Joepny
1970
A great bargain was had in HK
Christie’s HK sold two MB 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter refs and the winning bidder(s) got a great bargain. I was tracking them both though I did not put in a bid. (My preference is currently for watches from the 1990s or early 2000s but I was very tempted by the MB SS. Anyway I lost out on lot 2208 which was where I wagered all my chips.😩).
Each MB 1858 went for much less than what a new Daytona is asking on the street. Less than some simple time only watches with similar finishing.
(both pics from Christie’s)
So my humble thoughts are: (1) Christie’s chose the wrong market to auction these because this is a big 44mm watch with strong links to Minerva history - I think they should have put them in Geneva or NY; (2) Montblanc has gone to the well with the MB16.29 movement too often and reduced its perceived collectibility. JLC has done the same thing to the Duometre line. Your thoughts?
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A great bargain was had in HK
Christie’s HK sold two MB 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter refs and the winning bidder(s) got a great bargain. I was tracking them both though I did not put in a bid. (My preference is currently for watches from the 1990s or early 2000s but I was very tempted ...
While I am not sure, quite how little these went for...
There have been quite some worries from owners here that MB used the movement more often than initially intended. While most were still OK with the first stretch to the 1858 Tachymeter in steel, there were three limited editions of 100 since. I understand...
Converted into USD
winning bidder for SS one less than $14k USD the RG one was slightly above $15k USD Unbelievably good bargains for a top chrono movement. Of course the loss of the Minerva name has hurt; vintage is hot now and Montblanc is not a vintage brand; imagine if ...
Well, that depends...
I think the market situation is such that most collectors want more value security. I.e. well known and proven brands that are more likely to work as an investment. And while Minerva chronographs from the past are very nice, they have not yet entered the ...
That might sound cheap
but these watches are selling for less in unworn condition in used websites. Despite the beauty of the movement, this brand has poor resale value. I know because I had to sell a grand feu enamel monopusher in rose gold at 80 percent below list. When speak...
"most Asian buyers buy a watch that others would recognise rather than buying a watch for its beauty. It is an embarrassing culture of trying to impress others."
Your above post is not an appropriate response for this forum. It is not acceptable to stereotype individuals positively nor negatively due to their racial or geographical backgrounds.
But it is very true
and quite a number of ADs in the Far East have been telling me the same thing over the last few months when I was enquiring why certain brands just do not sell or have a poor resale value. Being politically correct is all very well but this forum should n...
A PM has been sent.
1. Your post doesn't meet the PuristSPro Terms of Conduct. This alone is the one rule that cannot be violated. PuristSPro Terms of Conduct ask you to treat this 2. Your post is not rooted in facts, but based purely on your observations and that of quite a...
There are more...
Do not forget the ones before that got produced in series of 1, 8, 58...
Fully right there...
But the movement is - the original idea was only to produce 288 16.29 movements and they are now well past. The watches are no less nice as a result but the rarity is somewhat diluted...
I find the sale prices highly amusing. It proves that Montblanc is not a serious watch brand.
To be serious, and hold some reasonable value of MSRP, the company must provide solid customer service and stand behind their products. It is well documented - and not just by me - that Montblanc does not. I don't miss mine at all. With first hand experie...
I’m with you Michael about what you wrote and your bad experience with the brand
But don’t forget that few of them such as PP and Rolex mainly and few models keep their value on auctions. The majority of watches can be found today on the grey market with a significant discount. And the Montblanc 1858 chrono tachymeter is part of them ...
That is unfortunately true...
I have nothing but highest praise for Chopard and their after service - even in difficult cases they have proven impeccable 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻 Still the price on the grey market is significantly below new, so not a phenomenon exclusive to Montblanc, it seems. ...
I don't ever buy a watch for resale value. Any watch.
But how is it not an utter embarrassment for Montblanc that such a "flagship" watch is worth 50% of their MSRP? This is a big problem for the brand, because the watch itself it extremely worthy of the MSRP they placed on it. I felt it is was a great value...
