English Version | Written in the stars

If the ephemerality of the times shows us that today almost anything can become a (micro)trend, it's also true to say that it makes us appreciate the preciousness of true icons and everything they represent. From bags whose name evokes an avalanche of emotions and desires, to objects with reputations that chase them, there are many cult names that last through the decades. Montblanc is precisely one of those names and this year it celebrates the 100th anniversary of its writing instrument that has crossed generations but whose legacy remains intact: Meisterstück.

It was 1924 when the first Meisterstück was launched, at a time when Montblanc still went by its first name: Simplo. It is said that some of the brand's customers began looking for a writing instrument for “Sunday use”, a special model that offered a more refined experience, capable of imprinting an exceptional sense even among the banality of everyday life. Coincidentally, the craftsmen of the house - who were constantly perfecting their savoir-faire - were already developing unique writing instruments for themselves, which they called Meisterstück - “masterpiece” in German. Thus was born the first so-called collection, which quickly became a household symbol.

Over the decades, there have been several Meisterstück iterations, seeking to keep up with the times. From the very beginning, the number “4810” - the height of the Mont Blanc mountain in meters - was intrinsically linked to this writing object, being engraved on the cap or the gold nib. Today, we recognize its “cigar” shape, the three rings on the cap and also the emblem of the maison on the top. The silhouette has been re-adapted countless times and has served as a canvas for famous collaborations but, despite the variations, this instrument remains timeless and maintains the core codes, preserving its heritage through excellence in craftsmanship.

With its distinctive DNA, the Meisterstück has inspired new products from the house, from collections in black leather - a material that reflects the impact of the writing instrument's resin - to technologies such as the MTB 03 in-ear phones. This new generation of pieces is proof that, even in the ephemerality and effervescence of trends, there are names that change with the times, that reinvent themselves and multiply, but remain written in history

Translated from the original on "The Big Book of Trends" issue, published September 2024. Full credits and stories in the print issue.