The Montblanc Collection Princesse Grace de Monaco is an ambitious contemporary creative project that crosses design disciplines and brings together all the facets of the brand’s renowned expertise, Montblanc celebrates the life and style of the late Princess Grace of Monaco with a collection of Watches, High Jewellery and Fine Jewellery and Writing Instruments.
A true icon of the 20th century, Grace Kelly, who became H.S.H. Princess Grace, is remembered and revered for her classic beauty and her inimitable style, both effortless and timeless. Far more than mere surface style, it was an innate elegance, an integral part of her character, touching every aspect of her life and work. Elegance that shone out through her talent as an Oscar-winning actress, through her indefatigable
Specifically, Montblanc has drawn on the Grace de Monaco rose, which was created in 1956, to mark the occasion of her fairytale marriage to H.S.H. Prince Rainier. The wedding was the culmination of a much-talked about whirlwind romance between the Prince and the movie-star, following their meeting the previous year at the Cannes film festival. In 1984, Prince Rainier inaugurated a magnificent rose garden, in the Fontvieille Park in Monaco, fragrant with the scent of some 4000 roses, both American and European species in homage to the Princess’s heritage and her great love of the rose.
The Montblanc Collection Princesse Grace de Monaco honouring a Precious Beauty
The carefully considered and artfully conceived collections – High Jewellery, Fine Jewellery, Timepieces and Writing Instruments – are timelessly
The High Jewellery within the Montblanc Collection Princesse Grace de Monaco 2012 features diamonds and rose-pink sapphires, specially cut in a lusciously sensual drop-shape to capture the voluptuousness of the rose petal, scattered in lush cascades of tumbling light and life. In the two opulently casual Fine Jewellery collections, Pétales de Rose and Pétales Entrelacés motifs, openwork petal forms are outlined or paved in diamonds, and echoed in soft pink gold, clustered together or interlaced, intimately and invitingly.
The same drop-cut pink sapphire highlights the Montblanc Writing Instruments in the Montblanc Collection Princesse Grace de Monaco 2012, diamond scattered, the pen clip and cap top designed to echo the curvaceous V- shaped neckline of a black velvet dress worn by the Princess in a celebrated photograph, Prince Albert’s favourite image of his mother. The quality and detailing, the hallmarks of the world-famous Montblanc pen, are taken to a new level; champagne coloured gold fittings, rubies cut in a rhombus-shape taken from the Grimaldi coat-of-arms, and the 18 carat gold nib with a heart-shaped opening. The purple precious lacquer of the Special Edition conjures the majesty of the Monegasque royal family.
The High Jewellery, The first Montblanc Princesse Grace de Monaco watch, limited to just 8 pieces, and Writing Instruments were launched in Monaco, in spectacular style in September 2011, with a specially commissioned production by Robert Wilson, “Grace for Grace”, at the Opera Garnier in Monte Carlo, after which the collections were unveiled at a star-studded dinner at the nearby Hotel de Paris, attended by H.S.H. Prince Albert, H.S.H Princess Charlene and H.R.H. Princess Caroline of Hanover.
The new Timepieces within the Montblanc Collection Princesse Grace de Monaco 2012, consist of two limited edition series and stainless steel and diamonds models, and the Fine Jewellery collections, Pétales de Rose and Pétales Entrelacés motifs will be shown for the first time at this year’s Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva.
Montblanc and Monaco
The Montblanc Princesse Grace de Monaco collections have evolved as part of an ongoing highly privileged relationship between Montblanc and the Principality of Monaco. The connection began in 2007 with the world premiere of the Montblanc Prince Rainier III Limited Edition 81, a supremely crafted and original skeletonized fountain pen created to celebrate the life of the late Prince Rainier. Montblanc donated half of the proceeds from sales of the pen to the Princess Grace Foundation, supporting artistic and cultural projects. In July 2011, Montblanc was honoured with a commission to design and create a sumptuously precious and bejewelled white gold writing instrument adorned with 161 rubies and 128 diamonds to celebrate the marriage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II to H.S.H. Princess Charlene. This unique commemorative gift was used by the newly-weds to sign their wedding register.
