Explorers know it well: adventure has no limits. Once you have climbed a new summit, you start thinking of the next challenge. Like an irresistible call.
After Legend and Emblem, Montblanc launches a new fragrance in 2018 that pays tribute to a theme to which it is closely linked: exploration.
The name Montblanc EXPLORER was an obvious choice: the Maison has been a favourite among keen travellers for the past century, thanks to its fountain pens whose ink never leaks, whatever happens in life or travel. These forward-thinking craftspeople have cultivated a quality that is essential in the eyes of every pioneer: reliability.
Montblanc shares the same values as explorers, such as the relentless quest for excellence. Climbing summits, challenging conventions and exploring the four corners of the globe. From South Africa to Haiti, Italy, Germany or Indonesia; Montblanc EXPLORER invites explorers on a fantastic journey, giving them the opportunity to discover the rarest ingredients and manufacturing methods that combine craftsmanship with the latest technology.
An olfactory travel diary
To create Montblanc EXPLORER, three outstanding talents from Givaudan have combined their expertise: Jordi Fernandez, Antoine Maisondieu and Olivier Pescheux. Each of them brought their own knowledge of a specific ingredient and their emotional experience, both as a nose and a traveller, to this unique collaborative project. Together they have created an innovative olfactory pyramid, an invitation to embark on a real expedition to discover the most precious scents.
They developed their own travel diary to create this extraordinary new fragrance: Bergamot from Italy, Vetiver from Haiti and Patchouli from Indonesia, turning Montblanc EXPLORER into an invitation to travel the world. Combining contemporary craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology, Montblanc EXPLORER takes you on an unforgettable journey to virgin territories with an unconventional woody-aromatic-leather fragrance.
The top note bursts with effusive Bergamot from Italy, revealing the bright, energetic and optimistic side of the fragrance’s heart. Called OrPur®, this particular bergamot explodes with floral, green, and intensely fresh notes creating the sudden desire to travel South.
“I find this ingredient particularly luminous, like a young Mediterranean boy bursting with laughter: pure and eminently elegant,” says Antoine Maisondieu, who is a great fan of this citrus fruit. “Bergamot is also an icon of Calabria and symbolises the light of this region. We wanted to infuse Montblanc EXPLORER with this unique atmosphere, synonymous with joy, light and refinement.” This bergamot is paired with the masculine notes of French OrPur® Clary Sage and spicy OrPur® Pink Pepper to initiate a dialogue full of character.
The heart note of this journey takes us to the most remote part of Haiti: in the extreme south-west of the island, in the region of Les Cayes, where the most refined vetiver is organically and ethically produced. Celebrated by perfumers all over the world, Haiti's vetiver oil is comparable to no other, thanks to its smoky hues and its slight overtone evoking hazelnut. OrPur® Vetiver, exclusive to this specific region of the island also proudly affirms its masculinity, while keeping its natural character thanks to a unique steam distillation process. Pure charisma needs no artifice.
“I love the fact that it takes time to truly understand all the richness of vetiver,” explains Olivier Pescheux. “It's not a common or easy-to-access smell. It's authentic, raw and earthy. Vetiver is a root with strong masculine accents: the combination of complexity and roughness gives it real virility.” Associated with leather – reminiscent of the adventurer's iconic jacket – it evokes a unique persona, the effortless elegance of men who always aim for the top.
A final stopover takes us to Indonesia, east of Borneo, in the heart of the rainforest, more specifically on the island of Sulawesi to discover a new type of patchouli of unparalleled quality. This patchouli has been developed exclusively for Montblanc fragrances. Sharp, modern and naturally elegant, Montblanc EXPLORER is created around this new and bewitching woody structure. “Patchouli is often at the centre of my creations, as it brings a rich and complex character to the perfume, it is the beating heart of the fragrance,” explains Jordi Fernandez. “This incredible custom-made patchouli gives a unique olfactory dimension to our palette. I used it in Montblanc EXPLORER to bring its iconic signature to it. It enhances the leather and cocoa notes of the composition, without showing its earthy facet.” As textured as it is explosive and deep, it is nuanced in the composition by amber-like touches of Ambrofix™ as well as Akigalawood®, an exclusive molecule that gradually brings warmth to the fragrance. These innovative base notes transport our elegant explorer into an eminently sensual world, ready for any adventure.
