Shall I trade my Montblanc to GMT batman or 116710LN? Opinion Needed!

[theseira]

It is a price to pay for most of the new collectors. Try to refrain from impulse purchase again in the future.

Hi el, understood that

Am forget to mention also, another factor which caused my immediate purchased that time is also due to I got a very very good discount, I dont think I able get that kind of offer from any other AD and not to say from the boutique.

I think this is the watch that I purchased with the biggest 'gain' and satisfying on the price offered which not many ppl able get it.

The subc and RO , I think I got only a reasonable discount in the market which many also able get it same as what I obtained.

Just my personnel opinion. 

Montblanc is famous for its writing instruments not watches. For me it is quite disappointing that Montblanc now is using "its name" to manufacture leather goods, eyewear, jewelries and watches which I believe is not their specialty. That is why it is fair to receive a huge retail discount for one. But since you mentioned that not many ppl will be able to get the price you had I suggest that you sell for the price you had or close to the price you had it for. That what I would do. Then I'd use the money to go buy another Rolex or AP. 

[harkensng]

It is a price to pay for imho.ost of the new collectors. Try to refrain from impulse purchase again in the future.

this is good advice but sometimes hard to follow. Everyone has some impulse purchase story to tell IMHO.   

[Yikkie]

Keep the Montblanc. With Jerome Lambert (ex CEO of JLC) at the helm and the ownership of Minerva, MB is getting the right kind of attention and a brand on the up.  50% is too much to lose for a great looking watch like the NR you have.  Ironically, you might lose less by keeping and enjoying the watch for a longer period of time. 

[Yikkie]

Moreover, like a few members already mentioned, the GMT looks very similar to your Sub-C.  I see no point in that unless you are an avid Rolex collector.  Why not consider other brands like Zenith, GO, JLC or even IWC if you do decide to trade in the MB? 

[Calibr]

Trade in for the Batman, it's a beautiful watch, and it's a Rolex!

[sidestreaker]

With so many voices and opinion, I wonder what is the decision from the OP?

So John8899, to keep or not to keep? More importantly why? We'd like to hear how we have swayed your decision?

[john8899]

With so many voices and opinion, I wonder what is the decision from the OP?

So John8899, to keep or not to keep? More importantly why? We'd like to hear how we have swayed your decision?

Thanks guys for the opinion.

Sidestreaker, am still thinking...during I put up this topic for opinion..my mind was thinking about 40/60 (keep/trade), now is about 70/30...especially after read about your opinion, it boosts up my mind more to keep it.

the reason why it still not 100% for keeping it now, mainly just am concerning I may later still trade it and then will get even lower trade value, am now just want to confirm whether I will treat this watch as one of my permanent collection or not if decided to keep it.

[contender]

Montblanc is famous for its writing instruments not watches. For me it is quite disappointing that Montblanc now is using "its name" to manufacture leather goods, eyewear, jewelries and watches which I believe is not their specialty. That is why it is fair to receive a huge retail discount for one. But since you mentioned that not many ppl will be able to get the price you had I suggest that you sell for the price you had or close to the price you had it for. That what I would do. Then I'd use the money to go buy another Rolex or AP. 
[/quote]

Agreed 100%

[harkensng]

Keep the Montblanc. With Jerome Lambert (ex CEO of JLC) at the helm and the ownership of Minerva, MB is getting the right kind of attention and a brand on the up.  50% is too much to lose for a great looking watch like the NR you have.  Ironically, you might lose less by keeping and enjoying the watch for a longer period of time.

this is correct. Montblanc is a up and coming brand with potential. Hold on to it!!!! 

God bless....

[dpkong]

You bought it because it appealed to you and the nice discount closed the deal.

Now you want to sell it because you think it's not worth what you paid for it or it's value will drop in future?

From your current collection, money is obviously not a major concern but you want to maintain your "investment" in them. That's a mistake.

Keep the MB. Ignore comments about them only being good at making pens. This watch is interesting visually and mechanically and I've always stopped to look at it. Just couldn't afford to fork out the money for it. The Batman or GMT will be a common watch and being a normal Rolex model, you can just add it anytime in future.

[rainbowfix]

You bought it because it appealed to you and the nice discount closed the deal.

Now you want to sell it because you think it's not worth what you paid for it or it's value will drop in future?

From your current collection, money is obviously not a major concern but you want to maintain your "investment" in them. That's a mistake.

Keep the MB. Ignore comments about them only being good at making pens. This watch is interesting visually and mechanically and I've always stopped to look at it. Just couldn't afford to fork out the money for it. The Batman or GMT will be a common watch and being a normal Rolex model, you can just add it anytime in future.

+1 keep the MB. Great looking watch.

[Calibr]

It's normal to fall in and out of love with watches - as for the Mont Blanc, you probably bought it after reading some marketing-driven reviews. These brands are good at this game. Of the 3 watches you have, MB is likely to have the least wrist time, the AP and Sub C overshadowing it.

Life is short, you want the Batman now, go for it. You can always buy back the Mont Blanc NR if it appeals to you again. The MB NR is not going to go up in value the longer you keep it.

