Much can be said about style and functionality. They're often two sides of the same coin, yet to be able to exist harmoniously in a way that makes perfect sense requires equal parts technical know-how and a great sense of taste. Montblanc has both.
The brand known for its artistry in crafting writing instruments, has made a name for itself translating the same level of craftsmanship and attention to detail onto timeless style accompaniments. Luxurious bags and leather goods, travel and tech accessories, as well as timepieces are designed to not only last, but be part of one's journey through a life well-lived.
South Korean actor Lee Jin-wook—most recently starring in Netflix's Sweet Home as well as a new cast member of the much-awaited second season of Squid Game—showcases just how well Montblanc crafts pieces that are meant to be classic mainstays. Paired with equally classic menswear silhouettes, you'd be hard-pressed to not be able to find a Montblanc piece you wouldn't be able to integrate into your own style.
Photography: JDZ Chung
Fashion Editor: Kim Yujin
Styling: Lee Hajeong
Grooming: Gu Hyeonmi
Production: TwelveSixteen
Styling Assistant: Zoe Lee
Assistant: Sin Dongju
Art Designer: Kim Daeseon
A fountain pen is like a tie these days. It is not a necessity but an expression of taste—and a chance to snatch a little extra joy from the grip of everyday existence. Given the choice, would you rather scratch out a note with a cheap plastic ballpoint or glide a finely tuned 18k-gold nib over a sheet of paper? No contest.
This brings us to Montblanc. Founded in 1906 with the catchy name Simplizissiumus-Füllhalter, the company pioneered modern, easy-to-use fountain pens. And the Meisterstück—German for “masterpiece”—has been the pinnacle of its lineup since it was introduced in 1924. It’s the fountain pen elevated to an art form. Combining superior engineering and materials, the century-old Meisterstück takes the writing experience to another level by ensuring that the ink flows in an unbroken stream from reservoir to nib to paper without the slightest pressure from the user. It’s a simple pleasure but a profound one. And sometimes—more often than you might expect—that is precisely what you need.
Originally published on Esquire US
After Montblanc launched its Iced Sea Collection in 2022 (y'know the ones with the glacier dials), the brand gives us the newest addition: the 0 Oxygen Deep 4810. That is a very specific number, you might say. But "4810" is a mainstay of the brand—that is the height in metres of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps. For this venture, the 0 Oxygen Deep 4810 holds claim to being water-resistant at the depths of 4810 metres. (For context, this is almost half of the depth of the Mariana Trench at 10,909m.)
Given that it's able to withstand the depths, it makes sense that the 0 Oxygen Deep 4810 is housed in a titanium case and shielded screw-down crown.
Like the other Iced Sea timepieces, the dial of the 0 Oxygen Deep 4810 is inspired by the Mer de Glace, a valley glacier. According to the presser, the dial showcases an "interlocking network of crystals that have been frozen in time for millennia". Like the Iced Sea line, the dial's look is brought about via gratté-boisé—a tedious polishing effect that doesn't remove any of the material.
While the dial is a sight to behold, the caseback reveals a 3D-engraving of what you see under a sheet of ice. Created by a laser-generated oxidation that gives the caseback an otherworldly glimpse, a contrast of colour and texture.
If you're attempting to explore the ocean depths, illumination is a must. White Super-LumiNova acts as photoluminescence on the hands, indexes and a dot at 12 o'clock. Montblanc's COSC-certified automatic MB 29.29 movement, ticks away inside; with five days of power reserve. The Iced Sea 0 Oxygen Deep 4810 joins the ranks of Montblanc's “Zero Oxygen” timepieces that are made without any oxygen to ensure a more precise and longer performance; as well as the elimination of fogging.
Rounding up the watch is an interchangeable black rubber strap that's tapered in a V-shape and can be easily adjusted directly on the wrist.
