Montblanc’s latest Great Characters edition pays a sophisticated homage to the universal genius of Leonardo da Vinci. This exquisite writing instrument is inspired by da Vinci’s visionary inventions and his lifelong obsession with the mechanics of flight.
From Montblanc:
“Designed in Montblanc’s Ateliers, the Great Characters Limited Edition Leonardo brings to life the inventor’s fascination with the idea of human flight, each detail taken from the numerous studies he produced for each of his elaborate flying devices from parachutes, to hand gliders and helicopters. The cap and barrel of the writing instrument are crafted from anodized aluminium, a reference to the material now used to build today’s flying machines or aeroplanes. The polished platinum plated fittings are reproductions of da Vinci’s studies for wedge connections used to assemble two different materials in his constructions.
The shape on the cone of the Montblanc Great Characters Limited Edition Leonardo writing instrument refers to the double movement transmission conceptualized by da Vinci over 500 years ago, now widely used in automotive engineering as “continuously variable transmission”. The red gold plated gear at the end of the clip is reminiscent of the many cogwheels the Italian master used in his designs. Handcrafted in solid 750 gold and rhodium plated, the nib is engraved with one of da Vinci’s famous drawings of a bat whose wings he studied to develop his flying machine, while the forefront of the pen is etched with his own sketch of a mechanical wing.”
With only 3,000 fountain pens and 3,000 rollerball pens in existence, this is a rare piece for any enthusiast. You can find them now at Montblanc boutiques worldwide. No word on price yet. TBA.
*UPDATE: Fountain Pen: Approximately €6,795 / Rollerball: Approximately $3,535
This wasn’t Montblanc’s first tribute to a historical genius — earlier that year, the brand paid similar homage with the Great Characters Albert Einstein Limited Edition, celebrating another mind that reshaped how we understand the world.
Photos Courtesy of Montblanc
