Montblanc Meisterstuck 149, Golden Or Platinum Nib

[Boywholovedbooks]

I find the platinum 149 very exciting and attractive.

The rose gold very warm and inviting.

 

But, in my mind, there is only one 149; the original and classic gold and black.

I'm not calling the newcomers 'novelties' - but how well they will stand the test of time remains to be seen.

 

Your choice, of course (and they are all magnificent pens).

You're doing the right thing, by going into the shop and seeing them 'in the flesh'.

Hold them. Play with them. Trust your instincts.

 

Good luck

Thank you. I think the level of uncertainty in my brains has reached an absolute climax - will be hard to make the decision...

[Boywholovedbooks]

 

Anything other than yellow gold is plating, if it is a gold nib to start with.

 

Does it look like it is plated? No it does not.

 

The trim is in red gold, and I fully expect that to be plating too to be very honest. The pen would otherwise probably cost at least 50% more, if not double that price, if it was solid gold.

 

And it absolutely looks great.

 

Warm regards, Wim

Thank you, Wim, the only worry with plated gold, that it might start flaking in time? So deducing from your post, the yellow golden nib is solid.

[MikeF]

I have both these...

I do think the M1000 nib is better. The 149 nib was not pleasant out of the box but has improved and is nice now. I prefered the gold one, as it's a special edition, and matches the rest of the pen.

 

Nib creep is not a problem, and I only clean the nibs of both when I fill them; they stay clean...

Using Pelikan Edelstein Onyx on both.

[Boywholovedbooks]

I have both these...

I do think the M1000 nib is better. The 149 nib was not pleasant out of the box but has improved and is nice now. I prefered the gold one, as it's a special edition, and matches the rest of the pen.

 

Nib creep is not a problem, and I only clean the nibs of both when I fill them; they stay clean...

Using Pelikan Edelstein Onyx on both.

Thank you, Mike. Montblanc kinldy offered a free pot with my future buy* (*tomorrow hopefully) so will have to stick with that

[wimg]

Thank you, Wim, the only worry with plated gold, that it might start flaking in time? So deducing from your post, the yellow golden nib is solid.

 

Any gold nib with a gold stamp on it is a solid gold alloy, and as far as I am aware, with very few exceptions, only yellow gold is used for nibs, and any other colour is plating.

 

I do expect any plating on a gold nib to last a very long time, as long as the nib's life actually.

 

Warm regards, Wim

[Boywholovedbooks]

Should have started new topic, but nevertheless...

 

I have just spoken to the Manager of the flagship Montblanc store in Bond Street and he confirmed that regardless of whether is is yellow gold, red/rose gold or platinum - nibs are all plated. They are made of solid gold, but plated over.

 

For instance: yellow golden nib has some platinum plated cover, red/rose gold has obviously red/rose plate and the platinum nib has platinum plate over solid gold.....

 

That brings all three pens on par in terms of gold quality. The only difference is that platinum edition some £30 more expensive than its "rivals".

 

The Manager also confirmed that in his 20 years of working for Montblanc he had not had a single case of people bringing pens back for replacement of nibs due to flaking. Normal service, yes, but flaking/peeling never.

 

The other important point is that all nibs are man-finished (sorry if there is grammatical mistake), so they will all vary in exact thickness of the font... Testers are just for guide purposes only.

 

I would be able to try the pen for six weeks and if not happy, they would exchange for free and should I require EF nib for the platinum - standard version only offers (F, M) - they would send to Germany to replace.

 

So, since the start of this discussion, am afraid am nowhere near in making the final decision.

Edited April 1, 2016 by Boywholovedbooks

[Boywholovedbooks]

 

Any gold nib with a gold stamp on it is a solid gold alloy, and as far as I am aware, with very few exceptions, only yellow gold is used for nibs, and any other colour is plating.

 

I do expect any plating on a gold nib to last a very long time, as long as the nib's life actually.

 

Warm regards, Wim

Thank you, Wim. The Montblanc in Bond Street kindly offered 2-year insurance, I will see if can extend for a fee. Just for extra piece of mind. You are right, I think if they used solid platinum and/or solid red gold the pens would cost double at least..

[CS388]

 

Any gold nib with a gold stamp on it is a solid gold alloy, and as far as I am aware, with very few exceptions, only yellow gold is used for nibs, and any other colour is plating.

 

I do expect any plating on a gold nib to last a very long time, as long as the nib's life actually.

 

Warm regards, Wim

 

Yeah, I'd agree with that.

One of those few exceptions would be the 90th monotone nib, which claimed to be: an engraved solid red gold nib*

And they certainly looked it.

But, weren't they only available in the 90th year**?

 

Pleased you're enjoying the new pen!

 

*Press release posted by dannzeman, in the other rose gold thread. This may not apply to current rose gold models?

