Montblanc introduces wearable technology to fine watchmaking

HAMBURG, Germany, Jan. 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Smart wearable technology is one of the most talked about topics in the watch world in the past months. In January 2015, Montblanc will be the first luxury brand to combine wearable technology with fine watchmaking in the centuries old Swiss horological tradition.

The Maison introduces the TimeWalker Urban Speed e-Strap, marrying a highly functional e-Strap with contemporary TimeWalker timepieces. The e-Strap is an interchangeable strap, with an integrated technology device that offers an activity tracker, smart notifications, remote controls and Find-Me functions. It connects, via Bluetooth Low Energy, to selected Android and iOS smartphones. For the first time, an owner will be able to wear a mechanical timepiece with highly useful digital functionality.

Montblanc continues to underline the technicity, performance and avant-garde appeal of this watch line, its dynamic appeal is further highlighted by the use of contemporary material mixes featuring red design elements on a pure black background.

This collection extension contains three new models including a chronograph and a UTC.

The e-Strap device

The e-Strap device offers a variety of functionality.

Smart notifications, signaled by vibrations provide an alert of incoming communication without the need to look at the smartphone. It enables the preview of e-mails by topic and sender, read text messages, see incoming calls and status updates of social media feeds or reminders of important upcoming meetings, all on the wrist.

The activity tracker is a simple tool to monitor  the  wearer´s physical activity over time and keep track of his personal daily goals. To do so, it measures the number of steps taken per day, calories burnt and the distance travelled. The accompanying smartphone application enables the of progress per week and month. The e-Strap will remind the wearer to stay active through unobtrusive vibration alerts and show at a glance the daily progress.

The remote controls are useful for controlling the smartphone with the e-Strap. The camera remote enables the taking of pictures with the smartphone by triggering the shutter with a tap on the e-Strap thus allowing better and easier selfies or group shots.

Playing, pausing, and skipping music on the smartphone can be also remotely steered with the music control function of the e-Strap.

Additionally, the Find-Me function allows searching for the watch or phone within a range of up to 30 meters, either by tapping on the e-Strap to find the smartphone or by using the smartphone application to find the watch.

The e-Strap device has an inbuilt touch screen display, readable in daylight, to display the information and navigate through the functionalities. The technical device is encapsulated in a stainless steel case with rubber protection and can be easily fixed and adjusted with the pass-through strap.

Depending on usage, the device needs to be recharged every 5 days using a standard micro-USB cable. The e-Strap is compatible with Samsung Galaxy S4, S5, Note 3, Note 4, selected Android Devices running Android 4.3 and upwards as well as Apple iPhone 4S, 5, 5C, 5S, 6 and 6 plus. 

The Leather e-Strap

The TimeWalker collection e-Strap is equipped with a pass-through strap made of the innovative Montblanc Extreme Leather. The Extreme leather wristband created by the Montblanc Pelleteria in Florence, perfectly matches with the timepiece: markedly technical while retaining a sporty yet elegant appearance.
Due to its innovative manufacturing process, the upper surface of the leather wristband has a characteristic carbon appearance. In a long and meticulous process, the leather is textured and simultaneously impregnated with an innovative treatment that does not only coat the surface of the wristband, but also bonds with it and increases its structural strength. This innovative technique produces a high-performance and innovative leather, delivering abrasion resistance, water repellence and heat wear-, water- and fire-resistant.
The e-Strap device can be easily fixed and adjusted with the pass-through to all strap sizes 20/22mm.

Three new timepieces for the Timewalker collection

The collection extension will introduce three new models - all of them equipped with mechanical automatic winding movements living up to the highest standards of traditional Swiss fine watchmaking: a chronograph, a UTC (United Time Coordinated) with a second time zone and a three hands watch with the essential functionality of hours, minutes, seconds and date.

The expressive design of the 42 or 43-millimetre case, which combines clean lines with architectural shapes, made the Montblanc TimeWalker family of Montblanc timepieces instantly recognizable right from the outset. Blending sporty elegance and masculinity, the Montblanc TimeWalker carries its unique aesthetics and features the signature skeletonised horns, a narrow bezel, a large dial with Arabic numerals in a distinctive, clearly contoured typography, and the characteristic lancet-shaped hands.
Instantly, the "cold grey" micro-blasted steel case or the black DLC ( Diamond like carbon) coating, witness to its dynamic spirit and technical elegance.

This sporty elegance continues on the dial, making use of its black background to accentuate the white numerals and dynamic red second hands common to all three models.
The window in the case back offers a clear view of the automatic mechanical calibre which guarantees reliability and precision. All calibres of the TimeWalker Urban Speed e-Strap program are manufactured in accord with all the rules that govern the art of Swiss fine watchmaking. They oscillate at a steady pace of 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour (4 Hz).

All TimeWalker Urban Speed e-Strap models will be available in markets in June 2015 with or without the e-Strap device.

TimeWalker Urban Speed e-Strap with e-Strap device (all prices German RSP incl. 19% VAT)

Timewalker Urban Speed automatic e-Strap, 42mm – 2.990 euros
Timewalker Urban Speed UTC e-Strap– 3.990 euros
Timewalker Urban Speed chronograph e-Strap – 4.690 euros
E-Strap, compatible with iPhone 4S, Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy S4 and upwards  – 350 euros

Montblanc e-Strap
Ident. 113827

Montblanc TimeWalker Urban Speed Chronograph e-Strap
Ident. 112604

Montblanc TimeWalker Urban Speed UTC e-Strap
Ident. 113828

Montblanc TimeWalker Urban Speed Date Automatic e-Strap
Ident. 113850

SOURCE Montblanc