Montblanc Great Character - Da Vinci

[adelaidepen]

In response to the teasing comment in the 2013 WE Topic:

 

"This is the same picture I was shown by the MB rep at an event at Borsheims here for Berskshire Hathaway's Meeting.

The more interesting news was the picture they had of the new Great Character pen - It is Leonardo da Vinci and it looks absolutely beautiful -- they would not let me snap a picture but there is the most unique light blue color. This is going to be one to save up your pennies for!"

 

This was in early May - my usual web-sneaking has revealed absolutely nothing on this.

I am throwing down the gauntlet to the big-MB names out there to leak their photos.............. pretty please :)

 

[isaacrn]

How much do you think that one will be going for?

[adelaidepen]

If the current prices of Great Characters are to be continued - about $2800 for the RB (Edition size 3000) and $3000 for the FP (again 3000). About $10000+ for the skeleton version (Edition size 300).

[KJY]

_{Sorry no pictures found yet.}

 

_{Some additional price info Leonardo GC Fountain EUR 2.855,-}

_{(even "cheaper" than the Einstein)}

 

_{And there will be a special ink: Leonardo Sepia red 30 ml}

[Mkim]

So...the 2013 POA is the patron who supported Leonardo, and the 2013 great character IS Leonardo?

 

Do I smell marketing ploy?

 

To top it off they are both going to be light blue in colour?!

 

http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh558/Pammzer/Montblanc-Patron-of-Art-Ludovico-Sforza-fountain-pen-888_zpsb3538251.jpg

^ this one above is the 2013 POA 888 version.

 

 

[The Major]

_{Sorry no pictures found yet.}

 

_{Some additional price info Leonardo GC Fountain EUR 2.855,-}

_{(even "cheaper" than the Einstein)}

 

_{And there will be a special ink: Leonardo Sepia red 30 ml}

 

It would need to be cheaper than the Einstein as its produced for 4810 release rather than the more exclusive 3000 run of the Einstein, its similar to a few other Patrons, personally I much prefer the Character Editions like Hitchcock & Einstein

[KJY]

 

It would need to be cheaper than the Einstein as its produced for 4810 release rather than the more exclusive 3000 run of the Einstein, its similar to a few other Patrons, personally I much prefer the Character Editions like Hitchcock & Einstein

 

I don't know the exact production numbers of the Leonardo, but it is in same category as those you mentioned.

In the catalogue it is als presented as Leonardo GC (Great characters).

 

So wait a month or two and we will now the answer.

[Mkim]

This makes me wonder...What are the MB LE catagories?

 

Writers edition -> POA -> Masters of Meisterstuck->Great Characters-> Artisian -> Skeleton

 

Is there some structure...or do they just keep making newones when they feel like it lol!

(My favorite MB pen by far is the Picasso pen...from the "Artisan edition" pens, but with a starting price of around 33k it seems very far from my reach for now lol!)

[adelaidepen]

Within the categories are several overlaps. For example, POA 4810 (more than the great characters) and 888 (less than the Great Characters). Then there are partial skeletons in the 888 series (e.g. Gaius Meacenus). Some of the Great Characters also have a skeleton edition (Lennon and Einstein). The Artisan editions can be as limited to a single piece or in larger numbers (e.g. Ugly Duckling).

As usual, to keep the numbering simple wouldn't be MB's style, nor to keep to an edition size where a MOP star appears (<1000 might seem a logical cut-off but some 4810 LEs have MOP stars and some 888 LEs have plastic ones). They will always keep changing things so the impulsive collector has to buy something that is "just that bit different".

[Laurel]

The picture I was shown of the Great Character pen was a light blue, much different than the blue of the POA Leonardo.

 

Laurel

[georges zaslavsky]

not my thing sorry

[Verius]

I saw some pics at my local MB boutique this evening. The cap has cogs on it (this seems to be the theme) and the corresponding ink will be "chalk / sepia red". There are two editions (as I understand) and the 3000 edition is going for $3600+. The most striking features of the pen are the nib and the grip (still new to the hobby; I'm sure there's a more technical name for it).

 

I didn't get to look at the material long, but the pen is stunning in craftsmanship and beauty.

 

~v

[isaacrn]

Pictures or it never happened.. Haha

[Opooh]

In the eighties there has already been a MB Leonardo Da Vinci ballpoint.

http://penboard.de/shop/hlist/MB/VBP/0

[mjchuang9]

The picture on the background is the Da Vinci.

[adelaidepen]

Very clever sleuthing mjchuang9

Same stepped-down barrel as the POA unfortunately.

Not grabbing me just yet - I might have to wait until second hand prices come down to the $1500-2000 bracket (like the Gandhi, Lennon & Hitchcock right now :-)).

[mjchuang9]

Hi adelaidepen

 

I think It is inevitable to see stepped-down design in the hi-end MB.

 

 

There is a mirror on the top of the cap to reflect the MB logo. An interesting design.

Edited August 21, 2013 by mjchuang9

[wedgefreak]

I saw the pics tonight at the boutique as well. I think this one is too overdone compared to the Einstein or Hitchcock and of all Da Vinci's work to highlight, they chose the batwing sketch he did and the nib has a bat on it. I really wanted to like it, but it's too over the top for me.

[Laurel]

I was told today that pen would be anodized aluminum with a release date of this November.

 

Laurel

[adelaidepen]

I have now had the chance to see and hold all the previous Great Character pens in the 3000 series. I must say that I'm greatly underwhelmed by them all. The POA series seems to be much better crafted and INHO, better value for money. I managed to pick up a second hand Hitchcock for a very reasonable price (<50%) compared to the new MRP but I don't use it as much as I thought i would and it may have to sell on to another who can love it more than myself. It is interesting to hear stories that MB are under pressure as the pens are not making as much profit as the rest of the ranges, or other brands in the group's portfolio. Is the Great Characters Series simply a method for maximising profit in that high-end sector of their pen range? I have my sad suspicions.