The global extent of the British Empire and its leading role as a naval and economic power in the 18th and 19th centuries was due primarily to the invention of a man who today is almost forgotten – John Harrison. His ingenious nautical invention – the chronometer – made a seemingly impossible task possible: the exact determination of position and distances on the high seas. It was thanks to this safe method of navigation that the empire’s fleet was able to set sail for new continents and increase the renown, wealth and worldwide influence of the British Crown.
The Special Theme Edition Hommage à John Harrison recalls the era of expansion into new worlds. The partly transparent barrel is encased in a delicate 750 solid gold map of the world composed of the continents and lines of longitude and latitude. Through this skeleton structure, the world’s oceans shimmer in transparent blue precious resin. A small diamond marks the position of the Mont Blanc massif. An engraved portrait of the inventor decorates the handmade 18-carat gold nib of this unique writing instrument whose cap bears the Montblanc star in mother-of-pearl.
Launch 2002
Limitation:
Fountain Pen 333