Round-UpPenning Down The Heritage Of Montblanc, The Watchmaker

Montblanc is one name that has been tantamount to luxury since 1906—the year it forayed into the world of luxury writing instruments, and eventually leather goods, jewellery, fragrances, eyewear, and watches. Montblanc’s master craftsmanship, not just in watchmaking but in other verticals as well, has been legendary. The brand has had and continues to have a covetable love affair with iconic writing instruments that have now attained cult status. A subsidiary of the Richemont group, this German brand is often identified by the ‘snow peak’ symbol and 4810, which is the height (in metres) of the eponymous mountain in the Alps. After choosing to sign up The Wolverine, Hugh Jackman as its global brand ambassador, Montblanc has firmly established its standing as a brand that is elegant, talented, pioneering and committed to the arts.

Its journey towards scaling new heights in the horological world began in 1858 when Charles-Yvan Robert founded a watch workshop in the Saint-Imier valley, starting the Minerva era. In 2006, the partnership between Minerva and Montblanc brought about a transformational shift. Today, we see exceptional timepieces being created using the highest level of Swiss watchmaking in the Montblanc manufactures in Villeret and Le Locle. As is acknowledged by the brand’s top executives, they are now making efforts to reshape the future of the brand as a watchmaker by implementing the vintage philosophy of watchmaking into its timepieces, with heavy doses of Swiss watchmaking codes. With a wide target audience that includes admirers of vintage watches, Montblanc—the watchmaker—hopes to find its place on the map of high-end watchmaking. The Watch Guide brings to you a fine selection of the watches that best exemplify the brand Montblanc.

Summit Smartwatch

Part of the Montblanc Summit Smartwatch series comes a luxury smartwatch of distinction that marks the juncture of timeless tradition and state-of-the-art technology. Loaded with smart features such as an altimeter, Bluetooth, multi-touch recognition, music control, navigation, world time and more, with pre-loaded apps, this quartz smartwatch that runs on Android 2.0 enables you to stay ahead. Equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 2100 Processor with 4GB of memory, this 46mm timepiece houses a stunning black dial and comes with a black rubber strap. This luxury smartwatch offers IP68 water resistance.

Montblanc 4810 Chronograph Automatic

Seen above on Jackman’s wrist, this 46mm Montblanc 4810 Chronograph Automatic embodies masculine elegance and superior functionality for the modern traveller. An unabashed depiction of Montblanc’s artisanal prowess and precise performance, this bi-pusher chronograph flaunts a self-winding Caliber MB 25.07. Set in a bold 43mm stainless steel case is the lustrous silvery white dial—with a Montblanc star pattern guilloché—indicating the central chronograph seconds, the chronograph minutes and hours, and the small seconds. Harmonising well with the different subtle elements of the dial is the black alligator-skin strap. This watch offers a power reserve of 46 hours, and a 50m water resistance.

Montblanc 4810 Chronograph Automatic—in black

This dark and divine 43mm timepiece characterises the Montblanc 4810 collection, with an exploding Montblanc star pattern guilloché adorning the black dial. A red triangle at six o’clock indicates the date. Ensuring full visibility in the dark are the SuperLuminova-coated central hour and minute regate hands.

Montblanc 4810 Date Automatic

Exuding a subtle, refined simplicity, this watch sports a groovy, almost hypnotic look owing to the star-shaped pattern radiating in a skillfully worked guilloché engraving across the entire silvery-white dial. An arched window at six o’clock, with a red gold-coated triangle, displays the current date. The red gold coating has been applied in the striking regate hands, indexes and numerals as well, complementing well with a blued baton hand, and a black alligator strap. Fitted with a MB 24.17 calibre, this automatic watch provides a 38-hour power reserve and 50m water resistance.

Montblanc Heritage Spirit Date Automatic

Crafted with the values of the Montblanc Meisterstück—a quintessential line-up of luxury pens that represent the German brand—take form in this Montblanc Heritage Spirit Date Automatic watch. This 41mm stainless steel case watch features a silvery-white bombé dial with sunburst finish that endorses applied indexes, faceted dauphine-shaped hands and a blued central seconds hand, with a date window at three o’clock. Fitted with the MB 24.17 calibre, this automatic watch ensures a power reserve of 38 hours, and a 30m water resistance. The brown alligator strap lends a look of pure elegance.

Montblanc Heritage Spirit—with moonphase

For ardent loyalists of the colour black, this Montblanc Heritage Spirit with a black alligator leather strap is the perfect choice. Another key highlight in this 41mm automatic watch is the moonphase indicator being the centre of attention at six o’clock. This timepiece is equipped with an MB 29.14 calibre and offers a 42-hour power reserve and is water resistant to 30m.

Heritage Chronométrie Quantième Complet Vasco Da Gama Special Edition

The name is a bit of a mouthful, but the face of this Heritage Chronométrie watch is as impeccable and clean as one would like. Boasting of a perpetual calendar and moonphase indicator, the 40mm stainless steel case features a silvery-white dial with silver-toned hands and index and Arabic numeral hour markers. The date is highlighted around the outer rim of the dial. The black alligator strap completes the look. The movement inside, the MB 29.16 calibre, enables a power reserve of 42 hours.

Heritage Chronométrie

As smaller watches for men has emerged one of the coolest trends of this year, this Heritage Chronométrie at 38mm gains favour. Bearing resemblance to the above Heritage Chronométrie, the rose gold-tone hands, minute markers around the outer rim and date window at six o’clock make this watch distinct. The MB 24.09 calibre powers this automatic timepiece, which offers a 38-hour power reserve and 30m of water resistance.

TimeWalker

Carrying the baton for retaining the glory of Minerva’s exceptional heritage, the TimeWalker collection includes quite a few stellar timepieces, one of which is this glorious automatic watch. Fitted with a MB 24.09 calibre, this watch offers a power reserve of 38 hours and 30m water resistance. The black dial features luminous rose gold-tone hands and alternating Arabic numeral and index hour markers, with a date window at six o’clock and minute markers around the outer rim. This watch sports a black alligator leather strap.

Montblanc 1858

This collection carries the spirit of mountain exploration while giving a modern twist to the popular Minerva chronographs from the 1930s. With distinct design codes imbibed in the black dial of this 44mm watch, the MB 24.16 automatic movement ensures supreme functionality. Offering a 38-hour power reserve and a water resistance of 30m, this watch has a small seconds counter positioned at six o’clock and Cathedral hands shining bright. The stainless steel bracelet enhances the young and modern look.