Smart Watches For Men: Montblanc Summit Smartwatch

Montblanc’s latest horological creation, the Summit Smartwatch, was released in May 2017. Though the company was only testing the digital waters just a few years ago with an “e-strap,” the watch and pen company is now diving in head-first. We’ve got all the details on this model below.

Before we begin, though, it’s worth pointing out that this is the first smartwatch introduced from one of Richemont’s portfolio brands. And it’s timing was couldn’t have been any better: TAG Heuer had recently released its Second Smartwatch and Frederique Constant spun off MMT as another brand just a few months prior. Have no doubt, the Swiss are serious about making an impact on the still-developing smartwatch market, and specifically about creating room for luxury smartwatches.

Origins of the Summit Smartwatch

The start of this project dates all the way back to 2013 when CEO Jérôme Lambert was to join Montblanc. He says when he was practicing mountaineering in Switzerland, experimenting proved that his traditional running watch wasn’t suitable for what he needed—and neither were his fine watches. He was frustrated that even after 11 years in luxury watchmaking, he couldn’t find a proper tool. And that’s why he took it upon himself to go out and make one, developing three stainless steel versions.

Specs of the Summit Smartwatch

This high-end smartwatch uses Montblanc’s sporty, vintage-inspired 1858 collection as a starting point. The case is 12.5mm thick and 46mm across, looking and feeling very much like a Montblanc watch—except for the fact that it’s missing a physical dial and hands. As you may expect from those specs, it certainly wears big. However, it’s relatively lightweight since it isn’t made with a hefty mechanical movement inside, and the build is either steel or titanium. Sure, it may be large—but it doesn’t look too big on the wrist.

Color Variants   

The Montblanc Summit Smartwatch has four different color variants: black, stainless steel with a black PVD bezel, PVD stainless steel, stainless steel with a satin finish, and grade five titanium with a satin finish. Along with these cases, there are eight different strap options: blue, green, black, and red rubber NATOs, black calfskin, navy blue or brown Sfumato calfskin, and alligator. Montblanc offers more than 300 different configurations, which includes the various watch faces as well—not just the hardware setups.

Shop for Montblanc Summit Smartwatches by visiting
Precision Watches & Jewelry, an authorized dealer
at the Willow Grove Park Mall in PA.

The Summit Smartwatch Crystal

With a curved crystal made of sapphire, Montblanc emphasizes a connection to more traditional watchmaking. Though there may be skepticism because we’re so used to tapping and swiping on flat glass, the curve is barely noticeable. Most people won’t even realize it. However, when it comes to fingerprints, there is definitely an issue. But that’s also something all smartwatch manufacturers are looking to improve.

Technical Specs

The Summit comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 processor on the inside and a 1.39-inch AMOLED display on the outside. It has sensors so you can measure steps and movement, a compass and gyroscope for orientation, an ambient light sensor, a barometer, and a heart rate monitor. In addition, there’s a microphone for voice commands and both Bluetooth and wi-fi connectivity (no cellular, though). The Summit Smartwatch also has 4GB of storage for syncing music and other data when you’re offline. But two things are missing: a speaker and NFC payment chip. This means you won’t be able to make phone calls, for example, or utilize Android pay with this model.

Battery Life 

The Summit can go about one day on a charge and powers up using a magnetic cradle. You can charge it using a micro USB on the included magnetic dock. The entire piece is IP68 water resistance—the same standard that Samsung has used for its latest line of phones (and one level above the iPhone 7).

Summit Watch’s Operating System

The Summit runs on Android Wear 2.0, which is now the standard for new Android-based smartwatches. Because of this, the watch can host a ton of apps and comes with plenty of travel-centric apps preinstalled. Released just a few weeks before the Summit was the latest upgrade of Google’ wearable OS.

This is the first major improvement of the platform, adding support for things like cellular connectivity and contactless payments. There’s the usual variety of Montblanc watches, including those styled after the new batch of Time Walkers as well as 1858 collection watches. Plus, each month, Montblanc introduces a new face so that the watch design always stays fresh.

Interested in buying Montblanc Summit Smartwatches by visiting
Precision Watches & Jewelry, an authorized dealer
at the Willow Grove Park Mall in PA.

Customized Watch Dials

Customers have the opportunity to customize their own digital watch dials alongside Montblanc’s creative team. Though it won’t be cheap (upwards of $16,000), it’s a perfect option for those interested in a completely unique look.

Lambert says the high price for custom dials is due to the time it may take his designers to work exclusively on that specific timepiece. He also points out that this service comes with the face already loaded on the watches, and a one-on-one interaction with the creative team at Montblanc. This is certainly something customers don’t have the option to do with other fine watchmaking brands.

Overall, the software experience is fairly standard for Android Wear 2.0, besides a variety of aesthetic touches and app integrations into Montblanc designs. For example, Uber, Google Assistant, Google Play Music, and Foursquare city guides are available out of the box. There’s also an integration with Runtastic that offers special watch faces and a three-month Premium membership for free. One notable feature is the Montblanc Worldtimer app, which was clearly inspired by traditional worldtimers.

Lambert’s Vision of the Future

Lambert imagines the Summit as being a “second watch” for customers already interested in mechanical watches. It seems like he hit the nail on the head here. People shopping for $350 Android Wear smartwatches may not purchase this one instead. However, a person who wants a digital tool without having to sacrifice everything they know about luxury watchmaking will likely see this as an option that satisfies both needs.

In the long run, Lambert sees this watch as a part of a much larger digital ecosystem. For example, integration with the company’s Augmented Paper is in the works and additional tie-ins will soon follow.

A Big Leap into the World of Wearable Tech

The summit is currently on the market with a retail price of about $1,000. Though this price falls below TAG Heuer’s options, it is still above most Android Wear smartwatches, including the Apple Watch. Even so, Montblanc offers an option very much unlike the others: one that speaks of sophistication and professionalism while also offering the latest tech of the time.

Looking to buy a Montblanc Summit Smartwatch? Precision Watches & Jewelry, an authorized dealer at the Willow Grove Park Mall in PA, has a complete lineup to choose from. Stop by our location, explore our site or contact us today for more details.