jrwong23 (aka watchthebin)
[Moderator]
14255
Good advice Patrick
Ashamed to say.... I have never had the good fortune to visit any manufacture. I only started collecting haute horology pieces in sep 2012 with my VC patrimony. .. then dec 2012 patek annual calendar. .. apr 2013 lange dato... june 2013 breguet marine and now finally mb villeret. ..
I am still a newbie in haute horology and have never visited any manufacture... i dont even know how to go about visiting one!
But you are absolutely right. It will be more special if I visited a higher production automated manufacture first then visit MB villeret. I heard the Minerva manufacture still smells of steel and oil the moment you step in and I really love to smell it!
Reminds me of my late grandfather's soy sauce factory in Singapore decades ago when everything was manually and traditionally made (soy beans fermenting, soy sauce in the large jars in the sun). Slow but the soy sauce were of the best quality. I still remember clearly the smell of the factory and taste of the soy sauce he made. When the Singapore government wanted our industries to be automated, my grandfather decided to close the factory. He refused to automate and hasten the fermentation of soy beans and sauce using chemicals and preservatives etc.... he held on to the traditions and now only a handful of my family members know the receipe and do small quantities at home for personal consumption. ..
Minerva reminds me of my grand dad's factory and philosophy. 
MB Villeret/Minerva owners and lovers, fall in!
Dear all Since I got to know MB Villeret thru an MB event in Singapore in Sep/Oct 2012 and getting a few watches from then to now, inc the gorgeous Lange Datograph, I have been haunted in my dreams about certain MB Villeret models, esp those with the high...
Holy cow. Super acquisition. Love...
Holy cow. Super acquisition. Love the story and congrats. A little speechless right now but super huge congrats.
Thank you Patrick!
Many of your thought provoking posts as well as sharing of various MB pieces convinced me just how serious MB is in watch making and gave me confidence in buying a villeret watch. Thank you for these posts and indirectly challenging me not just to look at...
And Congrats To You Robin
For seeing the light. Maybe we'll meet at the Villeret factory someday. But make sure you visit a large factory first! Then, when you visit the factories that are more hands-on, it's all the more special and unique.
Good advice Patrick
Ashamed to say.... I have never had the good fortune to visit any manufacture. I only started collecting haute horology pieces in sep 2012 with my VC patrimony. .. then dec 2012 patek annual calendar. .. apr 2013 lange dato... june 2013 breguet marine and...
I love the story!
Love the story about Grand dad's soy sauce factory. As for the factory tour, it'll happen.
Sincere congratulations, Robin.
These monopusher Chronos are highly tempting, Robin. Ok, I am a tad biased, as I am a big fan of fine monopusher Chronographs, I admit it. And Montblanc offers tempted me more than once: The P 10 PPRO Anniversary, or the regular versions, white or black d...
Thanks Nicholas!
You have been following my acquisition trail and giving me your well wishes. Thank you! I used to think this dial is not the most conventional in terms of design and frankly, not the best design out there (but the black enamel more than made up for it!) a...
This is a superb time piece Robin, congratulations!
And what a lovely mouvement! Cheers Francois
Thanks Francois!
It wasn't easy to accept the brand MB on such an expensive time piece initially for me (I think you and I shared some similar posts on this topic) but I finally overcome this! Hope you enjoyed the pics and I will be posting more soon (probably when I get ...
Thanks Robin, looking very much forward to the.....
side by side pictures of the Dato and Minerva mouvements :) Cheers Francois
Bravo! That's the way....
to celebrate newborn!!! Indeed very charming watch with marvelous caliber. Number 1 of 8 is cherry on birth cake :) although number 3 would maybe more appropriate ;) Cheers Damjan
#3...
Yes this is also to celebrate my baby #3. Coincidentally I also saw piece #3 in Singapore but was hunting down piece #1 as #1 is always more special! ;) Someone told me Mr Cabiddu wears this model too... I wonder which piece # if so... I will be going HK ...
Beautiful!
It fits like it was made just for your wrist! I'm looking forward to the side by side shots.
I am so looking forward to the return of my Dato.
And take side by side pictures once it's back! Man... I miss my Dato already. Been 3+ months now... patiently waiting :)
Wow! Now I wasn't expecting to read this first thing in the morning
What a great way to help me start the day Robin! Thanks! Congratulations on a wonderful acquisition. You will see once you have the Lange and Montblanc next to one another that they are both wonderful yet very different "machines". You are a very lucky ma...
Thank you Mike!
For your well wishes and also for helping me realize I can never forget the mb villerets.... I tried the white enamel before in rose gold and that was the very watch that started my love and respect for MB villeret (it was during that mb event in the flag...
Congratulations, Robin!
That is a beauty. I know the enamel dial is meant to be the star of the show, but that movement is really lovely. This is a great addition to your collection. I hope you will write more about this piece as you live with it for a while. Best regards, respo...
Thanks Respo!
Yes I will write more about it soon. Maybe will post more pics once I get the super big box.... MB offered to collect it from the AD on my behalf and send it to my office or home (really great service from MB singapore even though I got it from the AD). I...
