Comments:
The version missing is the simple Automatic version without date, in steel and with 18k red gold-plated dauphine hands. The diameter is 41mm.
The second one is the Date Automatic, which also has a central second. It is available in steel and in steel/18k red gold. The diameter is 39mm.
The third member of the collection is the Moonphase, which is available in three different versions (18k red gold, steel with 18k red gold plated indexes and hands and in steel).
Timeless Aesthetics – Eternal Functionality. Each Montblanc Meisterstück Heritage Perpetual Calendar wristwatch is subjected to a comprehensive 500-hour quality test at the manufacture in Le Locle. Developed by Montblanc, this rigorous examination verifies the accuracy of the watch’s rate, the water tightness of its case, the timepiece’s overall performance and robustness, and the functionality of the individual displays. Only after its examiners are convinced that a watch upholds Montblanc’s strict quality standards do they release it for subsequent delivery. Each watch that passes the 500-hour test is individually issued a test certificate.
Number five of the collection is a limited edition of 90 pieces, the Pulsograph.
The Minerva Manufacture, which is the direct ancestor of the Montblanc Manufacture in Villeret, fabricated in 1923 one of the first chronograph calibres for wristwatches and thus paved the way for the success of mechanical wristwatch chronographs. Equipped with pulsometer scales, these precise measurers of brief intervals were especially popular among physicians. Calibrated for 30 pulse beats, a pulsometer scale enables a doctor to read the pulse rate per minute without having to continue feeling the patient’s pulse for a full sixty seconds. These watches were animated by the noteworthy Minerva Calibre 13.20, which was first encased in 1923.
The Montblanc Meisterstück Heritage Pulsograph continues this horological tradition. Its chronograph movement (Montblanc Calibre MB M13.21) is inspired by Minerva Calibre 13.20. Like its predecessor, the contemporary movement is manually fabricated and finely adjusted in accord with the principles of the traditional art of Swiss watchmaking.
The watch will be available in autumn 2014 and the price will be about 27k €, which is about 10k € less than what we know from the current Villeret collection. The latter is easy to explain, because this time a highly sophisticated enamel dial is missing – that´s all.
but if you turn it over, the same matte/glossy contrast is there again:
This message has been edited by Ornatus-Mundi on 2014-02-08 08:49:05 This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2014-02-10 09:09:06
The chronograph function is powered by its own barrel, which stores enough energy to measure intervals up to 45 minutes in duration. An elapsed-time measurement can be indefinitely extended by turning the crown anticlockwise while the chronograph is running, thus adding fresh energy to the chronograph’s barrel. The going train for the ordinary time display draws its energy from a second barrel that guarantees a 100-hour power reserve.
This ambitious chronograph function has been made possible by a patented mechanism with a new column-wheel control and a zero-reset function for the direct-drive hundredths hand.
This message has been edited by Ornatus-Mundi on 2014-02-09 07:06:13
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.
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.
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 shown by facetted hands of classic dauphine shape on bombé, silvery white dials finished with a soleil motif. The chapter ring comprises polished applique markers of three different lengths, also facetted in shape. The surface finishes, like the horizontal satin-brushing of the case-middle, are differentiated, so as to underline the classical shape of the elegant case, which is 39 or 41mm in diameter. The crown displays the Montblanc emblem as a polished motif in relief against a matt, microblasted background.
The official press pictures show four different versions, but in fact there are five.
The version missing is the simple Automatic version without date, in steel and with 18k red gold-plated dauphine hands. The diameter is 41mm.
The second one is the Date Automatic, which also has a central second. It is available in steel and in steel/18k red gold. The diameter is 39mm.
The third member of the collection is the Moonphase, which is available in three different versions (18k red gold, steel with 18k red gold plated indexes and hands and in steel).
Number four is the very classical grande complication of the Perpetual Calendar, but with a nice surprise – especially in these days. In general that complication is not affordable for most, but now you can get a very nice one at about 10k in Euro (steel version). Quite competitive or aggressive as some would call it.
The diameter is 39mm and it comes in 18k red gold or in steel with 18k red gold indexes and hands. The perpetual calendar (module) is powered by self-winding mechanical Calibre MB 29.15., which has a balance paced at 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour (4 hertz).
Timeless Aesthetics – Eternal Functionality. Each Montblanc Meisterstück Heritage Perpetual Calendar wristwatch is subjected to a comprehensive 500-hour quality test at the manufacture in Le Locle. Developed by Montblanc, this rigorous examination verifies the accuracy of the watch’s rate, the water tightness of its case, the timepiece’s overall performance and robustness, and the functionality of the individual displays. Only after its examiners are convinced that a watch upholds Montblanc’s strict quality standards do they release it for subsequent delivery. Each watch that passes the 500-hour test is individually issued a test certificate.
