Cast your mind back to 2015, and you may remember Montblanc once teased a smart E-Strap concept. Then, as suddenly as it appeared, it was gone.
The whole idea was that it let you wear your traditional watch in the regular position, but below it on the strap was this small rectangular contraption that housed a load of smart capabilities. It was the best of both worlds, so to speak.
Now, at the time this was seen as more of a way to protect against what was coming. The bit Swiss watch companies had to do something, what with the likes of the Apple Watch on the horizon. And so companies scrambled to get something, anything, digitally-relevant to market.
Some brands – such as TAG Heuer, Hublot, Louis Vuitton and even Montblanc – threw their hats into the ring, producing full-on smartwatches. The problem was, it’s very unlikely that someone who wants to buy a TAG or a Hublot would decide to ditch a proper timepiece and go with a smartwatch.
However, the very fact that there is still a market for both smartwatches and traditional watches means one big thing; that there is a market for a device that would allow someone to wear both smart and analogue wearables. And that’s what Montblanc is betting on.
It has just pulled the wraps off the TWIN smart strap, the spiritual successor to its first E-Strap concept. The TWIN allows classic timepiece lovers to enhance their watch with digital features, including notifications, step tracking and a new Montblanc payment solution.
In fact, the TWIN will transform any mechanical timepiece into a connected companion. Which is great news for watch lovers.
Most importantly, it allows the wearer to attach it to pretty much any timepiece. So not just Montblanc watches.
Available from August 2018, the Montblanc TWIN Smart Strap will be offered in black calf leather, vintage brown calf leather, black nylon and black & grey striped nylon to match most watches. From AED1,659.
