Discover the Montblanc Meisterstück Outlet Collection with Men’s Folio Malaysia

In collaboration with Montblanc, Malaysia’s Men’s Folio team unveiled the newest Montblanc Meisterstück leather collection designed by the brand’s artistic director Marco Tomasetta. Held at Montblanc Pavilion KL boutique, the event was attended by VIPs, influencers and fans of Men’s Folio as well as Montblanc, including Andre Amir, Desmond Tey, Alex Cheah and Raymond Tham. The fun-filled evening was hosted by Syazil Rahim from Men’s Folio and officiated by Benjamin Goh, Montblanc regional marketing and communication director for Southeast Asia and Olivier Burlot, CEO of Heart Media. ..........Read full article

The new Montblanc Outlet Haus in Hamburg is celebration of writing

Within the new Montblanc Haus in Hamburg is a fascinating permanent exhibition showcasing the manufacture’s craftsmanship of writing instruments and the enduring power of the written word, reports Jonathan Ho.

While penmanship is an increasingly rare ability that has always been a source of fascination for many, especially in modern times, the writing instrument itself tends to get overlooked. There is, however, no denying the emotional connection between pen and owner. Such love did some historical figures have for their instruments that when Anne Frank accidentally threw her Montblanc Fountain Pen into the fireplace, she was so devastated she wrote an “ode” to it. Fortunately, the rest of her writings survived her.

According to Alexa Schilz, Montblanc’s director of brand heritage, culture and sustainability, writing not only fosters connection but mobilises us as a society on a larger scale as catalysts for change. Not all writing tools are made equal, though. The equivalent of approximately 1.6 billion plastic ballpoints would find themselves in the trash each year in continental United States.

Defending the relevance of writing instruments in this digital age, Montblanc’s executive vice present of marketing Vincent Montalescot, says, “No one collects screen captures of emails or Whatsapp messages, but you would keep a nicely handwritten anniversary card or letter. We save postcards because there’s an impermanence to them. You know that they will last for some time but if you don’t keep them properly, you’ll lose them. Fear of that loss makes you treasure these letters more.”

“This means,” he continues, “that there is no conflict with the digital world. Putting pen to paper brings a completely unique emotion that you don’t get from pixels on a screen, and that’s just the reality. I don’t see ‘challenge’; I see opportunity.”

Montblanc is one of, if not the most, eminent manufacturer of writing instruments in the world. The Meisterstück, its iconic pen first created in 1924, is close to celebrating its centennial. Just in time to mark this milestone is the newly opened Montblanc Haus, which is set across three levels totalling 3,600 sqm, and situated right next to the company headquarters and writing instruments manufacturing facility in its birth city of Hamburg.

The destination boasts a permanent exhibition that traces Montblanc’s heritage from its founding days to the present, and offers insight into its design and production process, as well as the world of calligraphy, hand lettering and creative writing. There are over 410 writing instruments, a Writing Atelier, behind-the-scenes showcases of its craftsmen and the making of its nibs, and the various inspirational figures who left their imprint in the world through the written word.

During an exclusive trip to the Haus, we discover that Montblanc’s illustrious customers include world leaders the likes of Barack Obama, the Dalai Lama and Pope Benedict. Certainly they appreciate a fine writing instrument, because nothing writes like a fountain pen. Even if the technology has improved, fancy new liquid-ink rollerballs have not come close to the majesty and flair of such a remarkable instrument. Prices, which begin from $555 but can reach over a million dollars, are largely dictated by the materials used for a pen’s body. While many of Montblanc’s writing instruments are rendered in resin or plastic, some of the special or high artistry editions are decorated with precious metals, typically gold and even palladium. Some are finished with  lacquered mother-of-pearl. Yet when it comes to performance, all users will pay serious attention to a singular point of greatest importance: the nib.

Most vintage fountain pens required 70 manual operations to produce. Today, even with newer techniques and machines, Montblanc still takes 105 steps to make a handcrafted writing instrument. “The nib alone takes 35 steps to make,” describes Montalescot. That distinctive metal tip of the pen where the ink flows out is made of solid gold with an iridium tip.

While there is a mix of genders among the artisans in Montblanc’s Nib Manufacture department today, it used to be that only women were stationed there because they were assumed to possess the quiet patience to execute the precise measures in nib-making. These days, everyone is trained in every step so as not to disrupt production, although only a handful remain experts at two of the most crucial steps.

