People

An exclusive chat with Neeraj Walia, MD and CEO of Montblanc India Retail Pvt Ltd.

Montblanc, the German manufacturer and distributor of luxury goods, was founded in Berlin in 1906 and is currently based in Hamburg. Known for its wide and authentic range writing instruments, the company also designs and distributes bags, small leather goods, and watches. MARWAR had the chance to have a tetea-tete with Neeraj Walia, Managing Director & CEO of Montblanc’s India subsidiary, on the brand’s legacy, product portfolio, exclusivity and more.

Excerpts from the interaction

Being at the helm of affairs for Montblanc's India subsidiary, tell us about the journey of the brand. India has always been an important market for Montblanc. My journey with Montblanc started in 2017. Over the past few years, we have expanded and opened exclusive boutiques in key cities. We currently have 11 boutiques in six cities across the country. We are increasing our footprint in key markets and bringing experiences closer to our customers. We are currently present at Delhi and Mumbai airports and will soon expand to Bangalore and Hyderabad.

Being a brand that largely spans writing instruments, what are the other product categories on the offering?

While writing instruments are at the heart of our maison, over the years we have established a strong foundation in our other categories: leather, fine watchmaking, accessories and new technology. Ever since Marco Tomasetta joined us in 2021, our leather lines have become stronger. We continue the journey of Minerva’s over 160-year legacy in four fine watchmaking explorations: Star Legacy, 1858, Bohème and Heritage. For the tech savvy, we offer gadgets such as the Montblanc Summit series of smart watches, our over-ear and in-ear headphones and augmented paper.

How does your leather goods portfolio attract the younger audience-the emerging entrepreneur or CEO?

Savoir-faire, stories and contemporary designs across our key categories of writing instruments, watches and leather have always been of interest to our clients, especially the younger generation. Functionality with style has intrigued and is registering strong acceptance of our leather category with new clientele.

The emerging entrepreneur or CEO would be someone who’s always on the move and carries all of their go-to essentials in their backpacks. Montblanc’s latest line Extreme 3.0 has been created exactly for someone like that. For the young business travelers, we have the Sartorial Collection, where elegant style meets enhanced practicality.

How does Montblanc push the boundaries of innovation for its limited-edition watches?

Montblanc has different lines to suit the different lifestyles and requirements of individuals. For someone who enjoys simple and classic watches, we have the Heritage and Star Legacy range. For the sporty adventurer who needs a trusted companion for their next journey, the Montblanc 1858 is a perfect fit.

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In what way does Montblanc maintain its exclusivity and yet have a large appeal in India?

For our collectors in the writing instrument and watch categories, exclusivity comes in with one of a kind limited editions and high-artisan pieces. Each limited edition product has a rich story and is crafted in our ateliers using the finest materials. The limitation is a connection to an important number, year or milestone in the story that is associated with each collection.

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What business strategies drive the brand to sustain in the e-commerce industry?

We are available online through Tata CliQ Luxury and WilliamPenn-both different platforms with different offerings. The key objective is to reach in parts of the country where we do not have any physical presence yet. Whether it is in-store or online, we ensure that our clients get a seamless and memorable shopping experience.

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Finally, can you share some lesser-known facts about you?

I value culture and heritage and like to travel and discover new places and things. I am an avid movie buff and enjoy watching classics. When I get time on the weekends, I enjoy outdoor sports. Family, friends and fun are integral to me. The best me-time for me is to listen to classic Bollywood and western music.