Montblanc, Not Just Writing Instruments?

[dneal]

I'm not saying they're not well made, just that they're overpriced. So as to not pick on MB, I'll point out that Graf von Faber Castell leatherware is also well made but overpriced.

[EclecticCollector]

I did not even know that Graf made leather goods!

[Doug C]

Even though I don't care much for today's MB products (with the exception of the Heritage- I DO like that pen), Their expansion into lifestyle products is not done on the cheap. They purchased the respected Manufacture Minera when they decided to get serious about watches, and achieved instant respect for their calibres.

Edited January 24, 2015 by Doug C

[talkinghead]

 

Clearly a fake mug. The star should be white in the middle and not black...

 

Ok then how 'bout the latte' version...clearly not a fake

 

[Opooh]

Ok then how 'bout the latte' version...clearly not a fake

 

Is this the Tribute to Montblanc version?

[Opooh]

 

Although I'm not a fan of the mark expanding into areas outside of writing instruments and accessories, it really bugs me that they'll spend all this money turning it into whatever it's becoming and not putting forth any effort on the pen line. You want $900 for a pen? Make a celluloid 139 or 149 (and one in green striations too, please ). I'll pay WE/POA/LE prices for that without batting an eye. Let's see the same level of craftsmanship in a pen that we see in Richemont's jewelry and watchmaking brands.

In 2014 they got the Skeleton, the Heritage 2014, WE, POA, Moon Pearl, ... . IMHO all these pens show a high level of craftsmanship. Why re-issues of older models? You can still find 139, 149 silver rings, green striated etc.. When collecting pens, it is all about the chase.

[Blade Runner]

Agree with Opooh. Unlike other high end pen brands that simply put a different color and hardware on essentially a stock pen with a stock nib, and call them limited editions with limited edition prices, MB creates multiple lines of unique pens annually, their bodies and nibs not found on standard pens. No other brand offers such a diversity of quality pens.

Edited January 25, 2015 by Blade Runner

[OngL]

Diversifying is important for long term survival but only if done correctly. Nokia was a timber company before moving to rubber and finally telecommunication. It almost die a natural death as it can't transform to something else when Apple rules. Similarly for blackberry, a once king of smartphones.

 

MB shouldn't be part of a big group like Richemont. It will not get the needed attention with 7% revenue contribution. It may also be pressurised to do more hence a point mentioned earlier with too many lines of limited and special edition. Innovation may be restricted.

 

Michael Dell realised that going public is not the best thing with high expectation from share holder that held him back. He did the right thing by buying the company back.

 

I hope MB can be an independent company one day and run by pen enthusiast.

[______Zaphod_Beeblebrox]

Likewise, Montblanc makes you think of a black, gold trimmed writing instrument.

Gosh, I hope not! I do not think that way. I must be the only one who does not care for the Plain Looking, dated, and plastic 149.

 

When I think Montblanc, may be white star, but other than that I think special editions, or POA or writers etc. the unique designs that Montblanc is known for. Even for the regular line I think of things other than black and Gold.

 

Sorry I did not express my thoughts in a way that was easier to understand. But suffice to say Montblanc products I like.

 

Montblanc might not actually have their own people making the watchs but it is hardly rebranding. Rebranding would be buying a product and having little to do with its design or manufacturing and the exact same product can be had with other brands.

You would not say the apple iPhone is a rebranded product would you? They are not made in a Apple Factory.

 

Anyway.

[Blade Runner]

MB manufactures their own watches, including those with in house movements.

Edited January 25, 2015 by Blade Runner

[dneal]

I guess it depends on how you think of Montblanc. If it's just the name/corporation/company, then sure they manufacture their own watches. If you think of it as a factory in Hamburg with German pen makers, then it's a Swiss watch made by Richemont with a Montblanc name on it.

 

There is admittedly a little inconsistency if you think of the leather products and such that MB markets - the ink is manufactured in Austria currently, by a company I assume is not MB. But pen pouches, notebook covers, ink and such still relate to the core product (go ahead and mention wallets... ).

 

Why reissues of older products? Because not everyone wants to chase down vintage pens. Look at the excitement that was generated by the green celluloid project (which fell through). Better yet, look at the green celluloid pens Max made. That's craftsmanship. The current line of plastic "precious resin" pens isn't much different than the other companies out there, just more heavily marketed. I appreciate the WE/POA/etc lines, but honestly none of them really appeal to me. I'd love the Hemingway if it wasn't a "signature" pen. The Mark Twain appeals to me mainly because I've always been a fan of the writer.

 

The nature of forums is for discussions to turn into arguments where someone has to "win". Please note that I'm not trying to do that, and think this thread is really interesting. I appreciate the counter-points to my thoughts/opinions and offer my own with only the best intentions.

[Blade Runner]

MB has its own nibmeisters, watchmakers with in house nibs and movements (in contrast to the majority of pen and watch companies) leather craftsmen, etc. Their employees don't have to work in Hamburg or even be required to be German.

 

I too would love re-issues of vintage, but I doubt that the cost of producing and servicing celluloid bodies, flexible nibs and vintage filling systems would be possible at the same cost of the current stock Meisterstucks or even the Writers Editions. And there's the question of whether the average consumer, who isn't a fountain pen nut like you and me, would appreciate the differences of a vintage reproduction enough to pay the premium price, especially for understated black pens like the 139 or vintage 149, that to the untrained eye, don't look much different compared to a current 149.

Edited January 25, 2015 by Blade Runner

[dneal]

Their employees don't have to work in Hamburg or even be required to be German.

 

 

Do they at least have to speak Schweizerdeutsch?

[Algester]

well there's deodorant but there's also Montblanc perfume I wonder if they will make the precious resin scent that would be "cool" too next time they will be making furnitures for who knows what...

http://www.forbes.com/sites/elizabethdoerr/2014/09/11/montblanc-and-samsung-partner-to-introduce-smart-pens-and-accessories-for-galaxy-note-4/

let's not forget the travestry with the e-starwalker with Samsung...

Edited January 25, 2015 by Algester

[s5blitzer]

well there's deodorant but there's also Montblanc perfume I wonder if they will make the precious resin scent that would be "cool" too next time they will be making furnitures for who knows what...

http://www.forbes.com/sites/elizabethdoerr/2014/09/11/montblanc-and-samsung-partner-to-introduce-smart-pens-and-accessories-for-galaxy-note-4/

let's not forget the travestry with the e-starwalker with Samsung...

 

Respecting your opinion ... but since I have been a long Samsung Galaxy Note 1, 2, 3 and now 4 owner, Montblanc Extreme case was perfect for my Note 4 which in turn got me to purchase my first StarWalker (none in the pictures found in your link) and subsequently got the e-refill to replace the fineliner refill. I also purchased a Extreme wallet (my first MB wallet).

 

I would say MB's strategy worked in garnering more sales and at the same time, offered me a new line of products that I would not have purchased if not for the Extreme phone case. There will always be a market for anyone out there. Question is whether the brand is willing to have diversity to succeed.