You probably know Montblanc for its Meisterstück – the 99-year-old design that quickly became the archetypal fountain pen. But did you know that the brand has long been a leading figure in travel-friendly writing instruments, too? Back in the 1910s and ’20s, Montblanc created the first leakproof, retractable-nib fountain pens that you could take out and about, as well as mini versions to fit in your pocket, handbag or briefcase.
And speaking of leather goods – Montblanc has been making those since the 1920s too, when commercial travel was picking up pace, and having a leather case for your pen and a matching leather bag to store it in while on the move exemplified luxury (actually, it still does).
Almost a century after it began creating leather accessories, the brand has reissued its Meisterstück 4810 luggage collection. This offering of bags big and small, pouches for your documents or your phone, a briefcase and a backpack, among other things, recalls the brand’s core – putting pen to paper – through corteccia leather that is inspired by the texture of tree bark, and the origin of paper itself. The leather is rendered in golden brown, intense green, ivory and black to reflect the trunk and leaves. A blank slate, the brand says, that brings endless inspiration and possibilities.
There are also pen holders in this collection (of course), as well as a thin document case that shows you mean (stylish) business in a meeting, and many options for customisation, including a modular system and adjustable straps that make everything adaptable enough for any kind of travel.
Each of these items is finished with the iconic Montblanc emblem – it’s a reference to the snow-capped peak of Mont Blanc, but also a symbol of the German brand’s unwavering commitment to craftsmanship, which sees the gold nibs of its pens made in no fewer than 35 steps at a single location in Hamburg. All its leather pieces, meanwhile, are crafted by artisans who are specially trained in each of the various production stages, inside the brand’s own Florentine workshop that has been running since 1935.
So, next time you need to take notes on the go, might we suggest Montblanc?
