Montblanc

In anticipation for SIHH 2010 and the New Year.

Tell me:

What "exclusives" you would like to see on the forum next year?

Who would you like to see interviewed?

What would you like to see in Montblanc's collection?

Just post your suggestion and be entered to win...

Something every enthusiast needs during this time of year:  " A travel winder" . Not MB ( I don't think they make one!)

It is new, has only one programmed setting, but it works on batteries and by a power adapter (which will be included)

 

 

The contest will end 12/25/2009 midnight EST

Happy holidays and thank you for your support of the MB forum

Cheers, Mike

 

AS A REMINDER:  If anyone has purchased a Montblanc watch for the holidays either as a personal gift or for someone else please forward me your information to receive the free Montblanc watch carrier.  I'll be sending the compiled list to MB Germany soon.

This message has been edited by mkt33 on 2009-12-21 08:56:14 This message has been edited by mkt33 on 2009-12-25 06:19:16

Minerva movement and also Nicolas Rieussac models.

Could we expect Montblanc to realize some Master Classes with this high quality movements?

JLC do it right now and it is very helpful for us Purists.

Some additional interviews with persons from Minerva all around 2010 will be great too to document 2010 novelties.

merry Christmas and happy new year for all,

Cheers,

Patrickh

Hi Mike,

 

It’s never easy establishing the credentials of a ‘new’ brand, and I think Montblanc and this forum are treading the right path. What I want from my watches, and the companies that make them, are good designs, nice engines built using traditional skills and good customer service at all levels. From what I have seen of MB, the company approach, and the marketing of the watches, they are well on the way.

 

So, I would like to see here on the MB Forum:

 

* More information on the manufacture, the techniques they are using, the watchmakers involved.

 

* Some of the thought processes that have gone into the watches, the designs and how MB are steering their range. This is particularly important as they move forward and away from movements (and watches) that were designed by the old Minerva Manufacture.

 

* As far as interviews are concerned, we need to be able to ‘connect’ with the people involved, not just ‘see’ a luxury conglomerate like MB. They (and you) have done well so far presenting the artisans of Minerva, and I would love to read more of the same, as well as more of the designers of the pieces.

 

* Personally, if MB are planning to continue using the cache of Minerva, I would like us to have more of a retrospective look at that companies history and contribution to horology. This is where some of the DNA and identity is, and may help inform future design and development.

 

* MB did very well with the Nicolas Rieussec line and I would like to see them applying this sort of interesting history to other watches. Finding those niche pearls is not easy, though.

 

To borrow from pplater’s turn of phrase, you have been a great midwife for the MB brand and I look forward to seeing where they head in 2010.

 

Regards

 

Andrew

If so, how would MB accomplish this since the chrono hand is fixed and the circular disc rotates?  That would be interesting to see if this is possible.

I'm also curious to see which new complication the Rieussec will incorporate.  Will it be a perpetual? 

And for the Villeret line, a smaller sized case w/ a super clean elegant dial w/ minimal copy.

Cheers,
Anthony

Cool contest!

I would like to see fewer words printed on their dials for a more cleaned up look.  IMO, it would make a huge difference for many collectors.

-MW

like to see two other Montblanc products as well, like the pens and the clocks.
Pens, clocks and watches are so closely related and have so often the same target group.

An interview with the person(s) responsible for the design of the product, is interesting for me.
The looks of a watch or a pen is só important.

Since Montblanc is so famous for their pens,
I would love to see a fat travel pen with build in mini clock,
in their collection and a titanium sports/pocketwatch.
A watch one could wear during golf and other sports.

GEO

with:
- only hour and second hand
- 40 mm with white enamel dial
- black indexes and Montlbanc symbol under 12 and above
Montblanc writing

overall more enamel dials and hunter casebacks also their famous logo on dial
which is in my perception something that suits Montblanc well

As far as our forum is considered I wouldn't change a thing

Thank you for contest
Seasons greetings!
Damian

to see a post on the history of Minerva, how Montblanc will tie in this history (by developing/reissuing previous watches for eg)...

