Montblanc Pens, Fake V Real

[Paul80]

May I ask what would a real serial number look like?

 

Thanks for the post, Paul! Very useful.

 

The Serial Number on my Genuine 145 follows the same format of two letters and seven numbers which is same format for the one on my 146 as well, there is no serial on my 149 although it was made around 1990 which was around the time the serial number was introduced IIRC, on my Boheme the format is Four letters three numbers and two letters, but that pen is brand new so they might all be coming along in that format now.

 

Paul

[Paul80]

Good comparison, but the close-up pictures also show that the GP bands are slightly different, and the grip band next to the nib is different too.

 

It would be really helpful if ebay sellers always showed their fakes next to an authentic version LOL

 

Mind you if there was absolutely no difference it would make finding them rather difficult wouldn't it thankfully the nibs are quite obvious but only in really clear photos or when the pen is in your hand but by then its often too late.

 

Paul

[Chrissy]

It's not too late on ebay, because you can always open a case that an item you bought is counterfeit. However, it may be too late when you buy from other sources. Be careful out there.

 

Over the years, I have purchased a total of 3 fakes, but I have never lost any money at all.

[Nek]

Very good comparison of fakes vs real. Thank you.

[Paul80]

Some of the fakes out there are getting better and better so everyone has to be more careful now, it almosts leads to paranoia when looking at auction photos and not knowing if the differences you are seeing are there because its a fake or where just production variances, especially when a pen has been in production for many years and some of the minor changes are not well documented.

 

As has been said above this is one of the good reasons to buy on eBay now as most of the time they will find in favour of the buyer when problems like fakes are reported, but it is a pain to have to wait weeks whilst they sort it out, especially if you have spend a few hundred on one, there is always the worry this this one is the one they don't rule in the buyer favour.

 

Also don't forget this little write up was not done to promote fakes but just to highlight what is out there so to help people like myself who is very new to pen collecting.

 

Fortunately so far the only fakes I have bought have been this set of three and I bought them knowing they where fakes but just wanted to see how good or bad they where so I at least only paid Chinese pen prices for them as they where being sold a replica (Fakes) pens at quite a low price. Unlike many who even try to sell them for near full genuine pen retail price.

 

As the old saying goes, "For warned is for armed"

 

Paul

[jar]

 

As the old saying goes, "For warned is for armed"

 

Paul

 

 

"Unless they is four worned out cannons" :Albert.

 

Sorry couldn't resist.

 

The problem with buying any replicas is that the money also helps support the whole replica industry and they also fake prescription drugs and car parts and airplane engine parts and computer parts and ... and those fakes can kill.

[talkinghead]

good compare, Paul.

 

I'm sure there are many websites that sell these fakes, some better than others.

 

The problem with accepting the fake as the genuine writer if the fake writes just as well is essentially giving into the counterfeiters.

 

I don't think that is the intention of any true pen collector on here.

 

Thats the rub right there….this forum is 95% populated, viewed, and contributed to by…well, collectors…or at least users who are accumulators. Someone who doesn’t know better, is not the typical contributor/reader here and probably would be fine with a $50 149 “Montblanco” that writes well. The collector/user-accumulator, not so much. But then again they know better, or least should. It's not about us here in this forum giving in to counterfeiters.

 

That’s my problem with this forum over the past year or so…most discussion here now is about fakes….why? We should be talking about real pens, modern or vintage...because "any true pen collector on here" won't have a fake pen....so why do we talk about them so much??

Rick

[Opooh]

Thats the rub right there….this forum is 95% populated, viewed, and contributed to by…well, collectors…or at least users who are accumulators. Someone who doesn’t know better, is not the typical contributor/reader here and probably would be fine with a $50 149 “Montblanco” that writes well. The collector/user-accumulator, not so much. But then again they know better, or least should. It's not about us here in this forum giving in to counterfeiters.

 

That’s my problem with this forum over the past year or so…most discussion here now is about fakes….why? We should be talking about real pens, modern or vintage...because "any true pen collector on here" won't have a fake pen....so why do we talk about them so much??

 

Rick

1+

 

There is no such thing as a free meal. Problem is some people want to drive Ferrari for Fiat money.

[Paul80]

Don't forget those people who want a Ferrari and pay Ferrari money but get a Fiat in the post.

 

The Chinese have been know to even copy High End Cars so nothing is safe.

 

I suppose this is one good augment for only going to an Authorised dealer, yes you pay more but at least you do get what you pay for with no fake surprises under the bonnet or cap so to speak.

 

But being human we all do like a deal especially a good deal as even some good deals look too got to be true, even if they end up being the genuine item being sold at well below market value, it does happen sometimes.

 

In the world of high morals who is wrong a seller who asks more than something is worth or a buyer who pays less than its worth because he knows the seller has made a mistake in his listing. Both would have a lot of dealing to do to get through the pearly gates

 

Paul

[Francisco Pena]

To a friend of mine was given this pen as a company gift, i have not seen such a rough copy for a long time!

[HermetiC]

I have seen chinese copys as bad of this sometimes on Ebay, specially of Starwalkers with similar generic "Iridium point" nibs... and they always are sold

 

Look at this one, for example:

 

http://www.ebay.es/itm/281219481665?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

[Chrissy]

That is a rough copy!

[hari317]

The fakers had already reached a good state of the art by 2009 itself, they are only getting better and better.

