PROMOTION

Introducing Montfort Swiss Watches


“Time to innovate” is our leitmotif. Constant innovation is anchored in our DNA. We want to bring true innovations to market through our products. No empty promises.” – Philippe Kuratle, Co-founder of Montfort Watches.

Switzerland has birthed a new watch brand. Montfort Watches Co. has high ambitions to disrupt the current status quo by uniting a never-before-seen combination of value propositions:

  1. Scratch resistant “Super Stainless Steel”
  2. 3D printed stainless steel dials
  3. Swiss made
  4. Unbeatable value

Philippe Kuratle, co-founder of Montfort is happily married and father of three young children. His passions are entrepreneurship, winter sports, and horology. Unable to find a modern, cool “all-arounder” watch he could wear at all times without the fear of scratching it, he decided to build one himself.

Montfort Strata Bruce - sketch

1. Scratch Resistance: “Super Stainless Steel” – Nitrocarburising

Thomas Kuratle, CEO of AIM SA and Philippe’s brother, brings years of experience in hardening watch parts. His company co-developed, alongside the Danish company Expanite A/S, the nitrocarburising technology that Montfort uses. This technology not only hardens stainless steel to a surface hardness of 1200HV (Diamond has an HV of 10,000, for example, while normal stainless steel varies between 140 – 200HV) but also preserves the anti-corrosive properties of stainless steel – something that isn’t always the case with other hardening processes.

2. 3D printed stainless steel dials: Creative freedom

Jeremie Senggen, co-founder and designer at Montfort, wanted to integrate his and Philippe’s common passion for mountains in his watch design. Inspired by the Swiss Alps mountain range, Jeremie designed a striking dial called “les massifs,” which closely resembles the mineral, crystalline structure of rocks, not dissimilar to the mineral structure observed after hardening of stainless steel. In order to produce the complicated “les massifs” and Montfort’s reinterpretation of a watch industry classic — the Clous de Paris dials with apertures — Montfort had to turn to 3D printing, the only technique that allowed them this creative freedom. AIM SA, Montfort’s technological partner, worked with a Swedish company, Digital Metal, to develop this unique and game-changing dial.

Montfort les massifs dial

3 Swiss made: Undeniable quality

Over three centuries, the Swiss watch industry has built a reputation for precision, quality and exclusivity. Montfort’s Swiss founders were adamant about their watch being Swiss made; the lure of dropping the “Swiss made” label for lower production costs was never an option.

4. Unbeatable value

The product brief for Montfort was to develop a timeless, automatic Swiss made watch integrating innovative technologies and impeccable quality for an unbeatable price. In order to do this, Montfort spent a long time developing its supply chain, business model and distribution strategy. Among other strategies (yet to be revealed) Montfort will distribute directly through its website and partners allowing it to offer products at a fraction of the price of comparable competing brands.

Montfort Strata - front-back

Montfort pays homage to the Mont-Fort mountain that rise above the popular ski resort Verbier in the Wallis canton of Switzerland, a mountain Philippe and his brother have been skiing since they were kids. Mont-Fort literally means “Strong Mountain.”  The rocky, strong connotation of this mountain was the perfect namesake for a brand built around timeless, robust timepieces with a penchant for mineral, crystalline structures.

Montfort’s Kickstarter campaign will allow all supporters of the project to buy the watch at 50 percent off the suggested retail price. The offer will be available for 30 days. Once the campaign is over, www.montfortwatches.com will take over as the retail website.

Montfort Strata James - wrist

The three models from the Strata line (Ref.3330) to be presented are:

STRATA Ref. 3330-1 “James”

  • 44-mm, four-piece case in hardened “Super Stainless Steel”
  • Swiss-made Sellita SW200 automatic movement in black galvanic coating, blued screws, Côtes de Genève finishing on oscillating mass and 26 rubies. 38 hours power reserve.
  • Sapphire crystal (top and bottom) with blue anti-reflective coating
  • Water resistance 100 meters/330 feet (10 ATM)
  • 3D dial Clous de Paris apertured in stainless steel
  • Black, semi-matte Italian leather strap with black stitching and red “Lorica” lining – 22/20 mm
  • Kickstarter Price: $699* (-50%)
  • MSRP : $1,399*
Montfort Ref. 3330-1 James

STRATA Ref. 3330-2 “Frank”

  • 44-mm, 4-piece case in hardened “Super Stainless Steel”, intermediary bezel with “deep black” DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) coating.
  • Swiss-made Sellita SW200 automatic movement in black galvanic coating, blued screws, Côtes de Genève finishing on oscillating mass and 26 rubies. 38 hours power reserve.
  • Sapphire crystal (top and bottom) with blue anti-reflective coating
  • Water resistance 100 meters/330 feet (10 ATM)
  • 3D dial “les massifs” apertured in stainless steel
  • Black, semi-matte Italian leather strap with red stitching and red “Lorica” lining – 22/20 mm
  • Kickstarter Price: $799* (-50%)
  • MSRP : $1,599*
Montfort Ref. 3330-2 Frank

STRATA Ref. 3330-3 “BRUCE”

  • 44-mm, four-piece case in hardened “Super Stainless Steel,” intermediary bezel with “deep black” DLC. Case body, top bezel and back in “dark grey” DLC.
  • Swiss-made Sellita SW200 automatic movement in black galvanic coating, blued screws, Côtes de Genève finishing on oscillating mass and 26 rubies. 38 hours power reserve.
  • Sapphire crystal (top and bottom) with blue anti-reflective coating
  • Water resistance 100 meters/330 feet (10 ATM)
  • 3D dial “les massifs” apertured in stainless steel
  • Black, semi-matte Italian leather strap with red stitching and red “Lorica” lining – 22/20 mm
  • Kickstarter Price: $899* (-50%)
  • MSRP : $1,799*
Montfort Ref. 3330-3 Bruce
  • Prices excl. of import taxes, VAT and Shipping. Disclaimer: Depending on availability of Kickstarter packs prices can change.
No Responses to “Introducing Montfort Swiss Watches”

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  1. Nice effort but the design really looks like a poor man’s Sarpaneva with the limbs of Jorg Hysek watches. Originality is something we really need to emphasise, no matter the price.

    Reply
  2. Overpriced for what it really is, which is a date and time only model running on a stock Selita/ETA movement. The weirdest thing is that this kickstarter watch costs more than Hamilton which is an established Swiss brand. If they are selling it at $200 a pop, I may consider but at these prices, I would get a Hamilton, which has a full international warranty and support of the Swatch Group and pocket the change.

    Reply
  3. Gopi Subramaniam

    44mm size is a little too big for most asians like me. Is there a plan for 42mm time pieces in the future?

    Reply
  4. dr bruce

    Really $1800 ??? A joke at this price point. This in another Kickstarter watch that should be at most in the $500 or less range.

    Reply
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