Congrats Robin
I know the haunting feeling all to well. I am actually still haunted by some pieces now Congrats on the acquisition
I am satisfied now really....
Finally no more haunting feeling. I only had a VC Patrimony when I first saw the MB villerets and I had no idea MB makes such beautiful watches before my exposure to them at the event... since then over the next few months I got a PP annual calendar, a La...
A photo for you
Robin, First: CONGRATULATIONS ! The watch is a very special piece. Apart from the gorgeous and rare grand feu enamel black dial, it is also #1 of only 8 pieces. I have been to a few Montblanc events in Singapore but cannot recall if I was at the one you m...
Hello sir
The event was the one last sep or oct where Dylan McDermott was the guest and Julien the watchmaker from Villeret was there (well he was the main culprit who made me fall in love with the Villeret calibres!) :) I think I saw that giant Dato movement in th...
Celebration drinks just now
Courtesy of 2 dear friends from MB Singapore (mgt team). ...
This is kind
of picture I like the contents of it the level of it..... missing the rotation of bottle ;) Cheers D
haha strange!
My photo is ok on my phone but became rotated after uploading. .. Yes now I am starting to appreciate whiskey too! The MB GM insisted on whiskey to celebrate even though I am a regular beers guy. But now, I am starting to like whiskey too. Cheers Robin
You are on the road
to perdition my friend :) :) and welcome to world of Single Malt lovers quite a few here on PPro Slainte Damjan
Confirmed: PuristS like whisky
From the Singapore GTG last month. CLICK following URL for the photos: ...
Double confirm Singlish style!
Strong correlation between Purists and Whiskey indeed! I missed this post - what a great event in Singapore! Great watches, company and.... whiskey! :) Cheers Robin Wong
Get in touch
Robin, Use personal e-mail to me and I will put you on our SG list. Not the PM system as it automatically censors addresses. MTF @ puristSpro (dot) com (remove spaces and brackets) Regards, MTF
Congrats again!
Congrats again! Robin is a beautiful Monopusher with a beautiful enamel dial! By the way, this is my 1st post here ...
welcome to the Purists family!
Hi Jorge Welcome! Very happy to have you here and thanks once again for your kind wishes. You have a great collection of great watches and I am glad you also appreciate MB Villeret pieces even though it doesn't have the "brand equity" in terms of watches ...
Thanks Robin
Thanks for your kind words Robin, I will create a post with my collection, to introduce myself to the Forum. I became a member maybe like a month a go, but until now decided to post. Perfect ocassion, the ocassion of a beautiful Minerva movement with an e...
Welcome to PuristSPro Jorge....
Looking forward to more posts in the future! That is a nice collection of watches in you box! Best, Mike
Thanks
Thanks Mike, it just made perfect sense, that I ended up on this forum so often that I decided to join. I really Need to put together an introductory post soon. Cheers !
Fantastic, Robin, congratulations! Always the right choice, when you follow your heart...
too many people get too distracted by other people's priorities or over intellectualize the decision; it can be agonizing! If it calls to you, and that siren call doesn't go away in a few days / week..."buy what you like and can afford" is wise advice. Co...
Following the heart
Is what I will always do from now as it feels soooooo gd! So long as it's responsible luxury! Ie buy what I can afford only ! :) Thanks Thomas for your well wishes Robin
congrats
I can feel your excitement through your post. What a beautiful watch and that movement shot - wow !!
it's very exciting indeed!
Still very excited today! And for a lifetime I believe! Thanks for your kind words and sharing my joy :) Robin
Good for you!
May you wear your lovely Villeret for a long time and always with great pleasure.
Thank you Bigdave
Your ownership and appreciation of MB Villeret was one source of inspiration for me :) Esp your post on how you enjoyed the watch instead of focusing on things like resale value etc. Cheers Robin
Thank you
Any watch purchase by anyone who really enjoys the watch is admirable. I also admire many Purists here who buy pieces that make them smile and warms their hearts :)
Thanks Anthony!
Your various posts with pictures of the Montblanc Villeret Minerva movements was a source of the images haunting me in my dreams! :) Thank you for posting those lovely pics Robin
Oh, my....
... the one I have been dreaming! A bit too big for my wrist, but the machine inside is incredible.... Elegantly well made piece.... Thank you for sharing with us! Ken
doesn't wear too big due to its case back and lugs curves
Thanks Ken for your well wishes! Actually I was surprised I could wear a 41mm watch myself! For dressy watches my max is usually 39mm only. Someone this 41mm with his curved case back and lugs works for me compared to the new 41mm Dato up down which has l...
Congrats Robin!
A cool acquisition that really ticks all the right boxes. The MB Villeret are getting some of the recognition they deserve. I have seen a few of their pieces and have been totally impressed, especially on the movement side. Lets hope it doesn't take away ...
Will love them both equally
Thanks Fernando :) Wrist time will be shared. Both pieces have gorgeous movement finishing! ! Cheers Robin
Congratulations!
This Montblanc reminds me of my Roger Dubuis Chronomonopoussoir. ...
wow what a beauty!
Your Roger Dubuis is very nice! It looks more like the Montblanc Villeret Pulsographe esp the rose gold black enamel dial piece Cheers Robin