Philippine STAR Lifestyle Exclusive: Montblanc's journey through time

Montblanc certainly knows how to throw a party. Last Nov. 7, 3,500 guests gathered to celebrate the launch of Montblanc’s Star Nicolas Rieussec Monopusher Chronograph at the Beijing National Stadium, making it the first ever luxury brand to use the stadium after the Beijing Olympics.

The experience was unforgettable. The stadium was bedecked with lights and you could see it a mile away. Special guests went through time at the “Journey Room,” where they met Leonardo DaVinci, Alexander the Great and King Louis XIV. The time capsule showcased milestones in timekeeping, from the sundial of ancient Egypt to the Chinese water clock of the Song Dynasty (420-479 AD) and Louis XIV’s mechanical clock. A backdrop of paintings inspired by the Renaissance period, specifically Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, filled the room. It took three months and 60 workers and painters from all over China and Hong Kong to prepare the exhibit, while 300 people set them up for the event.

From the journey room, guests were led to an auditorium, which was converted into an exclusive lounge, bar and theater. Huge, round screens around the party room were suspended on the ceiling showing images of the performers inside and the VIPs walking the red carpet. Even the food and drinks were tailored for the event: the Montblanc star embellished the containers for appetizers, shot glasses and the servers’ uniforms. To add to the experience, a rock opera called Soulmaker was specifically written for the event as the culminating performance.

The detailed interior design of the Rieussec watch and Montblanc’s factory in Le Locle, Switzerland, served as the inspiration for the musical stage. About 50 actors, dancers and musicians — including Australian rock star MiG Ayesa who played the lead — performed in the opera. Every detail was marked with Montblanc’s philosophy of high quality and elegance.

“Despite a relatively short period of time in watchmaking, we have always been very determined to reach the pinnacle, as we have in the writing instruments industry,” explained Lutz Bethge, Montblanc International CEO, in an exclusive STAR interview. “Montblanc is always determined as a manufacturer, as a craftsman. If we start something, we intend to be an expert and excel in that area. That is why we took over a 150-year-old workshop two years ago to manufacture our timepieces,” Bethge added. 

Montblanc’s first chronograph was developed and manufactured entirely in the company’s own factory. “We put the same values in our watchmaking as those companies with a hundred-year history. Montblanc has become one of the very traditional Swiss manufacturers despite our only 11 years of experience. Through our reputation, creativity and passion we have attracted many master watchmakers in the industry, which makes up for our brief history,” Bethge explained.

 “When we started in the watch business, we came across a gentleman named Nicolas Rieussec who was a passionate watchmaker in the 19th century. He also had the passion for horseracing and this led to his chronograph invention.” In 1821 he made a wooden box containing a clock movement that drove two rotating dials on the lid. Above them was a fixed index that left a drop of ink in the rotating dials whenever a button was pushed. For the first time, the device made it possible to record the exact times put up by individual horses at racing events. The principle used gave the chronograph its Greek name, “chronos,” for time, and “graphien” for write. “The first movement of Montblanc had to be a homage to this invention because it is so close to the company’s history,” Bethge added. “It was as though it lay there waiting for Montblanc to pick it up.”

Montblanc’s first manufactured movement, which took more than a year of preparation, is well worth the wait. The distinct design tells the story of the first chronograph and the unique feature of rotating dials rather than the hands, giving the watch its unique appearance. The Star Nicolas Rieussec Monopusher Chronograph — with only a limited production in platinum, white, yellow and rose gold — is definitely a watch for connoisseurs.

Since Asia is the fastest growing market for Montblanc, the company picked Beijing for this grand launch. “In Asia, there are many true watch connoisseurs who are very interested in the fine details of watch-making,” said Bethge.

It was perfect timing, of course. Rieussec’s time writer was just waiting for Montblanc, a leader in writing instruments, to be noticed.

The journey was definitely well worth the wait.

* * *

Send queries and suggestions to w4@joyceorena.com