In addition, Montblanc is now reinforcing its long-time support for culture and the arts through a new partnership with the Princess Grace Foundation–USA, a non-profit organization dedicated to discovering and encouraging emerging talent in theatre, dance and film. Princess Grace was committed to helping artists and creators realize their full potential. To perpetuate this mission, Montblanc will award scholarships, apprenticeships and fellowships through the Princess Grace Awards programme. The collaboration was launched in Los Angeles in 2010, on the night before the OSCARS. Celebrated guests from the worlds of entertainment, art and culture were invited to sign a “wish wall” and dedicate their messages to the memory of the late Princess Grace, in support of the Foundation’s work. The “wish wall” has since travelled across the world to take its place at high-profile cultural events, including the Montblanc New Voices Award at the White Nights Festival in St. Petersburg in June 2011, the celebration of 10 years of the Young Directors’ Project powered by Montblanc at the Salzburg Festival in August 2011, and New York, in November 2011, where it drew much attention at the annual Gala of the Princess Grace Foundation-USA.
The Montblanc Collection Princesse Grace de Monaco – High Jewellery and Fine Jewellery
Jewels played a leading role in Princess Grace’s inimitable style, underlining her glamour as a world-famous star in the golden age of Hollywood,
The High Jewellery comprises four sets: Rose Glamour, Rose Princesse, Rose Divine – all one of a kind, and daringly dramatic, and Rose Mélodie, more understated, made in a limited series of 29 sets. Each one of a kind set consists of a centrepiece necklace, spectacular slender shoulder-grazing drop earrings, fringed with drop shaped gems, and intricate matching bracelet. Each jewel is set entirely with fine quality diamonds, and precious intense pink sapphires, specially cut in the lustrous drop-shaped form of a rose petal. The message of the eternal feminine is intensified by their rich colour, the colour of happiness, and also by free-form fluid movement of the show-stopping necklaces, each designed as a seemingly random shower of fragrant rose petals, drifting on a dream. Together, the brilliance of the diamonds and the rosy blush of the sapphires express the romance and radiance of Princess Grace of Monaco, movie-star, Princess, wife, mother and philanthropist.
The Fine Jewellery Collections, Pétales de Rose and Pétales Entrelacés motifs interpret the enduring image of the rose petal in light and lively, high-energy designs. Stylised openwork petals, crafted appropriately in pink gold alone, or pink-gold outlined or paved in diamonds, are exuberantly scattered or playfully clustered, or as the name suggests, in Pétales Entrelacés motif, intimately entwined, confident and contemporary, perfect for all day, everyday style.
The Montblanc Collection Princesse Grace de Monaco Timepieces
The all-encompassing collection of superlative timepieces, ranging from scintillating one-of-a kind High Jewellery watches to the everyday chic of stainless steel with diamonds, pays homage to the nobility of Princess Grace of Monaco. The first elite and elegant Princesse Grace de Monaco watch, a limited edition of only 8 pieces worldwide, launched in Monaco in 2011, led the way. With its underlying message of timelessness, the watch is embellished with 76 baguette-cut diamonds of fine quality, set on the bezel and horns, their crisp brilliance contrasting with and complimenting the signature drop-cut pink sapphire. The case is impeccably crafted in 18 carat red gold, flattering the intense pink of the sapphires, and its back is finely engraved with the Princesse Grace de Monaco monogram. Echoing the High Jewellery collection, a cascade of 177 brilliant cut diamonds tumbles across the flange and lustrous mother-of-pearl dial. The white alligator strap is fastened with a buckle set with 76 brilliant cut diamond, and as a finishing touch of craftsmanship, character and refinement, the crown is set with a Montblanc Diamond.
The sophisticated design of this opulent timepiece features a totally unique element: the shape of the case has been specially developed by Montblanc, to bring a sense of exuberant volume and a spirit of voluptuous femininity to its classic contours. This silhouette, with its perfect proportions and sleek curves, is followed through on all the timepieces in the new collections, which will be launched at the SIHH 2012 in Geneva. Intended as the perfect reflection of Princess Grace’s own uncomplicated and effortless glamour, the design brings a touch of contemporary individuality to the classic round watch.
