Latest news with #Montblanc
The Age
3 days ago
- Business
- The Age
The cheque is a dramatic (and dying) way to spend a dollar. We must keep it alive
Picture this. You're in a crowded restaurant, seated at the head of the table, surrounded by friends and family. A long lunch that has bled into dinner. Everywhere you look, there are half-empty bottles of wine, people are enjoying themselves, and there's talk of kicking on to another venue. Because you're in a double-breasted suit and everyone else is dressed normally, the waiter brings you the bill. 'Cash or card, sir?' Neither, you say, pulling a Montblanc pen from your inside pocket, followed by a personal chequebook. You write a cheque for the full amount plus a little something extra for the staff. You date it, sign it, fold it in half and discreetly slip it into the waiter's pocket. Two pats on the shoulder, a knowing wink. He begins, 'Sir, we no longer accept cheques as a form of payment ...' but his protest is drowned out by cheers. People have seen what you've done. They adore you. Life is good. Of all the things 1990s pop culture led me to believe would feature heavily in adult life – quicksand, hammerhead sharks, Mr Squiggle – the disappearance of the chequebook is easily the most devastating. Back then, cheques were everywhere: in films, on TV, and most memorably, tucked inside the birthday cards from my Greek grandparents. Every year, without fail, I'd open the card, skim the well-wishes, and then turn my attention to the real prize – a rectangular slip of paper, payable to me and me only. Superior to simply being gifted cash, the cheque's power lay in delayed gratification. Twenty bucks in a card is twenty bucks in a card, but a handwritten cheque for twenty dollars and zero cents offered something far more valuable – the promise of money. Loading Of course, because we are inherently impatient creatures with no appreciation for the fact that good things come to those who wait, we went and ruined it all. In 1980, cheques accounted for 85 per cent of non-cash payments, so if you wanted to buy a house in Sydney (something people could still do in the 1980s), then you'd likely be writing a cheque for $76,500. By the mid-1990s, cheques still represented 50 per cent of non-cash payments and were deeply ingrained in the culture. Tabloid newspapers began paying sources for stories about high-profile figures, giving rise to the term chequebook journalism. Meanwhile, in 1994, my favourite cheque-related movie, Blank Cheque, was released. The film follows a boy who inherits a blank cheque and uses it to buy a house under an alter ego, which he then fills with all his favourite gadgets and toys. The dream! According to Wikipedia, ' Blank Cheque received mostly negative reviews,' but you know what they haven't made a movie about? Contactless payments.
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Khaleej Times
Gucci, Montblanc: The smartest luxe wearables on the market
They go by many names — fitness trackers, wearable devices, health monitors. We are talking about the Fitbits, Garmins, and the Whoops of this world. It's a huge market that's projected to reach $72 billion (Dh264 billion) in 2025, an increase of 22 per cent from last year. Luxury brands have spotted this trend and are introducing their own versions — sophisticated smartwatches and rings that blend cutting-edge technology with stylish design. We love our fitness trackers, rings and smart glasses, but some do look a little clunky. Luxury brands like Gucci, Montblanc and TAG Heuer are now recording strong sales for their luxury wearables with more players likely to follow. Here are some of our favourites: TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Luxury watch brand TAG Heuer is known for making sporty-looking watches and decided to make smartwatches with the successful launch of its Connected Calibre E4 collection. The most recent edition is the Oracle Red Bull