Montblanc - Montblanc e-Bracelet – a useful wearable smart-device cum fashion accessory?

Montblanc e-Bracelet – a useful wearable smart-device cum fashion accessory?

At SIHH 2015, Montblanc launched the Timewalker Urban Speed Collection with e-Strap, combining the convenience of a smart wearable device with the luxury of a traditional mechanical timepiece, namely the Timewalker. We have looked at the e-Strap with the Timewalker Urban Speed collection in my previous reports:

www.watchprosite.com

Recently, I noticed on Montblanc YouTube channel that they also launched a variant of the e-Strap, called the e-Bracelet.

From the video, it seems that the e-Strap is modeled on a NATO strap that is easily fixed on the strap of a Montblanc Timewalker watch and it is also available, bundled with a Timewalker Urban Speed watch. The e-Bracelet on the other hand, seems to be a stand-alone leather “bracelet” (Montblanc and some other brands refer to some of their leather wrist accessories as bracelets) with the smart device which functions on its own as a wrist gear cum accessory without the need to be attached to any watch.

We discussed before the possibility of buying the e-Strap separately and attaching it to any mechanical watch, even if we don’t have a Montblanc Timewalker. While technically possible, we will need to make sure that we can obtain the correct strap/attachment but Montblanc does not produce all combinations of such accessories. As far as I know, the NATO strap on the e-Strap produced by Montblanc only realistically fits the design and shape of the Timewalker watch case and strap as it was designed for the Timewalker. Also, remember the e-Strap is on the bottom side of the Timewalker and whilst it can work on a bulky and big sporty watch like the Timewalker, it will unlikely complement a dressy and thin mechanical watch as the bottom part of the strap will sit too high, looking and feeling unbalanced on the wrist.

The e-Bracelet featured alongside the e-Strap in the video is another alternative, for people who want a luxury smart wearable device that can also function as a luxury wrist accessory. It is akin to a FitBit device with fewer health specific functions (pulse rate) but much more luxuriously designed and finished, with the Montblanc Extreme Leather for the strap (or “Bracelet” as they call it).

I was curious so I went to the Montblanc Singapore boutique to have a look as soon as the e-Bracelet is available for sale; it is a very recent product in the boutiques.

Here are some pictures I took.

First impression: It looks very cool!

I like the smart device in black with shiny silver holders, now sitting at the top of the strap and not at the bottom. Since I feel it looks cool, why should it be hidden from view, at the bottom? The extreme leather looks and feels very luxurious and robust. As we know it is water-, scratch- and even fire-resistant. I am a fan of this extreme leather, with a wallet and recently a rucksack made from the extreme leather and I love them.

On the wrist, it feels a tad big but that is also because my wrist is very small at only 6.2 inch in diameter. It fits well when secured and the extreme leather definitely felt very nice on the wrist. As the device was not charged, I could not test how it works (this was a piece for sale and not for testing so I couldn’t play with it too much).

It definitely looks and feels much more luxuriously than a typical FitBit or other wearable smart device on rubber or silicon straps and I feel it is a nice combination of designer luxury and smart technology. However, from a pure looks standpoint, I think other wrist bracelets from Montblanc look thinner and more elegant than the e-Bracelet.

Photo credit: Montblanc’s website

Personally, I like the look and feel of the e-Bracelet on my wrist and wouldn’t mind using it as a smart wearable device and a fashion wrist accessory at the same time. As a watch lover, I considered if the e-Bracelet is an alternative to my mechanical watches? Absolutely not! I am tempted by the smart functions it provides, many of which I find very useful. Here are some of its functions:

1. The e-Strap works with both Android and iOS smartphones.

2. Smart notifications: the e-Strap signals instantaneously an incoming communication by discreet vibrations. It allows users to preview e-mails, text messages, incoming calls, notifications from social media platforms, and other important reminders such as calendar or task notifications. Useful for me as my phone is always in silent mode and I am always in meetings.

3. Smart notifications: the e-Strap signals instantaneously an incoming communication by discreet vibrations. It allows users to preview e-mails, text messages, incoming calls, notifications from social media platforms, and other important reminders such as calendar or task notifications. Useful for me as my phone is always in silent mode and I am always in meetings.

4. Remote control: Allows the user to control certain functions of his/her smartphone connected to the e-Strap. Typical use case includes taking a selfie by controlling the camera function of the phone via the e-Strap or controlling the music player remotely (play, pause, next song, etc).

5. Remote control: Allows the user to control certain functions of his/her smartphone connected to the e-Strap. Typical use case includes taking a selfie by controlling the camera function of the phone via the e-Strap or controlling the music player remotely (play, pause, next song, etc).

