For over a century Montblanc has developed a unique know-how, combining subtle variations and and adjustments to traditional craftsmanship with high precision and sophisticated technology. The Métiers d’Arts mastery allows the Maison to offer unique pieces of craftsmanship combining an extraordinary art of stone setting, engraving and gold nib crafting among others. This know-how comes to life in the High Artistry pieces, pushing the limits of excellence to an unprecedented level.
Montblanc has introduced the new High Artistry Homage to Hannibal Barca Limited Edition, as a tribute to Hannibal Barca, who was a Punic military commander from Carthage. He is considered to be one of the greatest military commanders of history alongside Julius Caesar and Alexander the Great.
Say Hannibal, and most of us think of the man-eating Lecter. Barca himself was equally, realistically fearsome and intelligent, having been remembered as one of the most brilliant military strategists of all time. His impact dates way back to when Tunisia was known as Ancient Carthage, where Barca was involved in the second Punic War from 218 to 210 BC. Basically, the commander fought his way to the Pyrenees on war elephants, and won a number of battles in Italy despite being warned that elephants were not meant for crossing the mountainous Alps. “I will either find a way, or make one” – The phrase attributed to Hannibal in response to his generals who had declared it impossible to cross the Alps with elephants.
The design of this special edition is inspired by significant events of the second Punic war. This masterpiece-edition merges his outstanding strategy with design codes of the great tactical feats, in which he was involved.
Regardless of the different stylistic choices adopted in the different model, the distinctive feature of the Hannibal Limited Edition is the clip in the shape of an elephant’s head – the elephants that were part of the Hannibal’s crossing of the Rhone and march towards the Alps. Between 1920 and 1940 Montblanc has expressed all its creativity giving birth to some very unique clips (of whom the most famous is the iconic Montblanc snake clip).
Limited Edition 86
A cap top in the shape of an elephant with a clip shaped like the animal’s trunk embellishes this collection. The elephant trunk is made of red gold, eyes set with cognac diamonds.
The cap is something that was never seen before on standard Montblanc creations. It is made of wild olive wood, refined with UV-razer leopard pattern, that recalls the panther skin Hannibal and his generals wore to protect their left arm and shoulder.
Another reference to the Punic cuirass of Hannibal’s time is the decoration on the cap, which recalls Phoenician armour. Symbolising his expedition through the Alps, the cap top is made of granite, crowned with the Montblanc emblem in mother-of-pearl.
The barrel is made of black lacquer and translucent black resin under an ornate skeleton made of Au750 red gold. The Au750 red gold cone and ring recalls the rings worn by the Roman aristocracy. Hundreds of these rings were collected from the dead by the victorious Carthaginians on the battlefield at Cannae. The lacquer inlay on the end of the cone refers to the impressive mosaics found at Carthage and the surrounding area in modern-day Tunisia.
A laurel wreath like the one appearing on the ancient Hannibal coin is engraved on the handcrafted Au750 red gold nib.
The Fountain Pen is limited to 86 pieces as a reference to the 86,000 Roman soldiers defeated by Hannibal’s forces at Cannae.
Limited Edition 10
The High Artistry Hannibal Limited Edition Fountain Pen 10 is made of solid Au750 white gold and diamonds. This Limited Edition 10 was inspired by the Battle of Cannaeon on August 2, 216 BC, where Hannibal captured 10,000 Roman soldiers.
The Writing Instrument features a contrasting combination of anthracite titanium and white gold – an anthracite titanium has an “armour” of solid white gold overlay with the strategic plan of the Battle of Cannae engraved in two colours on the barrel – as a nod to the general’s military prowess. The pen is decorated with a bar fully studded with black onyx inserted into the barrel overlay by hand.
The Montblanc emblem is crafted from white agate set inside rock crystal, representing snow-covered mountains that Hannibal’s army had to traverse. The cone is shaped like a Carthaginian combat ship’s bow crowned by a blue sapphire (approx. 0.74ct).
Limited Edition 5
The five great generals in Hannibal’s family are represented by the 5 pens available. The Limited Edition Fountain Pen 5 Homage to the legend of Hannibal Barca with a fountain pen made of solid Au750 champagne gold fittings, dark blue sapphires is crowned by a Diamond in brilliant cut, approx.1,85 ct. The middle of the cap is adorned with an oval gold shield to represent the Punic cuirass armour.
For the first time in Montblanc history, the star emblem has been replaced with an engraved and polished 3D model of the Mont Blanc massif in rough rock crystal, as a reference to Hannibal’s crossing of the Alps.
Small details hinting towards Barca’s victory finds itself on the pen, like an engraved map of his journey during the war, the armour-esque engravings on the cone, as the elephant emblem on the cap.
Limited Edition 1 / White Gold ( Cartago Edition)
The High Artistry Hannibal Limited Edition 1, known as Cartago Edition, features a striking combination of 18K white gold and diamonds contrasting with a full pavé of blue sapphires. The elephant trunk clip is one of the most sophisticated clips ever conceived by Montblanc with all stones set on clip and elephant head is decorated with individually cut and hand-set gems requiring months of meticulous work. Because of the unusual shape of the clip, the Montblanc Artisan Atelier developed an external tensioned clip to achieve the design and aesthetics of the elongated trunk of the elephant, while at the same time providing high precision and smooth clip function.
The white gold fitting stands out against the deep blue of the sapphires on the barrel, embellished with individual rows of carée cut diamonds. Celebrating his epic journey to victory, the forepart of the writing instrument is engraved with his route from Carthage to the Rome.
The Au750 solid gold nib is decorated with a special design representing the Carthaginian deity Ba’al Hammon and adorned with two brilliant-cut diamonds. Crowning the fountain pen, a magnificent 6.03 ct. brilliant-cut (colour D, clarity FL) diamond is displayed on a stone-holding table set with diamonds. Achieving this feat of stone-setting virtuosity requires absolute precision from Montblanc’s stone setters. A blue sapphire cabochon from Ceylon shines at the base of the cone, adding dazzling elegance to this one-of-a-kind work of art.
Limited Edition 1 / Champagne Gold (Alps Edition)
Another “piece unique” is the Limited Edition 1, also known as Alps Edition, Homage to the legend of Hannibal Barca with a fountain pen made of solid Au750 champagne gold, diamonds in full pavé, crowned by a 6.03 ct. Diamond in brilliant cut, colour D, clarity FL.
There is a third Montblanc High Artistry Homage to Hannibal Barca Limited Edition 1 (deep dark sapphires and Au750 rose gold), but it’s still hidden from view.
Launch 2017
Fountain Pen 86
Fountain Pen 10
Fountain Pen 5
Fountain Pen 1(White Gold)
Fountain Pen1 (Champagne Gold)
