Montblanc has always been a pioneering company, constantly breaking new ground. Today, the spirit of innovation and very forward-thinking, modern direction is stronger than ever, and allows the Maison to keep pushing forward. Fine craftsmanship paired with passion for innovation is our vision of excellence and the Maison’s foundation and guiding principle that can be seen in all our creations. A very good example of this forward-thinking approach is when we introduced bronze to our 1858 collection this year. A first for the Maison, this resulted in vintage-inspired timepieces that captured the spirit of the past in a modern way. The 1858 collection reinterprets the famous Minerva chronographs from the 1930s, with distinct designs and exceptional mechanics that traverse time and demonstrates vintage watchmaking at its finest.
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As a Maison that focuses on innovation, we are always keeping a close eye on the latest trend reports, and we are looking more and more into target groups like the Millennials. For these young professionals, it is all about individuality and self-expression. We have a portfolio of products that gives them different ways to express their style, and many of our products offer customisable options such as different straps and even watch faces on our Summit smartwatch.
Our consumers’ digital demands are getting more significant and Montblanc is very forward thinking in this aspect. This is not just displayed through our product range – for example the Augmented Paper or Montblanc Summit – but also in how we reach the younger audience with digital campaigns and how we transmit the aspiration and vision of our Maison and our creations. Digital is not the only way to reach the Millennials. We are reaching them through our innovative products, through our brand ambassadors who represent all attributes of the Maison and also through an experiential retail channel, that we are continuously refining and developing. We are constantly looking to rethink, evolve and explore new methods of doing so, pushing ourselves to think about how we can make the Maison more and more relevant in today’s world, and appealing to a fast-paced generation of achievers and creative thinkers.
The Summit launch has been a huge success, and the watch sold out rapidly in many markets. Chinese customers especially appreciated this high-end smartwatch that served as a digital interpretation of fine watchmaking with its classic and vintage look.
Although they are very different characters they both represent all attributes of the Maison. Yang Yang, as one of the greatest actors of his generation, is the best example of the New Code of Manhood, being energetic, self-assured and confident in expressing himself. There are many Montblanc aficionados among the Millennials who share the same values as Yang Yang, striving for self-expression and individualization.
Hugh Jackman inspires and enthrals audiences worldwide with the quality of his performances. A true visionary that does things differently, he is the perfect embodiment of the Maison’s unrelenting desire to pioneer with sophisticated, elegant, innovative and high quality products.
It feels great and we are honoured that so many people were tuning in to partake in this fantastic event. It was a memorable night for us, and it makes us very proud.
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Yang Yang never stops chasing the best in every role and every shot, constantly pushing himself to deliver the finest performance. He has paved his way to becoming a cultural icon and inspires the younger generation, sharing the same values as them. He perfectly embodies the Maison’s vision of excellence, constantly moving ahead and pushing to the next level.
Our goal was to reinvent a classic by combining distinctive, sophisticated and timeless design codes. Its 20-year anniversary was the perfect occasion for this. We reinterpreted our iconic collection, by keeping its key elements, but enhancing the level of classical finishing and the sophistication of its design. The inspiration came from the extraordinary Minerva heritage that dates back to 1858 and the company’s pocket watches that were made during the late 19th century and early 20th century.
China is a very important market for us. It has evolved very rapidly in the past 15 years and clients are now looking for the top level of craftsmanship, quality and designs. Personalisation and a deep understanding of their wish for unique creations will be the key to developing our presence in this market even further. Chinese customers value fine craftsmanship and demand highest quality. Collections that offer timeless designs paired with true innovation are the real “trends” here. Customers are looking for lifetime companions that offer the finest craftsmanship, ultimate performance and impeccable design – and that is exactly what we express in all our creations.
Montblanc has been in the online business for several years now, and e-commerce has evolved as a legitimate sales channel with substantial share in key markets. We see it as a great opportunity to offer the best solutions for our customers. As digital technology becomes a central part of life it opens a whole new world in terms of purchasing experience. It is a great opportunity to target younger audiences and digital professionals as well.
In my opinion, omni-channel is the only answer for our client needs in the future. It has to go beyond e-commerce and should open a real experience and simplification for our customers. Their needs and demands are getting more and more differentiated and this will only increase in the next five years. As digital technology grows in importance and becomes a central part of life, it opens up a whole new world in terms of purchasing experiences – and this is where we need to continuously adapt to all the changes and circumstances in order to offer the best shopping experience to our clients.
We will keep innovation at the forefront of our Maison. For watches, we are aiming to become a serious player in the connected watches market. We also want to maintain our value proposition and lead in creating striking, clever complications. We will continue to leverage our unique history and heritage through communication of the Minerva manufacture, which marks 160 years of watchmaking expertise, next year. For leather goods and writing instruments, we will continue to innovate exploring new materials with the help of the savoir-faire of our artisans in both manufactures.