After 100 Years, Montblanc’s Meisterstück Continues to Write History
There’s something magical about holding a pen, the satisfying weight, the silky glide of ink on paper, and the contentment of knowing your words are sticking around for good. It’s not just writing; it’s an experience. And when it comes to turning that experience into an art form, the Montblanc Meisterstück is one name that stands above the rest.
The story of the Meisterstück—German for masterpiece—began a century ago when Montblanc set out to create the ultimate writing tool. From the very beginning, the Meisterstück was all about blending form and function. The streamlined design we recognize today—nicknamed the “cigar shape”—arrived in the 1950s and has been a design classic ever since. Along the way, it has passed through the hands of cultural and political icons like John F. Kennedy, Iris Murdoch, and Nelson Mandela.
This iconic writing instrument and its writing culture heritage are a fundamental part of not only Montblanc's DNA but also the brand's creative approach and design codes—especially when it comes to leather.
The shape of the fountain pen’s nib, which is, in a way, the heart of the pen itself, can be found in many of Montblanc's leather detailing that you'll see further down. For example, where the handles meet the body of a bag, in the metallic nib detailing, and even in the mountain scenery embroidery reminiscent of sketches on paper — the influence of the pen is seamlessly integrated through all of the brand's leather products. Each piece also features the subtle but unmistakable snowcap emblem, a quiet nod to Montblanc’s storied legacy.
To celebrate the creativity and individuality that defines the Meisterstück collection, we brought together three inspiring creative minds who are making their mark. We sat down with Chidozie Obasi, a fashion editor and stylist with a sharp eye for storytelling through style; Dan Thawley, a writer, consultant, and Artistic Director of design Matter and Shape; and Rafael Prieto, a creative director and founder of Savvy Studio who offers a raw and intimate look into his artistic process. Together, they shared how the Meisterstück aligns with their crafts, shapes their writing experiences, and connects with their passion for self-expression.
Many describe writing by hand as an almost meditative process. What does the physical act of handwriting mean to you personally, and how does using a pen like the Meisterstück change that experience?
Rafael: The fluidity of the pen helps connect the thoughts in my head to my hand. The process feels more thoughtful and aesthetically pleasing.
Chidozie: Writing is an extremely potent, cathartic journey that's quite hard to pin down, given I tell stories for a living and I see it as an avenue to convey an emotion or a simple expression. The use of the Meisterstück pen has made the writing process feel so breezy and seamless, compared to other ones I normally use on a daily basis.
Dan: It is sad as to so many, writing by hand is almost a lost art. I am lucky to have been taught cursive handwriting and even enjoyed the art of calligraphy from a young age. For me, the physical act of writing sits somewhere between a practical act of documenting a moment or an idea, and the possibility of transforming that moment and my interpretation of it into a more artistic expression.
How has reading the work of others made you view your own writing style? What has it made you discover about your writing style?
Chidozie: Broadening the gaze and being curious about a wealth of topics is the best way to improve and process one's style, given we're often advised to grasp knowledge from different angles in order to maximize our potential. I feel like the arts—be it music, fine art, culture—likewise humanities, especially literature have added depth to my style, which feels a lot more emotive and rounded these days compared to when I started writing years ago.
Dan: Reading constantly informs how I write. I believe creative human beings are so affected by their surroundings, sponge-like even, that we are always course correcting, always evolving to respond to changes and learning from the way others shape words and environments around us.
How would you describe your creative process when it comes to writing? What’s the most unexpected place you’ve found inspiration?
Rafael: For me almost everything has to be written, or sketched out, either a thought, a word or an idea, usually as I am explaining something to my team, I keep making little drawings around the word or sketch—that makes it somehow real, saying it as I write it. Sometimes it's fast and sometimes it's slow.I sketch my thoughts and leave space for them to be created.
In a world where quick forms of communication are the norm, what value do you find in slowing down with pen and paper?
Chidozie: There's something so soothing about making mistakes with pen and paper as opposed to clicking on a keyboard: I guess I love editing on physical paper and seeing the marks of the pen or pencil.
Dan: Chance. Beautiful mistakes. Focus. And, it is scientifically proven that writing by hand increases your brain connectivity more than typing does.
When it comes to preserving creativity, are there any rituals or practices you rely on to reconnect with your work? Do you have any objects that bring you inspiration or clarity in your creative process?
Rafael: Not particularly. I do constantly use different notebooks, a pocket one that I carry everywhere with me, then I always have a larger one always at my table. A lot of my inspiration comes just by always checking out shows at galleries and museums, films, and dance.
How has your relationship with writing evolved with time?
Rafael: It feels human, it’s the way I learned, and I just feel it’s coming from me.
Chidozie: I feel like my relationship with writing hasn't really changed, as I love recounting stories from many perspectives. What has changed, though, is the depth of content I write and the broad sphere of pieces I've written throughout my career.
Dan: We learn to write because we are obliged to. Then, I continued to do so as I found it an inspiring vehicle for my curiosity. Today, I admit it is definitely a tool that requires sharpening and maintenance. With handwriting being the exception rather than the rule in my daily life, I prefer to do it with beautiful materials and in peace.
Why do you turn to writing as your go-to medium? How does it feel different for you to other forms of creation?
Chidozie: I can do it from anywhere, and I can use it as a tool to create a world according to my choices. It's different as I have the power to control my own narrative - which in other mediums isn't always the case.
Rafael: It just is, it’s a form of expression.
How do you navigate periods in which your creativity fades, or you can’t find motivation?
Chidozie: Opera! Museums! Singing!
As the Montblanc Meisterstück celebrates its 100th anniversary, its legacy continues to inspire creativity, precision, and timeless elegance.
Find out more about the Meisterstück here.
