amanico
[JLC Moderator]
403112
Funny, I had a great conversation with Olivier Lorian when he was at JLC about
Complications in general... It was in 2007, I think, during a superb week end at the Le Mans 24 Hours Race.
He told me, at my great surprise, that the most challenging complication to work on was not the Perpetual Calendar ( at this time, I thought it was a Tourbillon or a Minute Repeater ); but a.... Chronograph, which was really tough!
Now, he is with Jérôme Lambert, at Montblanc.
As for the Watch, I think it is a smart path from Montblanc, in terms of offer versus price.
Will it be enough to make us dream? That's the question.
For the average Watch consumer, it is a smart offer, because the price is very competitive.
For the Watch passionate guy, well, that's another story, because of the use of a common movement, not the choice of a modular construction as many ( most of them, by the way ) use this system.
The aesthetics, too, don't differenciate this one from the competitors, which are, in this case, AP / JLC / GP / Vacheron and so on....
The true competitor is JLC, in terms of price. With a plus, for the JLC, about the case, and a more interesting movement, born from the Mannesmann years, in collaboration between the Vallée de Joux Manufacture and IWC, when their destiny were somewhat linked.
What more does it offer, besides a super price?
What is the identity, here?
A Rieussec is for me much more interesting.
But once again, for the average consumer, it may be a very good choice!
Best,
Nicolas.
Montblanc Meisterstück Heritage Perpetual Calendar: On the Wrist Review
The Heritage Perpetual Calendar - hands-on with one of the first pre-production models, facts, personal impressions and lots of live pictures taken by me. Introduction A perpetual calendar is a grand complication and a dream of most watch collectors - ete...
Thanks a lot for your detailed review.
I can imagine the pleasure to wear this watch. I appreciate its classic style and the finishings of the dial. I still think that a solid caseback would have been a better option and the DD module is a bit too small for my taste. Anyway, this watch offers ...
Funny, I had a great conversation with Olivier Lorian when he was at JLC about
Complications in general... It was in 2007, I think, during a superb week end at the Le Mans 24 Hours Race. He told me, at my great surprise, that the most challenging complication to work on was not the Perpetual Calendar ( at this time, I thought it was...
Yup +2, I think you hit the nail on the head with your comments
A serious attempt by MB to speak to the watch consumer, not necessarily to the watch passionate collector. Perhaps we will see something from the Villeret line that will resonate with PuristS. Cheers, Mike
"Will it be enough to make us dream?"
Nicolas, that is a good question in general. Still I think people like you and me are very hard to please, because we reached a level (of craziness, knowledge, stupidity, ...) that is "strange" for most. Still we can dream ... :-) Regarding the chronograp...
FX, thanks for your detailed reply. "Passion" is something ...
that has lots of different shades, to say the least. It is like collecting, different people care about (sometimes very) different things. One tries to collect each important complication, one tries to collect the ultimate complication(s) only, one tries ...
nor fish nor flesh and the potatoes are missing in this dish
The best thing is the case and it will have a strong aura in rose gold in particular. It is not the least expensive offering of a ppc in steal as there is a German brand offering it already, for a while actually, as you will know. The watch shows that MB ...
"hopefully one day there will be an in-house ppc"
Moritz, I agree and disagree. What is wrong with a module from a trusted source? What is the issue? Just the fact that it is not in-house (which is quite common when we talk about modules)? Is it the functionality? Is it the finishing? ...? Still it would...
It is not the module. It is the package
It is the whole package. Modules, as you mentioned, are used everywhere. The issue might be maybe me: I would chose a prestigious complication like a ppc from a prestigious brand. I would have to pay much, much more of course but that is the package. As y...
This one I didn´t even had on my radar ...
to be very honest. Shame on me, as it is a German brand with Swiss heart ;-) It is still in their "Heritage" collection and looks like this: It is available only in steel and the price matches, diameter is 38mm (1mm less). Is it comparable? Well, it´s up ...
I told you: nothing for us
Thanks for the picture Oliver. The MB is by far the better choice, in either metal. Moritz
Thanks Oliver for that complete and thoughtful review
It looks great, perhaps even better, on your wife's wrist! Cheers, Mike
Thanks a lot, Mike!
" It looks great, perhaps even better, on your wife's wrist!" I agree, but that means I will have another problem or two ... :-) Best, Oliver
Nice review, Oliver!
This is a nice one for Montblanc, for sure. But I still have reservation - the subdials are concentrated into the center a tad too much? I know the index are intact and that is good as a watch, but still those subdials COULD spread a bit more on the dial,...
Thank-you for making this obvious point!
So many reviews are silent on the oddity of subdials clustered around the center, like shipwreck survivors clinging to a life raft in the middle of the ocean. Would that the "manufactures" make appropriate movements and modules for the current fashion of ...
"the subdials are concentrated into the center a tad too much?"
I know what you are talking about. It´s not 100% perfect like it is, I agree. Maybe that´s why you & me always have to pay "high premium", because we are crazy about (even tiniest) details most people don´t even see or care about :-) Quite a lot prosp...