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/306408-montblanc-rose-gold/?do=findComment&comment=3597947

 

**2014: Richemont PLC's first venture into the comedy business, with their hilarious dating system; commemeratiing a 1950's pen with a 90th anniversary - a subject hotly debated on FPN at the time.

 

 

Thank you, Wim. The Montblanc in Bond Street kindly offered 2-year insurance, I will see if can extend for a fee. Just for extra piece of mind. You are right, I think if they used solid platinum and/or solid red gold the pens would cost double at least..

 

You're in safe hands. Bond Street is one of the best. They really know their stuff.*

 

I don't think there's an extended warranty for a fee option? Like Applecare etc.**

But, I don't think you'll need it.

I don't have any rose gold nibs, but I can attest to Montblanc plating quality.

All my modern gold Meisterstuck nibs are plated, they are subject to hard daily use and I've never had any loss.

 

Enjoy.

 

*usual 'no affiliation' declaration etc. And watch out for crowded-out busy shop on the weekends! Good luck.

 

**In Europe/UK, we're theoretically covered for 6 years, anyway? Aren't we? Ask Gibby, he'll know.

 

Edited to add even more asterisks and disclaimers, an attempt at clarification and to correct my spelling of dannzeman'sname. Sorry dan!.

Edited April 2, 2016 by CS388

[Boywholovedbooks]

 

Yeah, I'd agree with that.

One of those few exceptions would be the 90th monotone nib, which claimed to be: an engraved solid red gold nib*

And they certainly looked it.

But, weren't they only available in the 90th year**?

 

Pleased you're enjoying the new pen!

 

*Press release posted by dannzemann, in the other rose gold thread. This may not apply to current rose gold models?

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/306408-montblanc-rose-gold/?do=findComment&comment=3597947

 

**2014: Richemont PLC's first venture into the comedy business, with their hilarious dating system; commemeratiing a 1950's pen with a 90th anniversary - a subject hotly debated on FPN at the time.

 

 

 

You're in safe hands. Bond Street is one of the best. They really know their stuff.*

 

I don't think there's an extended warranty for a fee option? Like Applecare etc.**

But, I don't think you'll need it.

I don't have any rose gold nibs, but I can attest to Montblanc plating quality.

All my modern gold Meisterstuck nibs are plated, they are subject to hard daily use and I've never had any loss.

 

Enjoy.

 

*usual 'no affiliation' declaration etc. And watch out for crowded-out busy shop on the weekends! Good luck.

 

**In Europe/UK, we're theoretically covered for 6 years, anyway? Aren't we? Ask Gibby, he'll know.

 

Edited to add even more asterisks and disclaimers, an attempt at clarification.

Thank you. If all three nibs of 149 collection are plated, then my choice would most likely be platinum....but let's see...

[Brufen6OO]

Thank you. If all three nibs of 149 collection are plated, then my choice would most likely be platinum....but let's see...

 

What about nib size? Which one are you going for?

 

PS: Sorry if you mentioned before, but this is now a 3 page topic.

[jmccarty3]

Some years ago, there was a big trend toward silver-colored furniture in fountain pens. At that time, I liked only gold-furnitured pens, and I actually stopped collecting for several years because I didn't like the looks of the new pens coming out. Now my tastes have changed, and I like both silver (actually platinum or rhodium) and gold pens. The platinum 149 looks very elegant to me, but I probably won't get another since I have four older ones already.

[888007888]

wow, all three...that must have cost you a little fortune

I will definitely compare tomorrow, but let me ask you a question; some claimed that red/rose gold looked like it was plated rather than solid..that what worries me...spending nearly $1500 on a pen and have a plated nib???

I've never had an issue with plating coming off of any MB that I own. I have read here on FPN of a user having plating come off his MB StarWalker Midnight Black Metal nib. That particular nib was rhodium plated I believe. He was out of warranty so he paid MB for a new nib. This was a recent posting on this forum. That being said, almost all the MB nibs have plating of some sort. All their nibs are solid yellow gold with some plating. The only nibs I can think of without plating are the older single tone nibs.

 

No matter which one you purchase, I know you will love it. My first fountain pen was an MB. After a while I sold it as I got into other brands. Not long after the sale, I realised how much I enjoyed the MB brand and that particular pen for the timeless classic look, so I purchsed that same model again. The rest is history. Now I'm an addict to pens, especially Montblancs. They are wonderful. Purchase one and enjoy. You can always sell or trade it with someone here on FPN for the different color trim until you find which one suits your tastes.

[Boywholovedbooks]

Folks, here we are! The day has come! I have committed a small part of my fortune to a fine Montblanc writing instrument.

 

Now, at the beginning of our discussion the dilemma was to choose between 149 Meisterstuck platinum or yellow gold or red/rose gold nibs. I am very appreciative of all your in-depth answers and recommendations.