Racing Edition, which combines the brand's racing heritage with modern technology. Priced at around Dh7,000, the smartwatch features a titanium case, custom watch faces, and advanced fitness-tracking capabilities, including heart rate monitoring and GPS. The Calibre E4 series also includes collaborations with Porsche and a Golf Edition, catering to enthusiasts of different lifestyles. Montblanc Summit 3 While Montblanc is known for its luxury pens, it also makes very stylish-looking watches. The Summit 3 smartwatch is a great example of how traditional watchmaking and contemporary tech can be fused. Although this watch can easily be mistaken for a classic analogue watch at first glance, it is equipped with advanced smart technologies. Crafted from titanium and featuring a design inspired by the brand's 1858 timepieces, the Summit 3 runs on Wear OS, which is compatible with both Apple and Android phones. Montblanc recently introduced a new Glacier Blue edition, enhancing the watch's aesthetic appeal. The Summit 3 provides comprehensive health tracking, including sleep monitoring and fitness metrics. Its black titanium version costs around Dh5,000. Ultrahuman Ring Rare This brand has made significant strides in the smart ring market with the Ring AIR and the newly launched Rare collection. The rings offer comprehensive health tracking ,including sleep stages, heart rate variability, and stress levels, all without a subscription fee. Its lightweight design and sleek aesthetics make it a comfortable choice for daily wear. Earlier this year, Ultrahuman introduced the Rare range, featuring smart rings crafted from 18K gold and platinum. These rings combine advanced health monitoring with luxury materials, positioning themselves as high-end alternatives in the wearable market. The 18K gold and platinum editions sit within the 'Desert Collection' with three distinctive pieces: Desert Rose, Dune, and Desert Snow. Prices range from Dh7,000 to Dh8,500. Gucci x Oura Ring Finnish health technology company Oura also makes a wearable ring that tracks health and fitness stats. It partnered with Italian luxury brand Gucci to produce a limited-edition black PVD-coated titanium band in 18-karat yellow gold. The Gucci x Oura Ring, which marries fashion with functionality, was priced at Dh3,500 and sold out within a few weeks. It is considered a collector's item and can still be bought on secondary markets. Gucci is no stranger to sports and has collaborated with Major League Baseball, tennis and e-sports previously. Ray-Ban Meta glasses Far more practical and stylish than the Apple Vision Pro goggles are the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses. A collaboration between Ray-Ban and Meta (formerly Facebook), the glasses — which cost around Dh1,396 — blend the classic style of Ray-Ban sunglasses with the smart tech capabilities of Meta's Augmented Reality and Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems. Built into the frames are cameras, microphones, speakers and AI features. It's hard to actually tell they are smartglasses, but wearers enjoy a tonne of tech, including a 12MP camera, 1080p video recording (up to 60 seconds), touch gestures, voice assistant (Meta AI) and directional speakers — perfect for listening to podcasts while looking cool. A Bluetooth connection means it is compatible with iOS and Android. Sony Reon Pocket Pro Forget pocket fans, Sony has launched a wearable cooling device priced at Dh799 that you wear on your body. The Reon Pocket Pro is 'the high-end model version' and can be worn around the neck to cool your body at the point of contact. It can also warm you up, but that won't be a concern for a few months here in the UAE. Sony says its slim design is ideal for business settings, so you can wear it to work.
Sydney Morning Herald
4 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
The cheque is a dramatic (and dying) way to spend a dollar. We must keep it alive.
