Introducing: The Montblanc Summit 2 Smartwatch

October 17, 2018

This is the second iteration of Montblanc's ambitiously-named Summit smartwatch, which was first released in March 2017. At that time, Montblanc's then-CEO (and now Richemont COO) Jr?me Lambert told me that the idea for Montblanc to get into the smartwatch game dated all the way back to 2013. That would make this project five years old now, and it really does feel like the product is now hitting the same level of refinement that you'd find in, say, their pens or mechanical watches. The Summit 2 is very much in the same vein as the original Summit, but it now has a smaller case more in line with what you'd find in a typical modern sports watch (at 42mm), though it is getting a hair thicker in the process. There are also a handful of different case materials and finishes and 11 different straps, letting customers create exactly what they want to suit their style. Importantly though, the changes aren't just surface-level. There's more RAM (which means the watch will be more responsive), more onboard storage (so you can keep that guilty-pleasure playlist synched), and this is the first smartwatch on the market to feature the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 3100 processor, meaning it should be one of the fastest available. Other upgrades include the addition of an NFC chip for making contactless payments, the integration of the Google Assistant, and a new Montblanc-exclusive app called "Timeshifter" that's meant to help you combat jet lag.? With prices starting at just a hair under $1,000 (a little over with tax), the Summit 2 is definitely a "luxury" smartwatch, competing with the likes of the TAG Heuer Connected Watch or even the top-of-the-line Apple Watch Series 4 models more than other Wear OS smartwatches. It's a space that's still not particularly well defined, but Montblanc is making a valiant effort to do just that. Initial Thoughts When I first saw the Summit, I thought there was a lot to like. The watch tackled the smartwatch genre with some actual watchmaking spirit intact, the build quality, fit, and finish of the device was great, and the software tried to add some real value on top of the Android Wear platform. My biggest gripe though was the size C at 46mm across, the watch was just too damn big. Luckily, Montblanc has solved that problem, and I think this is going to eliminate a major barrier-to-entry for a lot of people. The options for customization are smart and offer a ton of different looks, and the brand's e-comm-focused retail strategy for the product seems on-point too.One of the things that people often complain about with smartwatches is the lack of always-on displays. That's not a problem here: the Summit 2 still gets a full day of battery life if you opt to have the display show the time continuously. The Basics Brand: MontblancModel: Summit 2 SmartwatchDiameter: 42mmThickness: 14.3mmCase Material: Stainless steel (with or without DLC finish) or titanium Display: 1.2 inch AMOLED display with curved sapphire crystalWater Resistance: 50 metersStrap/Bracelet: Leather, rubber, nylon, and steel mesh strap options Tech Specs Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100 (includes secondary low-power processor for time-only mode)RAM: 1 GB Storage: 8 GBSensors: Heart rate, GPS, barometerBattery Life: Full day of normal useAdditional Details: In time-only mode, Montblanc is quoting a full week of battery life; NFC Chip for contactless payments;? Pricing & Availability Price: From $995Availability: Now, via montblanc.com and Montblanc boutiquesFor more click here.