KIH[Purist]
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Dinner with Jerome Lambert, Montblanc Japan, and some Connoiseurs
Jun 01, 2014,01:59 AM
On the same day, I was invited again to the dinner with Messrs. Jerome Lambert and Jorge Puentes, as well as Montblanc Japan's staff, including the boutique manager, along with several VIP guests.
There were a lot more novelties and unique pieces at the dinner venue.
Montblanc Meisterstuck Heritage Pulsograph on the left and Montblanc Villeret Vintage Tachydate on the right. Looks similar, but different.
43.5mm
Video of how the monopusher works:
Finally the dinner starts and Mr. Lambert is sitting next to me.
One very interesting question was posted to Mr. Lambert by one of the guests:
Q: What is the difference amongst JLC, ALS and Montblanc?
A: JLC is in terms of evolution, most effective in its manufacturing process now. Lange was resurrected in the 90s with as much original DNA as possible from the old Lange brand. It therefore has a good traditional way of making watches. Montblanc, on the other hand, is totally different, with its Villeret factory, which has 47 people and makes watches in the "pre-industrial" way. Look at the bridges of the Minerva movements (photo below, bridge on the right side) - they are polished in a traditional way, but further, it is polished into a 3D shape on the surface (look very closely). The tourbillon "infinity" bridge takes a week to make and polish. For escapement, JLC and ALS invested 150 people and EUR 20m while Minerva still makes everything with just 47 people almost manually.
Enjoy the dishes (with your eyes) for a while
Mr. Puentes is listening to the questions from the guests.
Mr. Lambert's pen.
Mr. Lambert demonstrates the unique lumi on the new "Homage to Nicolas Rieussec".
Here is how the chronograph works.
Sorry for my bad photo - but the Pulsograph has a Montblanc diamond at its 6h in the case.
Again, thank you very much Messrs. Lambert and Puentes, and all the Montblanc Japan staff as well as the boutique staff.
We had a very good time!
Ken
This message has been edited by KIH on 2014-06-01 02:19:37
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Breakfast with Jerome Lambert, CEO of Montblanc
By: KIH : June 1st, 2014-01:56
I had an opportunity to have breakfast with Mr. Jerome Lambert, global CEO of Montblanc the other day. I did the same thing when he visited Tokyo previously as the CEO of JLC and lucky me, he remembered that and invited me to join the breakfast. Similar t...
Dinner with Jerome Lambert, Montblanc Japan, and some Connoiseurs
By: KIH : June 1st, 2014-01:59
On the same day, I was invited again to the dinner with Messrs. Jerome Lambert and Jorge Puentes, as well as Montblanc Japan's staff, including the boutique manager, along with several VIP guests. There were a lot more novelties and unique pieces at the d...
Very insightful interview Ken!
By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : June 1st, 2014-02:36
I already look forward to Montblanc's offering in SIHH 2015! 2014 has been a great year for Montblanc so far with a very strong lineup of novelties (I will do a post to show some of the new Meisterstuck Heritage already on sale in Singapore soon) and base...
Thanks Robin!
By: KIH : June 1st, 2014-19:47
2014 is just the beginning, I felt. 2015 will see more "collaboration" between Le Locle and Villeret factories.... and I can't wait for such "fusion" :-) Ken
Yes, it is!
By: KIH : June 1st, 2014-19:48
... although people around him got extremely busy :-) But he has Olivier and I am sure MB is all in good hands. Ken
Ken, I'm incredibly jealous...
By: jeffrey2 : June 1st, 2014-09:03
of the watches, company of Mr. Lambert, and the fabulous dinner. Montblanc seems to be taking a lesson from Lange and Minerva in executing nicely finished and interesting movements. Thank you for sharing these with us. Jeff.
Thanks, Jeff.
By: KIH : June 1st, 2014-19:50
.. Actually Minerva has been making watches/ finishing in the same way for a very long time. Interesting movement or design of the movement may have come from other Richemont companies, but their watchmaking sounds like very "manual", which Jerome calls "...
Thanks a lot Ken for the interview and report.
By: foversta : June 1st, 2014-10:00
He has a lot of challenges ahead but we could already saw his influence at the SIHH 2014. And we don't have to forget that he also has to spend a lot of time on the other pillars of the activity. Huge job! Fx
Yup!
By: KIH : June 1st, 2014-19:51
He seemed so excited about being at the helm of such a HUGE brand - and looking forward to making the future of Montblanc. We must keep an eye on it! Ken
Interesting and refreshing ...
By: small-luxury-world : June 2nd, 2014-02:49
is what comes to my mind, after reading your post/interview my dear Ken. Even when I had the pleasure to see the novelties in Geneva, I appreciate it a lot to see them again - through your eyes. Thanks a lot for sharing! Oliver
Thanks Oliver...
By: KIH : June 2nd, 2014-04:01
.. What I am always impressed is that Jerome LOVES watches... not as common as we hope in the industry. Ken
Thanks, Echi!
By: KIH : June 10th, 2014-22:59
I am very happy to hear that! Yes, Mr. Lambert is so energetic about this brand and he will surely succeed in the light speed! Best, Ken
A great interview...
By: patrick_y : June 13th, 2014-10:35
Trickle down theory works at Montblanc watchmaking. The stuff from Villeret will trickle down to normal Montblanc watches. What shocked me was that Le Locle is producing 80,000 watches a year. That is a lot of watches! And that he said Montblanc is 2nd in...
My pleasure!
By: KIH : June 13th, 2014-17:35
Hi Patrick! Well, I didn't know I have revealed so much here :-) He was ever so eloquent this time, hahaha. Hope all is well! Ken
It's either...
By: patrick_y : June 13th, 2014-18:13
It's either you revealed a lot, or I had too much wool over my eyes. And I think you revealed a lot. It's certainly counter-intuitive to think that Montblanc makes more units than Jaeger-LeCoultre. Thanks again Ken!