How do you celebrate the 100th anniversary of an icon without simply rehashing the same old heritage story? Last year, Montblanc decided to think outside the box, tapping Wes Anderson, the master of meticulously arranged worlds, to direct a commemorative film about the centennial of the iconic Meisterstück pen. But Anderson, being Anderson, decided to just design a version of the writing utensil himself.
The result is The “Schreiberling” (German for “the scribbler”), a limited-edition fountain pen that feels like it was plucked straight from the prop rooms of The Grand Budapest Hotel or The Royal Tenenbaums. And now, a year later, the pen might be finally available to purchase… almost.
A Secret Project Worth Keeping
The original Schreiberling was planned for release last month, but now at least we have a sort of registration page, with foreign sites (like Saudi Arabia) having it available to “Add to Cart.” Nevertheless, we have evidence that this pen is attainable.
The Importance of Color
Anderson’s approach here mirrors his filmmaking philosophy perfectly. Rather than simply fulfilling his contractual obligations, he dug deep into Montblanc’s archives and came out with inspiration from the “baby” pens of the 1910s and 1920s. These were compact writing instruments that were portable and stylish (today, you might call it “EDC”).
The Schreiberling captures that same spirit but updates it with Anderson’s chosen color palette. The lacquered barrel bod of the pen is in a vibrant green, while the base is yellow and the tip of the cap is red. Together with a green notepad, green ink cartridge refills, and an architectural ruler, the pen is housed in a striking green tin with an almost burgundy red interior lining.
The pen itself is expectedly compact at just under 4”, featuring a click-on cap mechanism that pays homage to the aforementioned vintage pocket pens. Where Anderson’s touch becomes most apparent is in the details, such as the minimalist Montblanc logo encircled in red at the cap’s peak. The solid 18k white gold nib features one of Anderson’s own scribbles, putting a personal touch on his design, as to be expected. Fans of Anderson’s films will certainly appreciate how the Schreiberling combines subtly with a style that sticks in your head.
Spec Sheet
Model: Wes Anderson for Montblanc “The Schreiberling” Limited Edition 1969
Materials: Lacquered barrel in green and yellow
Nib: Solid Au 750 (18k) white gold with Anderson’s engraved scribble
Length: 4”
Included: Green tin presentation box, matching notepad, architectural ruler, green ink cartridges
Limited Edition?: Yes, 1,969
Price: $2,500
Pricing & Availability
Priced at $2,500, the Schreiberling is limited to exactly 1,969 pieces, which is a reference to Anderson’s birth year. The pen should arrive sometime in the coming months, but you can now sign up for notifications on Montblanc’s website.
Recap
Montblanc x Wes Anderson Schreiberling Limited Edition 1969
For Montblanc’s 100th anniversary of the Meisterstück, Wes Anderson made his own green version of the pen, while also referencing the baby pens of the 1910s and ’20s.
