Montblanc is honouring the 100th anniversary of its Meisterstück writing instrument with a remarkable tribute to Enheduanna, the world’s earliest known author, through the new Montblanc Star Legacy Suspended Exo Tourbillon Skeleton. This extraordinary timepiece encapsulates the historical significance of writing and its evolution from ancient Mesopotamia.
The Dawn of Writing: Cuneiform Script
The earliest known writing system, the cuneiform script, originated in Mesopotamia around 3200 B.C.E. Developed by the Sumerians, it involved pressing a reed stylus into damp clay tablets to create wedge-shaped symbols. Over its 3000-year history, Cuneiform was used to document various languages, covering topics from temple activities and business transactions to myths, epics, and personal correspondence.
Enheduanna: The First Known Author
Enheduanna, a high priestess who lived around 2300 B.C.E., was the daughter of Sargon of Akkad, the founder of the Akkadian Empire. Appointed as the high priestess of the moon god Nanna in Ur, she wrote religious hymns and poetry dedicated to the goddess Inanna. Her works are the earliest examples of first-person writing, and she is believed to be the first author to claim authorship of her texts. Among her notable works is “The Exaltation of Inanna,” a poignant poem written during her exile that became a staple in scribal schools for centuries.
A Centennial Celebration with Montblanc
To mark the centenary of the Meisterstück, Montblanc collaborated with Catherine Mittermayer, Professor of Mesopotamian Studies at the University of Geneva, to create a tribute to Enheduanna. The result is the Limited Edition Star Legacy Suspended Exo Tourbillon Skeleton, a timepiece that reflects the artistry and historical context of Enheduanna’s era.
A Timepiece Rich in Historical Detail
This limited edition watch, restricted to just 10 pieces, features a 44.80mm, 18-karat yellow gold case with an onyx dial engraved with an extract from Enheduanna’s Temple Hymns. The Montblanc name is rendered in Sumerian symbols, incorporating the words for “white” and “mountain.”
The 18-karat yellow gold case band bears the closing words of the hymn, attributing the text to Enheduanna: “The compiler of the tablets was Enheduanna. My king, something has been created that no one has created before.” An engraving of Enheduanna herself sits below the off-centred dial, positioned above the Exo-Tourbillon, with the crescent moon symbolizing her association with the moon god Nanna.
Additional historical elements include a depiction of the Royal Game of Ur behind a bull representation, engravings of Sumerian numbers, and the number 10 signifying the limited edition. These details create a rich tapestry of Mesopotamian culture and history.
The Exo-Tourbillon Movement
Montblanc’s master watchmakers in Villeret spent three years developing the patented Suspended Exo Tourbillon complication. This innovation positions the large balance wheel outside the tourbillon’s rotating cage, making it more visible and enhancing its aesthetic appeal. The unique architecture of the Exo Tourbillon saves energy, as the cage is lighter without the balance wheel, ensuring superior performance.
The hand-wound Manufacture German silver skeleton movement, calibre MB M16.69, is decorated in Villeret and features an anthracite ruthenium treatment, blending historical and contemporary elements.
Displaying the Montblanc Star Legacy Exo Tourbillon Skeleton Enheduanna
Each of the 10 pieces comes in a special presentation case modelled after the Great Ziggurat of Ur. The exterior, covered in stone, is etched with extracts from Enheduanna’s Temple Hymns. The case can be used as a display stand, allowing the owner to showcase the watch in their home or office.
A Tribute to Writing and Art
The Montblanc Star Legacy Exo Tourbillon Skeleton Enheduanna celebrates the written word’s history and its profound connection to Montblanc. This limited-edition timepiece pays homage to Enheduanna, the pioneering woman who elevated writing to an art form, and serves as a fitting tribute for the 100th anniversary of the Meisterstück.
Montblanc Star Legacy Exo Tourbillon Skeleton Enheduanna – LE10
Ident. 133616
Movement: Montblanc Manufacture Calibre MB M18.69
Type of movement: Manufacture hand-finished manually wound movement
One-minute patented Suspended Exo Tourbillon Skeleton
Dimensions: Diameter = 41.95mm; height = 6.45mm
Number of components: 188
Number of rubies: 19
Power Reserve: Approx. 50 hours
Balance Screw balance, diameter = 14.5 mm; moment of inertia = 59 mgcm²
Frequency: 18,800 A/h (2.5 Hz)
Hairspring: Hairspring with Phillips terminal curve
Dial view
Plate Open-worked anthracite ruthenium-coated German-silver, stretched stripes on both sides, hand-chamfered edges
Displays Off-centered hours and minutes, small second at 6 o’clock Patented Exo Tourbillon (one revolution per minute to indicate the seconds) with one arm-bridge at 6 o’clock, mirror-polished Exo Tourbillon cage with the number 10 written in Sumerian
Caseback view
Bridges Open-worked anthracite ruthenium-coated German-silver, stretched stripes on both sides, hand-chamfered edges
Going-train Gold-coated, circular grained, chamfered, diamond hubs on both sides
Barrel Mirror-polished open-worked ratchet, circular-graining inside the mirror-polished winding pawl shaped with the Minerva arrow
Habillage
Case 18K yellow gold, polished case
Crystal Domed sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective coating.
Back 18K yellow gold sapphire crystal case back with simple anti-reflective coating
Dimensions Diameter = 44.8mm; height = 15.1mm
Water resistance 3 bar (30m)
Crown 18K yellow gold with Montblanc diamond
Dial Dial in Onyx stone on a 18k white gold base, engraved with an extract from a Sumerian text by Enheduanna, Montblanc written in Sumerian at the end, hand-engraved 18K yellow gold ornaments and 18K yellow gold hands.
Wristband Black calf leather strap with interchangeability system and a 18K yellow gold triple folding clasp.
Certified by the Montblanc Laboratory Test 500H
Limited Edition 10 pieces
