Montblanc has introduced a limited edition collection of cufflinks to complement its new watch collection that was launched at the beginning of this year.

Like the watches, these cufflinks are inspired by one of the world’s greatest seafarers, Vasco da Gama.

Da Gama set sail from Lisbon on July 8, 1497 with this fleet with a mission to become the first man to discover a southern sea route to India.

Da Gama’s success helped to establish Portugal as one of the greatest trading nations of the age. His success was due to his courage, his willingness to take risks and, above all, his obsession with precision – a quality that is equally important in the art of fine watchmaking today, says Montblanc.

To celebrate this achievement, Montblanc has created first a watch collection and now a range of cufflinks, both of which also blend great craftsmanship with a strong aesthetic appeal, it says.

These cufflinks consist of a ceramic bead that has been hand painted and kiln fired repeatedly by a porcelain painter. The bead requires several layers of paint and it takes three to four weeks to make each pair of cufflinks. Adding to the interest, the beads turn like life sized globes within the cufflinks. Both models have an intricately lasered world map on the base of the cufflink itself. The first set portrays, in minute detail, Vasco da Gama with his ship. In the second set one bead bears the motif of Ursa Major and the northern hemisphere, while the other shows the southern hemisphere and Centaurus. Compass points appear around all of the cufflinks, which come in red gold.

Just as Vasco da Gama set himself a challenge in order to push boundaries and to go beyond what was widely thought to be possible in order to find rare and beautiful objects, only a small number of these cufflinks are being produced.

The edition is limited to three pieces that are dedicated to Vasco da Gama directly, representing the three of his ships that eventually reached India and eight pieces for the north and south hemispheres, marking the fact that the expedition left on 8th day of July. As befits their status as a limited edition, they come in specially designed boxes, each with a customised plaquette stating the small number made and including the client’s name, says Montblanc.

The Montblanc Vasco da Gama Heritage Chronométrie limited edition is available in Montblanc boutiques worldwide.