Counter-counterpoints

Oct 07, 2008,03:15 AM
 


Agree with you MTF that it's commendable that MB are readying themselves to become yet another high end watch brand in the market. Initially I was sceptical since their quality left a lot to be desired and we've seen too many luxury brands trying to get away with horological murder in trying to invade the lucrative watch market on a shoestring. But they've done better than that, are increasing their quality and offering interesting new products of which tis is undeniably one.

That said, however, there's the matter of price point. It seems to me that MB are asking a price for their products as if they were already there - which they ain't. Happens too often to my taste: the MBs of this world see how lucrative high end horology can be and think 'we can get a bite of that too'! The current top-of-the line watchmakers have earned their spurs and have reached exalted levels of quality and perfection. You can debate about current high end price levels but if anyone merits to be paid those usurious amounts, it's them. MB are yet to prove that they can take their seat at the Olympus. Pending that, it's not right to ask Olympic prices for their apprenticeship.

Sorry for the rant, just my two sant (OK I'm bad at rhyming)
Jos.

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Montblanc Star Nicolas Rieussec Review

 
 By: AnthonyTsai : October 6th, 2008-15:04
Montblanc Star Nicolas Rieussec Review by Anthony Tsai & VL Kong © October 2008 History of Montblanc Montblanc was founded in 1906 at Hamburg, Germany by 3 people from diverse backgrounds - a stationer, an engineer and a banker - solely to manufacture fou...  

Thanks Anthony

 
 By: SJX : October 6th, 2008-20:45

Counterpoints

 
 By: MTF : October 6th, 2008-21:41
Anthony and Kong, First - thanks for an in-depth review and on-the-wrist test drive. Next - as you mentioned, the power of digital macro photography is too scary for regualr consumers. We are not surprised to find flaws even on pieces by "acknowledged" ma... 

Counter-counterpoints

 
 By: Jos. : October 7th, 2008-03:15

Great review!

 
 By: Peter  : October 7th, 2008-03:07
Thks for sharing

Great Review Anthony, Thanks

 
 By: NJ_Mark : October 7th, 2008-07:33
Do you know if these have been released to the Boutiques yet?

Fantastic review gentlemen.

 
 By: MichaelC : October 7th, 2008-09:11

Thanks a lot for this superb review !

 
 By: foversta : October 7th, 2008-13:32
...  

A mighty dress watch…

 
 By: AndrewD : October 7th, 2008-17:17
Great review, guys. Although the Nicolas Rieussec has the more formal appearance of a dress watch (given the RG case and the fonts used on the dial), saying that a 43x14.7mm watch is a dress watch and that “the case is a perfect height for a dress watch t... 

I agree BUT

 
 By: MTF : October 8th, 2008-01:56
Andrew, I agree that "dress watch" may be a stretch because of the chronograph fucntions irrespective of case size. About size acceptability.......Anthony is a Panerai and AP Offshore fan......so I guess his idea of "dress watch" size may be skewed! Regar... 

I should have put a smiley face in there..

 
 By: AndrewD : October 8th, 2008-04:01
Thanks for your comments, Melvyn. You're right about dress watches and 'complications' of course. Actually the case of this Montblanc chronograph is rather elegantly shaped, and I can forgive Anthony describing it as a "dress watch", particularly if it wa... 

Exactly what MTF said

 
 By: AnthonyTsai : October 8th, 2008-06:20

impressive writeup..

 
 By: rijowysock : October 7th, 2008-19:45

Wow, Anthony, that's what I call a Review!

 
 By: amanico : October 9th, 2008-13:08
Informative, detailed, with very nice pics and a superb text, that's a great work, here.. Congrats to you and Kong! As for the watch, I still don't know what to think. The finish seems ok, the design is not bad, so what does this watch miss??? Legitimity?... 

If MONTBLANC was NOT on the dial?

 
 By: MTF : October 16th, 2008-22:39
What if this watch was presented to you with an established watch brand name on the dial? Would that give it more legitimacy? Interesting "thought experiment"............ Maybe we should review watches without brand names printed on the dial: a bit like b... 

Awesome review! [nt]

 
 By: Davo : February 26th, 2009-04:09