Picture this. You're in a crowded restaurant, seated at the head of the table, surrounded by friends and family. A long lunch that has bled into dinner. Everywhere you look, there are half-empty bottles of wine, people are enjoying themselves, and there's talk of kicking on to another venue. Because you're in a double-breasted suit and everyone else is dressed normally, the waiter brings you the bill. 'Cash or card, sir?' Neither, you say, pulling a Montblanc pen from your inside pocket, followed by a personal chequebook. You write a cheque for the full amount plus a little something extra for the staff. You date it, sign it, fold it in half and discreetly slip it into the waiter's pocket. Two pats on the shoulder, a knowing wink. He begins, 'Sir, we no longer accept cheques as a form of payment ...' but his protest is drowned out by cheers. People have seen what you've done. They adore you. Life is good. Of all the things 1990s pop culture led me to believe would feature heavily in adult life – quicksand, hammerhead sharks, Mr Squiggle – the disappearance of the chequebook is easily the most devastating. Back then, cheques were everywhere: in films, on TV, and most memorably, tucked inside the birthday cards from my Greek grandparents. Every year, without fail, I'd open the card, skim the well-wishes, and then turn my attention to the real prize – a rectangular slip of paper, payable to me and me only. Superior to simply being gifted cash, the cheque's power lay in delayed gratification. Twenty bucks in a card is twenty bucks in a card, but a handwritten cheque for twenty dollars and zero cents offered something far more valuable – the promise of money. Of course, because we are inherently impatient creatures with no appreciation for the fact that good things come to those who wait, we went and ruined it all. In 1980, cheques accounted for 85 per cent of non-cash payments, so if you wanted to buy a house in Sydney (something people could still do in the 1980s), then you'd likely be writing a cheque for $76,500. By the mid-1990s, cheques still represented 50 per cent of non-cash payments and were deeply ingrained in the culture. Tabloid newspapers began paying sources for stories about high-profile figures, giving rise to the term chequebook journalism. Meanwhile, in 1994, my favourite cheque-related movie, Blank Cheque, was released. The film follows a boy who inherits a blank cheque and uses it to buy a house under an alter ego, which he then fills with all his favourite gadgets and toys. The dream! According to Wikipedia, ' Blank Cheque received mostly negative reviews,' but you know what they haven't made a movie about? Contactless payments. These days, cheques are all but extinct, accounting for just 0.2 per cent of transactions – a number that continues to decline yearly. This is part of a broader issue stemming from our obsession with convenience that poses a deeply troubling question: We opted to tap and go rather than write and wait, but at what cost?
The Age
4 days ago
- Business
- The Age
The cheque is a dramatic (and dying) way to spend a dollar. We must keep it alive.
Picture this. You're in a crowded restaurant, seated at the head of the table, surrounded by friends and family. A long lunch that has bled into dinner. Everywhere you look, there are half-empty bottles of wine, people are enjoying themselves, and there's talk of kicking on to another venue. Because you're in a double-breasted suit and everyone else is dressed normally, the waiter brings you the bill. 'Cash or card, sir?' Neither, you say, pulling a Montblanc pen from your inside pocket, followed by a personal chequebook. You write a cheque for the full amount plus a little something extra for the staff. You date it, sign it, fold it in half and discreetly slip it into the waiter's pocket. Two pats on the shoulder, a knowing wink. He begins, 'Sir, we no longer accept cheques as a form of payment ...' but his protest is drowned out by cheers. People have seen what you've done. They adore you. Life is good. Of all the things 1990s pop culture led me to believe would feature heavily in adult life – quicksand, hammerhead sharks, Mr Squiggle – the disappearance of the chequebook is easily the most devastating. Back then, cheques were everywhere: in films, on TV, and most memorably, tucked inside the birthday cards from my Greek grandparents. Every year, without fail, I'd open the card, skim the well-wishes, and then turn my attention to the real prize – a rectangular slip of paper, payable to me and me only. Superior to simply being gifted cash, the cheque's power lay in delayed gratification. Twenty bucks in a card is twenty bucks in a card, but a handwritten cheque for twenty dollars and zero cents offered something far more valuable – the promise of money. Of course, because we are inherently impatient creatures with no appreciation for the fact that good things come to those who wait, we went and ruined it all. In 1980, cheques accounted for 85 per cent of non-cash payments, so if you wanted to buy a house in Sydney (something people could still do in the 1980s), then you'd likely be writing a cheque for $76,500. By the mid-1990s, cheques still represented 50 per cent of non-cash payments and were deeply ingrained in the culture. Tabloid newspapers began paying sources for stories about high-profile figures, giving rise to the term chequebook journalism. Meanwhile, in 1994, my favourite cheque-related movie, Blank Cheque, was released. The film follows a boy who inherits a blank cheque and uses it to buy a house under an alter ego, which he then fills with all his favourite gadgets and toys. The dream! According to Wikipedia, ' Blank Cheque received mostly negative reviews,' but you know what they haven't made a movie about? Contactless payments. These days, cheques are all but extinct, accounting for just 0.2 per cent of transactions – a number that continues to decline yearly. This is part of a broader issue stemming from our obsession with convenience that poses a deeply troubling question: We opted to tap and go rather than write and wait, but at what cost?
