On 15 October Montblanc revealed its Summit 2 Smartwatch, the latest contender in the high-end smartwatch market. Baroque Access finds out what to expect
Last year, Montblanc launched its first-ever smartwatch, and just over a year later, the brand is back with a newer model, the Summit 2. With a price tag of approximately $1,115, the new model is the first luxury smartwatch to include Qualcomm’s brand new Snapdragon Wear 3100 chipset.
It boasts a 42mm case, which is much smaller than the original Summit; that one boasted a 46mm case. The Summit 2 also features a 1.2-inch, 390 x 390 pixel, full circle AMOLED display covered in curved sapphire glass.
The Montblanc Summit 2 will be competing against a number of luxury competitors including Apple’s Hermes versions of its own watch, TAG Heuer’s smartwatch and one from Louis Vuitton.
Montblanc has followed its signature traditional style with its new model powered by Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon Wear 3100 chipset that is sure to be a force to be reckoned with. In addition, the Summit 2 promises improved battery life (it can apparently last for a week in time-only mode), partly a result of Qualcomm using an ultra low power processor called the QCC1110 in the chipset.
The Summit 2 also runs on Google’s Wear OS, making it compatible with both iOS and Android smartphones. Unlike its predecessor that was not waterproof and had no GPS, the latest model features 5ATM water-resistance, and also features a new Montblanc travel info app that provides local information for travelers. It’s also equipped with various new fitness features including a Montblanc live Running Coach app that is powered by Firstbeat’s analytics engine. This allows runners to track their fitness levels (based on V02max) as well as set goals for themselves and receive personalized training plans.
Of course, there’s more. You can customize the watch face to suit you, with over 1,000 options that include hands, backgrounds and indicators. In addition, there are a choice of case finishes, including black steel, stainless steel, bicolor steel or titanium – and let’s not forget the 11 different straps, ranging from steel, nylon and rubber to calfskin. That makes around 70,000 different looks for those who love accessories.
Another feature of the Summit 2 is that it has an always-on ambient mode, making the face visible at all times whilst still delivering a full day’s battery life. Apparently if you deactivate some of the smartwatch functions, the battery life can be extended for an additional 3 to 5 days.
According to Montblanc CEO Nicolas Baretzki, the new Summit 2 is “built for travel, fitness and exploration” and it’s designed for both men and women. Details were kept sketchy until the release, which happened days after we compiled this information for you. So keep an eye out for Montblanc’s new smartwatch – hopefully you’ll be more than pleasantly surprised!