Great Characters Homage to Queen Limited Edition 8

In the rich history of rock music few names have shone out as consistently as that of Queen. With a career spanning over five decades, the band is one of the world’s most successful of all time. During this period, Queen came to embody the power of musical creativity. They created their own musical universe, made up of a combination of hard rock, glam rock, pop, funk and opera, shattering the boundaries between the genres. Montblanc dedicates its Great Characters Homage to Queen Limited Edition 8 to these icons of rock music.In acknowledgement of the band’s British roots and their image as kings of rock, the handcrafted, solid Au 750 gold nib features an embossed crown and a brilliant-cut diamond. A royal sash, an indispensable accessory on many ceremonial occasions, inspired the pattern winding around the forepart.The band’s logo integrates the zodiac signs of the original band members: lions for Roger Taylor and John Deacon, a crab for Brian May and two fairies for Freddie Mercury, who was born under the sign of Virgo. At its heart is a stylised letter ‘Q’ with a crown; towering over it, a phoenix, the symbol of rebirth and renewal. The legendary trademark is featured as an elaborate, finely embossed, solid Au 750 gold relief on the cap, contrasting beautifully with the red lacquer.The design of the Limited Edition 8 pays homage to the kings of rock and is especially inspired by a legendary stage outfit worn by frontman Freddie Mercury. On the Magic Tour, the singer wore a deep-red cloak edged in fake ermine, modelled on Emperor Napoleon’s coronation robes, and a bejeweled crown. Recreating this legendary stage outfit, the solid Au 750 yellow gold cap and barrel feature a delicate guilloche pattern, covered with translucent carmine-red lacquer. The regal ermine trim is interpreted by the master artisans at Montblanc as bands of exquisitely set brilliant-cut diamonds and dark blue sapphires. Discreet echoes of fleur-de-lys symbols decorate not only the barrel but also embellish the solid Au 750 gold cone, artfully integrated in a line pattern to resemble guitar strings. As a tribute to the indispensable instrument, the cone’s shape is reminiscent of the characteristic tone control knobs of an electric guitar and a red garnet adorns the end of the cone.A ring made of precious mother-of-pearl lacquer with deep-black lacquer accents recreates the ermine trim of a crown, above which the dome features a diamond band – a fitting throne for the Montblanc emblem composed of brilliant-cut diamonds set in solid Au 750 gold. The filigree setting of the Montblanc emblem recalls the crosses radiating out across the British flag which Mercury wore like a cloak at live concerts with as much pride as his famous coronation robe. In memory of the band’s electrifying stage performances, the gold-coated clip is designed to resemble a microphone stand – a simple prop used to such spectacular effect.