Write now: This stunning museum is an ode to penmanship

If, like me, after a few hours spent talking about penmanship and admiring some of the world’s most exquisitely made pens, you can’t help asking the awkward question: “In our digital-first age, is a beautifully made pen still appreciated? Is anyone writing by hand anymore?”

You’ll be delighted to hear that, according to Vincent Montalescot, Montblanc EVP Marketing, the answer is a resounding “yes”. “Along with many other analogue experiences and pastimes, interest in beautifully crafted stationery enjoyed a resurgence during Covid,” Vincent explains, as we tour the halls of Montblanc Haus, the stunning museum opened in 2022, next door to the original manufacturing HQ where Montblanc pens have been made since the 1930s. “And, thanks to the Gen Z interest in journaling, young people are appreciating the ‘experience’ of writing, and the materials they use to do so matter to them.” Manna to my old-fashioned ears.

And there really is something experiential about holding a Montblanc Meisterstück (Masterpiece) in your hand. From the satisfying sound it makes removing the cap, to that perfectly balanced weight in your hand, and the wonderfully tactile cigar shape. But you mustn’t call it a “pen” I quickly learn; Montblanc make “writing instruments”.

Despite the Swiss-sounding name, they are German-made through and through; every single Montblanc pen is made here in Hamburg. The iconic Meisterstück model was first introduced in 1924, and continues, 100 years later, to be the company’s flagship instrument.

Taking a tour of the manufacturing facility next door to Montblanc Haus was a lesson in exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail. Not only do Montblanc make all the elements for each pen themselves, including nibs, they go so far as to make all the equipment and tools to make the pens – to guarantee excellence at every single stage of manufacture.

There are 35 steps involved in making a nib alone; and every single nib in a Montblanc fountain pen is made from solid gold, regardless of the model you buy. “It’s the solid gold that gives a Montblanc nib its unique flexibility,” explains Vincent. “This is how we produce pens that write like butter.”

One of the standout elements, for me, on our visit, was the Testing Room, where a number of people sat, white-gloved and completely silent, in a glass-boxed room, testing each and every single nib, before it qualifies to be added to a Montblanc pen. Watching them write I couldn’t see anything on the page. “They use invisible ink,” explains Vincent, “to ensure the nib is not marked in any way… they work in total silence in order to be able to hear the sound of the nib on paper, and feel that it is working correctly.” Sublime.

Set across three levels, Montblanc Haus offers an immersive experience that pays the ultimate homage to the art of writing; it’s a must-visit, encouraging us all to leave our mark on the world, but do it with an unapologetic flourish of style.

Visit Ireland’s first dedicated Montblanc store on Dublin’s South Anne Street, (01) 685 5065. For more information visit montblanc.com.