KIH
[Purist]
12054
Dinner with Alexander Schmidt - surrounded by novelties
As you may have noticed, Montblanc novelty tour has been going around the world these past weeks. In fact, Alex Schmidt confessed at the dinner that it has been 5 weeks tour and Tokyo was the last stop, and he would fly out to his family right after the dinner. Thank you Alex for including special dinner with us - for just four of us, Alex, Hisai-san (Montblanc Japan PR), a well-known watch journalist, and me.
Beautiful night sky with near-full moon (17th day, to be exact) in the sky just rising.
Mr. Schmidt, enjoying dinner and the final task before taking off to his home
First up is Villeret Tourbillon Cylindrique NightSky Geospheres.
We saw this model at 2015 SIHH, but totally different. Same movement, but "NightSky" with Aventurine dial on the upper half surrounding the Tourbillon cage just like the night sky.
Peinture Miniature two spheres.
Beautifully finished back - LE of ONLY 18!
See the night sky and the moon in the upper side of the dial, and the earth divided by two shown both side on the bottom, surrounding the "home time" subdial which is made to appear like the compass..... Very finely executed.
Heritage Chronometrie Dual Time Vasco da Gama Limited Edition of 238
Why 238? The Cape Point Peak light house was built 238 meters high at the Cape of Good Hope.
Bezel, crown and hands are red gold - all SS version will be available which is to be a regular model.
Heritage Chronometrie Quantieme Annual Vasco da Gama Diamond LE of 90
Beautiful night sky surrounding the moonphase. 72 diamonds are on the bezel.
He was curious whether diamond bezel watches are popular among Japanese male watch lovers. Well, I replied that while some people have and some retailers recommend one or two diamond bezel watch for men, very few of my watch friends actually have or wear. But the other guest said he liked such watches. I guess it's really the matter of taste. It may have been a wrong question to a guy who like only white metal watches (me!).
Now, this is very beautifully executed one - Heritage Spirit Perpetual Calendar Sapphire.
Peinture Miniature two spheres.
Beautifully finished back - LE of ONLY 18!
See the night sky and the moon in the upper side of the dial, and the earth divided by two shown both side on the bottom, surrounding the "home time" subdial which is made to appear like the compass..... Very finely executed.
Heritage Chronometrie Dual Time Vasco da Gama Limited Edition of 238
Why 238? The Cape Point Peak light house was built 238 meters high at the Cape of Good Hope.
Bezel, crown and hands are red gold - all SS version will be available which is to be a regular model.
Heritage Chronometrie Quantieme Annual Vasco da Gama Diamond LE of 90
Beautiful night sky surrounding the moonphase. 72 diamonds are on the bezel.
He was curious whether diamond bezel watches are popular among Japanese male watch lovers. Well, I replied that while some people have and some retailers recommend one or two diamond bezel watch for men, very few of my watch friends actually have or wear. But the other guest said he liked such watches. I guess it's really the matter of taste. It may have been a wrong question to a guy who like only white metal watches (me!).
Now, this is very beautifully executed one - Heritage Spirit Perpetual Calendar Sapphire.
(sorry for my bad pics due to a bit dark setting....)
Notice the "just" color or transparency - they really tried many, many level of "smoky-ness" of the sapphire crystal glass to make the open dial look most beautiful and "just". You must see to believe it.
I also like the moonphase disc.
Notice the "just" color or transparency - they really tried many, many level of "smoky-ness" of the sapphire crystal glass to make the open dial look most beautiful and "just". You must see to believe it.
I also like the moonphase disc.
"Just" 39mm case. That's nice. BUT they make only in the red gold case (no white metal!!!).
Meisterstruck Heritage Spirit Date Automatic Diamond Bezel.
The 2h, 4h, 8h, 10h indices have diamonds, too.
What's next?
Aaaand, from his own wrist, 1858 Chonograph Tachymeter, SS.
Meisterstruck Heritage Spirit Date Automatic Diamond Bezel.
The 2h, 4h, 8h, 10h indices have diamonds, too.
What's next?
Aaaand, from his own wrist, 1858 Chonograph Tachymeter, SS.
Very, very beautiful blue dial and matching blue strap, with small red accent on the tip of the chronograph second hand......
