The maison commemorates this year the 100 years since the creation of its icon: the Meisterstück writing instrument.
The brand’s craftsmen, with years of experience honing their skills, were already developing personal projects and creating unique writing instruments. Their manual dexterity and extraordinary ability led to the creation of the first Meisterstück collection — which means “masterpiece” in German. It didn’t take long for this collection to become a cultural icon, remaining to this day synonymous with Montblanc’s mastery and quality.
MEISTERSTÜCK THROUGH THE YEARS 1924-1935: THE BEGINNINGS
Simplo Füllfedergesellschaft (later known as Montblanc-Simplo) developed the first range of Meisterstück writing instruments in 1924. From the outset, the number “4810” — referring to the height of Mont Blanc in meters — was closely associated with the Meisterstück. The four digits were prominently displayed on the packaging, engraved on the cap, and from 1930, on the nib. The distinctive use of gold color, a detail now considered characteristic of the maison, was introduced with the Meisterstück: in 1928, and for the first time in the company’s history, two gold rings were added to the cap as a decorative element, yet also to reinforce the cap and reduce the risk of cracks.
1935-1951: MAKING A DIFFERENCE
The years 1934 and 1935 marked the beginning of a new era for Simplo Füllfedergesellschaft: a new generation of managers took control, and the company was renamed Montblanc-Simplo GmbH, resulting in more innovative products being launched. Among them was the first new design of the Meisterstück line. The cylindrical shape, the single wide ring on the cap, the bold design of the clip, and the two-tone nib distinguished the new range from the Meisterstück models of the 1920s. Years later, in 1937, the first Meisterstück with three gold rings on the cap was introduced — the characteristic detail, it is said, representing the three people who had the greatest influence on the company’s formation in its early years: Wilhelm Dziambor, Christian Lausen, and Claus Johannes Voss.
1949-1959: AND AN ICON IS BORN
In the late 1940s and 1950s, there was a period of reconstruction and innovation worldwide, during which there was a return to classical values but also the introduction of new influences. The Meisterstück followed this trend and introduced a new stylized design, combined with details such as the three rings and the nib. In 1952, with the introduction of the 149, a true future classic emerged, preceded by the first Doué models and the softer Wing nib, which completed the portfolio of the time.
1960-1976: THE STYLISTIC TURN
From the 1960s onwards, Montblanc took another step forward in production methods, using modern patterns and materials, and adopted more efficient technologies in response to the new boom in mass production in all sectors. The “Linie 60” models were made of injection-molded resin and had similar configurations across all ranges, and although the new Meisterstück ranges featured an elegant and modern aesthetic of the “jet age”, there was one model that remained unchanged: the 149, with its “cigar” shape.
1973-PRESENT: THE RETURN TO THE “CIGAR”
In the early 1970s, the Meisterstück in “cigar” shape (from the 1950s) experienced a revival beyond the 149 model. The bolder models of the Meisterstück disappeared as the range of classic and elegant models grew, and in the 1980s, the Solitaire was launched. Since then, the silhouette of the Meisterstück has been adapted and reinvented for a variety of writing modes, even being the subject of famous collaborations, without compromising the original design, which has been held in high regard. Despite the numerous versions, this timeless writing instrument has retained its core design codes and continues to inspire as a symbol of writing culture.
