With the Donation Pen Johannes Brahms, Montblanc honours one of the most important personalities in the history of classical music: Johannes Brahms. His exceptional talent for muiscal expression and his outstanding contribution to the evolution of composition place Brahms for the posterity alongside Bach and Beethoven in the great canon of classical conductors.

Johannes Brahms – the greatest musical virtuoso of the Romantic period

Born in 1833, Johannes Brahms, the son of a middle-class musician in Hamburg, became one of the most important personalities in the history of classical music. His extraordinary talent, as a conductor, pianist and composer made him a leading musician of the Romantic era.

Although Brahms began to compose at an early age, it was his introduction to Robert Schuman, which paved the way for his musical future. Recognizing his great talent and brilliancy, Schuman became an outspoken advocate of his career, praising him to the musical community so that Brahms’ artistic life began to flourish. Schuman left no doubt in Brahms’ imminent greatness and his expectations may sometimes have weighted heavily on Brahms. Always striving for perfection Brahms destroyed or never published many of his compositions, but over his lifetime he still made a great and lasting contribution to the history of classical music, doing justice to everything Schuman predicted for him. In 1876, after 15 years of preparation, he completed his first symphony, which marked the beginning of a unique musical legacy.

Brahm´s muse Clara Schumann – musical declaractions of love

Brahms found a loyal devotèe and supporter not only in Robert Schuman, but also in his wife Clara, who for this reason had soon be regarded as his soulmate and muse. As a celebrated concert pianist, Clara the bright musical star was the perfect spiritual match for Brahms. Their tender letters reveal a close, lifelong friendship, which often found expression in Brahms’ creative work. In keeping this traditon of correspondence, the Donation Pen Johannes Brahms has been crafted with the care to serve a lifetime of personal expression with its hancrafted, rhodium-plated, 14K gold nib, bearing a delicate engraving of a dove – sign of both love and peace.

Montblanc Johannes Brahms Special Edition

The cap and barrel of this Special Edition of black precious resin with their platinum-plated fittings are complemented by design details inspired by the fascinating world of classical music to which Brahms dedicated his life. As a symbol of Brahms’s constant striving for perfection in music, the clip of the Donation Pen Johannes Brahms Special Edition is inspired by a tuning fork – the instrument that guides a musician through the maze of music with its pure tone. The clip shaped like a tuning fork and the five lines of a music staff decorating the cap bring to mind the excitement of symphony scores and orchestras tuning up for a performance.

The harmonic design composition of this Special Edition is completed by Brahms’ signature, elegantly engraved on the cap ring. As a special gift evoking the classical music experience, each Johannes Brahms Special Edition, available as fountain pen, rollerball and ballpoint pen, is accompanied by a tuning fork.

Montblanc and Johannes Brahms – supporters of Art and Culture

In his lifetime, Brahms became one of the greatest cultural figures, earning numerous formal awards, but he was not content with fame alone and dedicated time in assisting young composers at the start of their career, just as Robert Schumann had done for him. With its rich heritage of commitment to arts patronage, Montblanc shares Brahmsʼ passion for talent and his sense of duty in supporting generations of emerging artists worldwide. The Montblanc Donation Pens honor outstanding personalities from the world of classical and contemporary music – exquisite fountain pens, rollerballs and ballpoint pens which, in their gracefulness and attention to detail, faithfully commemorate the famous personalities after whom they are named.

By purchasing a Donation Pen, people who appreciate music and fine writing instruments acquire not only an exclusive Limited Edition, but also support the promotion of art and culture with the donation Montblanc makes from the revenue of every sold Donation Pen edition.

Learn more the edition, listen to Brahm’s masterpieces on our webspecial via http://bit.ly/IIz3Zm.

Discover Montblanc’s new Ipad App „Creations of Passion“ for all Limited Edition Writing Instruments

With Montblanc´s new „Creations of Passion“ Ipad App, everyone who is passionate about exquisite writing instruments can now get an fascinating insight into the world of Montblanc´s exclusive Limited Editions.  Whether it is the Writers Edition, Patron of Art Edition, Diva Line or the Donation Pens Edition: The Montblanc „Creations of Passion“ App invites you to explore why every writing instrument is a unique testament to passionate craftsmanship, tradition and writing culture.
Learn about the inspiration of each Limited Edition and watch how it is captured in every detail of the design, imbuing every writing instrument with a soul. Dive into the world of Montblanc craftsmanship inside the Artisan Atelier and the nib manufacture where, in an atmosphere of intense concentration and meticulous care, the passion and the perfectionism of master craftsmen distinguish every single product.

