Montblanc celebrates the centenary of the emblematic Meisterstück with The Origin Collection.
There is a saying that a good pair of shoes will take you places; the same can be said of any object that surpasses pure utility and elevates the experience it is designed for. When it comes to writing instruments, the Montblanc Meisterstück is as iconic as it gets. Introduced in 1924, the craftsmanship of this fountain pen makes it exactly what its name suggests – a masterpiece.
Perfected over a century, the Meisterstück holds its place in writing culture regardless of the advancement from writing by hand to using word processors. It all began with a request from customers for finer “Sunday-use” writing instruments not meant for everyday use. Such writing instruments had, in fact, already been developed by craftsmen as one-of-a-kind, personal projects. In response to these requests, the Meisterstück in 1924. Its iconic status was sealed over the years as it evolved to reflect different eras, acquiring distinctive design codes that now define its identity:
- A ‘cigar’ form
- Montblanc emblem on the cap top
- A handcrafted nib made of 14K or 18K gold with an engraving of the four digits ‘4810’ and usually featuring a two-tone design, first introduced in the 1930s, achieved by a rhodium-coated inlay
- Three gold rings on the cap, first seen in 1937, representing Wilhelm Dziambor, Christian Lausen and Claus Johannes Voss, who had the greatest influence in shaping the company in its founding years
To celebrate a century of the Meisterstück that is steeped in history, Montblanc reviews its design attributes through the years and revisits original concepts from the archive that were never brought to life with The Origin Collection.
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.
Alessandra Elia, Montblanc Director of Writing Culture
Here are the defining features of the 100th anniversary editions:
- A special design nib showing the number “100” and the years “1924” and “2024” that mark it
- A specially designed cap ring bearing the two milestone years
- The original MEISTERSTÜCK logo engraved on the side of the cap – a feature especially treasured as the name Meisterstück used to be translated into different languages, but reverted to the original German version as international success grew
- The bent clip on the edition with a clip drop pays tribute to the different versions of pen clips in the 1920s when clips were not fixed to a writing instrument
- 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
- Each emblem is surrounded by the respective colour of that edition to honour the original sources that inspired the design of the Meisterstück The Origin Collection
Intricate details and exquisite craftsmanship imbue the Resin Editions
The visual impact of the resin is perfectly exemplified in the 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.
Archival designs come to life in the Doué and Solitaire Editions
The Doué and Solitaire Editions feature an early design study from the archives, that had never been produced, aside from a unique piece, and was never 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 Dou 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 Dou 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.
Inspired accessories showcase signature aesthetics
Three ink colours – Blue, Green and Coral – in glass ink bottles that mirror the key colours of the editions come in matching boxes that feature the archival design. Completing the writing experience are: a blue cowskin leather notebook delicately embossed with the archive pattern, a Meisterstück 100 leather notebook with a digital print of the fountain pen, and a set of cards and envelopes with the 100th anniversary design. Also available are a selection of round cufflinks in steel and lacquer, and leather bracelets with a steel vintage design clasp bearing the design aesthetics of this special anniversary.
Experience Montblanc Meisterstück The Origin Collection in Montblanc boutiques worldwide and online.
Images courtesy of Montblanc, artwork by Curatedition. All rights reserved.
Related Links:
Montblanc: For the Love of Van Gogh
Montblanc Writers Edition: An Homage to the Brothers Grimm
Montblanc Haus: Be Inspired to Write
