It is possible that Montblanc was one of the first among Swiss Watch manufactures to have ventured into the realm of smart wearables. Remember the Montblanc TimeWalker Urban Speed e-Strap back in 2015? But, whereas, that was an attempt on Montblanc’s part to provide the experience of a smart wearable without having to do away with your love affair with mechanical watchmaking, their latest foray into the subject matter is an instance of the brand going into it with both feet, and at the deep end.

Introducing the Montblanc Summit (don’t confuse that with my name — my name’s only got one “m”). With that it’s safe to say that TAG Heuer’s no longer the only watchmaker to be working directly with tech-giant Google. According to Montblanc’s press release for the Summit, the brand has had the “cooperation” of Google in realizing their new smartwatch.

The Montblanc Summit is powered by a Snapdragon Wear 2100 processor and sports the latest Android Wear 2.0 operating software, all of which promise the best wearable technology that can be experienced right now. It is, however, incredibly curious that Montblanc chose the 1858 collection’s case types, paired with a domed sapphire crystal, to contain said technology. A sort of mind trick, if you will, where visually you’re thinking you’re looking at a vintage styled Montblanc timepiece, when in reality what you have is a Montblanc smart wearable filled with cutting edge 21^st century technology.

The decision to go with the Android platform means that the watch immediately grants you access into Google’s vast array of apps tailored for the wearable experience. Of course, Montblanc being one for, not only practical solutions, but luxurious solutions as well — there are a few things about the Summit that set it apart from the ocean of Android wearables in the market. Take for instance that all of the watch faces available for its time telling functions are taken directly off of familiar faces from the 1858 collection. If, however, you decide that you need to mess with your head a little more then you may opt for the TimeWalker Urban Speed watch face, which puts up one of Montblanc’s more modern watch faces into their vintage styled case.

It is also thanks to the Montblanc Pelletteria, in Florence, that you are going to be able to pair your watch with choice leather straps to suit your inclinations. The watch itself — 46mm on the wrist — will come in a four case types, namely: a black PVD coated stainless steel version, a bi-colored stainless steel case with black PVD coated stainless steel bezel, a satin finished stainless steel case version and lastly a grade 5 titanium case version. Therefore, all in all, you’ll be able to choose from 300 possible permutations of the watch.

But again, even the personalisation service goes further into the realms of luxury. For the right price (15,000 EUR to be precise) you can engage with Montblanc’s Creative Director, designers and engineers to create your very own watch face for your Summit, which will be made available to no one else but you.

With the pertinent bits of information locked in, it’s time now to talk about how you’re going to be able to get your hands on a Summit. Here Montblanc’s gone with a “see now, buy now” approach. Starting from the month of May 2017, the Montblanc Summit will retail exclusively through www.mrporter.com for the first two weeks of its launch. Prices start from 890 EUR.

Thereafter, it will be available on Montblanc’s own website and boutiques along with other retail partners.

More on www.Montblanc.com