Download Montblanc´s „Creations of Passion“ App now for free at the Itunes Store via http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/montblanc-creations-passion/id516909130?mt=8

On the occasion of the „2012 Salone del Mobile” in Milan, Montblanc and the „Fondazione Cologni dei Mestieri d’Arte“ engaged 19 designers of the Foundation’s Creative Academy to work as humanists, technicians and visionaries in the discovery of one of the most versatile of materials – paper.

Talent and passion, vision and tradition as well as excellent craftsmanship are the values that Montblanc has upheld with deep conviction for over a hundred years. Exactly these principals are the concepts behind the project devised and organized by Montblanc in collaboration with the Fondazione Cologni dei Mestieri d’Arte:  the “Man at the Centre – from Design to the Art of Paper”.

Paper – the most noble and versatile of materials

Montblanc invited 19 students on the Master in Design and Applied Arts course at the Creative Academy in Milan to explore one of the oldest, most noble and versatile of materials: paper. The designers were asked to use their creativity as humanists, technicians and visionaries in order to show their talent as a contemporary designer. Under the supervision of the designer Edoardo Perri, the students need to submit designs exclusively made with paper, which communicate the values of Montblanc.

Dialogue between designers and craftsmen

The most valuable aspect of this project is the interplay between the students and some of the most important artisans working with paper in Italy. “It’s from the ongoing dialogue between designers and craftsmen, between design and reality, between intuition and tradition, vision and manual ability that creativity arises, becomes functional and shareable,” says Franco Cologni, Chairman of Fondazione Cologni dei Mestieri d’Arte.

Through the design process, the young artists had the chance to work with masters in the art of paper such as Angela Simone and Caterina Crepax, experts in jewellery and fashion paper respectively, Cristina Balbiano d’Aramengo, a creative bookbinder, and Luisa Canovi and Piera Nocentini, famous for their paper sculptures and papier – mâché work.

The 2012 Salone de Mobile in Milan

From the 17th to 22nd April 2012, during the Salone de Mobile in Milan, Montblanc will showcase the objects of the upcoming designers at an exclusive exhibition at the Milanese Montblanc Boutique in Via Montenapoleone.

The Salone de Mobile is one of the most important exhibitions for the home furnishing sector, held once a year since 1961. Every year the Salone demonstrates the latest trends and excellent quality of furniture to its visitors, coming from all around the world. In 2011 more than 280,000 trade operators attended the exhibition, which was visited by almost 180,000 guests.

This motivating project expresses once again Montblanc’s commitment to supporting young artists and showing the world art and knowledge in all its manifestations.

The Montblanc Limited Edition Joseph II. honours a revoluntionary monarch and one of the greatest supporter of W.A. Mozart: Joseph II. With delicate features of the royal crest ornaments, the fascinating writing instruments present a  truly royal tribute to the namesake of this edition.

Born as the first son of Empress Maria Theresa and her husband Francis Stephen of Lorraine, later Francis I German emperor, Joseph grew up with his sister Marie Antoinette and his other siblings in Vienna, Austria. In 1764, Joseph II. acceded to the throne becoming King of the Romans (King in Germany) and only one year later the emperor of the Roman Empire. In contrast to his mother, who still insisted on the old reforms, Joseph was already a proponent of enlightened ideas. Under his reign, he started a complete reform of the legal system. In this respect he abolished brutal punishments and the death penalty in most instances and imposed the principle of complete equality of treatment for all offenders. He ended censorship of the press and theatre. With his enlightenment policy – “Josephinism” – Joseph II. implemented extensive cultural reforms whereby the cultural city of Vienna was in revival.