Two breathtaking High Jewellery watches, each one-of-a-kind, play with the charming open-petal theme of the Fine Jewellery collections, both seamlessly blending Montblanc’s watchmaking and jewellery expertise. The Pétales de Rose motif watch is designed as a lush cluster of diamond petals around the mother-of-pearl dial, precious dancing petals that joyfully drift around the elaborate diamond bracelet, set with 605 brilliant-cut diamonds, totalling over 6 carats. On the Pétales Entrelacés motif watch, the openwork petals in rich pink gold form the indices on the dial, as well as the lyrical, intertwined links of the bracelet, encrusted with over 6.8 carats of diamonds. On both creations, the bezel framing the dial is set with baguette cut diamonds. The baguette diamond, the quintessential stone of the 1950s, makes another subtle reference to the movie-star Princess who embodied 1950s’ soignée sophistication.
The Limited Edition timepieces – one series of 8, another of 29 – are precious bejewelled compositions, carefully balancing poise and poetry, each diamond-set, and each accented with the luscious rose-petal shaped pink sapphire in the 6 o’clock position. The circular case, with its unique contours, is made modern through a larger 34 mm dimension, while the dial is covered with a perfectly cambered sapphire crystal.
The reverse of all watch cases, engraved with the Princess’s royal monogram, is carefully shaped in a soft convex to sit on the wrist with supreme comfort. For everyday wear, Montblanc has created a collection of stainless steel watches, both accessible and alluring, crisp and casual, with a touch of scintillating glamour, set with brilliant and baguette cut diamonds. All Limited Edition and stainless steel watches come on alligator straps with pronged buckle.
The Montblanc Collection Princesse Grace de Monaco Writing Instruments – Limited Edition of 3
As a tribute to Princess Grace’s three children, Caroline, Albert and Stephanie, the most precious “gems” in her life, Montblanc has created a very rare edition fountain pen, limited to just three pieces. Crafted entirely from champagne coloured solid gold, the elegant lines of the pen, and its jewel-like quality, are highlighted with diamond (2.69 carats) and rubies (0.26 carats) on the cap and barrel. The cap top and clip are designed in the distinctive, feminine curved “V” shape, inspired by the neckline of a gown worn by Princess Grace in an iconic photograph. The Princess’s monogram is finely hand engraved on the cap top, and the clip shimmers with a drop-cut diamond of the finest quality (0.41 carats). As a memento of her aristocratic bearing and her royal status, the cap is embellished with a circle of specially cut rhomboid-shaped rubies, in a design taken from the coat of arms of the Principality of Monaco. Mother-of-pearl details add yet more lustre: a cabochon enriches the cone, and the Montblanc emblem crowns this rich, rare and superbly crafted jewelled creation.
The Montblanc Collection Princesse Grace de Monaco Writing Instruments – Limited Edition of 29
Celebrating 1929, the year of Grace Kelly’s birth in Philadelphia, this sumptuous series of writing instruments is limited to just 29 pieces. A further fitting tribute to the Princess, this fountain pen is intricately detailed and ornamented with precious gemstones. Princess Grace’s monogram is engraved on the cap and barrel, and, innovatively interpreting the theme running through every part of this collection, the pen is immaculately finished in an exquisitely delicate rose-coloured lacquer. The fittings are finely crafted in pale, champagne coloured solid gold and embellished with white diamonds (0.55 carats), while the clip is set with a drop-cut pink sapphire (0.45 carats), reinforcing the image of the Grace de Monaco pink rose. The 18 carat gold nib is pierced with a heart-shaped hole, a refined detail to accentuate the exclusivity and the message of the collection. Again, the pen is finished with a mother-of-pearl cabochon and the Montblanc star-shaped emblem, also in mother-of-pearl, on the very top of the pen cap.
The Montblanc Collection Princesse Grace de Monaco Writing Instruments – Special Edition
Embodying Princess Grace’s timeless iconic style and the power of her presence, this series, a special edition, is crafted from a majestic deep purple resin, creating a dramatic contrast with the champagne-toned gold fittings. In true Montblanc tradition of attention to the finest detail, this pen, richly regal, is designed with the feminine “neckline” clip set with a petal-shaped drop-cut pink topaz. Both the gold-plated cap and barrel rings are intricately engraved with a rhombus pattern, inspired by the Coat of Arms of the Principality of Monaco. The 18 carat gold nib of this impressive fountain pen is decorated with a heart-shaped opening. As on the other editions, Princess Grace’s monogram is engraved on the cap top. Sophisticated and arresting, this luxurious edition is available as a fountain pen, rollerball and ballpoint pen.