great amount to the quality of finishing. Perhaps my largest pet-peeve of finishing is the polishing of the bevelled edge and chamfering. The Montblanc Villeret pieces I've inspected (I've inspected virtually the ...
having an engineering background what I like to see are the touches which make sense to me
The finish of the teeth, pinion, and leaves... all points of contact where excess friction and stresses can occurr. The skeletonizing of the wheels to reduce mass and the energy needed to move them. The spokes of these wheels are also beveled and finished...
I think MB Villeret finishing is excellent
Below are some macros pics I took of from the Villeret 1858 Grand Authentique I reviewed. Finishing is spectacular IMO. Notice the magnification of the pictures and look how flawless the finishing is. Cheers, Anthony...
Gorgeous
I never tire of seeing macros of this movement. Wonderful photography, Anthony! If you ever leave your day job... m
Raphael . . .
. . . or Vermeer? Different, yes. Exquisite, both. And yes, I'm speaking metaphorically . . . again. Cordially, Art...
Don't ask me to choose!
Both the Lange and MB you picture are beautifully finished and lovely. I don't think finishing is the be all, end all of a watch, but I certainly believe that the Villeret Collection is very highly finished and charmingly decorated. I would be proud to we...
I agree Daos, we're forgetting some other aspects here...
Daos brings up a very important point. I think we watch-lovers are sometimes so enamored about the finishing that we forget to consider additional aspects. For instance, the overall elegance of a watch is dictated by its size and use of materials. For ins...
Lange
I have certainly taking a liking to the montblancs but I have to say with those two movement pics the Lange gets my heart racing. Its the colors, the contrast of shades and finishes. I respect the heck out of the montblanc and would be proud to own it but...
No question that Lange movements...
...are gorgeous! I too enjoy the contrast and colors found in their movements. I have macros of them hanging in my office. Cheers, Daos
The look but most importantly the feel
Since we interact with all of our chronographs primarily by touch, this should be the ultimate criteria. Yes the Lange with the blued screws has more visual contrast, some like the longer flowing levers found on the Montblanc. Ultimately it is the feel of...
Mike, I concur with most of the points you made but ...
here is my personal onservation. Last month, a few watch nuts and I were invited by Mr. Gan (General Manager of MB in Malaysia) to MB boutique to view some Villeret collections in VIP lounge (even though none of us is qualified to be regarded as VIP - now...
Hi Ling, the Mise en Funcion should have caught that
since it requires these areas to be inspected time and time again under the loupe. But for the price MB is asking everyone should inspect the watches very, very closely.... catching the isolated blemish I think will be rare, I believe the inspection will ...
Comparison?
The finishing is excellent for villeret collection. But if you place the display caseback side by side with the Lange that you posted. The Lange stood out in term of design. The Lange regulator design/base plate and the use of colourful jewel is just mind...