New Release
Jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) provides an insightful recap of Montblanc's Heritage Chronometrie collection, with a special focus on the Vasco da Gama Limited Edition series. This post highlights new models launched at Watches and Wonders 2015, offering a detailed look at Montblanc's tribute to the legendary explorer.
Introduction and new models launched at Watches and Wonders 2015
Some months ago in Jun and Jul, I did a series of posts about the Montblanc Heritage Chronometrie collection, which was launched in SIHH 2015. Now, I will give us a recap of this collection with a special focus on the Limited Edition Vasco da Gama series, especially those models that are hot off the oven, being just launched today at Watches and Wonders Hong Kong!
See below for the Vasco da Gama Limited Editions family from the Montblanc Heritage Chronometrie collection. There are 4 new models which are just launched in Watches and Wonders 2015, with the other 3 launched in SIHH 2015 earlier this year. The family focuses on useful complications including a Complete Calendar, Annual Calendar, Dual Time and the top of the line ExoTourbillon Minute Chronograph.
See Montblanc's press releases on these new models at our News Central.
Inspiration from Vasco da Gama
I had previously written about the legacy of Vasco da Gama and how his achievements became an inspiration to Montblanc when I covered the Montblanc Tourbillon Cylinderique Geospheres.
Refer to this link for more details:
A quick recap here. This year, Montblanc honors the legacy of one of history’s greatest explorers, Vasco da Gama and special editions of the Heritage Chronometrie collection bears the name of Vasco da Gama, as a tribute to this outstanding explorer. For 157 years, Villeret’s master watchmakers have practiced traditional Swiss watchmaking with the same combination of innovation, precision and determination that guided Vasco da Gama on his historic discovery of the sea route to India.
A short introduction of Vasco da Gama:
Vasco da Gama, born in 1460 in a small town named Sines in Portugal
In his younger years, he proved to be a capable captain and navigator. In 1497, he was chosen by King Manuel I to explore a sea route to India. He was 2 years away from home, 300 days at sea and travelled 24,000 miles for this journey.
He discovered the sea route to India, sailing in a large arc around the Cape of Good Hope and landed in Mosselbaai on 25 November. Vasco da Gama finally reached India at a point near Calicut on the Malabar Coast on 20 May 1498. He documented this incredible journey in his logbook.
C raftsmanship, Montblanc Tests and Design Codes of the Heritage Chronometrie line
In my previous posts introducing the Heritage Chronometrie line, I covered in details the craftsmanship, the Montblanc Laboratory 500 hour tests and the design codes of the new collection. You can read more details in these links:
Craftsmanship and Performance/Quality Tests:
Design codes:
To recap quickly, all leather straps of the Heritage Chronometrie collection comes with Montblanc’s manufacture leather straps, crafted from Montblanc’s leather factory in Florence. The leather manufacture seal is embossed on all the alligator straps of these watches. Pretty cool detail in terms of craftsmanship I must admit and something I feel Montblanc should have started a few years ago and also extend to all their watch lines as much as possible.
Also, all the Heritage Chronometrie watches, obviously including the Vasco da Gama special editions, go through the 500 hour Montblanc Laboratory test in Le Locle before they leave the manufacture to points of sale.
Design codes specific to the Vasco da Gama limited editions
For this post, I would like to share some details on the Vasco da Gama specific designs. The key is that beautiful blue disc on the dial, either a moonphase in the Complete and Annual Calendars, or the 24 hour Home Time display on the Dual Time or the dial itself in the ExoTourbillon Minute Chronograph (which is made of an Aventurine dial, a translucent blue quartz).
In another post, I will share the various models of the Vasco da Gama editions, focusing on the new models launched today at Watches and Wonders 2015. I did a wrist review and spent some time with the regular edition Heritage Chronometrie Dual Time and I like that watch (except for its size at 41mm). This Dual Time Vasco da Gama edition is even nicer on pictures!
Stay tuned for part two of my post! I will also share live pictures of these new models at Watches and Wonders over the next two days.
Cheers
robin
My only concern is that, from a marketing or branding point of view, I personally find it difficult to make a connection between Montblanc and Vasco da Gama. To me, 1+1 does not=2 here. I hope Montblanc can come up with a better iteration which could bring more imagination and inspiration into this series. The original narration from the brand does not do much for me, to be honest.
i understand Montblanc taking inspiration from Vasco da Gama's determination and focus on precision in his sea vogages, which is quite in line with Minerva's values But I do agree that for W&W the novelties are just an extension on what Montblanc had launched during SIHH so I can see why it may not be so exciting for fans who follow Montblanc watches There will be a brand new series which is very interesting and good value coming up soon so stay tuned Luis! Something Nico has been pressing me to
I think I know what line you're referring to! They showed me the upcoming novelties earlier in the year at the regular MB boutique I go to. Really like the looks/pricepoint of it. I think they have been doing a lot of things right lately!
They introduced at the boutiques already even here in Singapore but the press release is not out yet lol. It will be officially released soon. Stay tuned Cheers Robin
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