Montblanc

Whatever you may think, this is a Montblanc.  The high-end men's accessory.  Nothing less.  Sure, this may be for TO forum, but since there is Montblanc forum here, I post it anyway.

I do not want you to get me wrong.  Even I don't think this is at par with the super nice mechanical watch of Villeret!  This is yet another strategy of Montblanc to be on the top of the men's high-end accessory, smart accessory.  It is what this "time" calls for, and they cannot ignore.  Lange or VC or AP or PP - they have established as a super high-end watch brand, but Montblanc has other tasks - making men's high-end accessories from leather bags (made in Italy) to fountain pens (made in Germany).  Montblanc is a big company which has lots of products to offer.  So, Montblanc does not survive eating the haze.

So, that was my preface to avoid unwanted responses.  Here you go.

 

Naturally, this "smart" area has been a "must" for Jerome and the crew for sometime.  There is no question about it.  Again, I know this is not a mechanical watch, but I am just reporting what our beloved brand is now working on.  Bashing or denying or being disappointed doesn't do any good for your mental because this will stay.















There are FOUR base models, and FOUR NATO style rubber straps, and three leather straps - combination would be more than 300, they say - I am not a mathematician!




Really, well made toy or accessory for the YOUNG (not us) future achievers.  There will be a lot more dials available to be installed at the boutique soon.  That would be fun.




Like 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter, monopusher works to change the mode.





Made in China - but who cares?  iPhone is made in China, too.  But to be precise, it is "assembled" in China.  Anyway.....

There is the heart rate sensor on the back that monitors whether you are alive or not all the time, or when running, when sleeping, etc..

The waterproof is expressed in the way those electronic devices are - IP68 - meaning, this is the top rating in terms of against dust and water.  You can use this in the worst sand storm and you can drop this in the bath tub - but I don't think it is okay to swim....







Honestly, this is a bit too big (46mm) for me, juts like 1858 was.  I really hope they make 40mm or less in the future.








Lastly, my take:

- They intentionally did not make this model "Made in Swiss".  Smart move.  Why?  This is same as iPhone.  We expect a lot from "Made in Swiss" high-end mechanical watches because there are lots of great watchmakers in Swiss, and that is the added value.  Is there any compelling reason or add-value to make this in Swiss where the labor cost is enormous?  Instead, they worked with Google and assembled the best cost/performance parts from around the world (its brain is by Qualcomm, a US company) and all of the parts assembled in China.  And thus they can make strategically great pricing.  At this level (JPY98,000=USD885), young (future) achievers would buy every few years.  Many of us buy a new iPhone every few years because the hardware gets outdated.  So, this price would make high-end young people would be able to do that.  A great point.

- Size and feel.  A bit too big and a bit cheapy feel.  The case is well made, I think.  But inside is so light and feels cheap....  I am not saying that they should make this super heavy, but I just hope this is light but very super sporty stuff.  And I want them to tell me "this is waterproof down to xxx feet", rather than "IP68".....  After all, this is what people wear, unlike iPhone....

So, those are my take.  Thank you, Maxime, as well as PR/Marketing people at Montblanc Japan!

Best,

Ken

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