Paying $5k for a MontBlanc?

[ThatSubGuy]

In search of a dressier watch I went to my AD and tried on the IWC Portofino as from pictures I really liked it. On the wrist it was a little on the small side though and I tried looking for something bigger in the same pricerange.

I was escorted over to MontBlanc and had a chance to try on this:


And I must say, it looked nice on my wrist, exactly the right size+shape. Loved the complications of having time, date, day, month, AND moonphase at the price of just around $5k. Before pulling the trigger I reminded myself, am I really going to pay $5k for a Montblanc? To me, it is still a fashion-watch brand. It's not an inhouse movement either, as far as I understood, it runs on an ETA/Sellita with some added modules for the complications. Not an annual calender of course at this price either. But.. My god..

Any thoughts on MB as a watch brand? Am I better off spending a bit more and getting a JLC/IWC without all the complications?

[vladamir15]

I would not. Go with jlc or iwc imo.

[hugs]

Would you spend $5k on a Rolex pen?

[statsman]

I like MontBlanc a lot, even though the idea is funny- the march of technology made their primary product (fine fountain pens) obsolete, so they expanded into...mechanical watches.

I think it's a good product, finely designed, well made and a good value. The ETA may cement is something that you will probably still be able to find a watchmaker for in a few decades, if you're a "buy and keep" guy (like me). Unlike, possibly, an inhouse movement from a smaller (more prestigious) brand.

[HobokenRolex]

They are nice watches and improved in the past few years. The former CEO was previously at JLC and at Lange before that. I'd buy carefully as resale is likely to take a big hit. Good value if you can get a good price.

[Le Chef]

The Montblancs that use Minerva movements are definitely worth the money, if you can find one that is...

[samshah]

I've had two MBs in the past. Nice watches but not comprable to the other makes mentioned in this thread. Don't get me wrong, the Heritage Manual wind in SS is a great value under $2k FMV. However, above that price point is a different game and makes.

[lapince]

A friend of mi e got a Montblanc chrono in rose gold used for I think 7K, with brands like Montblanc look at what are the prices used, and either get used or new but the closest to used, as was said resale will be painful, even if you buy to keep, no one likes to see that what they bought for 5K lost almost 50% the moment they walked out the shop's door...

[artschool]

fashion brand

[Wahlberg]

Originally Posted by artschool

fashion brand

They took a completely different direction and approach with Jerome Lambert. I don't think it's fair to label them as such, anymore.

I wouldn't spend 5k on this watch either (I have other needs) but they have several decent watches that are hard to beat. Such as the chronometre ultra slim for 2k. I am sure you can get a discount and bring it down a few hundred.

[ThatSubGuy]

Thank you for the replies, it was as I thought. I think had it been around 2k I would have probably bought it. I just couldn't get myself to spend around 5k for what essentially is a "fashion-brand" selling 100 different items other than watches.

Like you also mention, resale value is going to drop significantly and I'm really not 100% that this is going to be a long-time keeper..

Will look at JLC instead, cheers.

[belligero]

Originally Posted by ThatSubGuy

Thank you for the replies, it was as I thought. I think had it been around 2k I would have probably bought it. I just couldn't get myself to spend around 5k for what essentially is a "fashion-brand" selling 100 different items other than watches.

Like you also mention, resale value is going to drop significantly and I'm really not 100% that this is going to be a long-time keeper..

Will look at JLC instead, cheers.

To be fair, it's less of a fashion watch than what IWC offers at $5K. ;)

JLC is better, though don't expect much on resale from them, either.

[Fleetlord]

No Way

[regnant]

As much as I like their watches there're better brands to go for in that price segment.

[statsman]

This is a terrific topic. Everybody has different values driving them to
Different choices.

To some, resale is important. To others, who want to buy and keep a watch for decades, it isn't.

To some, a unique in house movement is important, as a sign of horological quality. To others, perhaps concerned about the ease of sourcing a watchmaker to maintain it, this is less vital.

I would like a dress watch. I have some money, but not enough to be comfortable paying $20k for the exact watch I want- new, yellow gold case, center seconds, Arabic numerals in theBreguet style- but I also don't want to compromise my desired features either at the price I can pay.

MontBlanc almost has the watch I want- but in a SS case with a gold bezel. Cellini almost has the watch I want, but no Arabic numerals and in Rose (not yellow) gold (but owning a Cellini long term would be so easy!). Omega- no Arabic numerals. Breguet- so expensive and where would I get it maintained? Ulysses Nardin- would there be watchmakers to tend it in 30 years? Omega- no Arabic numerals. See my dilemma?

[Skyrider01]

If you are looking at something similar to that MontBlanc, spend a little more and get the JLC Master Calendar. Yes, it's almost double the price new, but a lot better watch. And you likely will be able to get one for 2 or 3k more than the MontBlanc.

[capote]

I have a MB pen I like a lot, but they also make perfumes, watches and on top of that the Minerva powered chronograph with a finish that can compete with the best of them. The business model seems to be all over the place.

[EDL7]

I think the thin Montblanc Heritage 2 hander in rose gold is around $3300- at Joma..
..for a 18K gold watch worn once in a blue moon like most dress watches are...not a bad deal to get into real gold..
Here is your model for 3K...
http://www.jomashop.com/montblanc-watch-108736.html
and the gold one..
http://www.jomashop.com/montblanc-watch-112516.html
Another nice one...
http://www.jomashop.com/montblanc-watch-112535.html
Sure..they are not JLC...but for the prices...

[Maiden]

Isnt the Portofino a modified ETA/Selitta?

[airchitect]

I wouldn't buy anything they make that wasn't a pen

[Le Chef]

Before you dismiss Montblanc wholesale take a look here: Montblanc has introduced which uses the old Minerva atelier to produce the good stuff which is way above any brand mentioned in this thread.

[scarlet knight]

[willski]

Originally Posted by Le Chef

Before you dismiss Montblanc wholesale take a look here: Montblanc has introduced which uses the old Minerva atelier to produce the good stuff which is way above any brand mentioned in this thread.

I actually bought one of these. The finishing is as good as my Lange chrono (albeit with not as much initial visual drama). A large watch but one which I enjoy tremendously.

Nonetheless I agree with many of the points here, at $5k would probably go JLC.

[breitlings]

Eta>selitta imo.

[vman]

I would not dismiss Montblanc. But if I had $5K to spend on a watch like the OP mentioned in the first post, I'd go with a pre-loved JLC. Scroll through the For Sale section and you'll see a few within the price range.

[tmw84]

I think you have to ask yourself why you want a dressy watch.

If it's just for the looks then 5k even for a new watch is rather expensive.

If you liked the looks and wanted the complications then 5k is a rather good deal in a watch.

If you care about the horological history and design then probably something in-house would be better, but not at this price range.

If you are concerned about what other people think when you wear a Montblanc, then buy a more recognizable watch brand.

At the end of the day it just depends on why you want this "dressy watch"


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[statsman]

That's a great point.

Damn. It's almost as if people can bring different values to the same question and get different answers.

[subtona]

Nice movements but I wouldn't.

[cervantes]

The minerva models are something else. Though the size is....

[jon_jon]

At the $5K price range, Montblanc has to compete with watch companies with history and pedigree like JLC, IWC and Omega. I would have a hard time purchasing a Montblanc watch at this price range.

Someone suggested the JLC Master Calendar pre-owned, which is a great idea. For a dress watch, there are many options for simple 2-hand or 3-hand watches from pretty much every single Swiss watch company.