Montblanc Montre SA in Le Locle, Switzerland

An island in time – blending traditional values with contemporary style

Since its foundation in 1997, Montblanc Montre SA is located in an Art Nouveau villa in
Le Locle – the birthplace of traditional Swiss watch-making – where all Montblanc watches have been manufactured, combining finest craftsmanship and best Swiss watch-making tradition.
The success of the Montblanc watch collections shows that Montblanc has attained a secure place in the circle of renowned watchmakers and has become an important partner for jewellers. The ever-increasing demand for Montblanc watches and their rising significance within the Montblanc product range has necessitated an extension of the production facilities. Since summer 2003 a modern and transparent atrium-style building that has been carefully integrated into the landscape complements the historic Art Nouveau villa, reflecting the spirit of the Montblanc philosophy of combining traditional values with innovative ideas.

A symbiosis of historical and modern architecture

The headquarters of Montblanc Montre SA, an Art Nouveau villa built in 1906 and finished in 1907, is of the same age as the company Montblanc, which was founded in 1906 in Hamburg. Visitors of the manufacture have the opportunity not only to look over the watchmakers' shoulders as they work, but also to experience and enjoy the Montblanc philosophy.

For this purpose, the architectural masterpiece also offers five stylishly furnished suites with entirely private atmosphere and a park with historic pavillons equipped with desks to read and write. An island in time, where guests can experience the reliable values that the brand’s products with the white signature star have been committed to for nearly 100 years.

Since summer 2003 the historic manufacture has a modern face. With the new atrium, which is integrated in the landscape and which gives direct access to the existing building, the over-all surface is extended form 200 to 800 square meters. It now offers workspace for more than 40 employees and a maximum production capacity of up to 200.000 watches per year. Beyond the production facilities, product management and development as well as the sales and logistics departments are located here.
The Montblanc philosophy of bringing in line classic and modern values is also followed inside the building. Here, traditional values are blended with the innovative spirit of contemporary Swiss artists and their works, which decorate the walls of the new building.

The Montblanc Cutting Edge Art Collection

Montblanc is rooted in the culture of writing and therefore considers it a special responsibility to make its own cultural commitment. Beyond music and theatre projects as well as the Montblanc Arts Patronage Award, an unique international award for private patrons of the arts, this commitment also comprises contemporary art with the Montblanc Cutting Edge Art Collection.
It consists of more than 30 works – especially created for this collection – by internationally renowned artists. All works give an interpretation of the world-famous trademark of Montblanc, the white star, symbolising the snow-covered top of Mont Blanc mountain. In the Montblanc Cutting Edge Art Collection, which is mainly located at Montblanc’s Hamburg headquarters, three Swiss artists are represented: Sylvie Fleury, Ugo Rondinone and John Armleder. Their works are now exhibited in the new Montblanc Montre SA building and are accessible to employees and visitors alike.

Sylvie Fleury, born in 1961 in Geneva, became the darling of the international art world with her installations from the worlds of fashion and consumerism. At Montblanc Montre SA, she is represented with a neon Montblanc star created in 2002. Sylvie Fleury lives and works in Geneva.
Ugo Rondinone, born in 1964 in Brunnen, lives and works in Zurich and New York and, in his works, explores the ambivalence of the artificial and the real. His interpretation of the white star shown in Le Locle is especially colourful – an approach he is famous for.
John Armleder, last but not least, created a wall painting with variations of the white star on a black wall. Armleder was born in Geneva in 1948 and lives and works in Geneva and
New York.


A future with a heritage

The Montblanc Watch Collections comprise five different lines – Star, Sport, Profile, Summit and TimeWalker – as well as a series of Travel Timepieces. Like all Montblanc products, the watches, too, feature the same high standards of craftsmanship, which have always been associated with the company's legendary Meisterstück writing instruments. Each of these sophisticated timepieces represents Montblanc's commitment to traditional craftsmanship and is manufactured in Le Locle by watchmakers following the best Swiss watch making tradition, right down to the very last detail.

Montblanc Star Collection

Noble. Elegant. Timeless

In 1997, the first Montblanc watch collection was revealed and met with great success at the Salon de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) in Geneva. Yet the classical look of these watches means that they could have been produced in 1924 - at the same time as the legendary Meisterstück writing instruments.
It is not only the characteristic design features of the writing instruments that are reflected in the Star watches. The precious timepieces are produced in the greatest flawless Swiss watch-making tradition and with the love of craftsmanship.

Today, the success of the Star collection has been extended into four different finishing materials: Steel, Platinum, Carbon and Gilt. These masterpieces combine fine materials, pure design, high functionality and traditional watch-making craftsmanship.
A measure of the times and a symbol of timeless aesthetics.

Montblanc Sport Collection

Dynamic. Functional. Masculine

The material: robust – stainless steel or titanium. The design: sporty and masculine. The finishing: manufactured by Montblanc Montre according to the high demands of traditional craftsmanship. Every models in the "Sport collection“ not only precisely measure time, they are also convincing with their movements featuring water-resistance to a depth of 200m, shock resistance and high functionality.
Probably the most magnificent piece of this collection, the Montblanc Sport Chrono Solid Gold is an eloquent and unique timepiece - a watch that creates an impression through its design, the fine material of which it is made, its wide range of functions and exclusive craftsmanship.

Montblanc Lady Profile Collection

Elegant. Rectangular. Feminine

At SIHH 2002, Montblanc presented the first rectangular watches. The successful launch of the gent’s series and the "Lady Profile collection“, specially conceived for younger, trendy-oriented ladies has now being complemented by 18 new Lady models.
Timeless, up-to-date – time in its most attractive from.

To complement this magnificent collection, Montblanc introduced at this year SIHH its feminine "haute joaillerie“ line of watches set with precious stones. Montblanc indulges the taste for luxury with this new collection, combining sparkling precious stones, massive gold and jewellery craftsmanship – underlining Montblanc’s expertise in creating exclusive women’s watches.

Montblanc Summit Collection

Flat. Purist. Design-oriented

With the "Summit Collection”, Montblanc presented at last year’s SIHH a watch collection with an extremely flat casing – as a counterpart to the classic, large-volume Montblanc timepieces. A pure stainless steel casing reduced to the essential is combined with the elegance of the straight contours on the dial, which is available in various colours.
A watch of subtle elegance.

Montblanc TimeWalker Collection

Character. Vision. Uniqueness

"TimeWalker Collection” embodies the idea of always being a step ahead. A philosophy for those who wear this watch: for a new, self-confident, dynamic and successful generation. Talented, educated, enthusiastic, aware of responsibility.
A philosophy, too, for those who designed this new generation of timepieces: the pure concept combines an architectonic use of forms with the clarity of polished stainless steel.
"TimeWalker” stands for a new time feeling. For up-to-date, unpretentious luxury – subtle, dynamic, understated. In this sense, the "TimeWalker” collection is timeless in a very contemporary style… Montblanc through and through.