Montblanc 149 75Th Anniversary Limited Edition 1924

[jamesgibby]

Today i finally received one of my all time grail pens. whilst my main focus is the WE editions i could not pass up the chance to buy this 149 as i had always wanted one from the first time i laid eyes on it in a post on FPN back in 2010.

 

This is therefore my review of the Montblanc 149 75th Anniversary Limited Edition 1924.

 

http://i.imgur.com/ZBwUnrz.jpg

 

Whilst in reality it is just a modified 149, it isn't in fact just a modified 149. The rose gold trim is markedly..well rose.... unlike the current 90th Anniversary edition that is somewhere in between this one and a regular yellow gold 149 this has a confident and defined red hue.

 

http://i.imgur.com/1LvcnTD.jpg

 

In my opinion what makes this pen the most sought after (non-skeleton) 149 is the sheer beauty of the nib. it is by far my favourite MB nib in terms of design and exudes a certain elegance that leaves you staring at it for longer than you realise! it is truly mesmerising.

 

http://i.imgur.com/whm0JCE.jpg

 

it goes without saying that a nib like this writes like a regular 149 M Nib.

 

The cap is the other aspect that draws you to this pen. i must first confess that i am very biased towards MoP stars, i think that all limited editions should carry them but i also respect that it wouldn't suit some of the WE pens (somehow i doubt a Defoe, Swift or Kafka could pull it off). My Copernicus has a large MoP star but somehow think that the Rose Gold trim and the MoP star make this pen something very special.

 

http://i.imgur.com/9v9HPgW.jpg

 

the Cap has a band above the clip with "75 Years of Passion and Soul" inscribed on it. a further design touch is the small diamond on the "O" of passion

 

http://i.imgur.com/wFYKpPO.jpg

 

to conclude whilst this pen is a 149 and therefore has all of the much reviewed features of an ordinary MB 149, it is anything but an ordinary 149 in every aspect. For me, there are few pens which surpass the sense of occasion that comes with sitting at your desk and reaching for your 149; this pen is extra special though. You immediately feel, like the Hemingway for example, that this pen has something more, something extra, something truly special. a sense of pedigree and of unadulterated class and sophistication.

 

Its a shame that what this pen also highlights is the over commercialisation of MB. This pen was released in 1999, the same year as the Proust and post dates pens such as the Medici, Hemingway Agatha etc. For me these are the best of the modern era pens. compare this 149 to the current 90th 149 (working on review next ) the new 90th 149 has no soul, no passion (see what i did there ) no extra details to denote the sense of occasion or anniversary; heck the rose gold aint even that rosy!

 

this pen was made to mark an important occasion and it does just that and more. it makes every day an occasion and it now takes pride of place in my ever expanding collection!

[zaddick]

Nice review James. That's definitely a beautiful 149 and I agree it is the best looking one since the early celluloid pens. Congratulations on the pen. You are on a tear with the great modern pens.

 

Is this going to be a user or a box queen?

[MajesticPens]

Argh, been looking for one for a while! Where did you buy this lovely pen?

[hypnostene]

The mother of pearl star is sublime!

 

Very nice review.

[Joe in Seattle]

Points well taken.

[jamesgibby]

Nice review James. That's definitely a beautiful 149 and I agree it is the best looking one since the early celluloid pens. Congratulations on the pen. You are on a tear with the great modern pens.

 

Is this going to be a user or a box queen?

zaddick i bought it from a fellow FPN member who had used the pen so I have flushed out my Hemingway and this has been inked with MB British Racing Green.

[zaddick]

zaddick i bought it from a fellow FPN member who had used the pen so I have flushed out my Hemingway and this has been inked with MB British Racing Green.

Great color choice. My 146 75th LE was last inked with a similar green from R&K. It makes for a nice view as you write.

[maksim]

What a gorgeous pen. that mother of pearl star really tops it off. wow. gorgeous. enjoy it.

[orfew]

Great looking pen. Thanks for the review.

[bone215]

w

o

w

[Vinayj009]

That is an excellent review. beautiful pen and an extremely beautiful nib. how much would you think it would cost in the second hand market?

[jamesgibby]

That is an excellent review. beautiful pen and an extremely beautiful nib. how much would you think it would cost in the second hand market?

Around the 1500 euro mark for a near mint pen

[rokurinpapa]

Thank you for your nice review. Mine is F nib inked with Monblanc Royal Blue.This pen is ultimate 149 for me.

I think the 90th is never as good as the 75th like you. But I feel anxious about durability of the plated rose gold.

 

rokurinpapa

[jamesgibby]

Thank you for your nice review. Mine is F nib inked with Monblanc Royal Blue.This pen is ultimate 149 for me.

I think the 90th is never as good as the 75th like you. But I feel anxious about durability of the plated rose gold.

 

rokurinpapa

I'm not that concerned about the plating. I know that a member of FPN is now able to do nib plating and so if it ever gets so worn that I feel uncomfortable I will send the nib to get re plated. I think it beats sending it to MB who may no longer have suitable nibs

[rogerb]

Lovely !

 

Having just reached my own 75th Anniversary, I am looking for a really special pen to mark it!

 

I have a very pretty Omas Arco Verde, but would also like something, like this, with a more impressive nib.

[jamesgibby]

this is for me one of the nicest nibs ever produced by MB or anyone else for that matter!

[Inked]

Beautiful pen.

 

Congratulations and thanks for sharing.

 

Inked

[jamesgibby]

its much better than last years 90th anniversary 149 which is sub standard to this one in my view

[4lex]

Sorry, but I don't get this enthusiasm for limited editions. I would understand it if the writing experience would be any better but in reality most of the time you pay the premium for writing with the same nib you could get on a regular edition.

Edited February 21, 2015 by 4lex Mood

[Blade Runner]

Sorry, but I don't get enthusiasm for limited editions. I would understand it if the writing experience would be any better but in reality most of the time you pay huge premium for writing with the same nib you could get on a regular edition.

 

For many of us, the joy of pens is not simply the point of making a smooth line. Beauty matters.