Montblanc Reconnects Through Nature at SIHH

Luxury maison pays homage to the spirit of exploration and the rich tradition of the Minerva manufacture with a space dedicated to the wonder and beauty of the great outdoors

Walking into the Montblanc area at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie is like stepping outdoors, taking a stroll through luscious greenery and breathtaking mountain vistas and valleys. Against this natural backdrop, Montblanc introduces its latest watchmaking collections including TimeWalker, Star Legacy, Heritage and the new 1858 timepieces inspired by the legendary professional Minerva watches from the 1920s and 1930s conceived for military use and exploration. The design of the booth combines natural wood, plants and rock evoking the beauty of mountain landscapes and bringing visitors closer to nature.

Lawrence Wong attends Montblanc Booth At SIHH 2019 - Cocktail at Palexpo on January 14, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. (Photo by Daniele Venturelli/Daniele Venturelli For Montblanc )

Hugh Jackman and Lawrence Wong attend Montblanc Booth At SIHH 2019 - Cocktail at Palexpo on January 14, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. (Photo by Daniele Venturelli/Daniele Venturelli For Montblanc )

Musicians playing at the Montblanc Booth At SIHH 2019, during the cocktail, at Palexpo on January 14, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. (Photo by Daniele Venturelli/[SOURCE CREDIT For Montblanc)

“It is great to come back to SIHH, showcasing the brand’s evolution in the watchmaking sector. Exploring this environment is an opportunity for our visitors to experience the spirit of exploration that inspired 1858, a line built for explorers and anyone who dares to venture out into nature to find new perspectives. The Montblanc space at this year’s SIHH serves as a reminder of the importance finding inspiration by reconnecting through nature, which becomes increasingly important in our fast-paced way of living”, explains Nicolas Baretzki, Montblanc CEO.

Numan Acar attends the Montblanc Cocktail at SIHH 2019, Palexpo on January 14, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. (Photo by Daniele Venturelli/[SOURCE CREDIT For Montblanc)

David Gandy attends the Montblanc Cocktail at SIHH 2019, Palexpo on January 14, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. (Photo by Daniele Venturelli/[SOURCE CREDIT For Montblanc)

Juan Avellaneda attends the Montblanc Cocktail at SIHH 2019, Palexpo on January 14, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. (Photo by Daniele Venturelli/[SOURCE CREDIT For Montblanc)

Stepping into the lobby, visitors are transported into the universe of the Montblanc 1858 product line, greeted by a breathtaking mountain face reflected in a lake below. With their elegant pairing of khaki green and bronze, the new timepieces are displayed in wood and glass cases around the space including the Montblanc 1858 Automatic, Montblanc 1858 Automatic Chronograph and Montblanc 1858 Geosphere. Plant walls frame wood seating areas where the calm and serene surroundings can be enjoyed.

The 161-year history of Minerva fine watchmaking has shaped the technical excellence and style expression of a new generation of Montblanc lines inspired by its outstanding legacy. Covering one of the walls, a timeline illustrates the major milestones in the history of Minerva, the manufacture founded by Charles-Ivan Robert in 1858 as a manufacturer of pocket watches before gaining international recognition for its precision timepieces and becoming a leading specialist in the manufacturing of professional watches and stopwatches. In addition to charting the evolution of classical watchmaking, the timeline highlights key milestones in the spirit of mountain exploration as well as the spirit of racing, and the role Minerva played in each of those.

Ald Comas attends the Montblanc Cocktail at SIHH 2019, Palexpo on January 14, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. (Photo by Daniele Venturelli/[SOURCE CREDIT For Montblanc)

Saul Nanni attends the Montblanc Cocktail at SIHH 2019, Palexpo on January 14, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. (Photo by Daniele Venturelli/[SOURCE CREDIT For Montblanc)

Numan Acar, Stephanie Radl and CEO Nicolas Baretzki attend the Montblanc Booth Experience at SIHH 2019, Palexpo on January 14, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. (Photo by Julien M. Hekimian/Getty Images For Montblanc )

To reaffirm its belief in the importance of stepping outdoors to reconnect through nature, Montblanc is showing its support to CREA Mont Blanc during SIHH and beyond, donating funds to the Research Center For Alpine Ecosystems rather than gifting its traditional Montblanc giveaways to guests. The money donated will contribute to “Mont-Blanc Observatory: a base camp for science”, a project that develops a training center for teaching decision-makers, mountain professionals and business leaders about the impact of climate change on the alpine ecosystems.