My Introduction to Montblanc

When I was younger, I had heard of Montblanc and was vaguely aware that it made fancy pens.  However,  upon actually seeing one of these pens, I nonchalantly inspected it and felt absolutely nothing. Not a single note of interest, besides a 'hmm, nice pen'.  Perhaps I was not particularly interested in pens back then, just as I was not interested in watches either.  As I have become older, my perceptions toward quality timekeeping and writing instruments have gradually changed.  It is quite funny that one starts to really appreciate such devices upon reaching a certain age.


Perhaps what intrigues me about these highly personal objects is that they reflect our personality and desires, such as the status or wealth flaunted when signing your name with a thousand dollar pen (that's US Dollars by the way). Yet, I think it is more than just another medium for building your image.  For such craftsmanship and fastidious attention to detail, these pens will last past your lifetime, just like a quality timepiece. And thus, I started to become more aware of brands such as Parker, Waterman, Visconti and ST Dupont.  Naturally, it also awakened my interest in Montblanc.

via: 9penshop.com

Interestingly, most folks that I have spoken are also aware of Montblanc, but they seem to think that it is a French company, as its name, Mont Blanc or 'White Mountain', is derived from the highest mountain in the French Alps.  However, it is in fact from Germany, where it was founded at Hamburg in 1908, where the company was initially called the Simplo Fillerpen Company. This changed after creating their second pen, when the founders were searching for a symbol to represent their ideals and principles. Eventually, they decided to use the highest mountain in Western Europe, with its perpetually snow-capped summit and six glaciers, to embody their commitment to the highest quality standards as well as the timelessness of their pens and company.  Hence the white star symbol is placed on the cap of their pens to represent this snow-covered summit.  Perhaps it was this timelessness that attracted me towards Montblanc, where trends come in and out of fashion, governments change, but Montblanc will still be here, lasting on for generations.

via: wheremilan.com

Montblanc produces a wide range of writing tools, but their most famous is its fountain pen, namely the Meisterstuck or 'Masterpiece' in English. The large, cigar-shaped pen has classically been made from a black resin and the bands are plated in gold.  The nib is created from solid gold, with 4810 etched onto it, indicating the height of the Mont Blanc summit.  As gold is a relatively soft metal, the nib will form to the owner's writing style, but the tip is actually another metal alloy that is harder than gold to prevent damage to the nib when writing.   The basic shapes are produced by machinery, but the finer details of each component are individually finished by the hands of skilled craftsmen.  What is more impressive is that all these components are produced in-house to ensure the quality is up to their high standards.

It is no wonder that John F. Kennedy used a Montblanc to sign important documents with, and so did Mikhail S. Gorbachev when he signed his resignation from the presidency of the Soviet Union. Used by highly influential people during significant events only adds to the legacy passed down by the founders.  Thus, implying that when one purchases a Montblanc pen, one does not only obtain a high quality writing instrument, but also buys into a part of the tradition of the hundred year old brand, Montblanc.