Joseph II. -  the music lover and patron of arts

As an avid music lover, the monarch was especially fascinated by piano concerts of an aspiring artist: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. In 1782 he appointed the brilliant composer for the first time with the play “Die Entführung aus dem Serail” to establish the Singspiel in the German language. In the following years, Joseph opened the way for Mozart, through contracts and fees, to become one of the greatest composers in music history. In 1790, Mozart composed with “Così fan tutte” the last opera of his successful buffa series. But his patron did not live to see the premiere: Joseph II. died in February 1790 in Vienna.

The Patron of Art Edition Joseph II.

With this new Limited Edition of precious writing instruments Montblanc pays tribute to the cultural involvement of the Austrian emperor. Created by master craftsmen, the writing instruments reflect delicate features of the royal crest ornaments and pay a tribute to the eponym of this edition.

The Limited Edition Joseph II. 4810

The red-and-white lacquer of the Limited Edition 4810 is reminiscent of the national colours of Austria. Its design is inspired by the imperial coat of arms of the monarch, inscribed on the 18 K champagne-gold nib as a delicate engraving. The champagne-gold plated fittings on the cap and barrel complete this edition – dedicated to one of the greatest supporters of Mozart. All these unique features of finest craftsmanship make this edition a true homage to Joseph II. – one of the most important patrons of arts of his time.

The Patron of Art Limited Edition Joseph II. will be completed with the launch of the exclusive Limited Edition 888 in June 2012.

Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award

When Montblanc presented its first Patron of Art Limited Edition more than 20 years ago, the brand offered a different way of celebrating the arts by focusing on those individuals who make artistic achievements possible. Montblanc has unconventionally placed the spotlight on those who enable cultural advancement and has celebrated these efforts by awarding a prize unlike any other: the “Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award”, with the Patron of Art Limited Edition as the symbol of this international accolade.

The prestigious ‘Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award’ honours those patrons in meanwhile 12 countries who support artists and cultural projects with their selfless personal commitment or financial backing. Every year since its creation in 1992, Montblanc has devoted a Limited Edition writing instrument to a historic arts patron. These intricately crafted writing instruments celebrating the very importance of patronage have themselves become sought after works of art.

Celebrating the 190th Anniversary of the Chronograph, Montblanc and film director Wim Wenders awarded the winning contributions of the short-film contest “The Beauty of a Second”. 

During a splendid award ceremony held at the Astor Film Lounge in Berlin, Germany, on March, 20th, 2012, the two winning contributions to the short-film contest were awarded. “Monumental Night with Moving Stars” by Jan Herms (“Best Second”) and “Sixty Seconds to fall in Love” by Alexandra Ivascu (“Best Playlist”) received “The Beauty of a Second” award as well as a truly distinguished timepiece – the Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph.

Illustrious guests such as actors Natalia Avelon, Thomas Heinze and Clemens Schick, model Franziska Knuppe and artist couple Eva & Adele enjoyed the award ceremony in the sumptuous venue, which was hosted by presenter Minh-Khai Phan-Thi.  During the award ceremony, which featured the nominated contributions on the big screen of the Astor Film Lounge, the audience got an involving impression how beautiful stories can be told in this very short period of time.

Celebrating “The Beauty of a Second“ and the invention of the chronograph by Nicolas Rieussec

“One of the great things in cinema is how it makes us aware of time. Each film consists of many brief moments of life that all together create an unique space of time. What if you could contribute to the movie of life. The Montblanc short film contest ‘The Beauty of a Second’ pays homage to Nicolas Rieussec’s invention of the Chronograph”,  stated film director and producer Wim Wenders, who together with an expert jury chose the winning contributions among thousands of seconds and playlists submitted by the participants.

“The Beauty of a Second” short-film contest strongly underlines Montblanc’s commitment to supporting creative talents while also being a tribute to the inventor of the first chronograph -  Nicolas Rieussec. He created a device that became an indispensable standard of excellence to scientists and professionals in all fields by measuring time to an accuracy of a fifth of a second.

Keep the beauty of every second alive

After four very exciting contest rounds, Montblanc´s “The Beauty of a Second” short-film contest came to a successful end. Montblanc and Wim Wenders would like to thank all participants for their inspiring contributions.  Keep the beauty of every second alive!

