Event Recap: An Exclusive Evening with the Montblanc SIHH 2015 Novelties

Two weeks ago, shortly before we launched our newly designed website, Monochrome had the unique opportunity to invite our readers to an exclusive event that usually is never open to the public. The responses were overwhelming, and the event, called Montblanc’s Black & White Weeks, was, as they say, a big success. The beautiful event room in the Amsterdam Richemont offices was packed and there were thick rows of people in front of the tables with new timepieces. Here’s an event recap with a lot of (matching) photos.

The location of the event was just superb. Of course Montblanc could have organized it in one of Amsterdam’s beautiful hotels, however they choose for the superb event room, at the top floor of the Richemont offices. This huge room offers space for the 50+ people that gathered that evening, and (in day light) offers a great view over the city centre. Everything is made of steel and glass, and even the stairs to enter the room are made in glass. The photo below shows Montblanc’s Managing Director for BeNeLux and Germany, Oliver Goessler, inviting the guests to the event room.

When everyone arrived, and glasses were filled, there were the speeches. Mr. Goessler did a brief intro about the event and introduced yours truly, and I told the guests about my experiences with the brand that I’ve been following quite closely for many years. Especially the new collections, the merging of manufactures and watchmaking activities, and even using leather straps from Montblanc’s own leather atelier in Florence, Italy, had to be mentioned. For me as a watch journalist, and also as a watch lover, it has been a huge privilege and pleasure to see all recent events from close-by. Let’s say that the arrival of Jérôme Lambert as new CEO, roughly 1½ years ago, has been the start for new dynamic developments that where already ‘cooking’ inside the company. It’s good to see them become reality and see how much a brand as Montblanc actually has to offer, besides an abundance of very interesting and beautiful watches.

It was also a great pleasure to meet so many of you, and have the chance to talk with each other and exchange ideas. Many thanks for coming to the event, and a special thanks to Montblanc BeNeLux for making this possible. I hope all attendees enjoyed the event, and I hope to welcome you again for a next event. Here are some more black & white photos, to match the Montblanc Black & White Week’s theme.

Pictures by Alexander Sporre.