Who are Montblanc?
Pioneering since 1906, Montblanc are known for their high-quality, luxury goods. Consisting of master craftsmen who work diligently, pouring their heart and soul into each and every creation. Montblanc is a brand that began with a simple pen and later mastered the watchmaking and leather goods industries. Montblanc have always described their products as lifestyle companions that will accompany future generations to come, and are well-established and loved for this strong legacy. Their leather goods and accessories are made in Florence; writing instruments in Hamburg and watches in Switzerland. These pieces are sold all over the world making Montblanc a truly international brand. Here at Deacons Jewellers, we are proud to introduce a great collection of Montblanc products in store and online. Browse the Montblanc collection at Deacons Jewellers, or visit us in our Swindon Showroom to view the range and speak with one of our specialists.
Who founded Montblanc?
At the turn of the century in the early 1900s, luxury craftsmanship began to prosper within German society. Alfred Nehemias, a banker from Hamburg, and August Eberstien, an engineer based in Berlin, were a part of this German luxury growth when they put their mind to creating simplistic, yet perfect, writing instruments. After some time, the company was taken on by Wilhelm Dziambor, Christian Lausen, and later, Claus Johannes Voss, where the brand continued to expand in the production of other luxury goods.
What is Montblanc known for?
As a company, Montblanc are known for putting their expertise, pride and passion into every luxury piece that they produce. It requires centuries of accumulated knowledge, decades of experience, and hundreds of hours of dedicated labour to bring a Montblanc to create one pen. The skills of which have been passed down through generations. Montblanc are, and will continue to be, renowned for their resounding quality in every skill in the men's luxury accessories market, which is one of the reasons why Montblanc products, whether that is leather goods, pens or watches, are so sought after!
What are Montblanc's beginnings?
Named after one of the highest mountain summits in the world, Montblanc has a rich and remarkable history. Their story spreads across one century, and three countries. They have a firm belief that there are many ways in which one can move mountains! From the very beginning of their pen making philosophy, the company’s love for writing instruments and craftsmanship ran deep, and was ignited by a desire to create timeless, unique designs. Their first, iconic fountain pen reflects Montblanc’s 116 year-long history, as well as proving that even humble beginnings can be turned into something quite extraordinary.
How did Montblanc expand?
Growing in success from the very beginning, Montbanc saw a significant boom within their business and sales in 1924. This saw the launch of the ‘Meisterstück’, which became the world’s most celebrated and sought after luxury pen, making a name for Montblanc on a worldwide scale. This led to the company expanding their product range into the likes of small luxury leather items, which eventually grew into a whole leather goods section in 1935. Discover Montblanc leather goods at Deacons Jewellers.
Entering the world of men’s jewellery in 1996, Montblanc formed the Meisterstück Jewellery Collection, which offered luxury accessories targeted towards men. A year later, Montblanc branched into watches, creating the factory ‘Montblanc Montre S.A’, in Le Locle, Switzerland, which is renowned for producing well-crafted, Swiss timepieces.
What is Montblanc’s history of pen making?
Montblanc was first called Simplizissiumus-Füllhalter but then quickly rebranded as ‘Simplo Filler Pen Co.’ in 1908, and marketed itself as manufacturers of luxury gold and fountain pens. In 1909, they produced an innovative, safety fountain pen, which avoided ink spillage, and was known as the ‘Rouge et Noir’. This ingenious creation was then exceeded by a technically improved fountain pen; the ‘Montblanc’.
Due to the companie's rapid rise in reputation, a new name was needed that was suitable for a brand of their stature. The highest mountain in the Alps; an infamous land mark that's presence is constant, Montblanc was the perfect name. After this re-naming in 1910, Montblanc commissioned their logo that we know so well today. A six pointed white 'star', that is in-fact an abstract aerial view of the mountain that has six snow covered peaks.
Are the Montblanc pens nibs made from gold?
Yes, each Montblanc pen nib is handcrafted from either 14K or 18K gold, taking 35 skilled steps to craft and an additional 70 steps to assemble the pen. After being expertly hand-crafted by a Montblanc artisan, every pen nib must pass a writing test to ensure that it delivers the perfect writing experience to its user. Montblanc believes that choosing the right pen nib is key to matching your personal writing style that will allow you to write effortlessly. Therefore, they offer a selection of eight different nib widths, as well as an innovative flexible nib for their customers to choose from. Discover Montblanc Pens at Deacons Jewellers, or visit us in our Swindon Showroom to see our range in person. We will be happy to discuss your options with you!
