Montblanc

MTF
[PuristS]
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Montblanc Villeret and the Duesenbergs...

Mike,

Metamorphosis by Montblanc is like the ultra-luxe Duesenberg automobiles in the early 20th century.  Top line and made of Unobtainium.

The 'Duesies' (Doozies) were the most advanced American vehicles of their time in engineering innovation and aesthetic. Few were made and fewer survived. They had celebrity/royalty endorsement coupled with actual track perfomance in their marketing armamentarium. But the company went bust...twice!

To make legend, you need People, Process and Product. 

The People part includes investors and collectors as well as the creators.

The Process part requires a rich knowledge base that may be greater than one independent man could have in his head. Process also includes the financial know-how to run a business.  Countless innovators have fallen by the wayside from lack of fiscal prowess........BNB?    F.A. Jones?    Cedric Johner?   A.N. dePatek & J-A. Philippe?

So, I see Time Aeon as an official organisation doing exactly what has been done by so-called independents for centuries  --  sharing knowledge.  When A.L. Breguet didn't know something, did he consult Ferdinand Berthoud or his excellent textbooks?  Well, probably not when it came to those two protagonists!     But you get my point.

Nowhere in the charter of Time Aeon does it state that more than one 'independent' watchmaker MUST work on each project.  So, those that are worried about the products losing 'independence' due to 'group-think' or having to sign each piece with three signatures can be assured that only as many creators as needed will be used on each concept.

Creators have always been used in the background by big brands e.g. Mr G.Genta for AP, PP, VC, IWC, Cartier, Omega, Bulgari, Seiko (!).  Vincent Calabrese is another prolific 'consultant'  -- Corum, Blancpain etc.. But it was decades before we were told. Nowadays, it is 'sexy' to have an 'independent watchmaker' consultant and the cooperative creator business model has been exploited by HWRT,  Max Busser & Friends, Maitres du Temp and others.  Marc Newson Atmos, anyone?

Bottom line: Cooperatives like Time Aeon and others may provide the platform to attract investors so the whole thing actually survives, to do business and help start up businesses. Why would you not be assured by luminous names like Voutilainen, Gruebel, Forsey and even Dufour?  With those 'assets', you can convince some people to bring their cash.

At the end of the day, the proof of value is each completed piece.  I don't care whose name is engraved on the dial if the product excels in aesthetic form and function. Nobody paid big money for a van Gogh whilst he was alive. Are his paintings any more beautiful with a price tag? Like blind wine-tasting, we need to know what tastes good without a label.

Therein lies the problem.....how do we gather enough knowledge, experience and opinion to be able to recognise excellence without a signature on the dial?

Answer: Use the combined knowledge base on PuristSPro? 

Regards,

MTF