Jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) explores Montblanc's e-Bracelet, a smart wearable device designed to complement traditional mechanical timepieces. This article delves into the e-Bracelet's features and its potential as a fashion accessory, offering a timely look at Montblanc's early foray into hybrid smart technology within the luxury watch space. His initial reports on the e-Strap provide essential context for understanding this evolution.
At SIHH
2015, Montblanc launched the Timewalker Urban Speed Collection with e-Strap,
combining the convenience of a smart wearable device with the luxury of a
traditional mechanical timepiece, namely the Timewalker. We have looked at the
e-Strap with the Timewalker Urban Speed collection in my previous reports:
Recently,
I noticed on Montblanc YouTube channel that they also launched a variant of the
e-Strap, called the e-Bracelet.
From
the video, it seems that the e-Strap is modeled on a NATO strap that is easily
fixed on the strap of a Montblanc Timewalker watch and it is also available,
bundled with a Timewalker Urban Speed watch. The e-Bracelet on the other hand,
seems to be a stand-alone leather “bracelet” (Montblanc and some other brands
refer to some of their leather wrist accessories as bracelets) with the smart
device which functions on its own as a wrist gear cum accessory without the
need to be attached to any watch.
We discussed
before the possibility of buying the e-Strap separately and attaching it to any
mechanical watch, even if we don’t have a Montblanc Timewalker. While technically
possible, we will need to make sure that we can obtain the correct
strap/attachment but Montblanc does not produce all combinations of such
accessories. As far as I know, the NATO strap on the e-Strap produced by
Montblanc only realistically fits the design and shape of the Timewalker watch
case and strap as it was designed for the Timewalker. Also, remember the
e-Strap is on the bottom side of the Timewalker and whilst it can work on a
bulky and big sporty watch like the Timewalker, it will unlikely complement a
dressy and thin mechanical watch as the bottom part of the strap will sit too
high, looking and feeling unbalanced on the wrist.
The
e-Bracelet featured alongside the e-Strap in the video is another alternative,
for people who want a luxury smart wearable device that can also function as a
luxury wrist accessory. It is akin to a FitBit device with fewer health
specific functions (pulse rate) but much more luxuriously designed and
finished, with the Montblanc Extreme Leather for the strap (or “Bracelet” as
they call it).
I was
curious so I went to the Montblanc Singapore boutique to have a look as soon as
the e-Bracelet is available for sale; it is a very recent product in the boutiques.
Here
are some pictures I took.
First
impression: It looks very cool!
I
like the smart device in black with shiny silver holders, now sitting at the
top of the strap and not at the bottom. Since I feel it looks cool, why should
it be hidden from view, at the bottom? The extreme leather looks and feels very
luxurious and robust. As we know it is water-, scratch- and even fire-resistant.
I am a fan of this extreme leather, with a wallet and recently a rucksack made
from the extreme leather and I love them.
On
the wrist, it feels a tad big but that is also because my wrist is very small
at only 6.2 inch in diameter. It fits well when secured and the extreme leather
definitely felt very nice on the wrist. As the device was not charged, I could
not test how it works (this was a piece for sale and not for testing so I
couldn’t play with it too much).
It
definitely looks and feels much more luxuriously than a typical FitBit or other
wearable smart device on rubber or silicon straps and I feel it is a nice
combination of designer luxury and smart technology. However, from a pure looks
standpoint, I think other wrist bracelets from Montblanc look thinner and more
elegant than the e-Bracelet.
Photo credit: Montblanc’s website
Photo credit: Montblanc’s website
Personally,
I like the look and feel of the e-Bracelet on my wrist and wouldn’t mind using
it as a smart wearable device and a fashion wrist accessory at the same time. As a watch lover, I considered if the
e-Bracelet is an alternative to my mechanical watches? Absolutely not! I am tempted by the smart functions it
provides, many of which I find very useful. Here are some of its functions:
1. The
e-Strap works with both Android and iOS smartphones.
2. Smart
notifications: the e-Strap signals instantaneously an incoming communication by
discreet vibrations. It allows users to preview e-mails, text messages,
incoming calls, notifications from social media platforms, and other important
reminders such as calendar or task notifications. Useful for me as my phone is
always in silent mode and I am always in meetings.
3. Smart
notifications: the e-Strap signals instantaneously an incoming communication by
discreet vibrations. It allows users to preview e-mails, text messages,
incoming calls, notifications from social media platforms, and other important
reminders such as calendar or task notifications. Useful for me as my phone is
always in silent mode and I am always in meetings.
4. Remote
control: Allows the user to control certain functions of his/her smartphone connected
to the e-Strap. Typical use case includes taking a selfie by controlling the
camera function of the phone via the e-Strap or controlling the music player
remotely (play, pause, next song, etc).
5. Remote
control: Allows the user to control certain functions of his/her smartphone connected
to the e-Strap. Typical use case includes taking a selfie by controlling the
camera function of the phone via the e-Strap or controlling the music player
remotely (play, pause, next song, etc).
I
love the functions above and had considered the Apple Watch before. But I still
want to wear my beloved mechanical timepieces. I find it weird to wear the
Apple Watch (it is quite big) on my right wrist with my mechanical watch on my
left wrist.
The
Apple Watch has a larger screen and it is quite big – strange to be double
wristed with a mechanical watch (such as my Montblanc Heritage Spirit Orbis
Terrarum) and Apple Watch on each wrist.
However,
the e-Bracelet is significantly thinner than the Apple Watch and looks much
more like a designer wrist accessory as mentioned above. Here is a picture of
me double-wristed with my MBF Legacy Machine and the e-Bracelet. With this I
have the advantage of having the features of a wearable smart device, still get
to enjoy any mechanical watch and yet have a luxury wrist accessory.
What
are your thoughts of having something like the e-Bracelet on one wrist and a
mechanical watch on the other wrist?
Do
you think the e-Bracelet is a cool smart gadget and designer wrist wear
converged into one?
Do
you think this is a good solution for us to enjoy the current features of smart
wearable devices and still enjoy our mechanical watch at the same time? (without
a Timewalker watch which works with the e-Strap at the bottom of the strap).
I
am keen to hear your feedback!
Cheers
robin