Montalescot says that the process continues “right down to putting the pen to paper and listening, even feeling what’s happening on paper”. He elaborates, “If the experience doesn’t meet their standards, the process goes back to step one. Montblanc Haus truly expresses who we are.”

At the Haus, we also learn that “a wet noodle” or extremely flexible nib in the hands of a skilled calligrapher can create gorgeous line variations. This recalls the pen’s humble beginnings – in the form of feather quills whose soft tips were whittled and split to form a perfect if primitive “wet noodle”. As pen-makers like Montblanc perfected the art of rendering these quill tips in metal, it revolutionised a whole new class of calligraphy, most notably the Spencerian script developed by American bookkeeper Platt Rogers Spencer.

The Montblanc executives also highlight that the company offers classes for students and underprivileged children. Says Montalescot, “There are more than 100 million children in the world who don’t know how to write. There are some who have already been on the internet but have not yet had access to writing. Montblanc will not be able to solve this issue but we participate and support communities and NGOs in literacy. Montblanc Haus has a dedicated space and programmes where we host classes in which children can experience different aspects of writing.”

Montblanc CEO Nicolas Baretzki explains the goals of the Haus: “We envisioned to create a special home for the art of writing; a place where people could discover or rediscover the incredible power of handwriting and the creativity, imagination and emotion it unlocks. Montblanc Haus was conceived as a journey of discovery, told through the eyes of a company that has been at the heart of the culture of writing for over 115 years. It is our hope that it becomes a meaningful landmark for Hamburg – a city that is so important to the history and identity of Montblanc, and for local communities and faraway visitors to enjoy.”

What also warms our heart is that beyond experiencing the wonder of the written word in a personal way, visitors to the Haus are invited to test Montblanc writing instruments and send postcards around the globe.

(All images: Montblanc)

This story first appeared in the June 2022 issue of Prestige Singapore. 

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The Five Most Expensive Montblanc Pens Outlet online Ever Made

Montblanc has established itself as a company that manufactures high-quality luxurious writing instruments. Its story began in 1906 when a designer and banker partnered to make simple fountain pens. However, three other enterprising men saw the potential in the business and took over; thus, in 1908, Montblanc was born. The company name is inspired by the highest mountain in western Europe. It symbolizes the commitment to manufacturing top-notch pens. As a result, the price is usually astronomical, and below are the five most expensive Montblanc pens ever made.

5. Montblanc Prince Rainier III Limited Edition 81 – $256,000

This pen is a tribute to Prince Rainier III, and Montblanc limited the writing instrument to only 81 pens, to coincide with the age at which the Prince died. To further pay tribute to the Prince, half of the sales revenue, according to Sandra’s Closet, went to the foundation Princess Grace Kelly had established. The pen was sold for $256,000, a price explained by the diamonds and rubies worth over 8 carats embellishing the skeleton frame. In total, the pen has 992 diamonds and 92 rubies. The pen is also made from 18-carat gold in line with the Montblanc tradition. The body as well is crafted from 18-carat white gold, while the clip has 19 rubies. This pen was unveiled in 2007, two years after Prince Rainier died and his son, Prince Albert attended the event.

4. Montblanc Mystery Masterpiece – $730,000

According to RobbReport, Montblanc and Van Cleef & Arpels celebrated their years of making high-end luxury accessories in 2006 by making the Mystery Masterpiece pen. The two companies used a Mystery Setting Technique, which Van Cleef & Arpels has patented. It involves making the gemstones appears as if they are floating by concealing their placement on the pen’s surface. The technique uses a clear resin, and the mystery is how the gemstones “float.” Therefore, the name comes from the mystery technique by Van Cleef & Arpels, and “masterpiece” is from Montblanc’s most popular pen. The limited-edition comprised nine pens – three each, in sapphire, emerald, and ruby. It is a heavily jeweled pen made from an 18-carat gold nib and 11.7-carat diamonds encrusting the surface. It took a lot of precision to get the pen this exquisite, and allegedly, each took at least 90 minutes to set the diamonds. The pens were all handmade. Consequently, each was priced at $730,000.

