Started in 1906 as a fountain pen manufacturer, Montblanc has produced quality writing instruments using its great sense of balance and exquisite technology. As the era of fountain pens diminished with the rise of ballpoint pens, Montblanc transformed itself into a luxury brand with its premium fountain pens and later expanded to fine leather goods and watches. The brands unique ability to impart the elegant imagery of its flagship product to other product lines is still proving successful into the 2010s, despite changes in luxury goods distribution structures and different tastes of the ascending millennial consumer group.