For its Only Watch unique piece, Montblanc is encapsulating its 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen Carbo2 in an ice-like presentation case. To access the watch (and a secret letter), the lucky owner will need to smash it open with an ice pick or they can leave it intact as an investment for later. What would you do? Break it, or keep it? We asked the journalists and correspondents from WorldTempus and GMT what they would do and the results are interesting. Read on to find out more.
Brice Lechevalier
"With such an original concept, the exceptional nature of Only Watch, and the worrying state of nature (that is all around us and that we need to protect), I would choose to keep the watch intact in its case. One day, when the time is right - for a very good occasion that is synonymous with transmission or commemoration, the handover could take place and the watch could be unveiled and change hands."
Allissa Pataki
"Break it, of course! Firstly, it sounds like a fun thing to do (how often can one break open a watch case with an ice axe?). Secondly, I would want to admire the watch and its engravings up close. And thirdly, I know myself too well and simply could not resist finding out what the famous (and mysterious) mountaineer had to say in his (or her!) letter… My curiosity would definitely get the better of me!"
Marie de Pimodan
"There's no doubt about it, I would break the ice with the ice axe. And for two reasons. The first is that I'm far too curious not to read the letter written by the mountaineer. The second is simple: one of the things I like about watches is that they're wearable. I prefer when works of art are displayed on the walls of museums, and not tucked away in safes. In my opinion, watches need to be worn to be fully appreciated. So, I would break the ice and wear the watch."
Mathieu Rotzer
"To me, this poses a fundamental question in our industry. Does a watch deserve to be experienced, shared, appreciated, worn, and accompany you through life, or is it meant to accumulate value but never be valued itself? In my opinion, watches are meant to be worn, cars are meant to be driven and art is meant to be seen. It would be a sacrilege for such fine mechanical poetry to be hidden away. I hope that the owner takes this watch to Mount Everest!"
Olivier Müller
"For my part, I would actually break...the ice axe. It's a mountaineering tool that is undeniably useful in its context, but the ice axe is first and foremost a tool designed to destroy, break and smash. That is its primary vocation. A destructive weapon? Perhaps that is a bit of an exaggeration. Or is it? In any case, symbolically, I would break the tool designed to break. So that this world is no longer oriented towards destruction, but towards construction. And, before that, preservation. Like this beautiful work of art, which must not be reduced to watchmaking crumbs. We have many watches. For works of this nature, there is only one. Like our planet. Let's preserve it. Pass it on. We've destroyed enough..."
Camille Guille
"Without having seen the Montblanc Only Watch in its “ice” case, I already know that if I were the lucky owner, I would want to break it open. On the other hand, to keep the suspense going, I would choose a significant date, a birthday, Christmas, or something along those lines, to unveil it. Why buy a watch if not to wear it?"
Yannick Nardin
"I would break the ice in a heartbeat! Because how could I resist reading the letter written by the mysterious mountaineer that was slipped into the case? Then, no doubt inspired by his or her words, I would slip the watch onto my wrist and prepare for my own high-altitude challenges."
Jean-Christophe Teigner
"Break the ice or break the box!!! Of course, I am all for it. Mysteries are made to be discovered and secrets unearthed. I would take my ice axe with two hands and open the box. I am too curious about that. I wouldn't let my children discover the message, however, I would make them wait!"
Sophie Furley
"If I bought the Montblanc Only Watch 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen Carbo2, I think it would be the end of my marriage. I am a “break-it-open” kind of girl, and my husband would want to keep it as an investment to be passed on to the children. And the children would definitely side with him, so it would be trouble! Maybe I could ask my dad (who is very handy with a screwdriver) to find a secret way in. At least like that, I could read the letter!"
Hervé Borne
"As far as I am concerned, if I were the proud owner of this unique timepiece, I would leave it in its case. If there is no question of wearing a watch with high speculative potential and leaving it at the bottom of a safe, it is the same thing here. This treasure will increase in value as long as it remains locked in its case and protected in a safe. An informed collector’s best quality is patience..."