Number five of the collection is a limited edition of 90 pieces, the Pulsograph.
The Minerva Manufacture, which is the direct ancestor of the Montblanc Manufacture in Villeret, fabricated in 1923 one of the first chronograph calibres for wristwatches and thus paved the way for the success of mechanical wristwatch chronographs. Equipped with pulsometer scales, these precise measurers of brief intervals were especially popular among physicians. Calibrated for 30 pulse beats, a pulsometer scale enables a doctor to read the pulse rate per minute without having to continue feeling the patient’s pulse for a full sixty seconds. These watches were animated by the noteworthy Minerva Calibre 13.20, which was first encased in 1923.
The Montblanc Meisterstück Heritage Pulsograph continues this horological tradition. Its chronograph movement (Montblanc Calibre MB M13.21) is inspired by Minerva Calibre 13.20. Like its predecessor, the contemporary movement is manually fabricated and finely adjusted in accord with the principles of the traditional art of Swiss watchmaking.
"Classical Chronographic Mechanisms – Fabricated by Hand
The chronograph Calibre MB M13.21, embodies all the distinguishing features of classical chronograph mechanisms and the traditional watchmaker’s art. It functions with a column-wheel and horizontal gear coupling. As a monopusher construction, it has a three-phase control which sequentially triggers the start, stop and zero-return commands. When the lone button is pressed, it activates a series of levers, each of which is painstakingly manually embellished. All levers and springs are polished on their flat surfaces, satin-finished on their sides, and manually bevelled along their edges. All functional planes are individually and manually adjusted in each movement to maximize the smoothness and reliability with which the button triggers the commands.
Similarly luxurious finishing has been lavished on all other components of the movement. The plate and bridges are fabricated from rhodium-plated nickel silver; the bridges are bevelled by hand, and these chamfered surfaces are then manually polished. Classical Geneva waves embellish the planar surfaces. The V-shaped chronograph-bridge is an eye-catching and characteristic feature: its inner angles are a symbol of traditional horological craftsmanship that no machine, no matter how modern it may be, could possibly imitate. The bridge proudly bears the name “Minerva Villeret”. The pale silver-grey hue of the movement’s chassis contrasts with red jewels and a large massy screw balance that oscillates at the classical pace of 2.5 hertz. Both the balance and the hairspring, which culminates in a Philips terminal curvature, are manufactured and manually adjusted inhouse. The balance’s frequency (18,000 A/h) demands meticulous fine adjustment, but rewards this labour by accurately timing elapsed intervals to the nearest fifth of a second. The movement draws its energy from a large barrel: with circularly grained inner surfaces, the barrel is elaborately decorated even in places that ordinarily remain unseen – further proof that this calibre embodies definitive horological craftsmanship.
The positioning of the chronograph’s sole button at “2 o’clock” shows that this timepiece is a high-quality monopusher chronograph. Its handmade movement can be viewed by peering through a pane of sapphire crystal in the back of the case. Both surfaces of this crystal have been specially treated to prevent glare and reflections.
It will be available in a 41-mm case made of 18 karat rose gold. A Montblanc diamond, cut and polished to form the emblem of the maison, is inset into the middle piece of the case at “6 o’clock”. As a valuable but unostentatious symbol, it shows that this watch is equipped with a manufacture." [MB Press Kit]
The watch will be available in autumn 2014 and the price will be about 27k €, which is about 10k € less than what we know from the current Villeret collection. The latter is easy to explain, because this time a highly sophisticated enamel dial is missing – that´s all.
Lastly we would like to highlight two vera fine details which attest the immense attention MB put on very small details. First, the crown. This is not the loud MB 'Meisterstück' crown, this is a very subtly integrated logo. Note the 3D-effect it has, finely accentuated by the matte/glossy contrast:
Exactly the same attention and the same contrast is seen in the simple buckle, which we loved a lot. It seems pretty standard…
but if you turn it over, the same matte/glossy contrast is there again:
Talk about consistency - this is a great message for MB, it shows that apt management is at work, and it gives the brand something that we found missing before.
Therefore our conclusion for the Meisterstück Heritage collection:
Therefore our conclusion for the Meisterstück Heritage collection:
Pro:
• A very classic collection
• Very well made and affordable
Con:
• Conservative and therefore predictable
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 hands and silver indices. But the red gold piece at 1.7x the premium of the steel version sounds like great value to me.