Of course. But you don't see it with the AP 15202, or the Patek 5711, or the Daytona.
Brand flagships. The 1858 Tachymeter is that watch for Montblanc, IMO. It is there only borderline icon (truthfully, it is not an icon, just the best offering they have). And it is now readily available at half off. That is embarrassing for the brand.
For me, the problem is that Montblanc has definitely not (yet maybe one day) the same aura than AP, PP or Rolex as a watch brand for “common” customers even if their 1858 chrono tachy could be their emblematic timepiece
Competition is really hard today between brands and maybe Montblanc jumped the gun without a “full” offer such as a great service center (and you better know than me what I want to mean). That’s reminds me this La Fontaine’s fable: “The frog that wished t...
well well...all modern watches can't keep the price in an auction..
very few exceptions (some Pateks but not really many) poor customer service is everywhere in my opinion. Kari did show his incredible experience with AP and many more all around so it is a bit about luck too
Certainly, I agree.
I only brought up AP in reply to Alkiro's post. The poor service aside, the point is this 1858 Tachymeter is sort of a flagship for Montblanc. It is the most complete "regular" watch they offer at present. And it trades at 50% or more off the MSRP. You do...
yes I would agree as a Montblanc client
of both watches (well just 1 the Reussiec ) but many writing instruments that the logic to compete with other brands even within the same group is a bit weird to me but I think that there are many lover of this model so I wouldn't the inevitable devaluati...
I hear you. I will honestly say, I would happily own this watch at full retail if the service were dependable.
Even though I did get a great price when I bought it, I would pay full retail for this watch. It is worth the asking price, IMO. The case, dial, hands, movement, even the piano gloss box - I adored everything about it. I expected this watch to be in my sm...
well I have to say thank you because ...based on your experience and others
I didn't get the bronze one. In my view it was not priced well either ..so good that I could learn from your experience
I have little more regret now not to have chased the SS on Monday, such a great value proposition
But I was asleep when Hong Kong was busy with bidders. 😴😴 It will come back strong over time, Montblanc just has to steady the ship and continue innovations with Minerva. I think there is a loose connection to watches like the PP 5960A (maybe even 5980A),...
to me, amongst other things, it is a reliability issue.
Of the 15 or so that we know of on this forum, three have stopped working. 3 out of 15 is just not acceptable, is it?
3 on here, wow I only recall MichaelC’s problem
my memory is not what it used to be. 😬 yes sadly that’s not a favorable percentage for the brand. such a wonderful movement that they should have invested more QA\QC into.
I did not care either. Until mine broke and the brand failed me miserably with their service process.
It speaks volumes that they refused to apply any new warranty coverage to their repair work. I have happy thoughts for the Purist owners who remain, and wish good karma that yours never fail.
It's mind-boggling . . .
. . . that no one from Richemont Group follows this blog and actually does something about the miserable service for North American customers. I do pray that I never have to send my 1858 MB (which I adore) in for service. I've also had a bad experience wi...
My fingers are crossed, for you, Nico, the wonderful buyer of my piece, etc.
Watches can fail, by any brand. I know this as well as anyone, with 3 pieces having issues in the past year+. I fully accept it. BUT... it is much easier to own and enjoy a watch when you can be certain of who and what are standing behind you, ready to pr...
"JLC has done the same thing to the Duometre line"
Yes, too many limited editions and different references, for gorgeous movements that should be used less and perhaps be more difficult to get. It seems Richemont is not playing the PP or AP game. By the way, does anyone know the annual production for the ...
Might be an improvement and upward trend for Montblanc already ?
to be honest , I don’t even remember Montblanc being sold on auctions before (other than Only Watch charity) , or that no one paid attention to Montblanc watches sold on auctions. This might not be a bad sign for a start ? Cheers Robin
Hey Robin!
I seem to recall the Montblanc Collection Villeret tourbillon refs at other prior major auctions. But you are right, it is infrequent to see MB in the auction catalogue of the big houses. So it is a silver lining that a MB without tourbillon like these 18...