Celebrating the 190th anniversary of the invention of the chronograph by Nicolas Rieussec, Montblanc launches the involving Nicolas Rieussec App for the iPhone.

The Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec iPhone App gives a special insight into the oustandingly handcrafted Nicolas Rieussec Collection as well as an appealing impression of the Montblanc manufacture in Le Locle, Switzerland. The iPhone App features a real-time animation of the chronograph, an introduction to the inventor’s persisting vision to write time and an entertaining multi-player horse race game. The App is now available for free at the iTunes Store.

Experience Nicolas Rieussec’s vision on the iPhone

Writing time one day – this vision dominated the life of a French watchmaker named Nicolas Matthieu Rieussec (1781-1866). Taking the essence of his phenomenal invention – the chronograph – the Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec iPhone App reveals with interactive features an all-embracing introduction about the inventor’s ideas and how he finally implemented his own thoughts into a complex time-writing system.

Explore the Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph Collection

The fascination of the chronograph continues unabated at Montblanc Montre S.A. in Le Locle, where, 190 years after his chronograph won international recognition at the races in Paris, Rieussec is remembered and honoured in the new Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec Anniversary Edition.

The Nicolas Rieussec Chronographs feature a clean, elegant style with classic design elements such as a new “grain d’orge” guilloche pattern on the dial and a cartouche bearing the model name. The Anniversary Edition is further embellished with blued hands on a silver dial and a puristic, screwed hours ring. Every Rieussec watch take the essence of the great first chronograph – the rotating disc technique that gives the timepiece its distinctive appeal.

Discover the Montblanc Manufacture in Le Locle, Switzerland

The Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec iPhone App offers also the great opportunity to observe the passionate master watchmakers crafting the self-winding movements at the Montblanc Manufacture in Le Locle, Switzerland.

Follow the movie into an historic villa deep in the Jura Mountains, far from our fast-paced times, and watch where Montblanc successfully combines the traditional Swiss watchmaking with the advanced engineering of today.

Join the challenging multi-player horse race game

Since Nicolas Rieussec succeeded in recording time at a horse race held in Paris on September 1st, 1821, the iPhone App includes an entertaining horse race game: Whether at the “Breeders Cup” or the “Montblanc Star Nicolas Rieussec Park”, one just has to choose the right horse to conquer the opponents with finesse, courage and endurance.

Learn more about Montblanc´s distinctive timepieces, Nicolas Rieussec and his inspiring invention as well as the Montblanc Manufacture in Le Locle, Switzerland, and download the entertaining Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec iPhone App, now available at the iTunes Store.

Alfred Hitchcock, inventor of the thriller genre and the genius behind such horror classics as “Psycho” and “Vertigo”, is still considered as one of the greatest filmmaker in history. Through pioneering cinematic techniques, psychological effects and innovative film-editing, he took the audience on a rollercoaster of fear and became known as the Master of Suspense.

The young Hitchcock – lonely and sheltered

As the youngest of three children Alfred Hitchcock was born in Leytonstone, London in England on 13th, August 1899. Describing his childhood as lonely and sheltered, the 14 year old Alfred left his hometown after the death of his father to study at the London County Council School of Engineering and Navigation. After graduating, he worked as a draftsman in a cable company in London, but due to his creative talent he soon changed to advertising. During this time, he started to publish short articles. After working in film production as a title-card designer, he received his first full-time position at the Islington Studios in 1920, which should become the beginning of his great career.

A directorial genius enters the film-industry.

While his first few films weren’t of hoped-for success, Alfred Hitchcock gained recognition with his film “Blackmail” in 1929. The movie, which is often considered as the first British sound feature film, marked the start of two significant Hitchcock traditions: Using famous landmarks as a backdrop for suspense sequences and the cameo appearances in his movies. With the first guest appearance in his own films, they had already become legendary during his lifetime.

