The style and opulence of the legendary luxury travel experience interpreted through the eyes and skill of Montblanc artisans

With each High Artistry edition, Montblanc artisans push the limits of technical expertise and creativity to transform a functional object into a precious work of art. Leaning into rare métiers d’art and pairing ancestral techniques with high-precision tools, the creative designs of High Artistry editions articulate historic or cultural themes. The latest story to unfold through the technical and artistic virtuosity of Montblanc craftsmanship is that of the Orient Express, the epitome of luxury travel with the Montblanc High Artistry A Journey on the Orient Express Edition.

A travel experience designed for glamour and sumptuous living, the Orient Express first enchanted luxury travelers on its maiden voyage from Paris in 1883. With its seductive comforts, ornate furnishings, and world-class gastronomy, it was more than an ordinary train, it was a rolling grand hotel that redefined the very idea of long-distance travel at the end of the 19th century. Heads of state, movie stars, and even spies traveled through Europe experiencing the opulence and comfort of this legendary train.

The magic that surrounded the Orient Express from its inception is currently being revived by the Accor Group. Soon, travelers will be able to experience the legendary brand once again through Orient Express’ luxury trains and travel experiences. Crafted from precious materials, each Montblanc High Artistry A Journey on the Orient Express Edition explores the rich history and design heritage of this travel icon.

In keeping with the fabled splendor of the mythical train connecting the Occident and Asia, the one-of-a-kind bejeweled Montblanc High Artistry A Journey on the Orient Express Limited Edition 1 with Case made from solid Au 750 signature gold brings to life the celebrated interior marquetry decorations by René Prou. Diamonds set in a floral, Art Deco-inspired pattern pave the cap and barrel. Expressing the romance of the more than 3,000-kilometre journey that Orient Express passengers enjoyed, the historical routes from 1930 are traced in diamonds, rubies, and blue sapphires on the hand-engraved solid Au 750 signature gold forepart. The diamond-studded grid decorating the cap top evokes the ironwork of the roof of the Gare de Lyon in Paris, where passengers often boarded the Orient Express. A blue sapphire crowns the airy and elegant cap top design, while the handcrafted, solid Au 750 gold nib bears a nostalgic engraving of a steam engine set with a brilliant-cut diamond.

The Orient Express offered a glamourous setting for intrigue and espionage not just in novels but also in real life. The spy Robert Baden-Powell posed as a naturalist and encoded secret information into butterfly drawings. The oval-shaped Montblanc High Artistry Orient Express Limited Edition 1 Papillon, whose silhouette emulates the oval form of the Orient Express cars pays tribute to this legend with an intricate butterfly made of plique-à-jour enamel at the heart of its design. Resting behind a windowed door, the butterfly unfolds its full wingspan when the door is opened. Seemingly crafted out of tiny, color-infused drops of light, each wing is a testament to the sophisticated art of plique-à-jour enamel. The butterfly that adorns this edition reflects the same level of artisanship as the historic works of decorative art visionary glass designer René Lalique created for Orient Express. Hidden beneath the wings is an engraving resembling the enemy fortifications Lord Baden-Powell concealed in his butterfly drawings.

The Montblanc High Artistry Orient Express Limited Edition 5 expresses the elegant style of the early 20th century with an abstract pattern made of solid Au 750 signature gold and hand-carved red chalcedony stone, reflecting the upholstery pattern created for the Orient Express furniture. The modernist look of this edition reflects the height of fashion and design at a time when the Orient Express provided a novel setting in which the rich and famous could play. In a tribute to Mata Hari, one of the more mysterious passengers who frequented the Orient Express, a window in the barrel opens to reveal a delicate miniature painting of this famous dancer. Due to its tiny dimensions, this hand painting represents highly precise artistry carried out on a level beyond what’s visible to the unaided eye. The theme of espionage connected to the story of Mata Hari is captured on the handcrafted, solid Au 750 gold nib in an engraving of a magnifying glass and fingerprint.

A passionate globetrotter, Agatha Christie was one of the most famous writers who both traveled on and wrote about the Orient Express, immortalizing the train in her 1934 crime novel Murder on the Orient Express featuring a cast of inscrutable characters and almost indecipherable clues. The design of the Montblanc High Artistry A Journey on the Orient Express Limited Edition 10 makes many references to the details of the fictional case. The cap and barrel are crafted from stained sycamore wood, decorated with handcrafted gold-leaf and crystal flower inlays modeled on the train’s luxurious interiors including the wood marquetry of René Prou and the molded glass and silver inlays by René Lalique. A special push opening mechanism is opulently adorned with brilliant-cut diamonds.

Limited to just 83 pieces as a tribute to the date the Orient Express became reality on 4th October 1883, the Montblanc High Artistry A Journey on the Orient Express Limited Edition 83 is inspired by the enigmatic, smoke-engulfed locomotive of the Orient Express with the technical components and functions that were at the forefront of innovation in travel. Made from structured black lacquer, the design of the cap and barrel is based on the iron machinery of a steam engine. The skeleton overlay in solid Au 750 signature gold, partly rhodium-coated and set with sapphires depicts the Orient Express’ wheel and side rails. As a tribute to the elegant machinery at work in the engine, the cap opens with a special snap mechanism adorned with Montblanc emblem in mother-of-pearl.

As it traveled through the valleys and plains of Europe, the Orient Express distinguished itself by its striking color combination of midnight blue, ivory-colored and gold livery on the outside of its luxurious cars. This distinctive look is captured in the color scheme of the cap and barrel of the Montblanc High Artistry A Journey on the Orient Express Limited Edition 333, pairing translucent blue lacquer with gold for the fittings and an intricate solid Au 750 signature gold rhodium-coated skeleton overlay that recalls the ornate metal luggage racks inside the train. The cap top is crowned with a Montblanc emblem made of mother-of-pearl embedded in black onyx. Ivory-colored lacquer inlays on the cap top evoke the ivory-colored stripes on the sides of the cars. The cone is decorated with the route taken by the Orient Express in 1930, at the height of its legend of Art Deco style and glamour. The solid Au 750 signature gold is adorned with a replica of a small bouquet.

With a limitation number that marks the first every voyage of the train, the cap and barrel of the Montblanc High Artistry A Journey on the Orient Express Limited Edition 1883 are made of midnight blue precious resin crowned with a Montblanc Emblem in ivory-colored precious resin to resemble the color of the Orient Express. The yellow gold-coated cap ring features classic Meisterstück 149 embossing. The side of the cap is elegantly etched with a design inspired by René Prou artwork, while the engraving on the solid Au 750 yellow gold nib is inspired by one of his Art Déco flowers featured on the Orient Express.

Montblanc is available at Rustan’s Greenbelt 5, City of Dreams, Resorts World, and Solaire Resort Entertainment City. Visit www.rustans.com to know more.