What do a pioneer, a great writer & a style icon all have in common? To be at the top of the game, whether it is in his business, his writing or his style, they have to pay incredible attention to detail and quality.
Just like the luxury brand Montblanc, being the pioneer in the game of writing instruments. They were the first to revolutionized the art of handwriting, producing the first non-leaking technology on a writing instrument - an innovative fountain pen, and later became a diversified luxury Maison offering fine lifetime companions.
“Pioneering since 1906. For the pioneer in you.”
Wait… you’re a not familiar with Montblanc, you say? Considering they are celebrating 110 years of innovation and pioneering spirit, you should get to know them. And I think the award-winning actor Hugh Jackman can do a better job at telling you the story. Watch this short film, shot in Budapest with over 70 actors, on many different sets and directed by the award-winning director, Andreas Nilsson:
Rewriting The Rules Through Innovation
I am not a good writer… hold on, let me rephrase – I don’t have a good handwriting. I personally prefer to use digital technology, writing on my laptop or tablet… but it doesn’t give you the same pleasure as writing conventionally. It’s that feel-good of holding a pen in your hand to write, when scribbling notes, drawing or signing the check - a pleasure that technology can never gives you. So, last week, I headed to Montblanc new concept store in Suria KLCC, to check out their writing instruments.
In celebration of its 110th Anniversary, Montblanc returns to its beginning, as it reimagines the brand's first 1909 'Rouge et Noir' fountain pen series. While it evokes the pioneering spirit of Montblanc with a vintage look and feel, the design brings a contemporary twist to the early model with a slimmer and longer silhouette, as well as incorporating modern piston technology.
What about that Serpent? That’s the best bit. The mysterious serpent, recalls a design motif popular among the Art Nouveau artists when the original Rouge & Noir collection first made appearance. With its sensual curves, the serpent features prominently through the entire Rouge et Noir collection, and wraps around the top of the writing instruments, undulating down the cap to become the clip.
Serpent to me represents power, desire and mystery - wrapped around the top of this pen, making it looked pretty damn cool – I don’t even need to don a lapel pin to my suit when I have this in my pocket.
I’m trying out the Montblanc Heritage Collection, Rouge & Noir, Special Edition in coral precious resin.
Montblanc Heritage Collection, Rouge & Noir, The Ultimate Serpent Limited Edition 1 is limited to just one piece worldwide.
An elegant lined notebook in black leather embossed with spiralling serpents, to accompany the Rouge & Noir writing instruments.
Special Edition Tag for the Timeless Leather Pieces
Defined by the soft touch of its leather and the functionality of the design, the Meisterstück Soft Grain Collection continues to expand, offering new functions to mark the 110th anniversary. As a tribute, Montblanc introduces a removable special edition tag in coral-coloured leather featuring the serpent – a powerful symbol of renewal & rebirth, evoking the Maison’s pioneering spirit.
A double zip document case features separate compartment for a laptop and documents, as well as the practical satellite system.
The Steamer Bag – a bespoke leather piece, crafted from the finest sof grain leather is the Maison’s first interpretation of this early 20th century style of luggage, designed to accompany larger trunks for sea voyages aboard the great Atlantic Ocean liners, and reminiscent of the era in which Montblanc was founded.
Mysterious Hours
Despite having only made its foray into watchmaking in 1997, Montblanc is paying tribute to 110 years of fine craftsmanship with three limited edition timepieces.
The Montblanc Collection Villeret Tourbillon Bi-Cylindrique 110 Years Anniversary Limited Edition (That’s mouthful. I know. But wait till you see the watch. I want one myself!) is a wristwatch that features an in-house one-minute tourbillon, a double cylindrical balance spring and the Maison’s Heures Mystérieuses – which sets new records in terms of ultimate precision and innovation combined with artisanal aesthetic.
Montblanc’s 110th year recurring motif can be seen on the face of this Villeret Tourbillon Bi-Cylindrique timepiece, where a three-dimensional, hand-engraved, anthracite serpent has been integrated into the bezel. The design has also been hand-engraved into the back of the 52 mm red gold case.
A large tourbillon occupies the top half of the watch’s face, while a subdial of the same dimension at 6 o’clock shows the time display below. A closer look reveals an unusual set of regate-shaped hands that are unattached, floating mysteriously above the subdial. This fascinating complication is called the Heures Mystérieuses and was inspired by the mysterious clocks of the 19th century.
All of the timepiece’s 95 components are hand-bevelled, chamfered, angled, polished and decorated in-house by Montblanc’s master craftsmen, following the same techniques of techniques of decoration used centuries ago.
A Great Pairing
You’ve got your writing instruments, leather pieces and timepieces set. So what else?
In celebration of 110 years of craftsmanship and coinciding with the Rouge & Noir writing instruments, Montblanc have introduced a new collection of men’s accessories including cufflinks, a tie bar and bracelet centered around the recurrent serpent theme to complement the rest of your collection.
Honouring the Maison’s founders: Nehemias, Eberstein and Voss, three one-of-a-kind cufflinks make up Montblanc’s Heritage men’s accessories offering, in yellow gold, white gold and red gold designed to be paired with the one-of-a-kind Ultimate Serpent writing instrument. In a technical feat, a brilliant Montblanc diamond is suspended at the centre of the cufflink, rotating slightly like a real compass.
Step it up!
So there you have it. Whether you’re a style icon or a novice, a watch aficionado, writing instrument collector or a luxury expert, Montblanc is here to inspire those who lead the way. So, let’s create our own path of achievement and unleash the pioneer spirit within you!
Discover the Montblanc Universe now!
Andre's photos captured by: @garbagelapsap