Davide Cerrato who was the creative figure behind the resurrection of Tudor was the Managing Director of Montblanc and launched some very interesting antique looking series like the 1858. The Nichola Reisseuc references are pound for pound one of the great horology buys for one interested in a watch with serious complications and an in-house movement at $4000+/-. The actual Minerva movements are high horology with two capital H’s. Garden variety Montblanc references with Sellita movements can be value packed alternatives to Longines for those who like a heritage look.
Howard, you make an excellent point about the Nicholas Reisseuc watch, and I quite agree with you. Once becoming part of the 'Richemont stable' I do not know what happened to the Montblanc movement-makers who made the NR movement. Were they told by Richemont, 'We'll take care of it with ValFleurier' or did the stratosphere-priced Minerva stand in for any further NR type movements. With very little effort, a collector can find many different levels of watches in the Montblanc collection. Always great you hear from you. Take care, Bill
Ah-ha-ha-ha Veeeee! I knew there was something uniquely great about you! A fellow fountain pen user. Currently, using my Pelikan to respond to this comment. (I need to get a narrower nib though.) Take care, Bill
Thanks for doing that video. ive got the timewalker date that you reviewed firstly. Its COSC certified. Pretty nicely made watch. Not worth half the MSRP though. And very hard to sell second hand. Some people cannot get past the idea that the company is not a sole manufacturer of watches only. But I see quite a few big watch brands do diversify.
Kerry, not to worry about what others think-Breitling, IWC, and a host of other companies with 'full mfg in-house' are not-dependent on Sellita for the bulk of their sales. The fact of the matter is that Montblanc has some in-house movements, some ValFleurier ... that's sort of in-house if the house is Richemont, and some by stored movements makers-Minerva. Probably better off with a Montblanc model that has a movement that most watchmakers can service like Sellita. Take care, Bill
thanks Bill, great vid. I am a fan of Montblanc and own a Twinfly chronograph with GMT and central minutes hand. In-house movement, integrated column-wheel chronograph. Great value for the money.
Great video Bill. There are plenty of good deals to be had on MontBlancs if you settle on one that you like. My favorite, naturally, is the Star World Timer GMT Automatic. I have the white dial version on a bracelet. It's a fantastic watch! Best regards, Brian
Aha Brian! You have a Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève prize-winner and awaiting a Lyrique Étude N°2- you'll be an impossible watch snob in no time! Congratulations! Take care, Bill
Additional info for the Montblanc perpetual calendar, the date and day can be adjusted forward and backward by using the GMT function in the watch. I consider it as Junior Moser perpetual calendar for having similar function.
Thanks for this Bill. I’m a huge fan of Montblanc but buying them on the secondary market. I have the NR chronograph and it’s not a watch anyone would confuse with another manufacturer. You also have their Geosphere line that is very unique. I think the same “buy pre-worn” works for Gerard Perregaux, so the detractors of MB are missing the excitement that it brings.
I just love my Meisterstuck Sport XXL Chronograph 7034. It was the 1st & only luxury watch I ever bought. Still my daily, but I'm thinking of buying a perpetual
@@watchartsci thanks bill. I would rather pick up the original Minerva’s from c24. A Pythagore 2 cal 48. Especially a 38 mm. Best wishes from Singapore 🇸🇬
Huge fan of Montblanc and the direction they are headed! I own 2 from the Heritage line - Monopusher Salmon dial (from the video) and white GMT. Amazing watches with great value if you buy them of the grey/secondary market. Looking at the product lines and design language of late they seems to be really serious about watches and are perhaps a sleeper.
Thanks for sharing, Vassil! If you want to reach back a ways (2011) the Montblanc Star World-Time GMT Automatic was a GPHG prize-winner at some very affordable prices - (www.ebay.com/itm/295943982471?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28&srsltid=AfmBOoq61OSl6qkMln8J7j-jKeyjs79SlImSDGxmG86Yh9tnOSYO8rHKgNw ) Take care, Bill
From Colombia SA. Recently I bought a Mtblanc Meisterstuck crono with an ETA 7750, and it feels like any brand with an ETA like this, but for much more less money, lets say a Certina a Mido or even a Tissot
Well I have been a montblanc chrono for 20+ years and have enjoyed it. Now got the monopusher with salmon dial got them new not at msrp and can sell them for almost the same if not more in case of the gold chrono. Not in the habit of selling watches as keep them so this is a decent buy imo
1, who cares. and 2, so is the t, with french pronunciation. however, we are in the usa...the country that tells other countries what's what. people must love you correcting them in your personal life. what a joy.
Hey Al, thanks for the tip about the silent 't.' I have a life-long hearing loss, and I've asked others in this forum to provide any tips they can on how to best pronounce French (my Spanish isn't bad, and I used to speak some Japanese). I am in the US, but with the Internet we're a worldwide brotherhood of watch collectors, and I work with Swiss watchmakers creating Lyrique watches-mainly in written communication, often through 'Google-French' and even 'Google-German.' Take care, Bill
Hey Winged Jupiter- "controversial?" Cm'on that's old biddies talk from the Flower Club for anything "creative" - other than the price of $3,600, I have not idea what anyone's beef with the Leo is.🤔Take care, Bill
@@obud3777 Who cares if they have smart watches- they could run a string of brothels for all I care as long as they create a good mechanical watch with a good movement. In Montblanc's case....they've got a few good ones which is more than some. Take care, Bill
@@watchartsci I wish the Richemont group would do something with the Minerva brand, cut it loose from Montblanc, with such a rich history Minerva does deserve better!
