Montjuïc is a watch brand that began to take shape in 2018 and began its operations by launching its first model in July 2021.
Basing its image entirely on the world of Motorsport, which is evident from its logo to the external shape of its first collection, both inspired by a piston.
As the brand has grown from its early routes in just recent years, it has also capitalised on the opportunity of commercial globalisation with a network of more than 40 points of sale, as well as two importers.
It also maintains conversations with companies from Mexico, UK, Poland, Finland, Germany, Italy and Switzerland among other countries, after having obtained the trademark registration in the main global markets.
However, the story behind the brand actually began 90 years ago.
Montjuïc has hosted World Championships in multiple disciplines, dating back to the hosting of the Universal Exhibition of 1929 as well as a variety of motorsport races including Formula 1 which is why those behind the brand focused on looking for a name that would identify with Barcelona and that encompasses both an enormous tradition with respect to the motor industry and competition, as well as an undoubted avant-garde vocation when it comes to design.
It was from that objective, to unite motorsport and design, which formed the initial idea.
Unanimously, the team decided that the Montjuïc name was perfect since it represented competition and motorsport, culture and the avant-garde, aside from being one of the most emblematic and well-known areas of Barcelona throughout the world.
It also helped knowing that the name sounds similar in any language when pronounced, facilitating recognition and memorization.
Montjuïc’s image is represented by its logo, with a concept that synthesizes the brand’s inspiration in the world of motorsport and competition.
The initial of the brand, “M”, has a double meaning. The first is to partially represent the shape of a speed circuit layout.
And the second, by adding the two upper lines, synthesize the shape of a piston, the piece that can be considered the heart of an engine and from where its force is generated.
The inspiration
As fans of both the watch industry and motorsports, Montjuic says it couldn’t identify any brand or type of watch that bridged those two worlds in the way they imagined. A very high-quality brand whose products are completely designed, developed, and partially assembled in Europe and with defined and clearly distinguishable design elements.
To define that distinctive design, Montjuïc track (also known as “the magic mountain”), is undoubtedly the brand’s most important stylistic and inspiring reference.
The watches’ shape, dial color and strap combinations are all inspired by competition and with a special nod to the Formula 1 and motorcycling races that were held on this Barcelona track for more than fifty years.
They were also inspired in a special way by how drivers with more talent than financial means, fought in 24-hour races, combining hard work, grit and risk in equal measure, to prevail in this extremely taxing event.
And all of this backstory, influence and inspiration is now projected into the future.
Three friends and an idea
Montjuïc Watches began to take shape after an informal conversation back in 2018. This idea matured over the course of many months and Rosendo Rabat, Tendu Rabat and Edu Méndez decided to get behind the idea/project and move it forward.
The trio said: “Watchmaking and motor sports were the two themes that united us and helped create a common vision of our project.
“Professionally, we come from different industries. The Rabats contribute experience as part of a family with many years of experience in watchmaking while Edu comes from the motorcycle industry, where he has worked with some of the best brands in the world for example MV Agusta- for over 30-years.”
Adding: “Collectively, these experiences and a true passion for motor sports is what clearly set the Montjuïc Watches compass right from the beginning.”
Aside from the three founders of the brand, Montjuïc benefits from a group of internal and external partners without whom it would have been impossible to turn that first idea into the business it is today.
Commercial Evolution
Montjuïc takes advantage of Diverso Distribuidora Watch, meaning it has really helped push the brand forward in terms of commercialisation.
This has been the key so that, by the end of June 2022, just 12 months after its launch, Montjuïc had more than 40 Dealers in Spain, as well as two in Andorra and two in Portugal managed by the respective importers and representatives in those countries.
The Montjuïc range currently consists of three models from the Speed range: the Speed (three hands and Hattori mecaquartz movement), the Speed Chrono (chronograph with Miyota mecaquartz movement), and the Speed GMT (with a fourth GMT hand). Soon, they will be joined by the Momo Urban Pilot and the Speed Automatic with a Miyota movement customized by Montjuïc.
The prices of the different collections range from 275€ to 460€