Maybe the bi-color effect is not bad. From your pictures of the various Heritage collections, I am starting to get warmed to the bi-color effect too. Need to see it in the metal of course.
Cheers and once again, thank you for your wonderful posts!
robin
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 include architectonic lines, 43-millimetre case, narrow bezel and elegantly skeletonised horns, plus a large, planar dial with Arabic numerals in a distinctive, clearly contoured typography and characteristic lancet-shaped hands. This innovative look, lost none of its appeal during the preceding decade, combining masculine technology with sporty elegance and has made the TimeWalker line one of Montblanc’s most successful watch collections. Now Montblanc kicks off the second decade of this iconographic watch line with the presentation of the new TimeWalker Extreme Chronograph DLC.
We haven´t seen the two watches in the metal and therefore we won´t go in further details. Just one more note, the strap is very smooth and tough at the same time. It deserves special attention because of the complexity of its material combination and manufacturing process. The strap’s inlay is made of black “Vulcarboné” cautchouc which gives the wristband extreme strength and flexibility. Breakage-resistant twine in a colour that matches the leather’s hue is used to sew the cowhide to the upper surface of the rubber “soul”. A laborious process textures the leather and simultaneously impregnates it with a treatment that doesn’t merely coat the leather, but conjoins with it and increases its structural strength – this innovative leather treatment leads to high-performance material with special shielding properties providing extra protection for the leather against abrasion, water, and fire.
The new star of the TimeWalker Collection is the Chronograph 100.
A manually wound monopusher (column-wheel) chronograph with a balance wheel for the time indication (18.000 vibrations per hour) and a balance wheel for the chronograph (360.000 vibrations per hour). The monopusher and the column-wheel are at (more or less) 12 o´clock and the latter is shown on the front side.
The tripartite case combines various materials that are commonly used in auto racing and that accentuate the innovative character of the movement. The titanium steel bezel is coated with a layer of extremely scratch-resistant DLC (diamond-like carbon). The screwed back is crafted from titanium and bears an inset pane of sapphire crystal.
The transparent dial in sapphire crystal reveals a view of the hand finished Manufacture caliber. The case back, inset with a sapphire crystal glass and the carbon-coated case middle are both made of titanium. The stainless steel bezel has an extremely resistant DLC coating.
Still not impressed? Well, what you can see here is a serious high frequency protagonist which you won´t find that often and especially not with the same level of finishing.
One movement - two hearts.
For a watch to measure intervals with 100th-of-a-second precision, its balance must be able to vibrate at a frequency of 360,000 semi-oscillations per hour (50 hertz). In conventional chronograph wristwatches, one and the same balance drives both the ordinary time display and the chronograph mechanism for measuring elapsed intervals. Activating the “start” function creates a connection between the going train and the chronograph; this link is severed when the “stop” function is triggered. Due to its need for a frequency of 360,000 semi-oscillations per hour, the Montblanc TimeWalker Chronograph 100 cannot rely on the same mechanical principle as a conventional chronograph calibre, which vibrates at a much slower pace of 2.5 or 4 hertz. This necessity prompted the watchmakers in Villeret to devise a solution with two balances. A large, massy, screw balance oscillates at a frequency of 18,000 A/h (2.5 Hz) to ensure the precise rate of the going train, while a small balance paced at the extremely high frequency of 360,000 A/h (50 Hz) regulates the chronograph function.
Rather than remaining continually in motion, the separate balance for the chronograph begins to vibrate only when the “start” function is activated by a flexible steel lamella (called fouet) mounted behind the arrowhead of the chronograph rocker. When the “stop” function is triggered, this slender steel plate arrests the tiny 50-Hz balance and holds it motionlessly in place until the next elapsed-time measurement begins.
The chronograph function is powered by its own barrel, which stores enough energy to measure intervals up to 45 minutes in duration. An elapsed-time measurement can be indefinitely extended by turning the crown anticlockwise while the chronograph is running, thus adding fresh energy to the chronograph’s barrel. The going train for the ordinary time display draws its energy from a second barrel that guarantees a 100-hour power reserve.
This ambitious chronograph function has been made possible by a patented mechanism with a new column-wheel control and a zero-reset function for the direct-drive hundredths hand.
The design and construction of the movement are extraordinarily innovative, but the manufacturing methods rigorously uphold horological tradition. Plates, bridges and steel components are painstakingly and manually fabricated and decorated with circular graining and/or Geneva waves. Edges are manually bevelled; the bevels are then polished by hand and the flanks undergo brushfinishing. Each balance-spring is individually counted by hand and by the artisan’s unaided eyes. Meticulous handcraftsmanship is likewise used for the mise en fonction of the chronograph: here, the functional surfaces of all rockers and levers are abraded to match each other with tolerances in the 100th-of-a-millimeter range, and the ruby pallet-stones are exactly adjusted in the pallets. These tasks involve countless steps and require partial disassembly and subsequent reassembly of the movement until it runs with optimal smoothness – and the timepiece satisfies the perfectionists at Montblanc.
