A Closer Look at the $256,000 Montblanc Prince Rainier III Limited Edition 81
Montblanc is among the most well known German manufacturer in the business of crafting a variety of high-end luxury accessories including writing instruments, timepieces, and leather work. The company produced its flagship fountain pen in 1924, in Hamburg, called the Meisterstuck. Nearly a century later, Montblanc has paid tribute to Prince Rainier of Monaco after his passing with the Montblanc Prince Rainer III Limited Edition 81 fountain pen, worth every penny of the asking price of $256,000. To fully appreciate the value of this pen we must take a closer look at the elements that make it so special as well as valuable to pen enthusiasts and serious collectors.
The story behind the Prince Rainier III Limited Edition 81
Prince Rainier of Monaco met and fell in love with beloved American actress Grace Kelley. He took her as his princess and the two lived a fairy tale life, complete with beautiful children and the reign over a country which was known as one of the premier vacation destinations in the world. After the death of the highly regarded monarch, Montblanc paid tribute to the prince with Prince Rainier III limited edition 81 fountain pen. This was a fitting salute to the ruler of a decadent yet tiny country with a luxurious and quite expensive limited edition collectible writing instrument with a practical side and an opulent persona.
Description of the Prince Rainier III Limited Edition 81
The design thoughtfully incorporates an elaborate design through a skeletonized frame for the body which is completed with artwork which culminates in the creation of a shield which presents the Grimaldi coat of arms in honor of Prince Rainier who was, in fact, a Grimaldi. Upon the skeleton-frame is over 8 carats worth of diamonds and rubies with a lozenge shape. The 996 diamonds are high quality, cut and faceted, and there are 92 rubies used in the pattern, according to Forbes. The body of the pen is crafted of 18k white gold which lies beneath the intricate placement of the precious gemstones. The nib of this pen is made from 18k gold as well, and the clip ring is lined with a total of 19 rubies.
The presentation of the new tribute fountain pen
The Prince Rainier III Limited Edition 81 made its appearance at a VIP charity event in honor of Prince Raine III, after his death. It was a star-studded event with Prince Albert, his son in attendance, and celebrities such as Eva Green and Helena Christianson. The event was held in 2007, just two years after the passing of Rainier. This gala event featured the auction of one of the special Prince Rainier III Limited Edition 81 pens with proceeds going towards a foundation established by Princess Grace previously, to benefit children as well as the arts, two of the things she was passionate about in her own life. The pen is sold for $256,000, but what makes it worth this high amount of money?
The attributes which make this pen so special
When determining the value of this fine collectible, it is of course, only worth the highest price that a person is willing to pay. In this instance, some are willing to pay up to $256,000 USD. The elements which help to build value within this fine collectible include the materials from which it is crafted and their monetary value, along with the design of the pen which in itself has significant value. The symbolism and story behind the pen, in addition to the brand and the attitudes of patrons about this model.
We begin with the brand. Montblanc is an established manufacturer of high-quality watches, pens, and leather goods with a reputation for creating limited edition examples which create a kind of exclusivity, and even prestige if you will. The brand itself lends a great deal to the value of any item they produce, but next, we turn to the straight forward value of the precious metals, diamonds, and rubies which are used in large quantities in the making of each pen. Piggybacking on this, we have the design elements which have been researched and well thought out prior to their application through the hands of skilled craftsmen, resulting in a flawless pattern. The very design is symbolic of Prince Rainier III and the lineage of the Grimaldi family as observed in the gemstone-studded coat of arms. Finally, we consider the passion and desirability factor. Pen enthusiasts and those who possess a deep devotion to the deceased monarch feel a draw towards the pen, created in a limited number of just 81 because the prince was 81 years old in 2005 at the time of his passing, hence the addition of this significant number to the name of the pen.
Final thoughts
The Montblanc Prince Rainier III Limited Edition 81 fountain pen offers an appropriate and fitting tribute to the departed ruler of Monaco. The opulence and beauty of the pen represent the country he ruled for 56 years of his life on the earth. His reign was long and successful and there has been one pen for each year of his life produced, but no more. This is not only a gorgeous collectible that is lovely to behold from a display case, but it is also highly functional and made with the intention that it will be used to perform actual writing tasks. This is where form and function meet in the middle in a magnificent writing instrument that is made for those who insist upon the very best in quality and prestige for conducting everyday tasks such as writing a note or delivering a signature. This exquisite and expensive fountain pen is Montblanc’s tribute to a great leader who will forever be remembered.
