Kong provides an exclusive look into the Montblanc 'Writing Time' Exhibition launch party in Singapore, celebrating the 190th Anniversary of the Chronograph and Nicolas Rieussec's invention. His detailed photo essay captures the ambiance and preparations for this significant event, which seamlessly blended Montblanc's dual focus on top-tier writing instruments and horology.
5 October, 2011 Singapore, the launch day of the Montblanc 'Writing Time' Exhibition celebrating the 190th Anniversary of Chronograph and the invention of Nicolas Rieussec which made its debut to time a horse race held in Paris on the 1 September 1821.
TheĀ 'Writing Time' exhibition with 30 historical chronographs are displayed from 6 to 9 October at Montblanc Flagship Boutique at Mandarin Gallery.Ā
This post reports the day of the launch with over 300 guests present for the evening celebration.
Work in progress before the evening event at 7pm ...
A side-view of the entrance to the Mandarin Gallery Boutique and Exhibition ...
Writing Time, is the theme, blending both focusing points of Montblanc together - top-notch Writing instruments and Watches.
Putting into context, the front entrance was a 'giant book' hoarding... which tied up with the theme very well.Ā Watch the video below to find out
The 'lounge' was created for guests to gather around prior entering to the exhibition ...
Testing of lights
and AV equipments ...
A quick-check of the Exhibition area inside the Boutique ...
Upon entering the Montblanc Mandarin Gallery , the front section of the boutique is transformed to a mini-museum ...
PanaromicĀ view ....
Walking back to the front of the boutique to view the historic chronographs ...
To view the above historic chronograph, please here.
Back to outside, the bar was ready ...
The evening concortions ...
A view from the opposite buildingĀ ...
At 6:30pm, some early birds arrived ...
A giant signage to attract the publicĀ
Nearing 7pm ...
The reception ...and the photoboard for guests pictures ...
7:15pm...a huge turnout !
The bar getting busy ...
Guests having pictures taken ...
Signing in ...
The "Lady Jockeys" welcoming the guests ...
Some guests wondered the presence of these 'Lady Jockeys' ... they will know later, related to the origin of Chronographe
Dashing bar-tenders ...
Official photographers taking pics of the guests ...
Team members ofĀ Montblanc Singapore welcoming the guests ...
Hunks prepping drinks ...
More guests streaming in ...
The scene at the opposite end of the reception ...
All equipments ready for the opening ...
Lady DJĀ ...
About 7:45pm, the emcee welcome the guests.
On-stage with Ms Catherine Ang, Managing Director of Montblanc Singapore are guests from the Montblanc factories - Mr Thierry Pellaton, Watchmaker and Mr Florian Brossard, Project Manager Product Development
Now for the opening ceremony of the 'Writing Time' Exhibition ...
With a mulitmedia filmlet ...edited in Singapore and have kind of 3-D effect.Ā Tune up the volume
Smile
Guests were invited to enter the boutique and view the exhibition ...
Guests entering boutique ...
Smile ...the wonderful couple ...
A lady guest intrigued with the vintage chronograph collections ...
Some was asked to have their hands on the new Montblanc Rieussec Horse Racing App ... Lady Jockey around to provide assistance...
For friends who wish to try, please download from the Apple App Store ... Search for Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec.
Guests checking out the Montblanc wathces, and staff was present to explain the details and answering queries ...
The packed boutique ...
Another guests taking interest ...
'Lady Jockeys' carrying a piece of the Rieussec Chronograph for guests to 'see and feel' ...
Equally packed at the second section of the boutique ...
Mr Thierry Pellaton at his bench doing demonstrationĀ ...
Attracted by a Villeret piece ...
Guests approaching to Mr Thierry Pellaton's bench ...
The best person to ask any questions about the Montblanc Rieussec Chronograph as he is one of the persons involved with the design of the watch ;-)
Mr Thierry Pellaton happily addressed all questions ...
Replying to a guest's question ... he has been in the watchmaking since 16 year old ...since 1980 till now. He is the 4th generation in the watchmaking trade...
Didn't the surname Pellaton tell you something?
Taking out his watch to explain the function to the guests ... nice of you, Mr Thierry Pellaton.
