Celebrating 85 years of the Montblanc Meisterstück

by Nancy Olson

Nancy Olson: Why do you think the Montblanc Meisterstück has made such a lasting impression over the years?
Jan-Patrick Schmitz: The pen was designed and brought to the market in 1924, so I cannot attest to what the company was thinking at that time. But one thing is for sure: the Meisterstück has been a tremendous success because the design is timeless and beautiful. And while there have been developments and improvements over the years—and we’ve added some other modes, such as the rollerball, ballpoint and pencil—it is one of those few things in life that is just perfect. And it has been since day one.

NO: In your opinion, what specific attributes of the pen are timeless?
JPS: The shape is truly beautiful, and the pen is well balanced and pleasant to hold. The balance is very important for writing comfort.

NO: How has Montblanc maintained the spirit of the line all these years?
JPS: Many brands with a long history have a “hero product”—a symbol of the brand. For Montblanc, it is the Meisterstück. The 149—the Diplomat—is iconic, and we’ve only touched it design-wise very subtly over the years. Once was ten years ago when we celebrated its seventy-fifth anniversary [the special edition, produced only in 1999, was inscribed with “75 years of passion and soul”], and this year, in honor of its eighty-fifth anniversary, we introduced a very special edition, the Montblanc Meisterstück Signature for Good Special Edition, to help raise funds for UNICEF to help in the fight against illiteracy. The design enhancement includes a clip ring that features a blue sapphire and a golden olive branch wreath symbolizing UNICEF.

NO: What are today’s pen users looking for in a pen?
JPS: The quality aspect has always been important to pen aficionados, and they are very particular about what they collect. They look for classic designs, and they are less experimental in terms of materials. People in general, and collectors in particular, are more conscious of how they spend their money these days, which leads them more toward the European and American brands that have a long history. Real brands look back on a history and new brands surf on that wave. A lot of people can make a pen, but we have master craftsmen—we call them soul makers—in our factory in Hamburg, the place of our founding. You have a beautiful tree only if you have strong roots.

NO: Do you think the Starwalker and Boheme lines will enjoy the same longevity as the Meisterstück?
JPS: Time will tell. By definition, we do not design seasonal products or products with a defined life span. We really believe in longevity, and we know our customers have long personal and emotional relationships with our products. The pen becomes part of one’s heritage. And while it’s hard to perceive that anything will get close to the longevity of the Meisterstück, I personally believe that the Starwalker, in particular, will have a very long life.

NO: What is the role of limited editions in today’s market?
JPS: Limited editions are an important element in our brand strategy today. We continue to create very special editions—sometimes only one or two available for the world—at our atelier in Hamburg. We have 50 or 60 people working on our limited editions, and we are creating a very different environment: Old World craftsmanship with modern technology and quality control. It’s the yin and the yang.