Also I would like to see how MB anticipates being in 10-20 years time...

Merry Christmas!!!

Ho Ho Ho

What "exclusives" you would like to see on the forum next year?
- I think what we've been seeing has been great so far. Overall, PuristSPro has really been showing me how Montblanc is manufacturing their watches and the philosophy behind the manufacturing process. Along with special interviews of key persons in the manufacturing process.

Who would you like to see interviewed?
- We've interviewed watchmakers and the lovely Monique "hair-spring Queen" already. Can't think of many more persons to interview.

What would you like to see in Montblanc's collection?
- I'd really like to see a Montblanc Villeret piece that is technically astounding, something revolutionary yet still utterly traditionalistic, with a supremely well finished movement, and a more reasonable price tag. The Montblanc Villeret Chronograph is a beautiful large watch with a beautifully finished movement; and definitely in the league of F.P. Journe's Centigraph, the Lange Datograph, and the JLC Duometre. I'd potentially like to see a simple Villeret piece like an F.P. Journe Chronometer Souverain or a Lange 1815 and priced as such as well (and without gemstone embellishments).

Villeret movements and finishing.

Further developments on the Rieussec line.

Are mods and "Board Advisors" eligible for the MB watch carrier?

;-)

Cheers,

TM

I would like to see a new Minerva. Classic design, silver dial, small second hand, no date and a handwound movement.

. . . and if I might add one more wish, a diameter well under the ubiquitous 40 mm current fashion standard. Perhaps a black urushi dial with matching pen? Regards, Art

 

How about a 34 mm with an ultra thin movement?

. . . of your Minerva, with a suitably substantial Villaret movement.  Make it in steel and keep the price in the four figure range . . . kinda like a Lange 1815 / Saxonia for less outlay.  Nothing will get the Villaret collection moving more effectively than cultivating a crop of enthusiasts for the brand.  Persuading a potential buyer to part with the asking price for the current Villaret collection is a daunting task because of the overlap with existing competitors.  Once someone has bought into the brand at the four-figure level, it's far easier to advance the proposition of a five-figure purchase.  Cordially, Art

I  know  Montblanc is reading this thread.

Your comments and suggestions are taken very seriously.

I will try my hardest to incorporate everyone's ideas during next year.   I can't believe the MB forum is already 9 months old.

THANK YOU for everyone's support!

SIHH will be very interesting this year. Stayed tuned.

Happy Holidays,

Mike

PS- Yes, Mods and exec staff are entered into the drawing

PSS- Sorry for the mass response.  Work and family schedules mashing together.

Hi, Mike,

Thanks to you and the kind folks at MontBlanc for putting us to the test. Here are my humble suggestions:

What "exclusives" you would like to see on the forum next year?

More?? This one I concede to you, Mike, as you have been very keen on sharing any available MB novelty with us, that it would be difficult to want any more exclusives.

But, if I must ask for one, perhaps a PuristS day at our local MB boutiques?

Who would you like to see interviewed?

Former MB & Richemont CEO, Norbert Platt, particularly to learn on how they laid the ground for transforming MB into a bonafide watch atelier. Brand perception then, and brand perception now.

What would you like to see in Montblanc's collection?

A simple dress watch, sans the over enthusiastic dial writings, in a moderate size of 37 to 39mm, manual wind. Perhaps an observatory piece? I would also like to see a sports watch, but without the trendy designs of the TimeWalker collection. Something more subtle, understated, but rugged enough to get the job done.

Also, perhaps a merger of writing instruments and watches for their special editions. Remember the Frank Kafka pen? Have you ever been curious to see what his watch would look like? Or a watch conceived by his imagination?

Just my thoughts...

Looking forward in learning about MB novelties in SIHH very soon, and wishing them the best of luck,

Alex