Montblanc Boutique In San Francisco Private Sale (You Are Invited)
Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Events
Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.
montblanc
Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.
Is Montblanc's Gandhi Pen In Poor Taste?
Filed under: Writing Instruments
Recently Montblanc unveiled their latest pen in Mumbai. One of Mohandas Gandhi's great-grandsons (Tushar Gandhi shown above) was in attendance as the golden pen was unveiled in time for the 140th anniversary of the birth of the Mahatma . The beautiful pen has angered some who say that a luxury good from a foreign company does not honor Gandhi's legacy and don't see the connection between their beloved icon and a bauble for the rich.
The pen is available in two editions. The Mahatma Gandhi Limited Edition 241 is an 18K gold pen that depicts Gandhi setting off on the salt march of July 1930 and is priced at 17,000 euros (around $24,000). Another addition is available in fountain and rollerball versions for around $3000-$3500. Only 241 commemorative gold fountain pens will be sold, the number refers to how many miles he walked during the "salt march," a protest against salt taxes levied by the British. The pens are decorated with Gandhi's signature and a saffron-colored opal. The pen also comes with a 26-foot golden thread which can be wound around the pen and is meant to recall the spindle that Gandhi used to weave simple cotton cloth. The pen comes in a luxury box with a booklet of Gandhi quotes.
The good news is that Montblanc is donating some money to Indian causes. Montblanc chief executive Lutz Bethge gave a check for 100,000 euros to Tushar Gandhi, for a foundation that works to improve child nutrition and education. The foundation also gets more money (approximately $200-$1,000) for each pen sold. Tushar Ghandhi made news earlier this year when he protested Antiquorum's auction of Mahatma Gandhi's glasses, sandals and pocket watch. He has also asked Britain to return the Koh-i-noor diamond to India.
UPDATE: According to the Gulf Times, Dijo Kapen, from the Centre of Consumer Education in Kerala's Kottayam district has filed a petition in state high court challenging Montblanc's right to market the pens.
EXCLUSIVE: Vertu President Perry Oosting's Ten Essential Luxuries
Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Luxury Cars & Autos, Wine, Writing Instruments, Celebrity Shopping, Men's Style, 10 Luxuries
Click above to see Perry Oosting's 10 Luxuries
Welcome to our new feature, "10 Luxuries." For each installment a notable figure in the world of luxury, tastemaker or stylish personality will tell us about the 10 necessary luxuries they simply cannot do without. Related quotes and images of each item can be found in the gallery.
Perry Oosting became president of Vertu, the world's leading luxury mobile phone manufacturer, earlier this year. He joined the company with extensive experience in the luxury industry via senior roles held at several blue chip brands including Bulgari, Prada, Gucci and Escada.Vertu uses the finest materials from the world of watchmaking, automotive design, aeronautics, and jewelry to create truly unique mobile phones of unparalleled craftsmanship and exclusivity, such as the new Ascent Ti Carbon Fiber. Vertu is also the only phone in the world to ever receive a hallmark from the Swiss Assay Office, the organization that guarantees the quality of the world's finest watches. In the gallery, Oosting reveals his 10 essential luxuries, from his favorite hotel, watch and car to shoes, wine, writing instrument and more, and tells us what makes them a must.
Montblanc to Auction Celeb Portraits for Charity
Filed under: Writing Instruments, Auctions, Art, Charity
Montblanc, makers of fine pens with the famed "snow cap" motif (above), will auction off a series of celebrity portraits to benefit UNICEF in September. On Friday, May 8, they're hosting a benefit at Sotheby's in New York to announce the World Exhibition Tour of the photo project honoring the involvement of 12 great actresses and their efforts to "support UNICEF's fight against inadequate education and illiteracy". Sienna Miller, Eva Longoria, Christina Ricci, Emily Blunt, Marcia Cross, Andie MacDowell, Helen Hunt, Lauren Hutton, Milla Jovovich, Jessica Lange, Susan Sarandon and Mira Sorvino are featured in a series of signed portraits by photographer Roger Moenks.
