The Legendary Montblanc Meisterstück 149: Which Should I Choose?

May 31, 2017

I am interested in purchasing the legendary Meisterstück 149 fountain pen. I have begun my research on this fountain pen about a week ago. I'm in no rush. I have plenty of time to collect priceless knowledge from my Fountain Pen Network community.

Here are my remaining questions:

(1) What is the best year to purchase a 149? My priorities are to find something that is a collectible, but not too expensive (under $1000). I want to purchase used. I also want to keep as a secondary consideration of functionality. I do want a refined Meisterstück without all the design flaws and so forth. In other words, I'm looking for something that's a collectible but also at its peak regarding functions.

(2) What is the difference between 14k and 18k nibs? I wanted to go with 18k because historically, the owners had insisted on 18k as an indicator of "pure gold." But of course, the writing experience is a priority as well, so I was wondering if the 18k nib writes much differently than the 14k.

(3) What is the difference between 14k and 14c, or 18k and 18c? I understand that the "c" indicates an older pen, some say between late 1970s to early 1980s. I just want to know why the "c" nibs are so desirable. Is there something inherently special about the nib? Or, does it just indicate an antique -- it's old?

(4) Has anyone run into any problems / risks purchasing used? I guess I like my pens to hold worth. I don't like to use it for 10 years, and it has dropped half its value. I figure purchasing a near mint used pen would allow me to purchase a higher priced collectible and simultaneously one that didn't drop that much in value. I'm presuming, if I can retain that condition, if I wanted to sell it one day, I wouldn't get that much less for it, compared to buying new and selling used years down the line.

(5) I also considered waiting for the 100th year anniversary to get a Meisterstück. Does anyone have an opinion about that? Good or bad? That's probably going to come up in 8 years or so, but I'm sure Montblanc is planning something big for that one!

Thanks for all your great input throughout my first few months here on Fountain Pen Network. Look forward to your input.

Edited May 31, 2017 by dyoneda1

May 31, 2017

A 149 is a 149.. That's why you yourself have called it legendary. They've been around for half a century and will continue to do so.

So you'll pretty much have a 149 writing experience once you've gotten a good piece. It could be used or new, doesn't matter.

Two statements I have found incredible though. You really willing to wait 8 years for the 100 anniversary model? We can hardly predict what will come next year let alone a decade from now.

Also, you are looking for a pen to use for 10 years and don't want to lose half its value? Most people would consider 10 years a 'great buy' even if it fully depreciated. But okay, I get it. In that case I would recommend a LE Patron of The Arts or rare 146 Solitaire not a 149.

149 holds good value, but they do loose ½ their value in my opinion immediately out of the shop. Unless it's a LE like the 75th Anniversary but that'll run you $3,500 today so not within your range.

If you get a preowned 149 for say $350 that you enjoy, sure I would say that's your best option. Should get you the same 10 years from now.

Some answers: difference between C and K is language based on place of manufacture i.e. France or Germany. Which is a hint of year produced you're right.

Value wise not a factor but it could identify the characteristics of the nib between 14k and 18k one may be softer or have more flex than the other. New/modern 149s for example have a nib that's rigid as a nail. Some people prefer older nibs that have some 'give'.

The celluloid 149s are sought after because they're in the collectible range. They feel different to the touch also and do tend to hold value. But finding one in a pristine condition that's within a reasonable price range is difficult.

Hope this helps.

May 31, 2017

You have my responses to questions 4 & 5 in your other thread so I will not repeat them here.

In terms of the vintage of nibs, it is thr following:

14C tri-tone (rhodium for the scrollwork between a gold center and outer edge)

18C tri-tone

14C bi-tone (gold only on thr outside edge, the rest is plated)

14K bi-tone

18K bi-tone

18K tri-tone

The rule of thumb is that as you go from oldest to newest, you get more rigid in feel. Also, ebonite feeds stopped around the early to mid 1990s.

14C tri was used up through the mid/late 1970s. 18C up to the mid 1970s. 14C bi started in thr mid 197s and ran to thr mid 1980s. 14K bi took over and ran to the early 1990s. 18K bi was used for a few years and the 18K tri has been pretty much default since the late 1990s. These are all rough dates as there were always transitions.

A couple exceptions are the 1997 75th anniversary pen that came in yellow gold (special edition) and rose gold (limited edition), the 90th anniversary pens in 2014 that came in rose gold, the platinum trim and rose gold regular that started in 2015.

My preference is the late 1950s to early 160s resin pens with the full grooved feed, closely followed by the pens up until the late 1960's that still used the friction fit fillers and the groove face ebonite feed.

One other special and very limited option is currently for sale on penboard.DE. It is a regular resin 149 with a never released to the public mother of pearl star, like the one they used on the 1999 LE 149s. This is at the top of your budget but worth considering as there were only a handfulproduced internally and they were recently released to the market after years to acquire by the seller from an old MB staffer.

If you like a modern pen, you can find an SE 75th anniversary pen in your budget.

You have not said what you desire in terms of flexibility, feed, balance, nib width, etc. There is no universal best 149, but there is a best for you.

Read the dating a 149 thread if you have not. It is very helpful.

June 1, 2017

Read Barry Gabay's essay on the 149 in Pen World.

This is an excellent interview with the author of the article

http://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/the-pinnacle-of-pens-author-barry-gabay-on-writing-in-style-and-the-montblanc-149/

Edited June 1, 2017 by meiers

June 1, 2017

I'm not a 149 expert, but unless you buy a highly collectable model you should be able to find a used 149 for under $500. I really enjoy my 149 from the late '60s with a F nib which with a little patience can be found in the $350-450 range.