NEWS: Montblanc and Marc Newson collaborate on the Montblanc M writing instrument

Felix Scholz

No, you’re not reading that wrong. Today we’re taking a (very short) break from our usual programming to talk about another of life’s little luxuries, the newly released Montblanc M pen.

This is potentially very important for Montblanc, not just because of its sleek silhouette but because it was created in collaboration with Marc Newson, the celebrity designer who’s waved his wand over everything from passenger jets to coat hangers. In and of itself a collaboration with Marc Newson isn’t unique – he’s quite prolific – but what is important is that this is Montblanc’s first partnership with an external designer. Ever.

Their choice of Newson is no coincidence. When Jérôme Lambert headed up JLC he worked with the ex-pat Aussie several times, notably on some stunning Atmos clocks (but also on this very special Memovox). Given their history together it’s not too big a stretch for Newson to try his hand at pens.

The Montblanc M itself is impressive, full of the smooth lines and rounded edges you’d expect from Newson’s biometric design philosophy. The most striking feature is the plateaued end of the barrel, which aligns perfectly with the recessed platinum-coated clip, thanks to a magnet in the cap. Very smart indeed.
Newson’s influence is evident in the minimalist lines of the Montblanc M, without overwhelming the German brand’s iconic aesthetics. But more importantly, it opens the door to further collaborations.

Is a Newson edition TimeWalker a future possibility? We certainly hope so.

Montblanc M Australian pricing

The Montblanc edition M comes in Fountain Pen ($760), Rollerball ($540), Ballpoint ($540), ScreenWriter ($620) for use on tablets and, for the first time, as a Fineliner ($540)