What are some of the Montblanc luxury pen designs?
Montblanc Meisterstuck Platinum Coated Classique Fountain Pen
The Meisterstück Classique Fountain Pen evolved into a distinctive design icon very quickly. Its cap and barrel are crafted in black precious resin, inlaid with a white Montblanc Emblem. This classic fountain pen consists of three platinum-coated rings with embossed Montblanc lettering, a platinum-coated clip and a handcrafted gold nib to emphasise the timeless design of this iconic design. Discover the Meisterstück Classique Fountain Pen online at Deacons Jewellers, or visit us in our Swindon Store to see our new Montblanc range!
Montblanc Meister Glacier Blue Le Grand
The Meisterstück Glacier LeGrand Fountain Pen, with blue and grey coloured precious resin, is inspired by the mystical glaciers of the Montblanc mountain. The pen is a direct result of their attitude towards exploration and adventurous spirit. This writing instrument is finished with a hand-crafted Au585 / 14K solid gold nib, is rhodium-coated, and features the Mer de Glace 'dragon' lying on top of the Mont Blanc mountain.
Montblanc StarWalker Resin Fineliner
The new Montblanc StarWalker is about walking amid the stars, exploring the cosmos and foreign galaxies, and about being part of one of the most mysterious and powerful of human kind’s adventures: space exploration. The collection's new design celebrates the immense emotion, described by all space travellers, of seeing our blue planet floating in the vast expanse of space. The unique StarWalker technology features a blue translucent dome beneath the Montblanc emblem, reminiscent of the Earth emerging above the lunar horizon. The StarWalker Precious Resin comes with platinum-coated fittings and a black precious resin barrel and cap.
What is the watchmaking heritage of Montblanc?
The watchmaking story of Montblanc combines over 160 years of classic tradition with refined, modern creativity and luxury. The Montblanc watchmaking heritage begins in 1858, when Charles-Yvan Robert founded a workshop in Villeret, in the Swiss Jura Mountains, which marked the beginning of Minerva. Minerva is a Swiss watch manufacturer, famous for eventually producing chronograph movements and today part of Montblanc in the Richemont group. The original Minerva ateliers remain abuzz with activity, and now serve as the Montblanc manufacturers in Villeret, with many of the Montblanc watch designs inspired by the Minerva.
From humble beginnings of Minerva in 1858, to them becoming one of the world’s leading specialists in precious chronometry for professionals, Minerva began to build a well-rounded reputation for their innovative spirit. This was especially the case with pocket watches, their designs wound with the crown, leaving the traditional route of winding keys behind. Soon after, their attention was turned to precision timing, and Minerva also became leading specialists in the creation of professional pocket watches, stopwatches, and monopusher chronographs, that is, a watch with a push-button crown function.
Today, Montblanc timepieces proudly continue the journey of Minerva’s rich legacy within their four, fine watchmaking explorations such as the Star Legacy, the 1858, the Bohème, and the Heritage. In each and every Montblanc watch design, the past and present of the Minerva heritage, design, style, technical innovation and accuracy is displayed in a truly remarkable manner. Browse our collection of Montblanc watches at Deacons Jewellers, and feel free to get in touch if you have any queries about these watches!
What are the most popular Montblanc watches?
Heritage
The Montblanc Heritage watch is inspired by the classic Minerva timepieces from the 1940s and 1950s, capturing contemporary watchmaking design and modern technology in a vintage, timeless look.
Montblanc 1858
The Montblanc 1858 watch takes inspiration from the world of mountain exploration, and pays tribute to Minerva’s over 160-year legacy in the watchmaking industry. Its intricate design and incredible display of craftsmanship truly emulates the Minerva, redesigning vintage chronographs.
Montblanc 1858 Iced Sea
As the first ever sports diving watch for Montblanc, the 1858 Iced Sea features a glacier pattern dial that gives that provides a view into the depths of a glacier. This blue glacial pattern dial is inspired by the Mer de Glace - Sea of Ice - the main glacier of the Mont-Blanc Massif.
Star Legacy
The Star Legacy retains the key elements of the Montblanc luxury timepieces, such as the Gold Hunter pocket watch, continuing the journey of classical fine watchmaking alongside modern design and enhanced finishes. It also pays tribute to Minerva’s iconic Star Collection.
