Montblanc, known as Mont Blanc on earlier products, is a renowned German company renowned for its exquisite writing instruments and premium luxury goods. The company was established in 1908 by Claus-Johannes Voss, a stationer, Alfred Nehemias, a banker, and August Eberstein, an engineer. Originally named the Simplo Filler Pen company and based in Hamburg, it adopted the name Montblanc in 1910, inspired by the majestic peak of Mont Blanc, the highest summit in the Alps. Montblanc’s distinctive “White Star” emblem, reminiscent of the mountain’s shape, made its debut in 1913.

A significant breakthrough for the company came in 1924 with the creation of its iconic fountain pen, the Meisterstück, meaning “Masterpiece” in German. This exceptional pen, which remains in production today, catapulted Montblanc into prominence. Recognizing the Meisterstück’s contribution to its success, the company began engraving the figure “4810,” denoting Mont Blanc’s elevation, on the pen nibs in 1929. In 1934, the company underwent a name change to Montblanc-Simplo GmbH and introduced its first piston pen filler. By 1935, Montblanc had expanded its product line to encompass luxurious leather goods like pen pouches, notebooks, and writing cases, which complemented its remarkable pens.

Despite enduring the destruction of its manufacturing facilities during World War II, Montblanc persevered. While construction was underway, production relocated to Denmark. The company continued to refine and manufacture the Meisterstück, which remained a cornerstone of its business, although new models were introduced over time. In the 1980s, there was a resurgence of interest in fountain pens, enabling Montblanc’s expansion into Asian markets. By the 1990s, Montblanc had established exclusive boutiques, catering to discerning customers, and antique Montblanc pens had become highly sought-after collectibles.

During the 1970s, majority ownership of Montblanc shifted to the Dunhill company, which, in turn, was later acquired by the Richemont Group. This ownership transition brought Montblanc under the same roof as esteemed luxury brands like Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels. With the support of Richemont, Montblanc expanded its product offerings to encompass larger leather goods, including attaché cases, jewelry, and watches.

In 2001, Montblanc ventured into the fragrance market with the introduction of its first scent, “Presence,” for women. Following this successful debut, the company launched the men’s fragrance “Starwalker” in 2005, along with a corresponding pen and a men’s watch collection called “Timewalker.” Montblanc fragrances are crafted in collaboration with Inter Parfums Inc., and the brand now boasts an impressive collection of 35 perfumes, with editions spanning from 2001 to the latest release in 2023. Perfumers such as Michel Almairac, Sonia Constant, Jórdi Fernandez, Antoine Maisondieu, Olivier Pescheux, Jordi Fernández, Pierre Bourdon, Celine Perdriel, Bernard Ellena, Nathalie Feisthauer, Olivier Cresp, Corinne Cachen, Guillaume Flavigny, and Natalie Gracia-Cetto have all contributed their expertise to the creation of Montblanc fragrances.