Montblanc has joined forces with the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the 46664 campaign in their global initiative to raise funds and spread the message of HIV/AIDS awareness through sales of the program’s symbolic 46664 bangle.

Montblanc celebrated the partnership in the U.S. with a private reception at its Madison Avenue boutique Wednesday night in New York.

Robert Coutts, chief executive officer of Coutts Inc., the company responsible for the development and design of the 46664 bangle; Rael Kahn, designer for Coutts Inc.; Julie Murphy, vice president of Business Development for Coutts Inc.; Fikile Magubane, South African consulate general; Sholeen Mooljee and Nwabisa Stofile, New York South African consulate;, Jared Cotter, host of FuseTV’s “Number One Countown” show; editors from leading fashion, lifestyle, and entertainment media; and Montblanc clients were in attendance. The highlight of the evening included a musical performance from the Emmanuel Baptist Children’s Choir New Generation of Brooklyn (pictured).

Each beautifully hand crafted bangle is made of South African precious metals and are available in men’s and women’s sizes in platinum, gold, and silver. Hand finished by artisans who have been infected or affected by HIV or AIDS, the bangles bear Mandela’s Robben Island five digit prison cell number, 46664, along with a 3D imprint of his actual left hand.

Available at select Montblanc boutiques worldwide, up to 68 percent of the gross proceeds from the sale of each bangle will go directly to the Mandela Foundation and the 46664 charity, which aims to eradicate HIV/AIDS through its innovative support and education programs globally. Every bangle has its own unique serial number that allows the owner to authenticate and register it and will receive a letter of thanks from the 46664 foundation for their purchase.

“Montblanc proudly supports the 46664 campaign and The Nelson Mandela Foundation in their daily endeavors of educating society about the importance of HIV and AIDS awareness,” said Jan-Patrick Schmitz, president and chief executive officer of Montblanc North America. “We are truly honored to be able to lend a voice to an extremely important international cause.”

46664 is an innovative AIDS campaign that operates through creative partnerships at individual, corporate, non-governmental, and governmental levels and acts as a focal point for collective efforts to eradicate HIV/AIDS. The campaign uses the moral authority of Nelson Mandela, combined with the mobilizing power of celebrity in the fields of music, entertainment, and sport, to promote awareness about the disease and to encourage personal responsibility in the fight against HIV/AIDS. 46664 also run’s its own HIV prevention campaigns and funds community organizations that support and care for people living with HIV.

“We are very excited that a company of Montblanc’s stature has joined this great global initiative,” Robert Coutts said. “The 46664 bangle is a symbol of strength and pride.  It is a demonstration of the difference an individual can make in the world, most notably in the fight against HIV and AIDS.”

Montblanc celebrated the launch of the first edition of the 46664 bangle at its Bond Street boutique this past summer in London, which tied in with the kickoff of several events marking Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday milestone. Hosted by the luxury brands’ international chief executive officer, Lutz Bethge, the event marked the official launch of the 46664 bangle globally and the start of sales at selected Montblanc boutiques around the world.

JCK