Can Marc Newson put a foot wrong?

The famed Australian designer who has designed everything from the new Apple Watch through to a Baretta shotgun is never afraid of taking on a design challenge.

Now we have images of his latest project – the M pen for Montblanc. Available in as a fountain pen, rollerball, fine-liner and a screen writer (for digital screens) it’s a great example of Newson’s approach as a ‘problem solver’ who looks to improve the functionality of any product he works on.

Speaking with The Wall Street Journal, Newson talked about pens and our relationship with them.

“A lot of people use pens to touch and play with—not only to use. If I’m sitting in a meeting, I’ll be playing with my pen.

"I love fountain pens because they get used to you. The nib changes. They develop an angle according to your movement. That’s why you should never lend your fountain pen to someone else.”

Made with nibs formed by rare metals, the pen’s lid contains a magnet to ensure that every time you replace the cap the bevelled surface featuring the Montblanc logo lines up precisely with the clip. It’s a simple enough idea, but one that has never been so elegantly implemented.

The Montlanc M goes on sale today, but you’ll need to visit Harrods in London to get one. A worldwide release through Montblanc boutiques is expected in September.