One of the lady owners of the Rieussec Chronograph... a picture with one of the co-creators
Looks very good on her, also more feminine with a change to aĀ pink croc straps.
Owner wanting to know more about her watch ...
Ms Catherine Ang, Managing Director of Montblanc Singapore, catching up with overseas guests ...
Thierry is very popular ...
Guests trying on the Riessec Chronographs ...
MTF with Dr Alvin Hong and Mrs Hong ...
Florian also being approached ...guest enquiring about Villeret pieces ..
What's up with this table ?
Another contest for the guests ... a "Writing Time" contest ...
Filling her particulars ...
Ready ..get set ..go... the Timewriter clicked .
Guests were to write out the "Nicolas Rieussec" with, of course a Montblanc fountain-pen, at the shortest time!
Fastest I've seen was 4 second.
Secret gifts would be given to winnersĀ
A really smart approach to have guests to realise the theme 'Writing Time' and getting them to experience the smoothness of Montblanc pen and be aware of the Montblanc RiessecĀ Chronograph.Ā Ā Guests were shown how to read their results too
Busy Thierry ...
Some close up on Thierry ... Some components of the Riessec Chronograph ...
Complete strip down of the R200 ...
A video of Thierry in action ...
A very enthusiastic lady, she watched and spoke with Theirry for a long time ...
Meanwhile another guest trying out the white gold Anniversary piece ...
Staff explaining the features and functions ...
Montblanc sweets ...
Equally popular Florian ...engaged by guests ....
More trying their spelling skill ....
A guest trying to read out her timing
Another guest trying out the Rieussec Chronographs at a quiet corner ...
Thierry bench now has more ladies ...
Inquisitive minds wish to know more ...
A picĀ
Meanwhile Florian was showing his Villeret with a guest ...
A guest checking out the Villeret pieces ...
The Monblanc Rieussec App station still attracting many.
Wonder if they were betting
Ms Alena Kok, Marketing Manager of Montblanc Singapore, catching up with guests ...
A final look of the Anniversary Trio before leaving ...
Thanks Montblanc for the invite, and it was sure great to meet both folks from the Montblanc factories.
Kong
This message has been edited by Kong on 2011-10-07 03:50:32
Key Points from the Discussion
The presence of Florian Brossard and Thierry Pellaton, head watchmaker at Montblanc Le Locle, at the event was notable, especially Pellaton's first official public appearance, highlighting his instrumental role in developing the new Rieussec calibers.
Attendees received personal tours from Florian Brossard and observed Thierry Pellaton working on movements, underscoring their passion and willingness to share insights into Montblanc's watchmaking.
Kong's thorough coverage, including numerous photographs and a video, provided an excellent virtual experience of the event, despite the physical effort required to capture the extensive content.
Montblanc events are consistently grand in scale, and the presence of both Thierry Pellaton and Florian Brossard, who effectively engaged with guests, enhanced the experience.
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The Discussion
MK
mkt33
Oct 7, 2011
Good to see Florian in his party mode again I think this is the first time Mr. Pellaton has been "out" on an official event. It is only right that he should be present at this event since he is the head watchmaker at Montblanc Le Locle and was instrumental in developing all the new Rieussec calibers. Did he go into anymore discussion about being the Michel Parmigiani's first apprentice? Best, Mike
PA
patrick_y
Oct 7, 2011
Thank you Kong for your very thorough coverage of this event! Thank you for all your photographs and your very thorough description of everything going on in each of the photographs! Very nice presentation! Must have been a tiring proposition to hold the camera for those 7 minutes for that video presentation.
KO
Kong
Oct 7, 2011
Montblanc parties are always grand scale. Thanks for viewing and the kind words, Patrick. Exactly, when it was already recording for 5mins, my tired right arm screamed. I have another camera on my left. After this, I put both straps on both of them Kong
KO
Kong
Oct 7, 2011
of PuristS... So you were one of them. Besides gambling, what else both of you did? Kong
KO
Kong
Oct 7, 2011
It is really great to have Thierry and Florian here. Both of them speak English, and I saw them explaining really well to the guests. I just have like a short half an hour with both of them. Did not ask him about his apprenticeship. Kong
DA
Davo
Oct 8, 2011
Thanks for sharing the experience, Kong.
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