The portraits will be on display from May 6 - 13 at Sotheby's New York before traveling to London and then Los Angeles where they'll be auctioned off to benefit at a charity gala dinner on September 8th, International Literacy Day. Based on an original concept by Signature International, a cultural and artistic charitable initiative, each actress was photographed "portraying her favorite literary heroine in celebration of the art of writing." Each portrait will be presented to the winning bidder accompanied by a limited edition Montblanc writing instrument covered in the finest diamonds and sapphires.
[via JustLuxe]
Montblanc's Mother's Day Necklace
Montblanc has created a new necklace for Mother's Day. The "Precious Heart" necklace is rendered in sterling silver with a brilliant, full-cut diamond on the silver heart. A portion of proceeds from sales of the necklace go to Jewelers for Children, a non-profit created by jewelers to benefit children affected by illness, abuse and neglect. The necklace will be available at Montblanc boutiques and select retail jewelry stores in the U.S. and Canada starting on April 20.The Montblanc Boheme Papillion
Filed under: Writing Instruments
Another beautiful pen from Montblanc: the Montblanc Boheme Papillion. It's all about butterflies, and since they've been inspiring writers since the beginning of time what better subject matter for a writing instrument. The Montblanc Boheme Papillion comes in 6 different versions of yellow gold, white gold, and rose gold embellished with over 1400 diamonds in the pattern of butterflies and delicate intertwining plant stems and leaves. Plus, of course, the signature Montblanc diamond gleaming on the cap.
Butterflies and plant tendrils? How perfect for spring. Priced at about $273,000.
Montblanc's Love Letter Ink 2008
Filed under: Writing Instruments
A holiday like Valentine's Day is all in the details, and in today's world of emails, text messages, and computerized everything what better detail than to write your sweetheart a love note by hand in beautiful rose colored and rose scented ink. Love Letter Ink 2008 by Montblanc is available either by the bottle or in cartridges, and although it's not clear how strong the rose scent is or how long it lingers (this reviewer says it's fairly short-lived) how great it would be for a long-distance lover to open a perfumed V-Day card along with a delivery of blooms (not to mention it would be so pleasant to write the note as well!).
Via LuxuryLaunches
Montblanc Prince Rainier III Limited Edition 81 Pen
Filed under: Writing Instruments
The Montblanc pen shown above was displayed on Thursday night in Monaco at a VIP charity gala honoring Prince Rainier III of Monaco and attended by his son Prince Albert and a bevy of beauties that included Helena Christiansen and Eva Green. The Prince Rainier III Limited Edition 81is limited to only 81 pieces (Rainier was 81 when he died in 2005). Half of the sales of the been will go to the Foundation Princess Grace. The pen is a skeletonized fountain-pen of 18K white gold decorated with diamonds and ruby-studded lozenges to mimic the red-white lozenges on the shield of the Grimaldi coat of arms. It includes 996 diamonds cut with facets and 92 rubies which form a network that inner workings of the writing instrument can be seen through. 19 more rubies surround the clip ring on the cap and the 18K gold nib is set with two rubies. The pen is worth 200,000 euros.
Swank vs. Macpherson In A Fight For Bling
Filed under: Jewelry, Celebrity Shopping
The Daily Mail has an interesting story on a case of celebrity diamond sharing. Celebs are often loaned diamonds to wear for red carpet event but what happens when two girls want the same piece? The Daily Mail says that both model Elle Macpherson and Academy-Award-winner Hilary Swank each wanted to wear a £5million Montblanc diamond necklace to a party to launch the new Montblanc collection. What to do, what to do? The situations often provide an easy measure of star power. In this case, Elle got the gem for daytime while Hilary got the more prized night time gig. I guess those Oscars are worth something...
Montblanc and Emirates Pair Up To Sell A Diamond Necklace
Emirates Airlines flies some of the most deep-pocketed people in the world. Not many airlines could hold auctions where customers bid to purchase high-end watches and jewelry. Last year, Montblanc and Emirates teamed up to auction off a watch (an auction that raised $250,000 for the Emirates airline Foundation) this year they have upped the ante with a million-dollar diamond necklace and earrings set. From now until 31st March 2008, customers on board all Emirates flights can register their interest in buying the Ruban d'amour diamond necklace and matching earrings. The jewelry includes the star-shaped Montblanc diamond and can be crafted with a choice of precious stones: the Ruban d'amour Neige is diamonds set in white gold; the Ruban d'amour Blanc et noir features black nephrite jade; pink sapphires complement the Ruban d'amour Rose; while Tahitian and Australian pearls adorn the Ruban d'amour Crème.The winner will be chosen in April. The winner and a a companion, will be flown First Class on Emirates to Montblanc's jewelry workshop in Paris to watch the craftsmen finish the set. $150,000 of the sale proceeds will be donated to UNICEF in support of its educational projects for children in the Middle East.
