The art of writing now crosses over to the art of tyre making in this new collaboration. 

By Joseph Low

For most of us, it would be difficult to draw links between Montblanc and Pirelli, the global tyre manufacture whose history stretches back to 1872. But for those with discerning eyes, the commonality quickly surfaces, which is the use of rubber. And the result is a pen: the Meisterstück Great Masters Pirelli Limited Edition 1872. This partnership joins the art of writing with the art of tyre-making, and the unique heritage of two companies. 

The Meisterstück Great Masters Pirelli Limited Edition 1872 is crafted of black rubber, a material familiar to both brands and is closely associated with their origin stories. Montblanc, in its early days, used ebonite (a type of vulcanised rubber) to make pens. While at Pirelli, the company started out by manufacturing rubber products of all kinds.  

The use of rubber is a tasteful homage to both and the material is seen on the cap and barrel of this writing instrument. Stylistic elements of Pirelli are reinforced through the engraved pattern on the matt rubber of the pen and is inspired by the sgorbiatori, craftsmen who carve tread by hand on the surface of prototype tyres. On the tip of the pen, the emblematic “P” appears on the Au 750 solid gold nip above a stylised running tyre with the Montblanc motif at its centre.

The black cone and cap top is crowned by the Montblanc emblem in mother-of-pearl. Another uniting feature of the two companies is the colour red. And this symbolic hue is referenced on the Meisterstück Great Masters Pirelli Limited Edition 1872 as red rings. This brings a bright accent to the pen’s cone and cap top.

Meisterstück Great Masters Pirelli Limited Edition 1872 is available as a fountain pen or rollerball at Montblanc boutiques worldwide now. For more information visit: montblanc.com

For more lifestyle reads, click here.