“The Beauty and the Beast” – Hitchock and Grace Kelly

In 1954, after Hitchcock had already produced more than thirty films, he moved to Paramount Pictures and filmed the first of three movies with the young, beautiful and very talented newcomer actress Grace Kelly “Dial M for Murder”, followed by the suspense thriller “Rear Window” in the same year. By combining the elegance and charm of a true American beauty with the directorial brilliance of Alfred Hitchock, the film-productions of the duo reached spectacular successes and attracted the audiences around the world. Their third movie “To Catch a Thief” was filmed at the French Riviera, where Grace Kelly met her future husband H.S.H. Prince Rainer of Monaco. Since Grace Kelly chose love over her career, the marriage of her and Prince Rainier of Monaco in 1956, rang down the curtain on the glorious collaboration between Hitchcock and the talented actress.

The Vertigo Effect

A few years later Hitchcock followed up to his great success with the suspense thriller “Vertigo”. The movie is frequently considered as one of the greatest films ever made and defines the work of Alfred Hitchcock’s career. The story of a retired police detective, who tries to uncover the mystery behavior of the wife of his client while suffering from acrophobia, presents its high point on a dark staircase that wind up a tower. As the main character races frantically up the stairs, he experiences a crippling bout of vertigo – looking down, the stairs stretch away from him, dizzyingly exaggerating the distance to the ground.

The “Vertigo Effect” a disorienting, opposite camera zoom that seems to cause the ground to drop away from beneath the audience’s feet, did not only become a pioneering stylistic device in the art of filmmaking but also the inspiration behind the design of the spine-thrilling Montblanc Alfred Hitchock Limited Edtions.

Hitchock’s last great films “Pyscho” and “The Birds”

In the 1960s and 1970s Hitchcock followed “Vertigo” with even more successful flims like “Psycho” (1960) and “The Birds” (1963). The famous shower scene of “Psycho” undeniably demonstrates Hitchcocks’s phenomenal cinematic skills. For the 45 long shock moment, which wrote film history, he used approximately 70 camera angles. Instead of showing the offender murdering the woman in cold blood with a knife on screen, Hitchcock allows the audience to imagine it in their minds. This murder weapon also plays a key role in the design of the Alfred Hitchcock Limited Edition, its sinister shape providing the inspiration for the pen‘s clip. After failing health took its toll on Hitchcock, reducing his output during the last two decades of his career, these two films are considered being his last great films. In 1980, Hitchcock died in his home in Bel Air while working on the script for a projected spy thriller, which was never filmed. Until today, he is seen as one of the greatest filmmaker in history, who brought the filmmaking to a new level of sophistication in terms of artistry, technical innovation and pure storytelling.

Alfred Hitchcock is considered by many to be one of the most influential filmmakers of all time and a true cultural icon. Honouring his outstanding contribution to the art of filmmaking, Montblanc presents a spine-chilling Tribute to the Master of Suspense – the electrifying Montblanc Alfred Hitchcock Limited Editon 3000 and Limited Edition 80.

Alfred Hitchcock – the inventor of the thriller genre

Alfred Hitchock once said “Making a film means first of all, to tell a story. That story should never be banal. It must be dramatic and human.” He knew that audiences love to ride a rollercoaster of fear and developed masterful cinematic techniques for stimulating that emotional response. By frightening a broad public through technical innovation and unconventional storytelling, Hitchcock became the inventor of the psychological thriller genre. Through world famous horror classics such as “Psycho” and “Vertigo”, he brought cinema to a new level of artistry.

Inspired by the most shocking Hitchcock film scenes, Montblanc´s Limited Edition 3000 and Limited Edition 80 bring to life his genius and tell the story of his extraordinary contribution to the art of filmmaking.

Montblanc Alfred Hitchcock Limited Edition 3000

Many of Alfred Hitchcock’s scenes remain the most memorable in movie history – just remember the pivotal scene in Hitchcock’s “Vertigo” (1958), when the character races frantically up the stairs of a tower and experiences a crippling bout of vertigo – looking down stairs.

This famous cinematographic innovation known as the “Vertigo Effect” of the dizzyingly dark staircase influences the overall design of the pioneering Alfred Hitchcock Limited Edition 3000. In the spiralling, black lacquer finish one remembers the staircase and the special effect that Hitchcock invented.