 

As an old russian adage goes: it is better to see once than to hear a hundred times. Hence I made it to the flagship Montblanc store in New Bond Street and subjected an unsuspecting lovely female shop Manager to at least 30-minute grilling on Meiserstuck collection. Indeed, so impressed she was by the end of our "meeting" that decided to give me a copy book worth GBP30 for free, despite the offer deadline being two days ago and only for internet buys...

 

But I have digressed; let us go back to the main subject of the final choice.

 

I have tried perhaps dozens of times to write with EF, F and M nib sizes, frankly, even EF comes nowhere near my Pilot pen, which was slightly upsetting - I hoped for a closer match. The Manager suggested that there are some special events and I could perhaps visit one in London, where the entire Montblanc Elite is present and things might be on offer, including cutting/altering the nib to even finer size....but am not too sure, perhaps I should just reconcile with it.

 

The other revelation I had when comparing the three above mentioned nibs. Frankly, and I hope I shall not cause controversy, platinum or yellow and/or rose gold nibs on 149 looked quite authentic but I did not have that striking feeling that I was going to give my preference to any...the appeal was not there. Those are the finest/one of the finest pens in Montblanc collection, but I just could not convince myself to commit to any choice.

 

The Manager of the store politely requested the cause of "titans vs gods battle" look on my face and I dryly stated that I might be going home empty handed as I did not know which pen to go for.

 

I think there is a very good reason why female professionals attain higher results if placed in the same environment with male counterparts. She offered me a drink, asked to relax and get my thoughts together and suggested to also check a precious Montblanc 149 Meisterstuck 90th Anniversary Fountain Pen, that has been crafted to commemorate just that.

 

It is the same size pen, however what was immediately distinctive (to me anyway), the nib is made of solid rose/red gold, no other tones present. It looked more organic, more natural. I did of course check all four again and again but just could not get away from the thought that I might fool around until the end, there was no going away from the last introduction in my decision making process.

 

So, folks, I have acquired my first Montbanc writing instrument - 149 Meisterstuck 90th Anniversary Fountain Pen! Photos to follow if I can ever master/find the way to upload onto FPN...

Edited April 2, 2016 by Boywholovedbooks

[wimg]

Congrats!

 

I am sure you made the right choice for yourself .

 

Considering you mention an old Russian adage, I suspect that you have Russian ancestors, and I do not think there is any other country where they love(d) red/rose gold as much as they did anywhere else in the world. So if you indeed are of Russian ancestry, your choice is even better .

 

Warm regards, Wim

[jmccarty3]

Congratulations!!

 

I hope you receive as much enjoyment from your first Montblanc 149 as I have from mine, which will be 50 years old next year. I took it to my local boutique yesterday, where I showed it to the sales associates after I bought the new coral Heritage pen. They were amazed when I told them that I had paid $33US for the 149 back in 1967.

[Pravda]

Congratulations! Ha! I am also a huge fan of the single tone nib, and I went for the same choice of yours when it was my turn Enjoy it buddy

[Zdenek]

Folks, here we are! The day has come! I have committed a small part of my fortune to a fine Montblanc writing instrument.

 

..... Montblanc 149 Meisterstuck 90th Anniversary Fountain Pen, that has been crafted to commemorate just that.

 

....

 

So, folks, I have acquired my first Montbanc writing instrument - 149 Meisterstuck 90th Anniversary Fountain Pen! Photos to follow if I can ever master/find the way to upload onto FPN...

 

 

Excellent choice. Big congrats!

Edited April 3, 2016 by Zdenek

[Boywholovedbooks]

Congrats!

 

I am sure you made the right choice for yourself .

 

Considering you mention an old Russian adage, I suspect that you have Russian ancestors, and I do not think there is any other country where they love(d) red/rose gold as much as they did anywhere else in the world. So if you indeed are of Russian ancestry, your choice is even better .

 

Warm regards, Wim

Hey, Wim, I do indeed, and since you have mentioned about the love for red/rose gold it applied more psychological reassurance in the choice I had made (though I did not know about it)

[Boywholovedbooks]

Congratulations!!

 

I hope you receive as much enjoyment from your first Montblanc 149 as I have from mine, which will be 50 years old next year. I took it to my local boutique yesterday, where I showed it to the sales associates after I bought the new coral Heritage pen. They were amazed when I told them that I had paid $33US for the 149 back in 1967.

wow, 33 bucks....I could have acquired some twenty pens for the money I paid for my MB...if just could find an old DeLorean to go back

Edited April 3, 2016 by Boywholovedbooks

[Boywholovedbooks]

Congratulations! Ha! I am also a huge fan of the single tone nib, and I went for the same choice of yours when it was my turn Enjoy it buddy

I knew there would be similar minds on FPN

I must say I wish they could produce even finer nib than EF, but I guess that is the difference between German and Japanese