Montblanc Rose Gold

[Mastiff]

I have been reading around to get a definitive answer to this but I was only left confused:

 

Is the Rose gold nib on 149 (whether it be the 90th anniversary or the new standard rose gold version) SOLID rose gold or rose gold PLATED onto yellow gold?

 

I have watched a well known reviewer mention in his video that it is a solid rose gold nib whereas a prominent FPN member showed a picture of the 75th anniversary rose gold plating horribly coming off.

 

Thanks.

[penparadise]

 

Is the Rose gold nib on 149 (whether it be the 90th anniversary or the new standard rose gold version) SOLID rose gold or rose gold PLATED onto yellow gold?

 

 

I just can say that one shouldn't try to polish a 75th Montblanc Meisterstück anniversary (1924) L.E. rosé gold nib — they are just plated onto yellow gold. I didn't dare to try polishing other nibs from later editions.

[Mastiff]

Yes it appeared that they just plated rose gold on top of yellow gold for the 75th. I also thought all 'rose gold' nibs were just plated, and that is why I was rather surprised to hear on The Nibsmith's video that the 90th 149 is be solid rose gold. Plating coming off actually was the reason why I have so far distanced myself from rose gold pens, but if indeed I don't have to worry about the flimsy plating, there is no reason why I shouldn't buy the new rose gold 149!

[Old_Inkyhand]

I also have a problem with this troublesome rose gold plating. I mean - I like the look of it, but every time I read something about a rose gold plated pen, people complain about the flaking. It would be nice to know a pen with solid rose gold parts.

[wimg]

Actually, all nibs with more than a single tone are plated as well. I am sure that it could happen that plating flakes off, but I doubt whether that is more than a fluke or not, and that Montblanc would fix that for you if indeed that happened with a fairly new pen.

 

To make pure rose gold (or red gold as Montblanc calls it) nibs, would likely be way too expensive for the relatively limited series they would have to be made in, and in addition because it is a completely different alloy containing a fair amount of copper to give the red colour, would have completely different characteristics to the standard yellow gold nib used for every other nib, plated or not, hence requiring a lot of research, before it could even be approved for general use in a Montblanc fountain pen.

 

Just my 2c .

Warm regards, Wim

[Mastiff]

Thank you Wim, as usual you have been very helpful in your reply. I would agree with you that it is likely to be plating, rather than being solid red gold. It is possibly too early to hear reports of problems associated with the red gold 149, but given time we may indeed hear users experiencing the same old flaking issue, though I hope not.

 

It is also interesting that we rarely, if ever hear about similar phenomenon with platinum/rhodium plating (at least I have not yet come across any posts yet). I wonder why red gold in particular is so vulnerable to this issue. Hopefully, technology will become more advanced in the coming days so that basic and fundamental things like this can be fixed up (hopefully in time for our generation!).

 

I personally find this unacceptable at this price point and thus not buy any of the red gold plated products. Furthermore I think it would be appropriate for MB to include a word of warning in their service guide stating that the red gold plating is prone to being lost and thus user discretion is required. I think just fixing it up when there is a problem (presumably just for up to 2 years while the warranty is valid) is not really dealing with the issue. It would also be helpful for them to know that this red gold flaking issue, for a number of people, is a major deal breaker for some of their products.

[wimg]

If it is indeed more vulnerable, I would assume it is because of the copper in the gold alloy. Copper is not a noble metal, platinum and rhodium are. I'll ask Montblanc, just don't expect an answer quickly - they're very busy with the launch of their new products .

 

BTW, my red gold 149 has a red gold / rhodium plated nib with the red gold being slightly lighter than the red gold of the trim; it is the current red gold 149 edition.

We'll see how it fares, but it looks like it is well done as far as I can see.

 

Warm regards, Wim

Edited April 1, 2016 by wimg
Edited - didn't look carefully enough

[Mastiff]

If it is indeed more vulnerable, I would assume it is because of the copper in the gold alloy. Copper is not a noble metal, platinum and rhodium are. I'll ask Montblanc, just don't expect an answer quickly - they're very busy with the launch of their new products .

 

BTW, my red gold 149 has a yellow gold / rhodium plated nib; it is the current red gold 149 edition.

 

Warm regards, Wim

Oh! I would have thought that the red gold 149 would be equipped with a red/rhodium plated nib! Certainly in the pictures they appear to have a distinct red hue.

I don't think I am allowed to post a link so I'll attach a picture from an AD.

[wimg]

Oh! I would have thought that the red gold 149 would be equipped with a red/rhodium plated nib! Certainly in the pictures they appear to have a distinct red hue.

I don't think I am allowed to post a link so I'll attach a picture from an AD.

 

You are right, I didn't look carefully enough in my current neon light conditions, and we cross-posted, i.e., my edit and your reply .

The nib's red gold colour is slightly lighter than that of the trim, I noticed .

 

I added an edited line now .

 

Warm regards, Wim

[dannzeman]

Yes it appeared that they just plated rose gold on top of yellow gold for the 75th. I also thought all 'rose gold' nibs were just plated, and that is why I was rather surprised to hear on The Nibsmith's video that the 90th 149 is be solid rose gold. Plating coming off actually was the reason why I have so far distanced myself from rose gold pens, but if indeed I don't have to worry about the flimsy plating, there is no reason why I shouldn't buy the new rose gold 149!