A bit big 44mm, but still very tempting.....
... and as always, beautiful Minerva movement.....
LE of 100.....
A bit big 44mm, but still very tempting.....
... and as always, beautiful Minerva movement.....
LE of 100.....
Thank you, Mr. Schmidt. I hope you had a pleasant flight back home.
Thank you also, Mr. Hisai of Montblanc Japan.
Ken
This message has been edited by KIH on 2015-11-28 19:04:32
New Release
Explore Montblanc's 2016 4810 Collection novelties, including the Exo Tourbillon Slim, unveiled in Tokyo with live pics and community insights.
12 replies5642 views
Community
WatchProSite collectors jrwong23 and KMII meet in Singapore, exploring Chopard L.U.C and Montblanc Villeret watches, and sharing community camaraderie.
20 replies6214 views
New Release
First look at the Montblanc Timewalker Urban Speed ExoTourbillon Chronograph, a limited edition with titanium and carbon fiber, combining high complications with a sporty design.
12 replies5783 views
New Release
First look at Montblanc Heritage Spirit Perpetual Calendar Sapphire. Jrwong23 shares live photos and insights on this 39mm red gold novelty from WW2015.
11 replies3248 views
New Release
Foversta reviews Montblanc's 2016 novelties at the Paris Capucines boutique, focusing on the 4810 Orbis Terrarum and Chronograph Automatic.
5 replies2768 views
Review
Jrwong23 reviews the Montblanc Heritage Spirit Orbis Terrarum worldtimer. Discover its multi-layered sapphire dial, accessible price, and unique day/night indicator.
14 replies6209 views
Dinner with Alexander Schmidt - surrounded by novelties
As you may have noticed, Montblanc novelty tour has been going around the world these past weeks. In fact, Alex Schmidt confessed at the dinner that it has been 5 weeks tour and Tokyo was the last stop, and he would fly out to his family right after the d...
Aaah, this boody blue 1858 Chronograph monopusher, my latest strong love affair.
It's been a very long time I didn't fall in love with a modern watch. Duometres apart. Happy to see some other real pictures of it, and to see Alex's face. He's a great guy. Best, and thanks for this post, Ken. Nicolas
Yup, blue is very impressively nice....
... blue dial is kinda in fashion. But really good execution on Montblanc part. I understand your love affair with this one ) Ken
This one has me too
I want to see how a black dialed variant will look Cheers, Anthony
Not so sure... At least in the 1858 Monopusher Chrono Line.
There must be only one steel version, so they cannot use a black dial for it, and I don't see an hypothetic later white gold using the same dial than the rose gold version.
Alex looked tired
But I'm not surprised after the world tour... Thanks Ken, Alex and Hisai-san for the close up view in real life. Was that restaurant in Skytree? Regards, MTF
Great report Ken!
I saw the same watches as you did also with Alex in Singapore After Singapore he left for Hong Kong then Tokyo and I am glad he is finally heading home The steel 1858 chrono remains my favorite due to the blue dial and calibre 16.29. But at 44mm I have co...
Could be big, but...
... I am so used to 45mm cases from the brand I moderate ). Let's hope they make SS 39mm version! That would be something, really for us! Ken
There is a way
With the Retour-A-Zero movement (the smaller one used in the 41mm Villeret case)
Nico I was referring to the smaller
Retour-A-Zero in the 41mm case, not the Grande Retour-A-Zero in the 47mm case. The smaller one can fit in 39 or 40mm case too (same size as calibre 13.21) Cheers Robin
You are a master of many brands already :)
Montblanc I am also learning. It\'s a newer brand relatively (to the Rolex and JLCs) and with lots of new products lately Cheers Robin
Thanks for the report Ken
The perpetual calendar looks nice, I'd like to see it in person. Thanks for the report. Regards, ED-209
Here is a closer pic of the Heritage Spirit Perpetual Calendar Sapphire
It\'s very nice indeed! Cheers Robin ...
The more I see of MB, the more there is to like.
Thanks for sharing - lots of lovely pieces there. Will need to pay the boutique a visit soon, hope they have the chrono. May be a bit large at 44mm but let\'s see