3. Montblanc Boheme Royal Pen – $1.5 Million

Alux lists the Montblanc Boheme Royal pen as one of the highest-priced pens globally. Other sources cite it as the flagship pen of the Montblanc brand. It is adorned with 1430 diamonds patterned in a wavy line on the entire surface of the pen. The writing instrument came in two versions – one with all white diamonds and another in white diamonds alternating with black ones. The logo is one of a kind and comprises 19 diamonds and three 18-carat white gold rings. Another unique feature is the retractable nib made from 18-carat gold and is platinum-plated. The pen is refilled through a cartridge instead of a converter since a converter would risk getting some ink on the pen, damaging the beauty that makes the pen stand unique. The clip also sets the writing instrument apart with a paramount diamond-cut set.

2. Montblanc Johannes Kepler Stella Nova – $1.5 Million

According to Luxury Launches, Montblanc decided to pay tribute to Johannes Kepler, the astronomer, astrologer, and mathematician who developed the laws of planetary motion. Montblanc created Johannes Kepler High Artistry Limited Edition, which comprised five items, all writing instruments. However, the one that took the prize was the Johannes Kepler High Artistry Stella Nova Limited Edition 1. It is made from 5,294 sapphires and 570 diamonds. The sapphires in the cap are designed in a pattern that emulates the Milky Way. At the top of the pen is a 6.20-carat flawless diamond. The diamond is placed in a three-dimensional white gold structure, and three rings surround it. The three rings symbolize Kepler’s three laws of planetary motion – the law of harmonies, the law of equal areas, and the law of ellipses. The pen comes with its porcelain stand, whose shape is inspired by a 17th-century scrolled collar that Kepler wore. Atop the collar is an open scroll featuring a drawing by Kepler. This writing instrument also comes with a pair of white gold cufflinks shaped like Kepler’s model of the solar system. The tip of the pen has an engraving of the constellation Ophiuchus. These limited-edition pens were only available at Montblanc boutiques.

1. Montblanc Taj Mahal Edition – $2 Million

According to Lux Expose, Montblanc’s Celebration of the Taj Mahal Edition is a tribute to the Mughal dynasty’s rich traditions and the influence of Shah Jahan. The inspiration for the Taj Mahal construction is the love between Shah Jahan and his Mumtaz Mahal who had been inseparable since their marriage until death took Mahal away during childbirth. The Taj Mahal is one of India’s most popular landmarks, and as such, writing instruments inspired by the monument are bound to be highly priced. The Taj Mahal Collection only had three writing instruments, all limited to a piece worldwide; the three include the Black Myth, the Insignia of Power, and Tears of The Moon. The Black Myth Limited Edition 1 is inspired by the myth that Shah Jahan planned on building another image of the Taj Mahal in black, standing opposite Yamuna River, where his late wife lay. To further emphasize the Black Myth, the pen is designed from white gold adorned with black sapphires and diamonds. The 18-carat gold nib embellished with lovebirds encompassed by foliage and flowers signifies the love between Shah Jahan and Mahal. The lovebirds are present also on the Tears of the Moon and Insignia of Power. These three writing instruments have peacock feathers, referencing the Peacock Throne that Shah Jahan created. The peacock feathers also replace clips in this High Artistry Edition priced at $2 million.

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MONTBLANC OUTLET ONLINE HAUS: A PLACE BUILT TO INSPIRE WRITING

As a writer, it’s always been kind of gratifying to see that most other editors (and other professionals!) are passionate about one tool: our pens. That is not to say that these precious commodities have to be expensive. There was a time when I would not be caught anywhere without a simple stick ballpoint pen from MUJI. (Heck, I’ve woken up to find them in my bed.) I’ve known others to be just as devoted to everything from a Sharpie to a Tiffany Elsa Peretti ballpoint. These days, though, between using Apple Pencils with our iPads, or just forgoing writing altogether to tap out notes on our phones, sometimes we lose sight of the art of slowing down and paying attention to our handwriting.

That’s why it’s nice to see that the luxury accessories house Montblanc, best known for its stylish pens, has opened Montblanc Haus, an immersive brand experience that brings to life the brand’s belief in the value of writing. Located next to the company headquarters and manufacturing center in Hamburg, Germany, the building was designed by Nieto Sobejanos Arquitectos and inspired by Montblanc’s heritage: an homage to the historical shape of the Meisterstück writing instrument packaging. The brand museum tells the story of Montblanc from its founding days to the present, of the people who craft Montblanc’s writing instruments, and of those who have used them to share their imprint on humanity. The space occupies three levels and nearly 40,000 square feet, providing an immersive brand experience.

