7 things you need to know about Montblanc
LOFTPart of the Richemont group, the third largest luxury goods company in the world behind LVMH and Kering, Montblanc is one of those low-profile gems that hide in plain sight within the gilded financial statements of these mega-corporations.
But for us mere mortals, it has been a model of global quality for decades. Despite that, there are details about Montblanc that you probably don't know yet. Here at The Loft, we present 7 things you should know about this iconic house if you want to expand your horological knowledge:
1. A name with height
From the very beginning—not so long ago—Montblanc's goal was to offer the highest quality in its products. A quality as high as that of the highest peak in the Alps, and in Western Europe, the famous Monte Bianco. Well, that's its name in Italian, the country that shares this 4,810-meter-high granite massif with France.
The name is believed to have been suggested by a relative of the founders, drawing an analogy between the grandeur and reputation of their products and the majestic Mont Blanc . The company officially registered the name Montblanc in 1910 for all subsequent products.
2. He was born 1,000 km from his namesake
At the beginning of the 20th century, industrial production with artisanal quality began to flourish in Europe. This important development inspired Alfred Nehemias , a Hamburg banker, to team up with August Eberstein , a Berlin engineer, in 1906 to create simple yet functional ballpoint pens.
Fate would have it that Hamburg , Germany, was then the city of origin of the brand, located a little over 1,000 km from the Alpine giant, which would be, 4 years later, the origin of the new name of the house.
3. The first thing was the pen
The company, founded as Simplo Filler Pen Co. , quickly came to define itself as a "premium gold fountain pen manufacturer" by narrowing its target market to focus solely on the production and sale of luxury pens.
In 1909, the company launched the Rouge et Noir , a security fountain pen. It was soon followed by a technically improved fountain pen called Montblanc . It was this line of pens that later inspired the company's very successful name change.
Years later, in 1924, the company launched the iconic Meisterstück , which would later become the world's most famous writing instrument.
4. Its emblem is unmistakable
We all know that corporate image is essential to creating iconic and unforgettable brands, and it wasn't until 1913 that the company registered its white star emblem as its brand logo. This isotype, or more specifically, pictogram, actually symbolizes the snow-capped peak of Mont Blanc seen from above, indicating the company's commitment to creating products of the highest quality and craftsmanship.
This symbol is present on all products, whether on the tip of the Montblanc pen caps; printed on the labels and sides of leather goods; and, of course, on the crown of the house's watches. It is an unmistakable seal of quality and excellence, things that only design can bring together in a cult object.
5. Manufactures luxury goods in three different countries
Starting with pens, the brand expanded into the manufacture and sale of other luxury goods, such as leather goods and, of course, watches. And naturally, Montblanc decided that each product line would be manufactured in countries specializing in each of these crafts.
The production of high-quality writing instruments is carried out entirely in Hamburg , the city of origin, and encompasses everything from the initial technical drawings for tooling to final production. Here are the departments responsible for metallurgy, electroplating, injection molding, and nib manufacturing, which ultimately culminate in handcrafting.
In 1935, Montblanc expanded to produce a whole range of leather goods, initially utilitarian and later luxury. The leather goods are now produced in Florence , the world's most famous region for this purpose. Using traditional techniques and expert craftsmanship, Montblanc creates refined, truly stunning leather goods there.
Montblanc’s watchmaking division has two factories in, you guessed it, Switzerland: Montblanc Montre SA in Le Locle and the Institut Minerva de Recherche en Haute Horlogerie in Villeret . The main factory, the one in Le Locle—the center of the Swiss watchmaking industry—was built in 1997 and is where the majority of its watches are produced and tested. However, for specialized modules and those requiring exceptional watchmaking skills, there’s the Minerva factory in Villeret.
6. Their watches worship a goddess
According to Wikipedia, in Roman mythology, Minerva is the goddess of wisdom and the arts, as well as the protector of Rome and the patron saint of artisans. She corresponds to Athena in Greek mythology.
Montblanc, perhaps driven by this definition, acquired the Minerva Institute for Research in Fine Watchmaking in 2007. Prior to the acquisition, Minerva had been dedicated since 1858 to creating exceptional handcrafted movements in Villeret, Switzerland, a commune west of Biel/Bienne, just before the French border.
With this acquisition, Montblanc not only gains Minerva's sublime watchmaking expertise, but also the intangible heritage of the Swiss house, standing on the shoulders of a giant to become part of the global horological tradition.
7. Has created important innovations
Montblanc made a bold debut at the 1997 Geneva Salon International de Haute Horlogerie (SIHH), where it introduced the Meisterstück , inspired by the Meisterstück pen and built to the same high standards as the house's other luxury watches. This watch put the watch industry on notice that Montblanc was definitely a serious contender in the world of luxury watchmaking, despite being new to the game.
In 2008, a year after acquiring Minerva, Montblanc unveiled the calibre MB R100 at the SIHH, the first in-house movement developed and manufactured entirely in-house. The company used this movement in the Nicolas Rieussec Monopusher Chronograph , named after Nicolas Rieussec, the inventor of the chronograph.
A year later, Montblanc launched the Metamorphosis , a watch with two dials: a classic date regulator and a mono-pusher chronograph. To create this intricate movement, 50 individual components had to be perfectly synchronized with each other.
Later in 2011, Montblanc introduced the Tourbillon Bi-Cylindrique , which featured a calibre MB M65.63 and became the world's first watch to feature a tourbillon with a double-cylinder balance spring, achieved by miniaturising the escapement, a solution originally found in 18th-century marine chronometers.
Two years later, Montblanc would create its most complicated watch to date: the Heritage Chronométrie ExoTourbillon Rattrapante , with a split-second monopusher chronograph and the Montblanc-patented ExoTourbillon.
Conclusion
At El Loft, we love big, successful brands like Rolex, Patek, and AP, but we also adore the watchmaking traditions of more modest brands like Longines, Tissot, and Montblanc. These brands embody so much history, quality, heritage, and beauty that their watches deserve to be on our wrists, just as much as a Submariner or a Speedmaster.
It's time we shook off the lull the market and the obsession with the same watches have brought us, and valued the wonderful legacy that companies like Montblanc are capable of delivering, a symbol of quality, craftsmanship, and prestige.
We invite you to visit our store and see the Montblancs we have available.
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