The Montblanc TimeWalker Chronograph 100 has a diameter of 45.6mm and a height of 15.48mm. It will become available starting in the autumn of 2014 and will be produced in a strictly limited series of 100 timepieces, each of which will sell for a retail price of € 50,000.
Pro:
• Uncompromising performance
• Traditional manufacture craftsmanship
• Price
Con:
• The size is not for everybody
• Price
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
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:
On the first view it seems to be counter-intuitive to have separate displays for the two hemispheres: The lunar phases follow one another in the same sequence regardless of an observer’s location: full moon is full moon and waxing moon is waxing moon. However, the geometries of the waxing and waning moon as seen from the Southern Hemisphere are mirror images of their counterparts as viewed from the North. For example, the waxing moon’s crescent always appears to curve toward the right when seen by an observer in the Northern Hemisphere, but curves toward the left when viewed from the South.
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 by Montblanc and gives the watch its name: a moon-phase display that shows the moon’s phases in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres and the age of the moon in days:
On the first view it seems to be counter-intuitive to have separate displays for the two hemispheres: The lunar phases follow one another in the same sequence regardless of an observer’s location: full moon is full moon and waxing moon is waxing moon. However, the geometries of the waxing and waning moon as seen from the Southern Hemisphere are mirror images of their counterparts as viewed from the North. For example, the waxing moon’s crescent always appears to curve toward the right when seen by an observer in the Northern Hemisphere, but curves toward the left when viewed from the South.
Most timepieces with moon-phase displays depict the lunar phases as they appear to observers in the North because clocks, watches and the moon-phase display were invented in the Northern Hemisphere and because the majority of people live north of the Equator. MB's new timepiece acknowledges the global location of its admirers and offers also the perspective of people who dwell in the Southern Hemisphere in a single elegant display.
The dial is adorned with a fine guilloche décor. It concentrically develops the contours of the Montblanc emblem on the moon-phase subdial of the Twin Moonphase. The pattens embues the watch with a magic sheen that is only interrupted by the moon phase and an aperture between “one o’clock” and “two o’clock” for the asymmetrically arranged pointer date:
The Star case is a classical case for this collection, finely detailed and with a wearable a diameter of 42 mm and an overall height of 12.7 mm. A nice wrist-presence is the result for this delicate small complication:
Pro:
• Unique small complication
• correct astronomic display regardless of location
• Price
Con:
• For some: too much 'Montblanc' (hands, dial, crown…)
• 42mm might be too large for small wrists
An interesting complication...
At least, the Star collection finds a new dynamic thanks to this watch.
Fx
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 two rotating disk read through fixed hands.
The collection has been developed in the last years with considerable force. This year we were shown only one new version, but it is a very charming one, intelligently done - the Montblanc “Homage to Nicolas Rieussec” chronograph. It comes in either steel or red gold:
The closer resemblance to Rieussec's original version is apparent, and in our opinion the finest interpretation so far:
Like other member of the collection, the new “Homage to Nicolas Rieussec” chronograph from the Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec collection shows the date, indicates the time in two different time zones and also offers a day/night display. The timepiece will be manufactured in limited editions in rose gold and steel.
The dials has its mysteries: Ceramic disk in contrast with fine-grained (grainé) texture of the dial - but where are the hour indications?
The traditionally styled hour-circle is crafted from an ultramodern hybrid ceramic permeated with Superluminova pigments. These luminous pigments form the Arabic hour numerals in the characteristic font of the Montblanc Rieussec collection. The digits are invisible in daylight because they’re precisely embedded into the hour ring, with which they share exactly the same colour. But when the ambient light starts to dim, the luminous pigments that fill the numerals – as well as the Superluminova-filled hour-hand and minute-hand – begin to glow, thus assuring perfect legibility and simultaneously giving this watch its characteristic appearance.
Oh yes!!!
In fact, if you have sharp exes you might discover that there is something within the dial...
They are there… at least MB is confident!
MB really came up with something miraculous:
The traditionally styled hour-circle is crafted from an ultramodern hybrid ceramic permeated with Superluminova pigments. These luminous pigments form the Arabic hour numerals in the characteristic font of the Montblanc Rieussec collection. The digits are invisible in daylight because they’re precisely embedded into the hour ring, with which they share exactly the same colour. But when the ambient light starts to dim, the luminous pigments that fill the numerals – as well as the Superluminova-filled hour-hand and minute-hand – begin to glow, thus assuring perfect legibility and simultaneously giving this watch its characteristic appearance.
