Montblanc

Two weeks ago I was in Atlanta on business and I took the opportunity to visit the local Montblanc boutique .

Located in the posh neighborhood of Buckhead, I distinctly remember walking through the Lennox Mall when I attended Emory University about 15 years ago.  Living on an extremely tight budget, the only thing I could afford back then was a snack at the food court.  However these empty shopping trips reinforced the drive and motivation to be successful.  Superficial?  Materialistic?  Perhaps.  But at the time the sheer thought of one day having the opportunity to enjoy the finer things provided the necessary stimulus to survive the grueling existence of being a medical student.

As I strolled through the shopping center heading towards the Montblanc boutique, I realized how different my life had become.  With a bit of a stretch, I could now purchase many of the things that once were unattainable.  In a flash, I remembered my father's advice:  "When you think you have achieved success, never forget where you came from."

Unlike the Beverly Hills boutique  click here ,

unlike the Las Vegas boutique click here ,

and unlike the Singapore boutique click here ,

the Atlanta store is small and narrow.  I was surprised by it's small footprint because this was the only boutique in all of Georgia (ranked 10th in population, 10th in gross production, and 21st in size for the USA). 

What this tall, slim store lacks in size, it makes up for in its attentive sales staff who graciously tolerated my presence while catering to other clients without missing a beat.

Take a look at the selection found in Atlanta's boutique.

 

 

Yes, only the Timewalker, Sport, and Star collections.  Was I disappointed?  Should I have politely cut my visit short since there were no new Rieussecs or Villeret models to inspect?  I was told that clients in Atlanta focused only the basic Montblanc timepieces and in the past three years only a few customers have walked in requesting to see a Rieussec Chronograph.  No one has walked in to talk about Villeret.  So the boutique stocks timepieces which could sell.  Any higher end watch from the Montblanc catalog could be requested and the staff would try to obtain a sample for proper viewing.

"When you think you have achieved success, never forget where you came from"

I decided to stay and inspect some of the watches available from the prospective of a customer who doesnot know a lot about watches looking for something nice from a well respected luxury brand.  Our passion for watches all started from somewhere and fifteen years ago I would have hesitated to ask for the opportunity to hold a watch costing more than a thousand US dollars.

Let's take a second look.

The Montblanc Big Date Flyback Chronograph

A Montblanc Sport Chronograph with red accents

 

 

 

I re-evaluated the basic Timewalker automatic, a simple three hand watch with a date display.  It would be an extremely good choice for a contemporary dress watch.

 

Thinner on the wrist than I expected

The Montblanc design team succeeded in their goal of creating a modern yet classic look.

Of course I have already shown the Timewalker Retrograde

 
 

And for the customers who want the ultimate sport watch, the Atlanta boutique's top of the line Tantalum Chronograph

 

At the end of my hour visit, I realized the variety of choices which Montblanc offered to enthusiasts.  All with solid build quality.  All deserving of the Montblanc symbol of excellence.

As Montblanc continues to expand and push its timepiece collections upscale with the Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph collection

 

And to the haute horology level with the Villeret Collection

 

I sincerely hope that they succeed in their quest to a become a well regarded watchmaking brand. 

And when Montblanc reaches that peak, I also would remind them of my father's words: "When you think you have achieved success, never forget where you came from"

Focus and streamline the Timewalker, Sport, and Star collections.  Please continue to provide true value and quality for watch enthusiasts and the brand's reputation will grow.

What else caught my eye at the boutique?

Check it out.

Nice...

Enjoy,

Mike

This message has been edited by mkt33 on 2010-05-24 13:08:48 This message has been edited by mkt33 on 2010-05-24 15:03:31

Montblanc Big Date Flyback Chronograph. That is a bit of a surprise to me because I don't have many bracelet watches.

If you don't count the couple of Seiko 5 and an Omega Speedmaster Big Arrow that I added a steel bracelet to, my only regular bracelet is the PIaget Upstream. The humid climate in Singapore makes bracelets sensible choices some days, so I've been wearing the Piaget nearly every day now.  Gasp! This is the guy who used to say, "No watch spends more than 2 days on my wrist". 

But the experience with the Upstream has convinced me to try other bracelet watches. I have only one tantalum and rose gold chronograph but it is on a skimpy crocodile leather strap. Nevertheless, I have not forgotten from whence I have come; so the Montblanc Big Date Flyback Chronograph and the Tantalum/RG chronograph are calling for a test drive......at least.

I can't make it to Atlanta, so perhaps the new boutiques in Singapore will have to do.

Regards,

MTF

Smooth and won't catch very many hairs.

For the last three days the weather has been hot and humid here in Maine.

I also had to resort to the PuristSPro ABR for three straight days...I changed out the black for the red rubber stap on Day number 2 just to get some variety.

The MB flyback chronograph is very versatile. Love the lume

 

 

 

Cheers, Mike

Thanks Mike for the tour of the Montblanc boutique in Atlanta.  Looks like they have a good selection of their Timewalker and Star collections.  Great to hear that the attentive service level is just as good as the one in the Palazzo/Venetian boutique when we visited it recently.  Interesting that they have such a small space but it must be similar to the one here in the Beverly Center shopping mall.  I've seen the steel Rieussec but not the Villeret in the store.

I'm a frequent traveler to the Atlanta area and will definitely have to stop by on my next visit.

Regards,
ED-209

distribution points can only be done with a brand like Montblanc.

Like Cartier and Bulgari, Montblanc is developing more into a "lifestyle" brand which has a better chance to succeeding than, for example, a Tourbillon boutique or a Tourneau.  While the customers walking into MB may be less horologically educated, they are more likely to walk away with a purchase even if they can't decide on a watch.

Once the MB timepiece division develops more of a reputation, we will see many enthusiasts doing the climb from a basic Timewalker/Sport to the Rieussec chronograph, and finally to a Villeret!

Best, Mike

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