AXOR Montreux: period character and modern water performance

The details that give Montreux its character

Designed by Phoenix Design, the AXOR Montreux collection draws on early industrial fittings and the decorative detail of the Belle Époque. The pipe-like construction remains visible, while porcelain inlays and cross handles give the fittings their period character. We’d normally place those details against a calmer basin and simpler furniture so you can see the shape of the brassware properly.

Lever handles give Montreux a slightly quieter outline. The bridge arrangement does the opposite, placing the separate handles and raised spout together as a strong feature behind the basin. Both still look recognisably Montreux, but the bridge mixer makes the historical reference much more obvious.

Chrome, brushed warmth or a polished gold finish

Chrome makes white ceramics and the shaped parts of the fitting look crisp. Brushed Brass gives a quieter warmth that works particularly well with timber and softly coloured stone. Polished Gold Optic is more reflective and much more pronounced, so we’d give it room rather than placing it among several competing metal finishes.

Finish photography is useful for comparing the overall effect, but it can’t reproduce the exact colour and reflectivity of the surface. Chrome is applied by electroplating. AXOR’s metallic FinishPlus surfaces use a PVD coating, with an additional brushing stage creating the texture on brushed finishes.

The water behind the traditional shape

The AXOR Montreux handshower 100 1jet uses a single RainAir spray. Its AirPower technology adds air to the water, which AXOR describes as producing softer, fuller droplets. That gives the historic-looking handshower a deliberately gentle water experience rather than making it purely a decorative choice. QuickClean nozzles allow scale to be rubbed away from the flexible spray openings, although the handshower will still need normal cleaning.

The basin fittings have their own water technology. The Montreux bridge mixer includes EcoSmart and has a stated maximum flow of 5 litres per minute at 3 bar. AXOR lists LaminarSpray for this mixer, rather than the RainAir spray used by the handshower. The flow figure applies to this particular bridge model at the stated pressure, not to every Montreux tap, shower or bath fitting.

Bringing Montreux into your bathroom

At the basin

A bridge mixer makes the brassware a visible part of the basin design, while a single-lever mixer gives you a quieter arrangement. Wall-mounted taps leave the countertop clear, but the concealed parts and spout position have to be resolved before the wall is finished. The chrome bridge example has a stated spout height of 224 mm and a reach of 175 mm, which still needs to be drawn against the exact basin to check where the water will enter the bowl. Match the basin and tap drawings, then confirm the waste and any required basic set as part of the same specification.

Around the bath

The floor-standing Montreux bath mixer creates a prominent object beside the bath. It has two manual lever controls and isn’t thermostatic. A four-hole tile-mounted mixer spreads the two controls, spout and handshower across the surround, allowing the shape of the bath to lead the design. Whichever arrangement you use, agree its finished position, required components and water supply with your appointed fitter before the floor or surround is completed.

Bowmans can design and supply the complete room, or provide the products on a supply-only basis if you already have your own fitter. You can explore AXOR at Bowmans, discuss the room through our bathroom design service or visit our Braintree and Leigh-on-Sea showrooms.