 

Have a look at the pics and converter in this old thread:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/123870-what-do-you-think-of-this-pen/

[Chrissy]

I have bookmarked a link to Hari's old thread. It shows a very good fake.

[Chrissy]

I have seen chinese copys as bad of this sometimes on Ebay, specially of Starwalkers with similar generic "Iridium point" nibs... and they always are sold

 

Look at this one, for example:

 

http://www.ebay.es/itm/281219481665?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

I can't see any page for this pen now. Fingers crossed if someone bought it, that they know it's a fake and get their money back

[Erik Dalton]

Nice job you all. Very helpful.

I think it is a good exercise to learn from each other. I' m careful in my purchases, but i don' t always have an authentic one on hand to compare to. There are so many variations within the MB line, I think it is very constructive to have these conversations about fakes and different models as things come up.

When i started out i used this forum to learn. It was an invaluable resource to me. I applaud the experienced collectors who share their knowledge freely. Their sharing strengthens the community and supports good pens, as a whole.

[georges zaslavsky]

thanks for the information

[HermetiC]

I can't see any page for this pen now. Fingers crossed if someone bought it, that they know it's a fake and get their money back

I'm afraid it was sold, and for more than 150$...

[Sailor Kenshin]

Hi all

 

there have been a number of posts on the forum asking how to tell a fake from a real Montblanc, and although to many it is quite easy to those new to Montblanc its not always quite so obvious.

 

For a change I thought it would be appropriate to show the differences between a fake and a genuine pen.

 

So in this example I am using the montblanc 145 for this comparison as it is one of the more copied pens at the moment, now that everyone recognises the fake Starwalkers.

 

Both pens measure the same and almost weigh the same as well with the real one coming in at 20.76gm and the fake coming in at 18.61

 

For comparison which you cannot see in the photographs

 

Both have Montblanc-Meisterstuch-Pix- on the main cap band

Both Have Pix under the clip

Both Say Germany on the Clip Band

Both have a serial number consisting of two letters and Seven numbers

Both have the same markings on the nib

Both gave of a Red Glow when a bright light was shone on them.

 

The other interesting thing to note is that the Cap, Barrel and Section Threads are the same so all three are interchangeable. I had to keep a close eye on which bit went where once they where in parts and was glad I weighed the individual components first as the weight difference was often all I could use to tell the parts apart.

 

The only obvious difference between these two was that the Montblanc Converter was a Screw fit and the Fake converter was just a standard international with Mont Blanc screen printed on the side, and the nib which was etched on the fake and stamped on the real pen.

 

 

So to the pictures, excuse the quality, my Camera does not do close ups very well.

 

Here they are side by side

 

_DSF1242.JPG

 

Here they are Caps off

 

_DSF1243.JPG

 

Here they are broken down

 

_DSF1244.JPG

 

The obvious difference is the Nib Quality

 

_DSF1247.JPG

 

_DSF1248.JPG

 

And the converters

 

_DSF1245.JPG

 

Hope this has been of help in helping new montblanc owners to not get stung.

 

And for though who couldn't guess and you know who you are

 

The fake pen is the top one.

 

Paul

Great topic. thanks.

 

I'm no expert, but the moment I saw the nib comparison...still, I wonder if I could tell if I did NOT have a real one for comparison.

[Paul80]

Hi all

 

An update to this thread with another fake Montblanc to watch out for.

 

This one is a Montblanc Boheme Rouge.

 

The outer box is quite Montblanc looking, although it does lack any bar codes or model information, unlike the real box does.

 

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l312/Paul-80/Pens/_DSF1292_zps25971c62.jpg

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l312/Paul-80/Pens/_DSF1293_zps66e6a4c6.jpg

 

Inside we find a quite realistic box and instruction and Warranty Booklet now both printed in an accurate looking textured finish and with the expected space at the back to fill in your fake dealer of choice's details.

 

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l312/Paul-80/Pens/_DSF1294_zps14acf40b.jpg

 

Opening the box revels a correct looking box interior, note that there is now the correct white star instead of the incorrect black that was so often used.

 

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l312/Paul-80/Pens/_DSF1295_zps758d79bd.jpg

 

Compare this to a genuine box and pen

 

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l312/Paul-80/Pens/_DSF1256_zps1e72050c.jpg

 

The pen itself is quite a well made pen and note that once posted the clip and nib does line up, unlike some genuine ones

 

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l312/Paul-80/Pens/_DSF1296_zps70312a60.jpg

 

And in this shot you can see that they are getter better at making their nibs looked stamped rather than the etched that they really are.

 

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l312/Paul-80/Pens/2014-01-08125832_zpsf4d0e424.jpg

 

Although they still have not got around to copying the notch in the feeds yet, but give them time, it will be done.

 

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l312/Paul-80/Pens/2014-01-08125853_zps051b9d44.jpg

 

And finally the biggest difference is that the fake is a cartridge/converter pen unlike the real thing which is a cartridge only pen and it obviously does bot have the retractable nib.

 

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l312/Paul-80/Pens/_DSF1297_zpsbe7b62b6.jpg

 

I no longer have my Genuine pen as I found its "Lady" size to be too small for my hands, but the fake feels ok so it might actually be a longer pen than the real one, although it might be closer to the version they made that was bigger and didn't have a retractable nib either.

 

Again this post is not to promote Fake pens but to be used by the less well versed in this things to help the unsuspecting so they don't get caught out buying a fake when they are paying for the real thing.

 

Hope its of use.

 

Paul

Edited January 8, 2014 by Paul80