The film “Psycho” (1960) on the other hand provides the inspiration for a key design element in the knife-shaped clip, whose sinister gleam brings the famous shower scene instantly to mind. The notes engraved on the 925 sterling silver cap and barrel fittings refer to the original “Psycho” film reel while the cone features 53 hatch marks symbolising the 53 movies that Hitchcock directed during his impressive career spanning almost six decades. Hitchcock’s self-portrait sketch, a caricature of his profile, adorns the rhodium-plated 18 K gold nib.

With the Alfred Hitchcock Limited Edition 3000 presents its latest Great Characters Edition, which since 2009 honours the great figures of the 20th century who created history with their groundbreaking work.

Montblanc Alfred Hitchcock Limited Edition 80

Alfred Hitchcock lived to be 80 years old and never stopped creating films. In remembrance of his lifetime this fascinating Edition in 750 white gold is limited to only 80 pieces.

The edition features some exclusive details reflecting Alfred Hitchcock´s mastery of fear and fantasy. Making a striking impression, in this edition the swirling red and black lacquer echoes the “Vertigo effect” while a rope that refers to the murder tool from “The Rope” increases the tension of this thrilling writing instrument.

The cap ring, in celebration of Hitchcock’s place in film history, is decorated to resemble a period film strip. This unique edition is further adorned with Hitchcock’s signature and a cameo self-portrait of the great genius of the thriller genre engraved on the handcrafted, rhodium-plated 18 K gold nib. Along with the Alfred Hitchcock Limited Edition Fountain Pens Montblanc introduces the Alfred Hitchcock ink in red.

Montblanc Alfred Hitchcock Cuff Links Limited Edition

Alfred Hitchcock´s avant-garde personality has also been the inspiration to a sophisticated pair of 925 sterling silver cuff links limited to 1,000 pieces. With artistry carved black onyx this elegant pair of cuff links is reminiscent of the key iconic motifs on the barrel and cap of the Alfred Hitchcock writing instrument capturing the stairway-effect from the movie “Vertigo”.

Explore Alfred Hitchcock´s masterpieces at www.montblanc-alfred-hitchcock.com

(by Frank Geelen, monochrome.nl) During the fair in Geneva, we got hands on time with the new Montblanc TimeWalker II TwinFly Chronograph GreyTech. This is a new ‘Monochrome’ version of the stainless steel TimeWalker TwinFly that Montblanc introduced last year.

The Montblanc TimeWalker II TwinFly Chronograph GreyTech features the impressive in-house movement, calibre MB LL100. Like the first calibre-family, which is used in the magnificent Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph, it has a double mainspring barrel offering a power reserve of 72 hours and a twin flyback chronograph that is controlled through a column wheel and vertical clutch!

The in-house movement is very impressive and when considering the price of the TwinFly, it’s even better. The specifications and the fact it’s an in-house movement, are usually not found on watches in the same price range.

The case of the Montblanc TimeWalker II TwinFly Chronograph has the familiar TimeWalker design with skeletonized lugs. This particular GreyTech version, which is limited to 888 pieces, has a monochrome design. The dial is skeletonized to reveal the date wheel, which is grey with black numerals. The design of the case is in two tones of grey, both being the result of a different finish. The crown features the well-known Montblanc logo.

With a diameter of 43 mm it wears great and if you’re afraid it might be too large than by all means go and try one at a local AD. Because the case tapers from top to bottom, it wears relatively small, which is further enhanced because of the quite short lugs. Altogether it wears very comfortable. The material of the case, titanium, also adds to this because it’s quite light.

The Montblanc TimeWalker II TwinFly Chronograph GreyTech comes on a grey alligator strap, with a skeletonized titanium clasp.

The design of this version is quite distinct; sporty with an elegant touch. Not everybody likes a sporty watch and not everybody is into watches with a titanium case. During the SIHH I met several journalists, friends and other guests and discussed the timepiece with them. To my surprise everybody liked the watch and even before showing the watch, people were already staring at my wrist.

On Monochrome you can read a more extensive review. The conclusion will be the same; I’m (still) very impressed by the Montblanc TimeWalker II TwinFly Chronograph  and I think the GreyTech with its ‘Monochrome’ design looks absolutely stunning.

(by Elizabeth Doerr, journalist) It’s really hard for a “normal” woman to feel as graceful, beautiful and mysterious as Grace Kelly, also known as Princess Grace – perhaps Monaco’s most famous resident of all time and mother of current monarch, H.S.H Prince Albert II.