Reality check? Let's change to the dark side...
Oh yes!!!
In fading light you notice a finely orchestrated changeover where the glowing hour numerals appear beneath the minute indication - quite some magic:
In fact, if you have sharp exes you might discover that there is something within the dial...
Back to internal affairs: Here we find nothing really new, but as always very high standards: The well-known and reliable MB Cal. R200 (self-winding monopusher chronograph, column-wheel, 72 hours power reserve) with a rotor matching the case material:
On the wrist we really loved the delicate contrast between dial surface and the case. The new chronograph indication is the best so far in a Rieussec, and give a static foundation to an overall quite vivid 43-mm-diameter watch:
The buckle is a custom one for the Rieussec collection and fits well to the overall scheme of the timepiece (curvature of the horns and the roundness of the case):
Another winner from Le Locle? For sure!
This message has been edited by Ornatus-Mundi on 2014-02-09 06:32:03
Pro:
• Iconic watch
• Traditional manufacture craftsmanship
• Most pleasant interpretation of the theme so far
Con:
• If any: Legibility during day (lack of dedicated hours indices)
• ???
This watch is the most convincing Rieussec ever.
Thanks for the report and the pictures, especially the one in the dark!
Fx
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 current NRs.
I pray it will not look too big for my tiny wrist... the current black NR gmt fits just nice (literally even 1 mm more and I can't wear it nicely) so I am praying this white dial will be ok as black dial tends to look smaller.
My fav AD has confirmed they have ordered some pieces so I am officially now waiting for the pieces to come to Singapore!
cheers
robin
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 Villeret Chronographe Rattrapante Tourbillon:
As mentioned, a preview only, and we were asked not to shoot the movement (that's a real pity, trust us!). Thus, we just would tease you with some images of the dial...
Very powerful contrast in textures and heights!
Beautiful large balance wheel and spring… This is Minerva, right?
Case still the same as with the very last Minerva watches - a good move!
We have seen the movement, and really thesis breathtaking. The photo ban is of limited consequence anyway - we were shaking for what we have seen, no shake reduction system of any camera could have ameliorated our trembling knees…
What a can of worms (note these words!)!
We spare you any pro/contra list - not needed anyway!
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 soon, I think.
Thanks for another nice introduction, Magnus.
Best,
Nicolas.
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 can't wear their 47mm watches. I hope MB will considering making smaller Exo tourbillons at 40mm to 42mm or so.
But if they do, then I really need to save up!!
Cheers
robin
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 that difficult to see who are the main competitors and for sure it will be interesting – also for customers & connoisseurs.
It appears to us that the brand is vastly moving forward - away from the budding yard in horology school, towards a mature and accomplished watchmaking manufacture. MB has revisited its status as a brand, its capabilities and capacities and aligned the with market data. Obviously, there were no boundaries or sanctuaries to be spared, and in the last months bold decisions have been taken.
If current execution is anything but only a taste (or teaser?) then we are in for something really great. Let's look forward to it.
Cheers and thanks for reading,
Oliver & Magnus
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 us in many ways.
To be followed.
Nicolas
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 taken and the next levels will be harder and harder to scale.
But with their show in SIHH 2014, the demonstration of their capabilities to create an entirely new product line (Meisterstuck Heritage collection) within 6 months plus their intent to share the passion of fine watch making with everyone, literally at all price levels, it is indeed very convincing they are well prepared to scale up to the next levels in the industry.
Some may say they are diverse and not focused. I think that's fine if they indeed live by what they preach, i.e. to share the passion for fine watchmaking - in that case, there is a fine timepiece for everyone, at various price levels. This is the Montblanc that I like (as a Montblanc fan in general, on their various other lifestyle luxury products from watches to leather goods to pens and accessories).
Once again, big thank you to Oliver and Magnus for these wonderful photos and posts, bringing Montblanc's SIHH 2014 to life for us on the forum.
Best regards
robin
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.
This message has been edited by Luis6 on 2014-02-10 05:00:46
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, hands, crown etc.
Knowing this and seeing the result one can only be impressed!
Kind regards,
Magnus
"a fine timepiece for everyone, at various price levels. This is ...
the Montblanc that I like."
+1
Thanks!
Oliver
+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
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 watchmaking but also in luxury items and on the other hand, to be credible in the high-end segment. Not easy. It will be interesting to follow what will be the next steps.
Fx
Fx
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