Montblanc is commemorating the centenary of its Meisterstück writing instrument with a collection inspired by the spirit of the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris and Chamonix. The Meisterstück, which began Montblanc’s writing craftsmanship journey, was created in the same year the Olympic Games were held. The Meisterstück x Olympic Heritage Collection pays tribute to the centenary of these events, highlighting the rich heritage, history, and place of belonging between Montblanc and the Olympic Games. Both Montblanc and the Games embody the pursuit of human achievements.
The outcome of intense research and enriching exchanges with the Olympic Museum and the International Olympic Committee, the Meisterstück x Olympic Heritage Collection features editions that spotlight the art and design of past Olympic Games. The warm shade of red of the Meisterstück x Olympic Heritage Paris 1924 Resin LeGrand was the official red color of the Olympic Games Paris 1924. Its handcrafted solid Au 585 gold nib is embellished with a javelin thrower, referencing a vintage Olympic poster of that year.
The Olympic Rings, as part of the Olympic Heritage logo engraved on the cap top ring, express the activity of the Olympic Movement and represent the union of the five continents and the meeting of athletes from across the world at the Olympic Games. The Olympic Heritage logo, in turn, is flanked by an encircling wreath of leaves, reminiscent of those presented as the highest accolade to victors at the Olympic Games of Antiquity.
The cap is engraved with the words “Olympic Games Paris 1924” inside a frame inspired by the cover of the official Games report. Embedded in precious coral-colored resin in the cap top is the Montblanc emblem, a signature design element since 1913 that embodies Maison’s pioneering spirit and ambition in shaping writing culture.
1924 was a year of firsts for both Montblanc and the Olympic Movement. While the first Olympic Winter Games were staged with the Mont Blanc as a backdrop in Chamonix, France, the first Meisterstück was introduced to customers. The Meisterstück x Olympic Heritage Chamonix 1924 Edition is made up of three different versions: a Classique Edition made from precious resin in a tone resembling the official blue-grey color chosen for the Olympic Winter Games, a Doué Edition combining a precious resin barrel with a platinum-coated cap featuring an engraving of the mountain landscape of the Chamonix valley and a Solitaire Edition with a platinum-coated cap and barrel adorned with the exact engraving.
The caps of all editions are engraved with the words “Olympic Winter Games Charmonix 1924” within a cartouche. The representation of the ski jumper on the handcrafted solid Au 750 gold nib takes its cue from graphic works created for the Olympic Winter Games Chamonix 1924. The cap top ring is embellished with the Olympic Heritage emblem composed of the Olympic rings, while the Montblanc emblem on the cap top is set in precious coral-colored resin.
The Montblanc Meisterstück x Olympic Heritage Paris and Chamonix 1924 Editions are available as a fountain pen, ballpoint pen, and rollerball. To accompany the writing instrument collection, Montblanc introduces Meisterstück x Olympic Heritage Paris and Chamonix 1924 Inks in original Red and Blue, presented in a square glass ink bottle. Special edition Notebooks feature original artwork and typography from the Olympic Games Paris 1924 and Olympic Winter Games Chamonix 1924, completing the overall writing experience.
Regarded as the quintessential writing instrument, the Meisterstück has left an indelible mark on our collective culture, having been wielded by many influential individuals who shaped history. The all-black fountain pen was named Meisterstück or “masterpiece” in German to describe its status as a work of the highest level of craftsmanship made through the skills of a master. Through a century of continued popularity, the Meisterstück has already left its mark as a Montblanc writing icon.
In its lifetime, Meisterstück’s shape has evolved from its simple black safety pen appearance to reflect the influences of different eras, acquiring specific distinctive design attributes along the way. Those that have remained until today include the number “4810” engraved on the two-tone gold nib as a reference to the height of the Mont Blanc mountain in meters, bold clip design, streamlined “cigar shape, and the three gold rings. These attributes now define its recognizable identity immortalized over 50 years ago.
Montblanc Meisterstück x Olympic Heritage Collection is available from July 2024 from Montblanc boutiques worldwide and online. For more information, visit www.montblanc.com.
