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SIHH 2014 - Montblanc
Let´s start with something good. Montblanc convinced with a strong statement in serious watchmaking and no we don´t speak about Haute Horlogerie this time. Their whole booth at SIHH was dedicated to watchmaking and showed mainly working people from the watch industry in their surroundings. Totally different to what it used to look in the past – less life-style and less art. We heard lots of praises even from very senior members of the industry.
Show only? No, not at all. To understand what was really going on we had the great pleasure to spent some time with Jerome Lambert, Alexander Schmiedt, a watchmaker … and of course some watches. We tried to listen, to ask and to look carefully and have been pleased to say the least.
The novelties shown have been developed/decided/finetuned in the last five months. Each detail (hands, indexes, cases, crowns …) has been discussed again and again. Some things have been kept; some things have been changed – sometimes several times. Everything had to fit the new approach. Quite challenging you may say. Yes, indeed and for sure a lot of work. In fact it was just possible because of the strong assets available at Montblanc, the new alignment and highly motivated people.
Quite a few pieces/complications are missing in the collections, at least at the moment. Mr. Lambert said it very clear that he will focus on this instead of offering new variants. It should be very interesting which kind of movements we will see in the (near?!) future.
SIHH 2014 - Montblanc
Let´s start with something good. Montblanc convinced with a strong statement in serious watchmaking and no we don´t speak about Haute Horlogerie this time. Their whole booth at SIHH was dedicated to watchmaking and showed mainly working people from the wa...
Montblanc Meisterstück Heritage Collection
The talk of the show was not only the booth, it was the Heritage Collection and in specific the Perpetual Calendar. More on this later. The collection exemplifies the traditional characteristics of fine Swiss matchmaking - in every detail. The time is sho...
Can't wait to see this Meisterstuck Heritage collection!
Thank you Magnus for your great post! I am getting more interested in the Meisterstuck Heritage Perpetual Calendar. The bi-color of steel case and rose gold indices/hands (esp plated) affects me a bit as I would have preferred just steel or blued steel ha...
Bi-colour seems to be rising again...
if you look at other major brands including Patek and - yes - Rolex! Best, Magnus
Montblanc TimeWalker Collection
With the debut of the TimeWalker Collection in 2004, Montblanc launched a new family of watches and simultaneously defined a new design vocabulary. The Extreme Chronograph ´s DLC (regular and special edition; the two watches above on the left) features in...
So Magnus, the price is a pro or a con?
Do you mean that the price is high (con) but rather reasonnable due to the horological contents of the watch (pro)? ;) For me, this chronograph was the most interesting Montblanc watch of the year. Thanks! Fx
Both...
Its a high prices tag for the TimeWalker collection, but a reasonable one for the complication! Best, Magnus
Montblanc Star Collection
The Twin Moonphase is the latest member of this classic MB collection and has a diameter of 42mm: One moon – two hemispheres The timepiece is driven by the automatic Montblanc calibre MB 29.13 and houses a new type of complication that is used exclusively...
An interesting complication...
At least, the Star collection finds a new dynamic thanks to this watch. Fx
Montblanc fans will like this Star Twinmoon
It has all the classic Star design elements and looks finely crafted for its price (like my Star Worldtime). Good piece at good price for someone who just wants a Montblanc watch that looks unique. cheers robin
Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec Collection
The next watch has evolved into a veritable classic in MB's stable: the Nicolas Rieussec Collection . Inspired by its namesake’s first patented chronograph from 1821 it features a meanwhile iconic chronograph display in the bottom art of the dial, with tw...
This watch is the most convincing Rieussec ever.
Thanks for the report and the pictures, especially the one in the dark! Fx
I still prefer the manual Rieussec, for the perfect integration of the date.
But this one is fun! Best, Nicolas
I so love this new Homage to NR
That i am pretty sure I am going to buy one! Along with Mike who declared he will be getting one too! This will be our new MB community watch!! :) Didn't realize there is a new buckle for this version. Probably better than the deployment buckle of the cur...
Montblanc Collection Villeret 1858
Finally, we consider the topmost collection of Montblanc - Villeret 1858 . Some have declared it dead after the appearance of a veritable Minerva movement in the new Heritage collection, but we have seen (more as a preview) a loud sign of new life: the Vi...
That is one I have to seriously look at.
I only saw it through the Windows, and we didn't find the time to arrange a photo session. It is also true that the SIHH is not the best place to take the time for a good and seruous photo session. I liked what I saw, but a closer look is mandatory. Quite...
The Minerva cases and sapphire glass
is so beautiful! I love your photos! I am wearing my MB Villeret today too and just looking at the case and lugs and sapphire glass makes me smile a lot. Even if I can afford the Exo-tourbillon (which I can't unless I sell something or many things!), I ca...
Montblanc @ SIHH 2014 - conclusion
We already started with something good and now we would like to finish with something even better. Montblanc seemed to be stronger than ever before and so far we only have seen a small part of what is coming … in the next month(s) and years. It is not tha...
I agree with that conclusion.
I will also add that Montblanc needs to work on a strong identity. They already have some watches which have such an identity, I am thinking about the Rieussec, which, in my opinion, has Montblanc DNA. I am confident that the brand will amaze and surprise...
Definitely Montblanc is showing the world
that the brand intends to move very fast from now on to grow its Watch Category. MB has been doing pretty well the past few years but once it hit the 80k annual production pieces, the brand reached a new stage of brand development where the low ground is ...
Robin, I totally agree with you.
I love Montblanc for they offer various product ranges to suit personal tastes and lifestyles. Here is a not-so-well-taken quick photo to echo your words. ...
Nice collection of MB products!
Nice pic Luis. Your Star Worldtime really looks great as the center of attention amongst all the other MB goodies you have. Glad you are enjoying Montblanc, the brand, the passion and the products Cheers Robin
We can't express it better: "share the passion for fine watchmaking"
at all levels - that nails the point. It was impressive to learn that the team - although under enormous pressure - managed to consider so many details. Mr Schmiedt told us (but we forgot the exact numbers) how often they changed even tiny aspects of case...
"a fine timepiece for everyone, at various price levels. This is ...
the Montblanc that I like." +1 :-) Thanks! Oliver
Thanks Oliver for your comment
I find this statement very in line with our Purist approach too. We appreciate and respect all fine watches at various price points from Swatch to Pateks! That's why I like Montblanc's new emphasis this year a lot. Cheers Robin
Thanks a lot Magnus & Oliver for the great post.
The Montblanc challenge will take a lot of time... I'm sure that they will be quite quickly successful. But becoming a collectors' brand is another story. They will face opposite forces if I may say so: the strategy to be a global player not only in watch...
Thank you VERY much
for such an insightful, detailed, comprehensive and entertaining report. Made me love the brand even more.
"Made me love the brand even more"...
thanks for the flowers! We liked what we saw as well and we are glad that we could convey our impressions! Magnus
Thanks, those kind of replies ...
are fuel for our passion and a good reason to do it again :-) Oliver
Thanks for the comprehensive coverage of the new SIHH 2014 Novelities
It looks like Montblanc is starting off a new chapter. I like the new watches esp the Rieussec Anniversary but that exotourbillon/split is something to dream for. Thanks to you Magnus and Oliver, Mike
"a new chapter"
Yes, but even better they don´t forget their own history and fortes (outstanding skills I have in mind). They just push it further in a good and well thought out spirit :-) Thanks, Mike! Oliver