Ornatus-Mundi's report from the Montblanc Boutique in Vienna offers an exclusive look at the Princesse Grace de Monaco Collection. This article captures the elegance and charitable purpose behind Montblanc's tribute to Grace Kelly, showcasing writing instruments, jewelry, and timepieces. The author's detailed photographs and insights into the collection's design philosophy provide a valuable perspective on Montblanc's luxury offerings.
Dear All:
I was honoured to be invited to an exclusive presentation of Montblanc's 'Crown Jewels', the recently presented Princesse Grace de Monaco Collection . Consisting of writing instruments, jewelry and timepieces, the collection serves a double purpose: a tribute to an extraordinary personality, a role model for many, a beauty and stile icon: Her Serene Highness Princess Grace of Monaco :
The second objective is to contribute to a charitable course, the Princess Grace Foundation-USA which is dedicated to support emerging artists in theatre, dance and film.
The main theme of the collection pays homage to the extraordinary elegance of Grace Kelly, symbolised through the V-shaped neckline of her dress. The neckline is the common design element throughout the artifacts (more on that later).
I probably know the Montblanc Boutique in Vienna better than any other watch boutique in the world, and this should not surprise anyone. Highest watchmaking art (Villeret collection!) is combined here with true expertise and pleasant hospitality, therefore I gladly accepted the invitation to this spirited event. Snowflakes covered the ground in Vienna's city, we were lucky to finally enter:
The boutique was vibrantly filled with guests eager to see the collection (and to taste the
petit bites (the English meaning, please ;-))...
Amongst the guests Playmate of the Century (Playboy 2000) Gitta Saxx:
... but her beauty did not distract much from the stars of the evening, the Grace de Monaco collection. Here the first (and most exclusive) exhibit:
Montblanc made sure that Mr Christian M. Rauch, Managing Director Writing Culture (Montblanc International GmbH) flew down from Hamburg to introduce the collection.
Mr Rauch explained that two distinct elements define the collection and its design theme. On the one hand, there is the
elegance of Princess Grace represented by the V-shaped neckline of her dress... (Mr Rauch in a typical
male position of hands
)
... second the
beauty of Princess Grace as symbolised by a dedicated race of roses known as the
'Princesse de Monaco®'. Montblanc takes two distinct elements, the
colour of the flowers as well as the
shape of the petals. This race was bred specifically as a present to her on occasion of the wedding with HRH Prince Rainier in 1981.
First, I's like to show you the fountain pen available in a limited edition of three as a tribute to Princess Grace’s three children.
The Princess Grace's neckline is quite masterfully integrated into the design on both ends of the pen:
The cap demonstrates extraordinary attention to the detail: First, of course the V-shape of the neckline, the
decollete of the pen. Then, the monogram of Grace Kelly. A prominent diamond of extraordinary clarity (~0.41 ct.) which is cut in the shape of the rose's petals:
And last but not least, ruby sapphires in the shape of the Monacan Cote of Arms:
Ruby sapphire is considered to be of outstanding rarity. Nonetheless, Montblanc lavishly endowed the Princess collection with this stone as this bracelet shows (Mr Rauch remarked that quite a significant proportion of the world's stock of ruby sapphire was actually concentrated in
this boutique!):
I found it quite remarkable to what lengths Montblanc went to realise this collection. For example, their gem-setters had to invent an entirely novel cut technique to achieve the desired sparkling results!
The last part of this short report is dedicated to - correct! - timepieces. But I do it with a word of warning upfront: they are all quartz-driven, unfortunately. Nevertheless, I found their aesthetic qualities quite captivating. It blends all of the stylistic elements above and combines them into a distinctly feminine timepiece. Note how flowery element is present in the dial (hour markers) and in the bracelet:
The bezel is asymmetrically set with diamonds yielding a spectacular effect:
But the real masterpiece here lies in the (mother-of-pearl) dial. I am not alone in being smitten by the dance of light on can admire:
There is also a more restrained version, also in red gold, set with baguette diamonds on the outer and round diamonds in the inner bezel.
Also this one takes up the neckline theme...
... as well as the petals of the Princesse rose:
I can image that some women will wear this peace turned by 180° just to admire this view:
Even more simple is this steel model with just another twist on the neckline theme:
That's for it now! While Mr Rauch answered to specific comments by the audience...
... I seized this moment of distraction to ask watchmaker Romana Ressl to take out the Montblanc Villeret watches for me:
Quite exhausted reached the end of the report. It was more than expected!
A final note:
This report would have not been possible without the kind assistance of the Montblanc Vienna Boutique team. The team opened the boutique for me early next morning to allow a private photo session literally minutes before the entire collection headed via high-security courier to Hollywood. A big, big thanks to you all!
I hops you enjoyed this pictorial despite its little out-of-horology twist.
Cheers,
Magnus
This message has been edited by mkt33 on 2012-03-02 05:44:09 This message has been edited by mkt33 on 2012-03-02 05:45:00 This message has been edited by mkt33 on 2012-03-08 06:59:59 
