Cartier Pens... Opinions Please

[Royvdbb]

Hello All,

 

I hope you're having a great weekend. As the title suggests, what are people's thoughts on Cartier Fountain Pens. I'm weighing up choices between MB, Cartier and Dunhill at around £250-300 (second hand).

 

It would be great to hear other members experiences

 

Thanks,

 

Roy

[olivier78860]

I recently bought a Cartier Pasha in platinum finish, ornamented with blue (probably synthetic) lacquer (reviewed here : https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/227176-cartier-pasha-2007/ ).

Besides a nib that is on the broader side (the M is more like a B ), it is a very decent pen.

Edited September 2, 2012 by olivier78860

[Pippin60]

I've had a Cartier Roadster fountain Pen for a few years now. Beautiful pen and a buttery smooth nib. I believe that they are one of the few makers that hand polish their nib. I would get another if my budget allows.

[hari317]

I have couple of Cartier pens. The pens are wonderful writers, are constructed beautifully(superb engineering) no complaints.

[Royvdbb]

That looks delightful - could I ask how much you paid?

 

 

I recently bought a Cartier Pasha in platinum finish, ornamented with blue (probably synthetic) lacquer (reviewed here : https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/227176-cartier-pasha-2007/ ).

Besides a nib that is on the broader side (the M is more like a B ), it is a very decent pen.

[Royvdbb]

Thanks for the replies so far - I'm glad to hear they come highly rated!

[olivier78860]

Thanks ! The retail price for this one is about 650€, but I got mine second-hand in nearly mint condition for a bit more than half of it.

[humsin]

I'm slightly prejudiced against Cartier after being disappointed by Dunhill; Dunhill writes well but lacks a unique brand feel.

[82Greg]

I'm under the impression that Cartier (like Dunhill) don't actually produce the pens with their branding, but subcontract it to someone else. I must also confess to being somewhat prejudiced against jewelry firms getting into the pen business. I don't regard my pens as jewelry, but as serious tools.

 

Does anyone know who does the actual pen production for Cartier?

[Kaweco]

I've had a Cartier Roadster fountain Pen for a few years now. Beautiful pen and a buttery smooth nib. I believe that they are one of the few makers that hand polish their nib. I would get another if my budget allows.

Why do you think that they made nibs and fps in house?

[olivier78860]

As I already said in my review of the Pasha, I highly suspect Cartier fountain pens are outsourced to Montblanc now, since both companies are branches of the Richemond group.

[humsin]

As I already said in my review of the Pasha, I highly suspect Cartier fountain pens are outsourced to Montblanc now, since both companies are branches of the Richemond group.

 

I'd buy a Montblanc if I wanted a Montblanc

[olivier78860]

As I already said in my review of the Pasha, I highly suspect Cartier fountain pens are outsourced to Montblanc now, since both companies are branches of the Richemond group.

 

I'd buy a Montblanc if I wanted a Montblanc

You can still go vintage Cartier then. The Richemond group bought Cartier in 1999.

[jar]

As I already said in my review of the Pasha, I highly suspect Cartier fountain pens are outsourced to Montblanc now, since both companies are branches of the Richemond group.

 

I'd buy a Montblanc if I wanted a Montblanc

 

Regardless of who makes Cartier pens they remain Cartier pens.

[jameswatts]

I have a Cartier Diabolo, purchased in 2002 while on vacation. Got it out and inked it up for the first time in months and was reminded what a fine instrument it is.

[mhosea]

I have never owned a Cartier, but the Cartier Dandy Gold Dust fountain pen caught my eye in a local Paradise Pen several months ago. I am not into "bling", but I might have made an exception for this pen. I was drawn to it. The thing that stopped me was that the grip section is a thinner than I like, and I also found out from my Parker Premier that slick metal grips look better than they feel (to me) after writing for awhile. And yet, I still want this pen.

[Kaweco]

I'm under the impression that Cartier (like Dunhill) don't actually produce the pens with their branding, but subcontract it to someone else. I must also confess to being somewhat prejudiced against jewelry firms getting into the pen business. ..............

In the whole thread most close to reality.

[olivier78860]

Cartier aren't "getting in the pen business", they have been selling pens for decades.

[humblescribbler]

Besides a nib that is on the broader side (the M is more like a B ), it is a very decent pen.

 

+1 with my red Cartier Trinity. But it is so smooth I didn't bother trying to get it changed.

 

The pens are wonderful writers, are constructed beautifully(superb engineering) no complaints.

 

Same experience here. No matter who made it, they knew what they were doing and the fit and finish and lacquer and nib are all superb. This was my first pen of this level, before I owned any MB's or S.T. Duponts. Although my hand has evolved differently to desire larger pens/sections/nibs, I've hung onto this as a regular writer due to the balance and heft. Amazing writer.

[Bo Bo Olson]

I don't know how good Dunhill is now, but they always sub contracted out, and were once one of the very best pens made. In the company could go to the best or get a good company to take the time to make the best they ever made

 

I can remember back in the day, when a poor man was going to pay off all his debts...how he got the money up in a trailer park in 1958, to wave a $1,000 dollar bill and a Dunhill I don't know...but he let folks touch his thousand dollar bill but not his pen.

It reminded me of the man who wouldn't let me touch his pre'64 M-70 Winchester, the year before. Of course it was pre'64, it was 1958.

 

Once Dunhill used Japan, before Japan became well known for pens. I've had Sheaffer pens made in Japan.

 

Once Japanese shotguns were cheap too.

 

Cartier and Tiffany have always seaked the best makers for their pens.

I can remember when MB made relatively cheap pens compared to Cartier and Tiffany. Even if MB did make them.