I love the functions above and had considered the Apple Watch before. But I still want to wear my beloved mechanical timepieces. I find it weird to wear the Apple Watch (it is quite big) on my right wrist with my mechanical watch on my left wrist.

The Apple Watch has a larger screen and it is quite big – strange to be double wristed with a mechanical watch (such as my Montblanc Heritage Spirit Orbis Terrarum) and Apple Watch on each wrist.

However, the e-Bracelet is significantly thinner than the Apple Watch and looks much more like a designer wrist accessory as mentioned above. Here is a picture of me double-wristed with my MBF Legacy Machine and the e-Bracelet. With this I have the advantage of having the features of a wearable smart device, still get to enjoy any mechanical watch and yet have a luxury wrist accessory.

What are your thoughts of having something like the e-Bracelet on one wrist and a mechanical watch on the other wrist?

Do you think the e-Bracelet is a cool smart gadget and designer wrist wear converged into one?

Do you think this is a good solution for us to enjoy the current features of smart wearable devices and still enjoy our mechanical watch at the same time? (without a Timewalker watch which works with the e-Strap at the bottom of the strap).

I am keen to hear your feedback!

Cheers

robin

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I like to operate my electronic devices directly, not through an interface

By: Luis6 : November 30th, 2015-05:29

like the i-watch or e-strap. But I must admit that for someone who has the need or interest, this is a brilliant idea. It does look nice on your right wrist, with the MB&F on your left wrist.

Thank you Luis

By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : December 2nd, 2015-03:27

Good feedback thank you Cheers Robin

Thanks a lot for your detailed presentation Robin

By: foversta : November 30th, 2015-12:54

But I have high doubts about the success of this "e-bracelet". I don't see people wearing it with a watch and it doesn't have the fun, from my perspective, of a connected watch. Fx

Good point Fx

By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : December 2nd, 2015-03:28

I agree it\'s functions are not as fun as a smart watch or other smart devices - it is relatively limited for now. I suspect a version 2 will come soon We will see Cheers Robin

You do have to remember

By: elanoftroy : November 30th, 2015-13:07

Casino's frown down on smart watches worn at the casino table. My friend would not remove his and was put out by security. Helen

That's a valid point Helen

By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : December 2nd, 2015-03:29

And I guess many govt agencies too - they may require us to remove our smart wearable devices For me personally I don\'t visit casinos so ok for me Cheers Robin

Are the new smart watches

By: elanoftroy : December 2nd, 2015-13:44

Considered a watch or technology? Will there be a forum here for them? I wonder, Helen

Good question Helen

By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : December 3rd, 2015-08:06

Think they are more like technology fitted on a wrist watch form To me personally they are not real watches. I like some of their features but I love my watches more Cheers Robin

I agree

By: elanoftroy : December 3rd, 2015-11:20

One other consideration is the unknown effects of wearing wifi transmission technology on your wrist for long periods of time. Call me scaredy cat, but I don't like holding cell phones or wifi gadgets for extended periods of time. I guess time will tell. ...

I share your concern Helen

By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : December 4th, 2015-22:13

In fact I asked if the e-strap will magnetize our watches or not and Montblanc said that was tested a lot and it will not have that problem. The E strap and bracelet works on low energy blue tooth (not wifi) so the battery can last around 5 days. If it is...

Happy to see you did your homework

By: elanoftroy : December 7th, 2015-13:44

Better to be safe than sorry. Helen

I thought hard about this

By: MTF : November 30th, 2015-17:48

My conclusion is that e-Bracelet is not for me. I have Montblanc pens, wallets, coin purses, "man-bag" and even the watches But I draw the line at the tramp stamp or "man-bracelets".....whatever the functions and Apps offered. I would consider a stand-alo...

Thanks MTF

By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : December 2nd, 2015-03:30

For your feedback. No wrist accessory (non smart devices) for you ? So far my only wrist accessory is my watch and maybe it will remain this way too Cheers Robin

Sad

By: Mostel : November 30th, 2015-22:27

I personally find all these chip-watches sad. It amazes me that people want to add yet another form of 'surveillance' to their lives, let alone on their actual wrist...do we really 'love' or even 'like' our phone? Or is it simply a 'necessary evil?' To me...

Mostel, I totally share your point of view, which you expressed better than I could. [nt]

By: amanico : November 30th, 2015-22:31

I am used to being bugged by my cell phone

By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : December 2nd, 2015-03:33

Being a global head of an organization, I have to talk calls and emails from Latam to EMEA to North America and I am based in Asia lol So I am used to losing my private life to work (sad indeed!) with smart wearable device or not. Being a data and analyti...