Upon visiting Montblanc’s manufactures, it becomes abundantly clear how the watchmaker has developed into one of today’s leading names.
THERE IS AN undeniable propensity within haute horlogerie to produce historical tales that stretch far back and bear unique themes – the further back and the more fascinating, the better. There are, on the other hand, more nascent names which make up for what they lack in historical roots with their daring innovations. Fuse together a celebrated narrative with impressive, state-of-the-art technology, and let’s face it, you have yourself a winning combination. One such brand that is able to marry these two elements through its ethos, roots and locations, is Montblanc.
The Montblanc name stems back to 1906, funnily enough, with a pen, when a banker from Hamburg named Alfred Nehemias and Berlin engineer August Eberstein, both sensitive to the signs of time, saw the opportunity to bring the fountain pen to its technical and commercial success. The mission was passed down to Wilhelm Dziambor, Christian Lausen and later Claus Johannes Voss, who would go on to create fountain pens in Hamburg, where for three years, it took the name Simplo Filler Pen Co. GmbH, represented in London and Paris first, before it was converted to Montblanc. Taking inspiration from the highest peak in Europe, it was symbolic of the company’s objective to reach its creative and technical heights. The snow-capped Mont Blanc emblem as we know now, dates back to 1913 and remains a symbol of excellence, one that is close to this brand’s heart.
Not satisfied to stay only in pens, the company decided to expand its repertoire in 1935 when it took over a leather goods producer in Offenbach, Germany, and it would continue with this focus until 1997, when it added watchmaking to its list, establishing Montblanc Montre S.A. in Le Locle. While technically only 20 years on the market, despite its still in its adolescence and has had to make strides in a short amount of time in order to stand up next to its rivals.
This story is from the March-April 2017 edition of Revolution Hong Kong.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March-April 2017 edition of Revolution Hong Kong.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Inspired Imagery
Vacheron Constantin and Steve McCurry take us around the world on the Overseas Tour, discovering in spectacular images some iconic sites that will undoubtedly inspire you for your own journeys.
An Artful Touch
Jaquet Droz continues to draw in the crowds with its inspired timepieces that maintain a profound link to its heritage.
Classical Evolution
As the official timing partner for the Goodwood Members’ Meeting, IWC Scha hausen took the opportunity to present its newest Ingenieur collection, which returns to its vintage roots while featuring the manufacture’s latest in-house caliber.
More Than Face Value
When admiring an exquisite timepiece, it’s difficult to appreciate the intricacies of its creation. That’s no longer the case, thanks to a hands-on taste of watchmaking courtesy of A. Lange & Söhne.
London's Big 3
A stint in wintery London exploring all three of the Maybourne Hotel Group’s finest properties leaves the eyes wide open and the heart now forlorn.
Contemporary Icon
With its new Da Vinci collection, IWC Schaffhausen embraces the spirit of renaissance to the full, with a wide array of spectacular timepieces designed to appeal to women and men.
A Tale Of Two Manufactures
Upon visiting Montblanc’s manufactures, it becomes abundantly clear how the watchmaker has developed into one of today’s leading names.
Raising The Bar
Bentley’s bold claims about setting a new benchmark for luxury SUVs with the Bentayga are met, and perhaps even exceeded.