I was just relaying what I was told, which was it was solid red gold. I can't find it on Montblanc's site, but on Fahrney's listing it's stated as "Elegantly engraved solid red gold nib."

 

Also, this appears to be a press release that also specifically says, "The fountain pens feature engraved (Au750/Au585) solid red gold nibs."

Edited April 1, 2016 by dannzeman

[Mastiff]

I was just relaying what I was told, which was it was solid red gold. I can't find it on Montblanc's site, but on Fahrney's listing it's stated as "Elegantly engraved solid red gold nib."

 

Also, this appears to be a press release that also specifically says, "The fountain pens feature engraved (Au750/Au585) solid red gold nibs."

 

Thanks very much for that Mr Dan. I find your reviews and videos most helpful and informative and I try to watch all the reviews that are relevant to my interest!

From the links provided, they do sound like solid red gold.

 

Wim said that he'll ask MB, so I guess we just have to wait now..

[CS388]

 

Thanks very much for that Mr Dan. I find your reviews and videos most helpful and informative and I try to watch all the reviews that are relevant to my interest!

From the links provided, they do sound like solid red gold.

 

Wim said that he'll ask MB, so I guess we just have to wait now..

 

Hi Mastiff

I agree.

Although the press release seems to be specifically referring to the 90th anniversary collection, the same description is being used on the current red gold range, available in shops now.

I quote:

 

The Meisterstück 149 – a design that writes history. Deep black precious resin with red gold-coated details.

• Ident No.: 113608
• Piston Fountain Pen
• Hand-crafted Au750 / 18 K red gold nib with rhodium-coated inlay

(I'd post a link or a picture, but I've no idea whats allowed anymore.)

 

Thanks, nice thread.

And thanks to dan, too. Good stuff.

 

Enjoy.

[zaddick]

The 75th and 90th #9 nibs were plated. I cannot confirm the new red gold nibs, but I would guess for cost purposes they are plated too.

[penparadise]

The 75th and 90th #9 nibs were plated. I cannot confirm the new red gold nibs, but I would guess for cost purposes they are plated too.

 

+ 1

 

A solid gold nib still is a solid gold nib whether it's plated with platinum or rosè gold or both.

[wimg]

 

+ 1

 

A solid gold nib still is a solid gold nib whether it's plated with platinum or rosè gold or both.

 

Yep . They wouldn't be allowed to carry the 585 or 750 stamp otherwise .

 

Warm regards, Wim

[CS388]

...snip...

 

The 75th and 90th #9 nibs were plated.

 

Thanks, Zaddick.

But, I'm still confused.

The press release* for the 90th collection clearly states:

 

"Each writing instrument is crafted in black resin and adorned with red gold-plated fittings, and presented in a gift box wrapped with a 1924 replica sleeve. The fountain pens feature engraved (Au750/Au585) solid red gold nibs."

 

Surely that doesn't mean plated?

Unless I'm missing something obvious. (Wouldn't be the first time)

 

The combination of rose gold nib on the dark grey skeleton 90th works very well for me.

Not usually a fan of the skeletons, but I like that one.

 

Thanks

 

*From link provided by dannzeman, post #10, above: http://www.moodiereport.com/document.php?doc_id=41798

[wimg]

 

Thanks, Zaddick.

But, I'm still confused.

The press release* for the 90th collection clearly states:

 

"Each writing instrument is crafted in black resin and adorned with red gold-plated fittings, and presented in a gift box wrapped with a 1924 replica sleeve. The fountain pens feature engraved (Au750/Au585) solid red gold nibs."

 

Surely that doesn't mean plated?

Unless I'm missing something obvious. (Wouldn't be the first time)

 

The combination of rose gold nib on the dark grey skeleton 90th works very well for me.

Not usually a fan of the skeletons, but I like that one.

 

Thanks

 

*From link provided by dannzeman, post #10, above: http://www.moodiereport.com/document.php?doc_id=41798

 

It is confusing. They use the term red gold twice, and possibly just as a colour description, it is not clear indeed.

 

I'll see if I can get an answer from Montblanc .

 

Warm regards, Wim

[CS388]

 

It is confusing. They use the term red gold twice, and possibly just as a colour description, it is not clear indeed.

 

I'll see if I can get an answer from Montblanc .

 

Warm regards, Wim

 

Thanks.

It's not important to me, I'm just curious.

 

I'd still choose the classic black and gold 149, over the others.

 

Enjoy.

[Mastiff]

 

Thanks.

It's not important to me, I'm just curious.

 

I'd still choose the classic black and gold 149, over the others.

 

Enjoy.

 

It is that very curiosity that sparked me to start this thread.

Nevertheless, I think it IS important- as it is their legal obligation to state the correct details of the products they are selling. If it is found to be red gold plated, I think it would fit into the category of flase/misleading advertisement, and would form the basis for them to provide compensation/refund for people who had bought the pen thinking it had a solid red gold (and not a plated gold) nib.

The law is quite clear and unambiguouson on this in NZ, I am sure it will be the same, if not more stringent in the EU.

[thygreyt]

Wim, were you ever able to get the answer??