Talking point

Nice pen.' Two words, but in Steven Zaillian's recent remake of Patricia Highsmith's The Talented Mr Ripley, weighty with symbolism.

With its satisfyingly rich feel, glossy good looks and authoritative associations, the black resin pen that Tom Ripley had just stolen from his friend is a Montblanc Meisterstück, easily identified by its white 'star' top. And, as the deceptive Ripley knows, that pen, instantly recognizable by the concierge of an opulent Italian hotel, is a passport to a new, rarefied world.

While apparently unintended, the pen's appearance throughout the series is a fitting tribute to an object now in its 100th year.

The Meisterstück pen was born in Hamburg, when the house traded under its original, supremely art deco name: Simplo. The name Montblanc, 'the highest peak in the Alps', reflecting the brand's dedication to achieving peak quality, came when Simplo realised its simple black 'safety' pen was a hit. Cleverly engineered to prevent ink spillage while tucked in an office manager's suit pocket, it had become a cult hit with customers, who requested a deluxe design edition for use on 'Sundays. The summit had been reached.