“We envisioned creating a special home for the art of writing, a place where people could discover or rediscover the incredible power of handwriting and the creativity, imagination, and emotion it unlocks in everyone. Montblanc Haus was conceived as a journey of discovery, told through the eyes of a company that has been at the heart of the culture of writing for over 115 years. It is our hope that Montblanc Haus becomes a meaningful landmark for Hamburg, a city that is so important to the history and identity of Montblanc, and for local communities and faraway visitors to discover and enjoy says Nicolas Baretzki, Montblanc CEO.

Under the banner of Montblanc’s brand purpose to Inspire Writing, the permanent exhibition at Montblanc Haus invites visitors to explore different themes:

• The Pulse of Writing is an immersive experience that highlights the power and value of writing.
• Montblanc’s Legacy and Vision tells the story of the Maison and its icon the Meisterstück.
• Handwriting from around the World spotlights different types of handwriting translated into artwork.
• Craftsmanship and Innovation showcases the know-how of the brand’s writing instrument creation and production.
• Montblanc Collections explores different collections including Limited Editions and the exclusive High Artistry pieces
• The Mark Making space is dedicated to visitors and to those who have left their mark, featuring an Autograph Library with 30 original handwritten notes from Ernest Hemmingway and Albert Einstein, to Frida Kahlo and Spike Lee combined with a digital guestbook experience for visitors to leave their own mark.

“The Montblanc Haus has allowed us to uncover some treasures from our archive that we are eager to share with the world. This experience is not only dedicated to all the incredible stories that have been written over time including our very own, but to all the great stories that are yet to be written, as we invite our visitors to be inspired to leave their mark”, adds Vincent Montalescot, Montblanc EVP Marketing.

Throughout Montblanc Haus, visitors are invited to experience the wonder of writing by hand in a very personal way. They can test Montblanc writing instruments and send postcards with their thoughts around the globe. Montblanc Haus offers a series of classes in its Writing Atelier to visitors including the art of calligraphy, creative writing, and kids’ classes. Furthermore, as part of its commitment to the culture of writing, Montblanc will host special classes dedicated to disadvantaged children and young adults to inspire them to use writing to their advantage, to express themselves creatively.

The artistry that comes with handwriting as a means of self-expression comes to life in the works of art commissioned for Montblanc Haus. The work of Paris-based artist Wendy Andreu is the first thing visitors encounter, art from wool colored with ink and filled with surprising details that reveal themselves with every look: words, waves, the shape of mountains. For Studio Marianne Guély, paper is an unlimited source of inspiration used as the signature material for its creations, one of which is suspended inside the dome of Montblanc Haus.

In addition to the permanent exhibition, Montblanc Haus welcomes visitors to enjoy temporary exhibits, the Montblanc Archives (by special arrangement), a café as well as a boutique that features exclusive Montblanc Haus products.

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Montblanc Outlet Online Patron Of Art Homage To Victoria & Albert Limited Edition: Impressively Regal Writing Instruments

Amazingly, it’s been 30 years since Montblanc first introduced the limited edition Patron of Art collection paying homage each year to significant historical art patrons. Patronage has played an important role in painting, architecture, sculpture, and even music throughout history, with the affluent and other influencers serving as sponsors in the production or commission of works.

Lorenzo de Medici – one of the most enthusiastic proponents of Renaissance culture in Italy – was Montblanc’s honoree that first year, 1992, and the octagonal sterling silver Lorenzo de Medici fountain pen remains one of my all-time favorites.

Like its forebears, this year’s Patron of Art Homage to Victoria & Albert is another fine example of Montblanc’s artistry in pen making. It is also the last Patron of Art collection the company intends to produce, so its elaborateness is as much a nod to this (sad) fact as it is to Montblanc’s increasingly proficient pen-making playbook.

The six writing instruments spin an interesting yarn about the British royal couple as passionate partners and art patrons, and their story is told via a variety of in-house decorative techniques that seem to get more intricate by the year.

A lot has happened to facilitate this evolution, including an increased focus on research and development. And Montblanc’s decision several years ago to make multiple editions of each of its Patron of Art pens is a huge opportunity to show off its métiers d’art, which includes engraving, stone setting, lacquering, pearl work, and more. It also allows for a variety of price points, in this case reaching to $162,500 for the diamond-studded Victoria and Albert LE8, the most limited of the four editions.