Montblanc Marlene Dietrich Commemoration Edition pen
Filed under: Writing Instruments
Dedicated to actress and singer Marlene Dietrich, this beautiful Marlene Dietrich Commemoration Edition fountain pen from Montblanc is available in a limited edition of 1,901. The cap and barrel are made of 925 Sterling Silver with a fine barley guilloche. On the cap a blue mother-of-pearl inlay houses the Montblanc signet, as well as a single deep blue sapphire (reminiscent of Dietrich's eyes) and 22 brilliant cut diamonds. It also has a platinum-plated 18k gold nib with delicate engraving and a heart-shaped hole. And of course there's an engraving of Marlene Dietrich's signature on the barrel ring.
Via Retro to Go
Alexander von Humboldt Montblanc Pen
Filed under: Writing Instruments
The 2007 pen in Montblanc's Patron of Art series is dedicated to the German naturalist Alexander von Humboldt. The pen is created of granadille, rare wood similar to ebony and found in the southern hemisphere, where Alexander von Humboldt did much of his scientific exploration. The pen is trimmed in sterling silver on the ends, clip, band and in the center in an abstract motif that references the art of the indigenous peoples von Humboldt studied during his expeditions. The pen has an 18K nib that is engraved with a sextant, another nod to von Humboldt's voyages of discovery. The pen is available in an edition of 4,810 pieces. The pen sells for 1,850 euros.
Montblanc Star Lady Moonphase Diamonds
Filed under: Timepieces / Watches
The perfect accessory to compliment your summer tan, this new Montblanc Star Lady Moonphase Diamonds is a bright glistening white with a mother of pearl dial, handmade alligator strap (also available in light blue if you prefer), and a 36mm 18K white gold case. With ETA 4810/908 movement, features also include a moonphase and small second display, 8 diamond hour markers, Breget numerals, domed antireflux sapphire crystal and sapphire crystal case back, fluted crown, and water resistance to 30m. Priced around $10,175.
Montblanc Steps Up Their Jewelry Line
Filed under: Jewelry
Montblanc released their latest jewelry collection last week with a fancy party in Chamonix. Where else to celebrate ice but somewhere icy? The event, which was attended by a bunch of celebs including Naomi Watts, Lucy Liu and Dita Von Teese was held in an ice palace at the base of Mont Blanc. Montblanc's first collection of silver jewelry for women, launched in 2005, did well and so Montblanc is stepping up the luxury with a diamond and gold jewelry collection. WWD reports that the jewelry will be priced around $500 for a basic gold ring to $20,000 for more ornate creations featuring diamonds. There are several different collections, 4810, Dame Blanche, Black and White Magic, and Secret Star which includes pieces with special compartments for engraved messages. At the launch event the company showcased a $3 million necklace with a 37-carat diamond. Some of the jewelry features the Montblanc diamond, the distinctive star-shaped cut which has been featured in Montblanc pens.Limited Edition Mystery Masterpiece, The Most Expensive Pen Ever Created
Filed under: Jewelry, Writing Instruments
I'm not sure how you would write with it, but the Limited Edition Mystery Masterpiece, a joint creation between Montblanc and Van Cleef & Arpels, is one amazing pen. Both companies celebrated their centennials in 2006 and the pen is meant to showcase each company's area of expertise. There are three variations, set either with rubies, sapphires or emeralds, and accented by diamonds. There are three versions of each pen for a total of nine. Each pen has 840 diamonds and more than 20 carats of gemstones set in a Van Cleef & Arpels patented "Mystery Setting" that conceals the stone settings. A groove is made on the culet, the bottom facet of the stone, which is then slid onto the threads of the lattice design so that the stones can be held in place side by side without any visible support. The Mystery sells for $730,000, making it the most expensive writing instrument ever created. Truly a masterpiece of the jeweler's art, I just wish I could wear it around my neck.
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