Why would you want to buy a watch from a company that was only known for making pens and cufflinks. ?? No watch heritage, no experience in watches but suddenly strike up with watches made from parts from all sorts of companies ? Vastly overpriced, very low resale value to watch collectors and really just jumping on the bandwagon of start ups to hit the fashion market living off the back of the excellent market they built up in pens and cufflinks. Not for my collection thanks. Never.
Les, I don't worry about what a company is "known for" so much as what they can do. Many watch companies with "heritage" [often of their own making] exist in name only, becoming cogs with common movements in a larger group. I look at what a company has done, and is doing. Hermés, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Chanel are not known for watchmaking, but they have created masterpieces by bringing in top watchmakers. Don't take this the wrong way, but collectors like me depend on those who fail to look beyond the obvious. Take care, Bill
@@watchartsci You make good points. If these watches impress someone who understands horology with their quality and design and are available at almost half their MRS price then the new owner will be very pleased with their find. All us watch buyers look for different things from watches and that's part of the enjoyment. We don't all have to appreciate and like the same things. Thanks for the reply and keep the videos coming, Every day is a school day !
Davide Cerrato who was the creative figure behind the resurrection of Tudor was the Managing Director of Montblanc and launched some very interesting antique looking series like the 1858. The Nichola Reisseuc references are pound for pound one of the great horology buys for one interested in a watch with serious complications and an in-house movement at $4000+/-. The actual Minerva movements are high horology with two capital H’s. Garden variety Montblanc references with Sellita movements can be value packed alternatives to Longines for those who like a heritage look.
Howard, you make an excellent point about the Nicholas Reisseuc watch, and I quite agree with you. Once becoming part of the 'Richemont stable' I do not know what happened to the Montblanc movement-makers who made the NR movement. Were they told by Richemont, 'We'll take care of it with ValFleurier' or did the stratosphere-priced Minerva stand in for any further NR type movements. With very little effort, a collector can find many different levels of watches in the Montblanc collection. Always great you hear from you. Take care, Bill
As a fountain pen user, always great to see Montblanc branch out to make interesting watch pieces.
Ah-ha-ha-ha Veeeee! I knew there was something uniquely great about you! A fellow fountain pen user. Currently, using my Pelikan to respond to this comment. (I need to get a narrower nib though.) Take care, Bill
Thanks for doing that video. ive got the timewalker date that you reviewed firstly. Its COSC certified. Pretty nicely made watch. Not worth half the MSRP though. And very hard to sell second hand. Some people cannot get past the idea that the company is not a sole manufacturer of watches only. But I see quite a few big watch brands do diversify.
Kerry, not to worry about what others think-Breitling, IWC, and a host of other companies with 'full mfg in-house' are not-dependent on Sellita for the bulk of their sales. The fact of the matter is that Montblanc has some in-house movements, some ValFleurier ... that's sort of in-house if the house is Richemont, and some by stored movements makers-Minerva. Probably better off with a Montblanc model that has a movement that most watchmakers can service like Sellita. Take care, Bill
They do make a very nice watch. Thanks Bill. 🇬🇧
Well put, John, and the rest may not be important. Take care, Bill
Ever since Montblanc bought out Minerva and they have been making amazing watches. I think their back catalogue has a lot of cool watches as well.
I think you're right Abdul. They also have a certain style I like. Take care, Bill
thanks Bill, great vid. I am a fan of Montblanc and own a Twinfly chronograph with GMT and central minutes hand. In-house movement, integrated column-wheel chronograph. Great value for the money.
Thanks for that user-experience insight Andy! Take care, Bill
Great video Bill. There are plenty of good deals to be had on MontBlancs if you settle on one that you like. My favorite, naturally, is the Star World Timer GMT Automatic. I have the white dial version on a bracelet. It's a fantastic watch!
Best regards, Brian
Aha Brian! You have a Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève prize-winner and awaiting a Lyrique Étude N°2- you'll be an impossible watch snob in no time! Congratulations! Take care, Bill
Additional info for the Montblanc perpetual calendar, the date and day can be adjusted forward and backward by using the GMT function in the watch. I consider it as Junior Moser perpetual calendar for having similar function.
Hey Hong, thanks for that extra info! Take care, Bill
Thanks for this Bill. I’m a huge fan of Montblanc but buying them on the secondary market. I have the NR chronograph and it’s not a watch anyone would confuse with another manufacturer. You also have their Geosphere line that is very unique. I think the same “buy pre-worn” works for Gerard Perregaux, so the detractors of MB are missing the excitement that it brings.
Yes, Tod, you are very right about the secondary market MBs-great buys with great selections. Take care, Bill
I just love my Meisterstuck Sport XXL Chronograph 7034.