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Continuing the Pace of the Past: Montblanc Outlet Introduces the Minerva Monopusher Chronograph Red Arrow

Montblanc is diving deeper into its (adopted) heritage with the Minerva Monopusher Chronograph Red Arrow. This is exactly one of those watches that made me revise my opinion of integrating the legendary Minerva manufacture in the Montblanc brand many years ago. While at first I was worried that the exceptional expertise of the first was used to boost the appeal of the latter, Montblanc has shown itself a more than worthy custodian of Minerva, ensuring that its heritage is brought into the future. ..........Read full article

Montblanc Outlet Captures The Beauty Of Glaciers In Icy-Cool Collection

A source of inspiration for the Montblanc brand since its inception, the Mont Blanc peak towers high above all other mountains in Europe. This wonder of monumental proportions is also home to glaciers and iced lakes with ice of captivating beauty that have inspired a selection of products featuring distinctive ice designs, across multiple categories. ..........Read full article

Introducing Montblanc Outlet Online Dives Into Watches & Wonders With Two New Tool Watches

Montblanc has released a bevy of models for the 2022 edition of Watches & Wonders, and among them are two tool watches with a razor-sharp focus on the functionality specific to diving and flying. Let's start with the watch made for divers, the 1858 Iced Sea Automatic Date. The focal point is the dial, which boasts a specific texture that mimics the characteristics of ice found in glaciers. Designers took inspiration from the frozen Mer de Glace, or Sea of Ice, found in the Mont-Blanc Massif. The result is a dial that tricks the eye – the dial is only .5mm thick, but it looks like there's fractured and splintered glacial ice measuring a few millimeters thick. The dial featuring this pattern comes in blue, green, and black. ..........Read full article

Montblanc Outlet Debuts it First Diver’s Watch at Watches & Wonders

At this year’s Watches & Wonders, Montblanc premiered its first diver’s watch, available with a blue, green and black dial and water-resistant to 300 meters or 1,000 feet. The brand’s take on this sought-after watch genre is quite refreshing; instead of referring to maritime diving, the glacial lakes around the Mont Blanc massif in the Northern France Chamonix valley inspired the 1858 Iced Sea Automatic Date. ..........Read full article

MONTBLANC OUTLET DEBUTS NEW LOOK FOR ICONIC MEISTERSTÜCK LEATHER GOODS COLLECTION

Luxury accessories company Montblanc’s artistic director, Marco Tomasetta, joined the organization in March 2021. His resume includes Givenchy, Prada, Chloé, and Louis Vuitton, but his first order of business at the Hamburg, Germany-based company was to do a deep dive into its archives to find inspiration to update its signature Meisterstück leather accessories collection. 

The German word for “masterpiece,” Meisterstück is also the moniker of Montblanc’s signature writing instrument. Although the pen comes in ballpoint, mechanical pencil, and several other models, it’s best known as a classic fountain pen. The shape of the pen’s nib became the focus of his creative journey: Besides being applied to leather details — like where handles and straps are attached to bags — it’s also been used as inspiration for updated zipper pulls, luggage tags, and closures. 

The collection’s silhouettes have been rounded for a more clean, contemporary look, and — one of our favorite touches — a new leather has been developed in a very deep tone of matte black inspired by dark, fluid ink. The Mont Blanc snowcap emblem, a significant branding element, is also used in the collection. A small envelope “Pouch” features the silhouette of a craggy Alpine mountainside, taken from a 1920 Montblanc advertisement. 

“The aim was to bring the design of the collection even closer to Montblanc’s iconic symbol of timeless luxury – the Meisterstück writing instrument. By mirroring some of its distinguishing features like the nib itself as well as the colour and shine of the pen’s precious resin with its smooth sensual touch, we have created pieces that truly stand out. Not simply because of their elevated design, but because they clearly showcase Montblanc’s DNA”, explains Marco Tomasetta, Montblanc Artistic Director. 

Large leather goods include a briefcase, document case, tote and duffle. Smaller pieces include portfolios, pouches, wallets, card holders, and key pouches. Two other collections, Selection Glacier and Selection Soft, will make their debuts on March 30th and April 1st, respectively.

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