Montblanc Meisterstück: The Origin Collection
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A bold new chapter in the history of writing culture was written in 1924 when Montblanc introduced its new writing instrument. The all-black fountain pen was named Meisterstück, “masterpiece” in German, to describe its status as a work of absolute craftsmanship made through the skills of a master. Through a century of continuous use and popularity, the Meisterstück has been perfected to become recognized as a writing icon. To celebrate this milestone anniversary, Montblanc has returned to its origins to create the Meisterstück The Origin Collection highlighting its design attributes through the years and even revisiting original concepts from the extensive Montblanc archive that were never brought to life.
“At the peak of the digital age, the Meisterstück continues to be considered a symbol of culture, creativity and connection. It is above all synonymous with the power of handwriting. With this special collection, we are inviting writing enthusiasts and lovers of Montblanc writing culture to come on a journey with us to discover, or rediscover through a new lens the design attributes that have become defining features of the beloved Meisterstück,” says Alessandra Elia, Montblanc Director of Writing Culture.
The Origins of an Original Icon
Regarded as the quintessential writing instrument, the Meisterstück has left an indelible mark on mankind, wielded by many influential individuals who shaped our collective culture and history. Its origins and subsequent success however are perhaps more accidental. It is said that some customers began to request writing instruments for “Sunday-use” – finer tools not meant for everyday use. Unbeknown to them, the craftsmen in the workshops had long been developing such writing instruments as personal projects, one-of-a-kind pieces that exhibited highly advanced craftsmanship and as such they were known as “Meisterstück”.
Through its lifetime, the Meisterstück’s shape has evolved from its simple black safety pen appearance to reflect the influences of different eras, acquiring certain distinctive design attributes along the way that now define its timeless identity crystalized over 50 years ago. The number “4810” engraved on the two-tone gold nib as a reference to the height of the Mont Blanc mountain in meters and bold clip design first appeared in the 1920s, while the streamlined cigar shape and the three gold rings were adopted in the late 1940s and 1950s.
The Distinctive Design Details of a New Icon
To commemorate the 100th anniversary, each edition is decorated with a special design nib showing the number “100“ as well as the years “1924“ and “2024“. In addition, a specially designed cap ring is also decorated with both the milestone years. In the early days, the name “Meisterstück” was translated into different languages, but as international success grew, the product name became so emblematic that only the original German version was kept. A nod to the importance of its name, the original MEISTERSTÜCK logo is engraved on the side of the cap of every edition.
The bent clip on the edition with a clip drop is an homage to the many different clip versions that existed during the 1920s when clips were not fixed to a writing instrument but could be chosen by customers from a range of different clips. Inspired by the different marble effects in the early Meisterstück writing instruments, the precious resin of the cap displays an effect reminiscent of dissolving ink that has purposely been adapted to today’s more advanced production techniques. To honour the original sources that inspired the design of the Meisterstück The Origin Collection, each emblem is surrounded by the respective colour of that edition.
Meisterstück The Origin Collection: Resin Editions
Meisterstück The Origin Collection Precious Resin 149 features a black precious resin barrel and a cap with a fluid ink effect, enhanced with platinum-coated fittings including the centenary cap ring and special anniversary clip. The rhodium-coated solid Au750 gold nib is embellished with the centenary design.
Meisterstück The Origin Collection Precious Resin LeGrand pairs a dark blue precious resin barrel with a blue fluid ink effect cap. The Montblanc emblem that crowns the writing instrument is embedded in precious blue resin, while the nib is crafted from rhodium-coated solid Au585 gold nib.
Meisterstück The Origin Collection Precious Resin Classique edition in green precious resin features the fluid ink cap effect with elegant gold-coated fittings and the emblem surrounded with green resin. The solid Au585 gold nib is decorated with the distinctive centenary design.
Meisterstück The Origin Collection: Doué and Solitaire Editions
The Doué and Solitaire editions bring an early design study sourced from the extensive Montblanc archive into existence. Apart from a unique piece that was never advanced to production, the design has never been seen on a Montblanc writing instrument until it was used as the inspiration for the pattern on the cap of these two editions.
Meisterstück The Origin Collection Doué LeGrand combines a platinum-coated cap with the lacquered archive pattern in blue adorned with the engraved vintage MEISTERSTÜCK logo and a barrel in precious blue resin. The edition features a rhodium-coated solid Au750 gold nib and a Montblanc emblem at the top of the cap embedded in blue resin. The Meisterstück The Origin Collection Doué Classique version of the design contrasts a gold-coated cap with the lacquered archive pattern in green. The Montblanc emblem is set in precious green resin and the nib is crafted from solid Au750 gold. The Meisterstück The Origin Collection Solitaire LeGrand edition pairs the gold-coated design with the signature Montblanc coral colour.
Meisterstück The Origin Collection: AccessoriesTo complement the writing instrument collection, Montblanc is introducing three ink colours in glass ink bottles to mirror the key colours of the editions – Blue, Green and Coral – presented in a box featuring the archive design. A blue cowskin leather Notebook delicately embossed with the archive pattern, a Meisterstück 100 leather Notebook with a digital print of the fountain pen, as well as a set of cards and envelopes with the 100th anniversary design, complete the writing experience. In addition, a selection of round cufflinks in steel and lacquer, and leather bracelets with a steel vintage design clasp are also being released for the special anniversary.
