Montblanc is one of the few brands that’s been experimenting with different ideas to find the middle ground between mechanical and smartwatches. Three years back, the watch and luxury goods maker made its foray into the smart wearables market by introducing something called e-Strap. It’s a strap for mechanical watches that turns them into connected wearables by swapping the standard clasp for a tiny smart device. The luxury brand has now launched a new version of the e-Strap, called the Twin Smart Strap. Just like the original, the new updated version also features a tiny device where the clasp would normally be.
“With the new TWIN Smart Strap Montblanc has further narrowed the gap between the analogue and digital watchmaking worlds,” explains Nicolas Baretzki, Montblanc CEO. “The idea of a Smart Strap is rooted in the growing desire for digital functionalities to be added to classic timepieces, which are emotional objects with deep history and meaning to their owners. That is why we developed a smart solution that can be attached to most timepieces of any brand. The timepiece remains untouched, while Montblanc TWIN Smart Strap is the innovative companion that elegantly enhances this relationship.”
The new Montblanc Twin Smart Strap consists of two parts – a smart module with a curved display and a specially designed strap that can be mounted onto almost any timepiece. The design of the smart module has also been improved quite a bit. It is made of high quality stainless steel and is covered by a curved special glass. Montblanc claims that the module is IP68 water resistant and can run for up to a week on a single charge. In terms of features, it has notifications with vibration alerts, activity tracking, and wireless payment, which was developed in collaboration with Visa and Mastercard. The Montblanc Twin Smart Strap will be available at stores starting August with a price tag of €390 (approximately $453).
[Via:Hoursandminutes]