Good point, Oliver
On the cost/benefits account, making new movements to fit the larger case sizes would indeed add to the price. Or affect profitability on the other side of the ledger. Anyway Oliver, you & me must continue the discussion perhaps in January :-)
"continue the discussion perhaps in January"
With great pleasure, my friend :-) Cordially, Oliver
You are right and make sense....
... too much attention to details... admittedly, sigh... :-) Quite true. It is a great breakthrough as it is, I concur. Thanks, Oliver! Ken
Since when is the Sellita SW300 reserved exclusively for MB?
You write :" movement (MB 29.15) is a Sellita base (unique movement developed and reserved for Montblanc's use exclusively)" This would be really big news as this movement is used by almost the entire industry.... and is basically a clone of the ETA 2892-...
Good question!
My source for that information was a post by our dear Montblanc Moderator mkt33: "The MB 29.15 is an unique movement developed and reserved for Montblanc's use exclusively." Maybe I got something wrong, but I am sure Mike has more details on this. Mike? T...
Sorry I just saw this. To clarify, I believe what Mike meant was
the perpetual calendar module is developed by Dubois Depraz for exclusive use by Montblanc. The Sellita SW300 movement is the base movement (and used in many watches). It's the PC module that is exclusive to Montblanc. Hope that clarifies cheers robin
Sorry for the late reply...didn't catch this until now
Hi Goldenlutin, Oliver... The MB 29.15, as Robin has replied, is the name given to the movement which is the Sellita base + Perpetual calendar module TOGETHER . And so the exclusivity to Montblanc is for this combination...not the SW 300 itself. Surely th...
Mike, thanks for the clarification ...
and sorry for the confusion caused by me. Best, Oliver
Well...
Well, the Dubois Depraz is the most commonly used perpetual calendar module in the industry. Therefor I don't see a custom module here. I also doubt that the combination of the SW300 (mass production) and this module will be exclusive to Montblanc as the ...
Hi Goldenlutin, your statement is understandable but unless you have under the dial
pics then it is just an assumption on your part that the modules are all the same But please share the photos if you have them and then we can compare and see if any changes were made. I suspect ALL perpetual calendar modules are relatively similar BUT if...
And a comparison...
And here is a comparison side by side with the Nivrel. I don't see any difference. Please tell me what is "incorrect" or "misleading" in what I said? It is not about liking it or not but about technical facts. ...
Sure. Thanks for the photo and I'll add another photo as well to demonstrate
Let me start by combining the image side by side and let everyone review The left is the Nivrel, and on the right the MB. They are very similar BUT they are not the same. Besides the different finishing, the most obvious change is the leap year function. ...
Let's agree that we disagree :)
Because with your argumentation any ETA 2892 or 7750 would become exclusive/reserved as soon as, for instance, the oscillating weight is personalized (by an engraving or gets another shape) for the brand. This makes just no sense... If 0.0001 % of variati...
The song of a nightingale vs a blackbird
Thank you Oliver for the hands-on review of the Montblanc Meisterstück Heritage Perpetual Calendar. Irrespective of the readers' responses, without a wrist review from PuristS, there would be nothing to respond to! ;) When I was a student, the Medical Sch...
MTF, thanks for your comprehensive reply! I agree ...
it is always great to have options, even when it means a hard time to choose (for some) :-) If you ask for something special and further for even more, it gets difficult/pricey all the time. I know that quite well ... Just saved a few gramm´s on my tires ...
Saving grammes
I know; the Law of Diminishing Returns with increase in cost. I just had a custom built carbon fibre bicycle (4600 Euros) and the cost premium to save 20g on seat-post or 40g for handlebars was hundreds of Euros! Regards, MTF
"custom built carbon fibre bicycle"
Not sure about carbon, but I am thinking about something like this at the moment ... PuristS are PuristS, all the time. Good or bad :-) Cordially, Oliver
Thank you for an outstanding review, Oliver!
Well written and great shots! :) As for the watch, I think you are right that it is hard to find another PC where you get this kind of "bang for buck"! Great execution by Montblanc! :) Best Blomman
Love this review Oliver!
You know how much I love the traditional design of the new Meisterstuck Heritage series. The case with a mix of polished and satin finishing really appeals to me especially in this red gold. The price point is very competitive and definitely attractive es...
Robin, I agree with you ...
"the time only and moonphase timepieces are also important in this new collection". For sure they are, because not everybody is asking for "more" and it is very nice to have more options in the "classical" department. Thanks for your kind reply! Oliver
Great review
Great review Oliver! Very enjoyable review of the Montblanc Mesterstruck Heritage Perpetual Calendar. And good job to MB for producing a relatively affordable perpetual calendar. I have to admit that I agree with some of the comments here about the subdia...
"I would still like to see this one in person"
This is a great idea and I am looking forward to your impressions. Thanks a lot, Ed! Oliver
Judging from the number of wrist shots...
it probably intrigued you from a watch/value perspective. i appreciate very much what MTF said about that billion dollar business model. what will sell may not necessarily be what purists will collect. i guess we've been down that path of discussion sever...
Thank you for another amazing post
I want to love this watch but... It reminds me soooo much of the GP perpetual, which I don't love... Everything too far in th center of the dial feels 'wrong'. The movement is just... Shockingly plain looking for this type of watch. I use the word shockin...