Why should I buy a Montblanc watch?
High Quality
It should come of no surprise that Montblanc watches are made to a brillaint standard resulting in their obvious quality. These standards are maintained via the process of a 500-hour test and strict quality control process which every single watch must pass before it leaves the factory. Nothing will ever leave a Montblanc factory at a lesser standard than they have put upon themselves. You can be confident that when buying a Montblanc of any design or collection, that it will be of the utmost quality.
Great Designs
Not only are Montblanc watches made to the highest standards of quality, displaying exquisite craftsmanship, but they are also impeccably designed by a well-skilled team who apply painstaking attention to detail in all of their designs.
What leather goods do Montblanc make?
As well as luxury pens and watches, Montblanc are also very well-known for their unique collection of leather goods and gifts. From leather wallets, cardholders and bags to leather key fobs and pen pouches, Montblanc have a wide variety of accessories for you to choose from. Browse our collection of Montblanc leather goods at Deacons. If you feel as if you would like to take a look at our range in person, then please feel free to visit us in our Swindon Store, but do contact us if you have any queries in the meantime.
Are the Montblanc leather goods responsibly sourced?
Montblanc places a high importance on what happens throughout their company, as well as requiring their supply chain partners to follow the Richemont Code of conduct. They are a part of the Leather Working Group so you can be confident that all of their leather goods are responsibly sourced. Montblanc have set two outstanding goals for their leather goods production by 2023:
- Leather sourced 100% from Europe and from tanneries certified by the Leather Working group by 2023.
- And to be carbon neutral in manufacturing all their leather goods by 2023.
Where are the Montblanc pieces made?
Something that is so special about Montblanc as a company is that their watch factory in Villeret, Switzerland, is located in the same building in which the legendary Minerva was founded in 1858. This factory focuses on the prototyping, development and assembly of all in-house movements.
Montblanc also has a ‘Watch & Quality Excellence Centre’ located in Le Locle, the centre of Swiss Watchmaking, where traditional watch crafting is paired with state-of-the-art, innovative technology. From aesthetics and design to construction, they have all of the expertise needed to create modern timepieces.
With timepieces crafted in different locations across Switzerland, Montblanc have kept true to their original legacy of completing their pens and writing instruments in Hamburg, Germany, and leather goods in Florence, Italy.
What makes Montblanc stand out as a brand?
Montblanc have set an international standard right from their very beginning of the utmost cultural commitment and social responsibility. They maintain their long-standing viewpoint that, as a brand, they have an authentic and meaningful way of doing all they can for society, and believe that no matter the background, everyone in the world should have the opportunity to leave a mark through writing. Montblanc have always created wide-ranging, international initiatives to promote arts and culture, and to join foundations that aim to fight illiteracy around the world.
Their global mission, the ‘Dear Future’ initiative, is to reduce discrimination and to empower underprivileged people by combating illiteracy. Montblanc have collaborated with many incredible organisations for decades such as UNICEF and Laureus, as well as supporting many smaller, local initiatives around the world that contribute to this cause.
What are the Montblanc values?
Philosophy - The Montblanc creators put their heart and soul into actively composing pieces that always embrace and symbolise the everlasting values that shape them as a brand.
Tradition - Throughout all of their products, Montblanc combines fine, traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation and technology, bringing pieces to life that emanate and respect classic heritage whilst displaying refined creation.
Storytelling - One of the key aspects that makes Montblanc so fascinating and exciting is that each product is a result of their company’s story, which is reflected within all of their unique designs.
Elegance - For Montblanc, they believe that refined elegance mixed with traditional watchmaking heritage is the way forward with their pieces. When it comes to leather goods and pens, their designs always stay elegantly classic and timeless, creating an exquisite look and feel.
Preservation - Although Montblanc do concentrate heavily on the innovation and modern movement of craftsmanship and design, they also believe that it is vital to maintain products that have been crafted traditionally, with the ability to withstand the passing of time. Their dedication to the heritage of craftsmanship means that Montblanc pieces will always perform impeccably, whilst also symbolising elegance for many lifetimes.
Montblanc at Deacons Jewellers
Here at Deacons Jewellers, we are proud stockists of Montblanc gifts, and have a wide selection of Montblanc luxury pens, watches, cufflinks and leather goods. Shop Montblanc online at Deacons today, or alternatively, consider visiting us in person! Discover more about our Swindon Showroom.