Montblanc

It was our mod here, Robin, who extended to myself and to few other die-hard watch friends here, the invitation for the subject event. So, once again, many thanks.

As the weekend just came in after the event, I took some time to relax, but now is the moment of some more commentary further to what has already been written. I did not take a lot of pictures, however let us start first with what we've got:

And of course the 93-cm high 'other half' of the MB Regulateure Nautique wristwatch chrono:

The evening closed with a very nice gift from MB, for each of the attendees:

For the undersigned it was the first time to have the pleasure of attending an MB event. I admit that I possess little familiarity with the brand (as far as wristwatches are concerned). Therefore everything I observe is from the 'delighted guest' but also from a 'potential client' point of view.

On a brief history of my background with respect to watches, I have gone through the Rolex cycle, have owned two Pateks, and now have a Datograph together with a 8-days handwound JLC, among other pieces.

Jerome's presence was -to me- important for two reasons: Firstly, it showed the connection between Jerome and the Sincere CEO, as during the short presentations they shared how historically enthusiastic are the watch fans here in Singapore but also how a number of ideas and projects have started in the past after thoughtful discussions between these two (Jerome and the Sincere CEO).

Secondly, it was important as I personally did have the chance to discuss with Jerome for a short period of time. I may be a novice in this business, but believe firmly that there are so many people in Switzerland and central Europe in general - people that carry long traditions with respect to watchmaking. The MB CEO wherever he goes is one of the ambassadors of this tradition, and all of us who reside in other continents are to benefit in knowledge when close to such ambassadors.

The presentation was very interesting, Jerome spoke about the constant 'fight' between engineers and watchmakers in every maison (just like Robin described earlier). In addition, we got to know for example that the bridge in the tourbillon geospheres is worked for a continuous two weeks, and that the movements in most MB timepieces are man-machined exclusively from the beginning (unlike other top maisons where the components are machine-worked first and then man-machined). 

To my novice eyes, MB during the past couple of years has been pushing ahead in watchmaking at a very fast pace. I asked Jerome if he shall continue to focus on technical merit, as reportedly this has (in a way) characterized him during his CEO tenure at JLC. He confirmed, of course, and said that the strategy plans of MB for movements but also designs have 5-year timespan durations. Additionally, if he as CEO wishes to set a team working on an existing platform in order to produce a new movement which shall be based on something that already exists, this will take that team only 12 (twelve) months 'till completion of the project. If what is to be created shall start from a white piece of paper, this time (i.e. until completion) is 24 (twenty four) months.

At some point, just like Robin described earlier, Jerome came over and started to show the tourbillon geoshperes. I also took the watch and the loop and can ascertain that the gold + enamel elements on the dial are just beautiful. When I asked why silver is not used either in the dial or in the movement (e.g. like ALS) Jerome said that gold is the truly top element with respect to the properties exhibited. Other materials like sterling silver (treated or not) do emit particles over time and/or do not necessarily exhibit the stability that gold provides - simple as that. 

Jerome added right thereafter few words about the strap of the subject watch. He first turned the watch upside down, and showed to us clearly that the inside surface of the strap is full-leather again, but of different, much less sensitive and more durable type. The MB atelier in Florence takes care of these issues, very successfully from what we could see with our own eyes.

Last but not least, Jerome was equally enthusiastic about the wallets, bags, and other luxury goods MB make. Exhibiting high familiarity with a high number of details on that part of the business, he spoke a number of times on the exclusivity of everything made in the MB atelier in Italy, and at the end we all ended up commenting on Robin's wallet (I did not know that this new material is fire retardant!) 

All in all, a wonderful evening. I will miss this type of gatherings as I am leaving Singapore at the end of next month, but once again I'd like to say many thanks to Sincere and MB for their excellent setup and presentation. It was a true pleasure to have met and discussed with Jerome and I can attest that the brand is indeed steaming (and not simply going) ahead. From my end I shall more carefully scrutinize and follow the MB watch designs from now on, always with the ultimate target in mind: to some day acquire one.

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