It was the 1st & only luxury watch I ever bought.
Still my daily, but I'm thinking of buying a perpetual
Abdullah, always great to hear about a much-loved ❤️ watch! Take care, Bill
Not too shabby for a pen company.
Yes Tuna, nice pens too. Take care, Bill
@@watchartsci thanks bill. I would rather pick up the original Minerva’s from c24. A Pythagore 2 cal 48. Especially a 38 mm. Best wishes from Singapore 🇸🇬
Huge fan of Montblanc and the direction they are headed! I own 2 from the Heritage line - Monopusher Salmon dial (from the video) and white GMT. Amazing watches with great value if you buy them of the grey/secondary market. Looking at the product lines and design language of late they seems to be really serious about watches and are perhaps a sleeper.
Thanks for sharing, Vassil! If you want to reach back a ways (2011) the Montblanc Star World-Time GMT Automatic was a GPHG prize-winner at some very affordable prices - (www.ebay.com/itm/295943982471?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28&srsltid=AfmBOoq61OSl6qkMln8J7j-jKeyjs79SlImSDGxmG86Yh9tnOSYO8rHKgNw ) Take care, Bill
From Colombia SA. Recently I bought a Mtblanc Meisterstuck crono with an ETA 7750, and it feels like any brand with an ETA like this, but for much more less money, lets say a Certina a Mido or even a Tissot
Buenos dias Mauricio! Sound like you got a good buy! Take care, Bill
Well I have been a montblanc chrono for 20+ years and have enjoyed it. Now got the monopusher with salmon dial got them new not at msrp and can sell them for almost the same if not more in case of the gold chrono. Not in the habit of selling watches as keep them so this is a decent buy imo
Sounds like the brand is a good fit for you Elvis. Take care, Bill
Hi Mr. Bill .. may I know the watch that you are wearing in this video.. it looks nice
Hi Abdul, it's my Lyrique Étude N°1, caliber AGH-6801. Take care, Bill
@@watchartsci thank you Mr. Bill .. very nice watch… :)
Nice
Thanks Mike. Take care, Bill
Best joke ever, a brand for Frugal …… 😂😂😂 Never saw any Montblanc customer behaving Frugal buying pens, suitcases and watches above 5k USD 😂😂😂
Not for dullards, Expomm. Need to know where to look and how to look. Take care, Bill
The C is silent, Bill. 😉
1, who cares. and 2, so is the t, with french pronunciation. however, we are in the usa...the country that tells other countries what's what.
people must love you correcting them in your personal life. what a joy.
Thanks Lexcoaster. I need reminding that my French needs to improve, and knowing the 'c' is silent will help in the future. Take care, Bill
Hey Al, thanks for the tip about the silent 't.' I have a life-long hearing loss, and I've asked others in this forum to provide any tips they can on how to best pronounce French (my Spanish isn't bad, and I used to speak some Japanese). I am in the US, but with the Internet we're a worldwide brotherhood of watch collectors, and I work with Swiss watchmakers creating Lyrique watches-mainly in written communication, often through 'Google-French' and even 'Google-German.' Take care, Bill
Montblanc: A brand for pen collectors. Pen collectors are sometimes referred to as stylophiles 😂
I have a small fountain pen collection-3 pens, O Bud, and unlike Rolex, some very innovative designs from Montblanc.
@@watchartsci Unlike Rolex, Montblanc makes smart watches, so they are certainly innovative but for that reason not for a purist like me.
Hey Winged Jupiter- "controversial?" Cm'on that's old biddies talk from the Flower Club for anything "creative" - other than the price of $3,600, I have not idea what anyone's beef with the Leo is.🤔Take care, Bill
@@obud3777 Who cares if they have smart watches- they could run a string of brothels for all I care as long as they create a good mechanical watch with a good movement. In Montblanc's case....they've got a few good ones which is more than some. Take care, Bill
@@watchartsci I wish the Richemont group would do something with the Minerva brand, cut it loose from Montblanc, with such a rich history Minerva does deserve better!
Why would you want to buy a watch from a company that was only known for making pens and cufflinks. ?? No watch heritage, no experience in watches but suddenly strike up with watches made from parts from all sorts of companies ? Vastly overpriced, very low resale value to watch collectors and really just jumping on the bandwagon of start ups to hit the fashion market living off the back of the excellent market they built up in pens and cufflinks. Not for my collection thanks. Never.
only the minverva. and even then.
Les, I don't worry about what a company is "known for" so much as what they can do. Many watch companies with "heritage" [often of their own making] exist in name only, becoming cogs with common movements in a larger group. I look at what a company has done, and is doing. Hermés, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Chanel are not known for watchmaking, but they have created masterpieces by bringing in top watchmakers. Don't take this the wrong way, but collectors like me depend on those who fail to look beyond the obvious. Take care, Bill
@@watchartsci You make good points. If these watches impress someone who understands horology with their quality and design and are available at almost half their MRS price then the new owner will be very pleased with their find. All us watch buyers look for different things from watches and that's part of the enjoyment. We don't all have to appreciate and like the same things. Thanks for the reply and keep the videos coming, Every day is a school day !