Montblanc has found a way to at least partially contribute to the well-being of such women by creating a collection in honor of the former beauty queen that contains not only a set of watches, but also matching jewelry and even writing instruments. This way, every woman has the opportunity to feel incredible as she glances at the time. I know this for certain because when I was offered the chance to wear the charming new special steel edition watch of the Montblanc Collection Princesse Grace de Monaco for a few days, I jumped at the chance upon seeing pictures of the graceful new line.

The key element of these feminine new pieces is the exquisite pink teardrop-shaped sapphire that graces the 6 o’clock mark on the dial. In the rose gold jewelry version limited to eight pieces, it caps a cascade of diamonds “falling” from the top of the dial at the 12 o’clock position. In the semi-jeweled stainless steel version that I wore for a few days, it replaces the 6 o’clock hour marker and wanders into the small seconds dial.

Copyright: Elizabeth Doerr

Montblanc, also looking to combine its other worlds of jewelry and writing instruments, has created a small universe centered around Princess Grace and her fairy-tale life. For those women less interested in jewels and overly decorative elements, there are stainless steel versions with little or even no gems involved.

During the SIHH week as the entire collection was being introduced, I had the honor of wearing the 34 mm stainless steel model with a light sprinkling of diamonds around the flange, five diamond markers and – naturally – the teardrop-shaped pink sapphire at 6 o’clock.

This version powered by a quartz movement – as is the entire line right now – seemed delicate on the wrist thanks in part to its petite size, but also in part to the curvature of the case, which Montblanc CEO Lutz Bethge told me was especially designed to pay homage to the line of the dress that a famous black-and-white photo of the screen siren-cum-princess sees her wearing. When Lutz Bethge chose this photo for the collection’s materials, he related that he was astounded to learn that this particular image was the favorite of her son, H.S.H Prince Albert II.

This version of the watch was unobtrusive and comfortable to wear on a black crocodile strap, and the light sparkle allowed it to be a suitable companion for both day and night wear. I predict that Montblanc has another winner on its hands – er, wrists.

(by Frank Geelen, monochrome.nl) Montblanc’s TimeWriter project endeavors to support talented and highly promising watchmakers. In accord with this philosophy, the TimeWriter II  Chronographe Bi-Fréquence 1,000 from the Collection Villeret 1858 was realized by the Hispano-Swiss watchmaker Bartomeu Gomila at Montblanc’s ateliers in Villeret under the aegis of master watchmaker Demetrio Cabiddu.

Born on the Balearic island of Menorca, Bartomeu Gomila completed his training at WOSTEP (Watchmakers of Switzerland Training and Educational Program) in the category of “restoration and complicated timepieces” and is the first Spanish citizen to have earned a diploma from this renowned institution of higher learning.

Recognized by the Swiss state, WOSTEP is an independent institution that’s jointly supported by businesses in the Swiss watchmaking industry, international watchmakers’ associations and watch dealerships around the world. As a continuing-education institution, its prospective students must prove that they have completed their training as watchmakers and have gained several years of professional experience in their métier. A certificate from WOSTEP is recognized worldwide as one of the highest educational qualifications for watchmakers. After completing his course of studies, Gomila restored historical timepieces from renowned brands and most recently worked as a freelance restorer of historical timepieces for international collectors.

Institut Minerva de Recherche en Haute Horlogerie

One of the goals of the Institut Minerva de Recherche en Haute Horlogerie is to assist and support young watchmakers with innovative ideas. Another goal is to maintain the fine techniques of watchmaking. In the ateliers of the Institut Minerva de Recherche en Haute Horlogerie in Villeret, a select group of master watchmakers continue to create timepieces by hand, strictly following the principles of traditional haute horlogerie.

Dedicated to reinvigorating tradition through innovation, the institute’s focus is on the development of new movements and watchmaking techniques while respecting the principles of the past. The Institut Minerva de Recherche en Haute Horlogerie provides young ambitious watchmakers, like Bartomeu Gomila, with the expertise and financial assistance needed to realize their own innovative projects and to secure the future of traditional watchmaking.