Montblanc has introduced a limited edition version of its Star Legacy Exo Tourbillon to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its Meisterstück writing instrument and pay tribute to Enheduanna, the world’s earliest known author. The Meisterstück, German for masterpiece, was originally released in 1924 and has gone on to become the most famous writing instrument of any Montblanc collection over the last century. The limited edition timepiece is a fitting tribute to the iconic pen that has been the choice of some of the biggest political and cultural figures, including Nelson Mandela and President Kennedy.
To create the Star Legacy Exo Tourbillon Skeleton Enheduanna, Montblanc’s watch designers collaborated with Catherine Mittermayer, Professor of Mesopotamian Studies in the Department of Ancient Sciences at the University of Geneva, to pay homage to Enheduanna and her legacy. Enheduanna was a high priestess of the ancient Sumerian city of Ur who lived around 2300 BC. She is often regarded as one of the earliest known authors in history. Enheduanna is renowned for her literary works, which include hymns and poems dedicated to the goddess Inanna and other deities
The limited edition Star Legacy Exo Tourbillon features a 44.80mm case crafted out of 18-karat yellow gold. The onyx dial is engraved with an extract from one of the Temple Hymns of Enheduanna.
Furthermore, the traditional Montblanc logo is replaced by the translation of the company’s name into Sumerian, with the symbols of white and mountain at the end of the text. Located between the exo-tourbillon and the off-center dial is an 18k yellow-gold relief of Enheduanna.
A gold bull can be found at 3 o’clock, which is a representation of Enheduanna’s status as a “moon god”, along with the gold crescent moon at 12 o’clock. a frieze inspired by the Royal Game of Ur, an ancient Mesopotamian pastime, appears behind the bull. Finally, engravings of Sumerian numbers have been etched into the seconds counter, along with the number 10, which refers to the limited edition of 10 pieces.
The watch is powered by caliber MB M16.69, a hand-wound Manufacture German silver skeleton movement which is entirely decorated in the Montblanc Manufacture in Villeret. The limited edition timepiece comes in a special presentation case that also celebrates Enheduanna’s place in literary history.
