New 149 Expressive Nib released in December?

[fpupulin]

An Italian enthusiast, who consulted the Montblanc boutique in his city in search of a 149 Calligraphy, reports in a forum that he received the following response:

"From the Montblanc office we have been given new instructions regarding the Montblanc 149 pen with Calligraphy nib which you had asked us: the product has undergone a reference change, currently the new reference is scheduled to be released in December, while the old reference is out of production. If you are interested, we invite you to contact us around the month of December."

This confirms that the 149 Calligraphy with flexible nib is discontinued, but at the same time seems to announce that the release of the next 149 of the Expression Nib series is now near. If it will be with the "fude de mannen" nib or not, we'll see.

[Frank C]

Thanks for posting this. It does seem reasonable for Montblanc to update the Calligraphy pen at some point. There still seems to be some demand for the original, but MB has discontinued popular items before. 

[tunney]

Does anyone have any idea on how it may differ from the 149c ?

[a student]

On 9/18/2022 at 7:40 AM, fpupulin said:

An Italian enthusiast, who consulted the Montblanc boutique in his city in search of a 149 Calligraphy, reports in a forum that he received the following response:

"From the Montblanc office we have been given new instructions regarding the Montblanc 149 pen with Calligraphy nib which you had asked us: the product has undergone a reference change, currently the new reference is scheduled to be released in December, while the old reference is out of production. If you are interested, we invite you to contact us around the month of December."

This confirms that the 149 Calligraphy with flexible nib is discontinued, but at the same time seems to announce that the release of the next 149 of the Expression Nib series is now near. If it will be with the "fude de mannen" nib or not, we'll see.

 

Most interesting.

 

I stepped in to the Geneva MB boutique earlier this month. The person I met was most kind, we had an extended discussion, and I sampled some of the bespoke nibs, all broad nibs in the general category of "Signature" nibs. Though this staff member was keen to also explain the high artistry stuff, I focussed on a possible new release in the Calligraphy area.

 

He answered that a curved nib was expected sometime in September next year- I forgot to ask, but should have done that, whether this would be a 149 or 146 size

[axio]

2 hours ago, a student said:

He answered that a curved nib was expected sometime in September next year- I forgot to ask, but should have done that, whether this would be a 149 or 146 size

Next September? Still one whole year away?

[Fawate]

I heard some news that the Curved nib is about to be released in December 2022. I don´t know yet what it will be, except that the nib will have 3 parallel lines in lieu of the infinity symbol of the previous Calligraphy model. I think that I wll start saving for the new pen. 

[como]

@fpupulin @a student @Fawate I heard the same, curved nib to be leased in December. The photo of the nib is what was shown in another thread here on FPN (citing of a Japanese pen magazine with both 149 and 146 Solitaire versions). Maybe not all dealers will have them but I expect that MB boutiques will have them in December. 

[a student]

4 hours ago, como said:

@fpupulin @a student @Fawate I heard the same, curved nib to be leased in December. The photo of the nib is what was shown in another thread here on FPN (citing of a Japanese pen magazine with both 149 and 146 Solitaire versions). Maybe not all dealers will have them but I expect that MB boutiques will have them in December. 

 

Thank you @como for the update. Great news, though I am not sure whether I would be buying one, until @fpupulin uses it and gives a favourable verdict. (Of course all of us know that the pen won't perform the miracles it would when he uses it)

[Fawate]

I wonder what is a curved nib. That´s the main point of speculation. Personally, I believe that Montblanc wil not choose anything too exotic. While I believe that some buyers are collectors, I think that Montblanc will choose a nib that fits the needs of the everyday user or writer with some flavour. Maybe the curved nib is some sort of architect nib. I just don´t know if this kind of nib is sufficiently curved to satisfy Montblanc. 

Was the flexible nib pen part of a collection? I was told that the curved nib is part of the Meisterstück Great Masters family. Is there such a group of pens?

[Niemie]

I bought the new curved nib in Berlin in the MB Boutique. It is a wonderful nib like the japanese nib Cross Point from Sailor. The nib comes with the 149 and costs 960 EUR.

Edited November 23, 2022 by Niemie
Correction

[Tom Kellie]

~ @Niemie:

 

Welcome to the Fountain Pen Network Montblanc Forum!

 

Thank you for telling about your recent purchase.

 

How does it write for you?

 

Any photos of the nib or handwriting samples would be highly appreciated.

 

Please enjoy your new pen!

 

      Tom K.

[mulrich]

A cross point nib would be more interesting to me than a flex nib, so curious to see the actual product. 

[dbs]

On 9/18/2022 at 1:59 PM, tunney said:

Does anyone have any idea on how it may differ from the 149c ?

 

Flex nib creates line width variation by applying variable force on the nib (to increase the slit gap). This way is more close to natural writing mode but there's a lot of design challenges to maintain smooth ink flow -- feeder material/water channel shape/nib material science etc. I believe flex nib costs more to make and is easy to fail. That's why you only see very few on sale. 

 

Curved nib creates line width variation by changing angle of nib to paper instead of variable force. This is not a natural writing approach but much easy to accomplish since there is little change in slit gap during writing. 

 

 

 

 

[Niemie]

[Tom Kellie]

~ @Niemie:

 

Thank you for posting the photos of your new pen's nib.

 

I hope that you'll have great fun writing with it.

 

      Tom K.

[ak47]

Hi.thank you. Please post a writing sample. 

[Seney724]

45 minutes ago, Niemie said:

Thanks for the photos and congrats on your new pen.

Would you please clarify if what you have is the new, long awaited next release in the series of "Expressive" nibs from Montblanc?  The timing is certainly right as we have been expecting them to be released in late November - Early December 2022.  

I have not seen anything "official" yet from Montblanc.  Please tell us what you know.........

[Tom Kellie]

      ~ A curved nib is currently offered on the Meisterstück Calligraphy Maki-e LE 88 Fountain Pen Curved Nib.

 

      https://www.montblanc.com/en-us/fountain-pens_cod25185454457517385.html

 

                 Tom K.

[Niemie]

[Niemie]

On 11/26/2022 at 4:55 PM, Seney724 said:

Thanks for the photos and congrats on your new pen.

Would you please clarify if what you have is the new, long awaited next release in the series of "Expressive" nibs from Montblanc?  The timing is certainly right as we have been expecting them to be released in late November - Early December 2022.  

I have not seen anything "official" yet from Montblanc.  Please tell us what you know.........

Yes - that is right. That's what the saleswoman in the MB boutique told me. The newest pen-release from Montblanc... I bought the Hendrix und the Curved Nib.

Edited November 28, 2022 by Niemie