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Verdict
The Montblanc Summit 2 is a luxury item, so the fact that it performs extremely well will probably be seen as a bonus, rather than a selling point on its own. It’s an extremely attractive piece of kit, and users with the cash will probably fall in love with it.
However, the fact that the watch costs almost a thousand bucks at the base level makes it a hard sell for anyone looking for the bare essentials.
Picking up another, more affordable smartwatch is going to be a better option for most users, especially considering the lack of robust fitness features on offer here.
Who’s this for?
The Montblanc Summit 2 is for anyone looking for a high-class accessory that also features smartwatch functionality. More a fashion item than a fitness tool, it appeals to users with disposable income that are looking for a extravagant timepiece.
Should I buy it?
Ultimately, the value of this device is going to be in the eye of the beholder. This is not a good deal for the technology on offer. However, you can’t really put a price on style, as aesthetics are extremely subjective.
The display is beautiful, the sapphire glass will last forever and the stainless steel chassis feels firm and robust. But, the actual functionality of the device – what it does – isn’t more advanced than other smartwatches out there.
Yeah, it has the latest and greatest chipset out there, but at this price point it should. And that Snapdragon Wear 3100 makes it faster and more responsive, but it doesn’t make the Summit 2 do anything altogether new.
Competition
Don't think this is designed for you? Here are some other smartwatches we think may interest you.
Apple Watch 4
If you use an iOS device as your daily driver, the newest Apple Watch is going to be a lot more feature rich than the Montblanc Summit 2, for a fraction of the price at $399 (£399, AU$499). It doesn’t have that same luxury build, but it’s still a very attractive piece of kit, and the hundreds of dollars you’ll save will make it even better.
If you want something a bit fancier, you can opt for the stainless steel Apple watch – rather than aluminum – for $799 (£799, AU$1,199). Or, you could go even higher up and get the Apple Watch Hermés edition for $1,249 (£1,249, AU$1,899).
- Read our Apple Watch 4 review
Garmin Fenix Chronos
If you absolutely have to go to the thousand dollar mark, the Garmin Fenix Chronos looks just as nice (or nicer, depending on who you ask), while also packing in a ton of fitness features that the Montblanc Summit 2 just doesn’t have.
The heart rate tracker is much more accurate, and it will even calculate your oxygen intake while exercising. It’s a bit more expensive at $1,499 (about £1,310, AU$2,120), but the fitness features are worth it.
Samsung Galaxy Watch
The Samsung Galaxy Watch is a powerful and beautiful smartwatch at $349 (£299, AU$549) for the 46mm model. And, throw an extra $50 down in the US, and you also get LTE coverage, so you can take this watch wherever you go and get full functionality with or without your smartphone.
It’s another smartwatch that can do more than the Summit 2 at a fraction of the price
- Read our Samsung Galaxy Watch review