[tonykpk]

People , this  mb model has one of the best chronograph movement created with vertical clutch and column wheel with a pr of 70hrs and single pusher that can be compared with the best like the daytona, JLC chrono, PP chrono and of course the Ap RO chronograph that uses Fedderic Piquet"s movement. Although i do not own  any MB watch , i have ample materials for knowledge on chronograph .Confined them to just a pen maker would not be fair to them until you start operation on the chrono of the Nicolas Rieussec. regards tony

Montblanc is famous for its writing instruments not watches. For me it is quite disappointing that Montblanc now is using "its name" to manufacture leather goods, eyewear, jewelries and watches which I believe is not their specialty. That is why it is fair to receive a huge retail discount for one. But since you mentioned that not many ppl will be able to get the price you had I suggest that you sell for the price you had or close to the price you had it for. That what I would do. Then I'd use the money to go buy another Rolex or AP. 

Agreed 100%
[/quote]

[sidestreaker]

Thank you Tony for the information. I've tried a couple and I can confirm that the chrono operation and it is very very smooth...

[sidestreaker]

It is a bit oversimplifying to just dismiss Montblanc only because of their pen-manufacturing background.  They have been coming with some really good stuff lately and as mentioned by Yikkie, Jerome Lambert coming on board is promising.

Granted that most of their entry level watches are sellita/eta based and can easily be dismissed as fashion watches (then again nothing wrong with that, just may not be appealing enough for some of us watch enthusiast, they are still some good watches nonetheless).

However, just look at some of the MB Minerva Villeret's pieces, they'll put most of the current line production watches to shame! I believe they are few manufacturing house left that actually produce their own balance spring for some of the pieces.

Don't just look at the label, look what's behind it.

[dennis.T]

Agreed with sidestreaker and tony, if you think MB is another fashion house who just want to diversify their business means they are not serious in Horology thn how abt Cartier? Their santos is iconic even Cartier start up as jewelry maker. How abt watches from bvlgari (GG and DR) ? Hermes? Not worth to mention?
Cheers

[theseira]

An interesting article from the watch snob:

Hi,

Now that Montblanc is making watches in addition to its fine pens, and also just developed its own movement, would you buy its watches? I really like its Star Chronograph Automatic, but is this just a designer watch or the real deal?

Thanks

Instead of answering your question, I will tell you an anecdote of my most recent visit to a Montblanc boutique and let you decide if they are worth buying. I walk in and am greeted by a lovely woman. I ask to speak with someone who knows about its watch line. She brings me over to their “timepieces expert.” They show me Montblanc’s new “in-house” watch, and I begin to wind the watch via the crown when the “timepieces expert” screams at me! He says: “No! You can’t wind it that way!” I inquired why; he proceeds to tell me that “some watches need to be wound by the crown, and some, called “automatic wristwatches,” can only be wound by shaking the watch,” and that if I were to wind it via the crown it would damage the movement, which couldn’t be less true. I launched into the necessary diatribe on how so very, very wrong he is and then walked out.

This is Montblanc’s timepiece expertise at its best? If you want a pen, go to Montblanc; if you want a watch, buy it from a watch company.

[john8899]

An interesting article from the watch snob:

Hi,

Now that Montblanc is making watches in addition to its fine pens, and also just developed its own movement, would you buy its watches? I really like its Star Chronograph Automatic, but is this just a designer watch or the real deal?

Thanks

Instead of answering your question, I will tell you an anecdote of my most recent visit to a Montblanc boutique and let you decide if they are worth buying. I walk in and am greeted by a lovely woman. I ask to speak with someone who knows about its watch line. She brings me over to their “timepieces expert.” They show me Montblanc’s new “in-house” watch, and I begin to wind the watch via the crown when the “timepieces expert” screams at me! He says: “No! You can’t wind it that way!” I inquired why; he proceeds to tell me that “some watches need to be wound by the crown, and some, called “automatic wristwatches,” can only be wound by shaking the watch,” and that if I were to wind it via the crown it would damage the movement, which couldn’t be less true. I launched into the necessary diatribe on how so very, very wrong he is and then walked out.

This is Montblanc’s timepiece expertise at its best? If you want a pen, go to Montblanc; if you want a watch, buy it from a watch company.

hi theseira,

I'd read on this article as well from askme.com, in fact, it used to be one of my reason made me felt of trading my MB.

However, when I think further, its that fair enuf to put the remark that MB watch is not worth to buy just due to incompetency of 1 or 2 personnel who are those just work at the boutique?

[tonykpk]

Not only you feel the smoothness when you engage to start  or stop the chrono, you will also feel that other hands doesnt jump when you do that on all vertical coupling movements. You can try an AP ROOC  against the AP Roc ( uses a Fredderic Piquet VC movement), than you will know what i"m trying to say. regards tony

Thank you Tony for the information. I've tried a couple and I can confirm that the chrono operation and it is very very smooth...

[sidestreaker]

An interesting article from the watch snob:

Hi,

Now that Montblanc is making watches in addition to its fine pens, and also just developed its own movement, would you buy its watches? I really like its Star Chronograph Automatic, but is this just a designer watch or the real deal?