A design of sartorial elegance
The journey continues in Europe, exploring the expertise and heritage of the Maison Montblanc: first Hamburg, its historic starting point, then Montblanc EXPLORER makes a stopover in Florence, the iconic luxury destination. This unique fragrance required an exceptional setting and each detail recalls Montblanc’s quest for excellence.
This leather-like protective sheath enveloping the bottle is printed with the elegant Saffiano motif used on Montblanc creations since 1926 and decorated with the Montblanc emblem in a shiny finish. The signature star that adorns all the Maison’s leather goods is made exclusively in Hamburg. The sleeve and emblem are assembled by hand at the Montblanc Pelleteria in Florence, the exclusive workshop in which Montblanc’s most beautiful leather designs are crafted. Montblanc EXPLORER thus takes pride of place as a new exceptional accessory alongside the Maison’s iconic pens.
The bottle itself echoes the earth’s two hemispheres, recalling the multiple destinations explored during this olfactory expedition. Made of thick glass, its spherical shape evokes timeless solidity. At the bottom, like a mythical treasure, lies Montblanc’s emblem, the iconic star representing the six glaciers of the highest mountain in Europe.
With its elongated shape specially designed for travelling, the 30ml* bottle - the travellers’ favourite – stands out in the collection.
The ‘gun barrel’ colour, modern design and weight of the cap evoke the safety nut of beautiful vintage cars. Engraved with a Montblanc star, this cap with masculine lines sums up the affirmed virility of the fragrance.
Made in France with a refined sleek design in shades of grey, the box perfectly matches the design of the bottle, with its sheath decorated with the iconic Saffiano motif. The name EXPLORER stands out in capital letters on this luxurious background, proudly heralding this new adventure. The Montblanc logo decorates the base of this sumptuous box.
(*depending on availability)
Timeless communication
Captured by John Balsom, a photographer specialising in portraying male celebrities, the advertising campaign evokes both the splendour of unexplored landscapes and the true nature of man. The imposing mountains of South Africa do not frighten him, and he loves going off the beaten track to climb challenging and unexplored paths. You must be prepared to lose yourself to discover new horizons...
Our traveller is accompanied in his adventures by reliable tools, his favourite objects: a road map, his classic car – an Aston Martin Db6 –, his leather jacket, and his Montblanc EXPLORER fragrance. A unique adventurer, he has a certain idea of refinement and elegance. He thus perfectly adapts to anything life throws at him, when amidst wild landscapes or when facing professional challenges.
Touched by natural light, his face is turned towards the summits. Like any real explorer, he is always planning his next trip, his next challenge...
A connected journey
To complement this olfactory adventure, VR headsets will give our customers the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of Montblanc EXPLORER. You will be able to discover the breath-taking landscapes of the advertising campaign via four virtual reality videos offering a 360° view of these natural sites. Ready? Steady? Let’s go!
The Montblanc man continues to explore new horizons and embark on new adventures. His endless curiosity drives him to always push himself to his limits. Ready? Steady? Let’s go! #SPIRITOFEXPLORATION
A socio-environmental manufacturing process
Both exceptional and exclusive, the main ingredients of Montblanc EXPLORER come from Givaudan’s Sourcing for Shared Value program. The famous perfume house has identified several ingredients essential to perfumery – such as vetiver or patchouli – and supports local producers in embracing ethical and sustainable development. This ethical commitment is perfectly in line with the philosophy of Montblanc EXPLORER where travel goes hand in hand with making the world a better place to create a brighter future. This support to local communities is also reflected in educative initiatives for future generations, such as the construction of three libraries for school children in the regions of Buton and Katoi on the island of Sulawesi.
With the Givaudan Foundation, INTERPARFUMS has contributed to the construction of 3 libraries and currently provides 489 school children and their 33 teachers easier access to culture and reading. 3,650 books have been bought to stock the shelves of the new libraries.