The Hindu
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
The Montblanc Meisterstuck hits a century
The Montblanc Meisterstuck has, for over a 100 years, been more than just a writing instrument. A pen deemed both sturdy and stylish, it has been used to sign world-altering peace treaties and found a place in the New York Museum of Modern Art and London Design Museum. The Meisterstuck, meaning 'masterpiece' in German, is a star among the galaxy of well-known instruments from the maison. To mark its centenary in 2024, Montblanc launched a global campaign, written and directed by Academy Award-winner, Wes Anderson. Well-known for his eccentric visual narratives and more recently for playing a central role in the six-year-long restoration of Satyajit Ray's Aranyer Din Ratri, starring Sharmila Tagore and Simi Garewal that was recently screened at the Cannes Film Festival 2025, the American director set the Montblanc campaign at its fictional headquarters atop the Mont Blanc mountain in the Alps. It features acclaimed actors Rupert Friend, Jason Schwartzman, Maude Apatow, Indian American actor-designer Waris Ahluwalia and Anderson himself in a log cabin amidst the snow-blown massif showcasing pens, and travel and work accessories from a line launched to mark the hundredth year. Neeraj Walia, Montblanc's India MD and CEO, says over a call, 'The Meisterstuck was launched as a leisure tool of writing. With journalling back in fashion it has found a new, younger audience. There is consistency in functionality, the shapes have evolved, although some of the iconic ones like the 149 cigar-shaped writing instrument have stayed.' While today the Meisterstuck is seen as a symbol of prestige and class, it was first created in 1924 to meet the demand for writing instruments for 'Sunday use', tools that were meant for leisure and not for the everyday. It later resulted in Montblanc Haus opening in Hamburg in 2022, allowing visitors to rediscover the joys of putting pen to paper. Adds Neeraj, 'The brand has been in pursuit of excellence in craftsmanship since it was first established in 1906, revolutionising the culture of writing. It has taken this skill across product categories such as writing instruments, watches, leather goods, new technology and accessories.' The making of a Meisterstuck, whether fountain or rollerball, is a journey of three months with nearly a 100 people involved in creating its vintage shape. The most recognisable is the one with a handcrafted gold nib, cigar-shaped with three gold rings and a piston ink filler inside a barrel. Rarer ones would be the Solitaire Royal, costing thousands of pounds, made for the Sultan of Brunei. The Montblanc website spells out how the 'first Meisterstück range was developed by the Simplo Füllfedergesellschaft (later Montblanc-Simplo) in 1924'. 'The number '4810' referring to the height of the Mont Blanc mountain in metres is engraved on the cap, and since 1930 on the nib,' says Neeraj. In 1928, two gold rings were added to the cap to reduce the chance of it breaking. By the late 1930s when the third ring was introduced, the pen had also acquired a two-tone rhodium and gold-coated nib. Over the next half century, many models were introduced: the 149 'cigar-shaped' model in 1952, the Linie 60 model in the 1960s and the Solitaire model in the 1980s. What stayed common was the Montblanc emblem on the cap top and 4810 engraved on the nib. The anniversary leather capsules — coin case, card holder and wallet — in black, coral red (a colour that featured on the Meisterstuck of the 1920s), blue, and green also showcase the emblem as drawn from the archives over the years. 'The Meisterstuck Traveller and the Origin collection have been successful in India,' says Neeraj, adding, 'Collectors in India track the pieces even before they are launched through boutiques. For instance, Wes Anderson created the Schreiberling Le 1969 as a tribute to his birth year. It comes as a set including a fountain pen that has a Montblanc emblem on the cap top in red, a notebook, ink cartridges and a ruler.' Through wearable technology and Dear Future, Montblanc's initiative for young adults to build a sustainable future through good handwriting, the maison is still in a celebratory mood as it steps into its second century. Available at pen boutiques and online stores. The Montblanc Meisterstuck pen is priced ₹40,000 upwards.