Thanks

Instead of answering your question, I will tell you an anecdote of my most recent visit to a Montblanc boutique and let you decide if they are worth buying. I walk in and am greeted by a lovely woman. I ask to speak with someone who knows about its watch line. She brings me over to their “timepieces expert.” They show me Montblanc’s new “in-house” watch, and I begin to wind the watch via the crown when the “timepieces expert” screams at me! He says: “No! You can’t wind it that way!” I inquired why; he proceeds to tell me that “some watches need to be wound by the crown, and some, called “automatic wristwatches,” can only be wound by shaking the watch,” and that if I were to wind it via the crown it would damage the movement, which couldn’t be less true. I launched into the necessary diatribe on how so very, very wrong he is and then walked out.

This is Montblanc’s timepiece expertise at its best? If you want a pen, go to Montblanc; if you want a watch, buy it from a watch company.

hi theseira,

I'd read on this article as well from askme.com, in fact, it used to be one of my reason made me felt of trading my MB.

However, when I think further, its that fair enuf to put the remark that MB watch is not worth to buy just due to incompetency of 1 or 2 personnel who are those just work at the boutique?

I'm afraid Watch Snob's opinions and sense of judgement is best served in a fashion police magazine (oh wait, he already is).  He's interesting, provocative and entertaining (not in a good way) but unfortunately can't be taken seriously enough.

The world of horology publication and review would be boring without him, I'd admit that. I suppose someone has to be a clown, eh?

[john8899]

Hi Tony

Not an expert here, however would like to  share  on my feeling on when press either start/stop/reset, its gave me a smooth feel but also a feeling of  'loose' , not the solid feel.

Is that normal or it just my watch do has problem?

[theseira]

Sidetracker your a cool person and you take really nice pics with your mobile phone but I am afraid I have to agree with the watch snob on this one.

The thing with MB for me is that it is not a watch company and if you look at the secondary market you will find that the value of MB pieces are heavily discounted and I mean seriously heavy.

Why do you think that the person only offering John 50% of the price he paid for the MB piece.

[sidestreaker]

Sidetracker your a cool person and you take really nice pics with your mobile phone but I am afraid I have to agree with the watch snob on this one.

The thing with MB for me is that it is not a watch company and if you look at the secondary market you will find that the value of MB pieces are heavily discounted and I mean seriously heavy.

Why do you think that the person only offering John 50% of the price he paid for the MB piece.

It is just based on one simple reason: To remove or minimize the the market value factor for the consideration for John, and hope that he will gain more in terms of pure emotional satisfaction and not just only gain in monetary terms .

Whoever did a low-ball offer of that watch for John is either too ignorant to value the fact and the business behind it, or just trying to take advantage of the Montblanc stigma as non-watch manufacturer. This certainly is not enough to be an indicator. In any case, making decision on market value alone is a bit too one dimensional, don't you think?

Though there's not enough facts now for me to elaborate on the depreciating rate of this watch, but it does not rule out the fact that it is a very well assembled watch, and worthy of some love and attention. Just because (if) there is a lack of demand out there doesn't mean that Le Locle did not do a good job with this particular piece. Some of us here have handled and tried it on personally and found it to be convincing enough.

My justification on Montblanc stand is that Richemont has decided that they (MB) have the capability in bringing up these manufacturer to the next level of exposure with their marketing expertise, and by carrying their label. They (MB) did not just jump into the bandwagon for the sake of diversifying their product. MB gets to ride on some of the reputation of Villaret and Le Loche as a serious watch brand in the market and in return, these manufacturers gets the benefit of marketing and financial sustainability.  It is a known risk that the stigma of being a fashion watch would surface (and it did, and most likely will take sometime to shake off) but that does not mean that they are selling bad watches, or they are not trying hard. The exceptional quality of their watches is a testament to this.

[sidestreaker]

Hi Tony

Not an expert here, however would like to  share  on my feeling on when press either start/stop/reset, its gave me a smooth feel but also a feeling of  'loose' , not the solid feel.

Is that normal or it just my watch do has problem?

I too am interested in what Tony's opinion on this. I too feel a bit of looseness in the button, but I find it rather pleasant, compared to say a Valjoux that has a harder 'snap' to it. Perhaps it is the smoothness of the vertical clutch+column wheel?

Also, I like how the minute counter moves smoothly instead of snapping to the next minute.

[notmanic]

my 2 cents may not be worth much...

just keep the MB (since John mentioned that the resale value is bad currently) and believe you me, John will still find ways to get the Rollie of his choice... however, it all boils down to John's will... if he already has that perceived flaw, it will only be forgotten today but be reminded tomorrow...

am personally not a big fan of a diversified brand heading into the watch biz but believe that this particular watch has a lot of firsts... keep it as a novelty and as a reminder never to be impulsive on purchases...

if in doubt, always stick to the watchmakers... has been my mantra in choosing other high-involvement items such as cameras, shoes, etc. unless emotional appeal really runs high...