100th Anniversary editions

[JCC123]

You can read through earlier posts which show some other people's preferences. But the gist is that if they would have reproduced a few of their earlier models rather than go for the bling, they would sell more pens.

[JCC123]

  On 3/16/2024 at 11:12 PM, Todor said:

There was a grey marbled 146 decades ago, golden trim: 

http://www.collectiblestars.com/Montblanc-Meisterstueck-Nr146-Kolbenfueller-grau-gestreift

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  On 3/17/2024 at 4:02 AM, JCC123 said:

Yes, something like this would be a huge hit! 

Gray with Platinum trim or Green with Gold trim or Brown with Rose Gold trim. That's how I would pair them. I would buy all three. So would many others buy at least one of those. Let's see if they're smart enough to do this.

 

Please take my money!

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So they did a bit of this on the caps of the pens but it really should be the entire pen like the original version. Also, the style of this new one is too subtle, you can't really tell that it's marbled unless the angle and light is just right.

[Centurion]

  On 7/14/2024 at 12:45 PM, JCC123 said:

 

 

So they did a bit of this on the caps of the pens but it really should be the entire pen like the original version. Also, the style of this new one is too subtle, you can't really tell that it's marbled unless the angle and light is just right.

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Oh, that is pretty without a lot of bling! I should have at least scanned the other 18 pages of the thread. Thanks for summarizing. I thought it might have been some kind of unspoken but widely known desire that I didn’t know about, e.g. with aficionados like us who have been in our hobby a while many of us desire to have vintage flex nibs. 

[eidola]

139/136 reissue in PL and Green Striated.

 

It's fine to do the bling, but they haven't done anything for the collector base in around about a decade (or more).1990s into the 00s was the golden age:

 

Hemingway, Christie, Proust, Medici, Kafka, Karajan, Poe (a stunning pen in real life), Octavian, Carnegie.

 

Sterling Silver and Vermeil were common even in the Writers Series.

 

The Heritage line started well, but seems to have lost direction. The serpent in coral was the last I bought.

[Arcadian]

  On 7/14/2024 at 10:18 PM, eidola said:

 

 

It's fine to do the bling, but they haven't done anything for the collector base in around about a decade (or more).1990s into the 00s was the golden age:

 

 

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I really agree with your sentiment regarding past issues, and the desire for a 139 tribute. However, I don't think it's accurate that Montblanc has not done anything for the collector base. It seems their collector pens are doing very, very well. They are being bought in droves by collectors who stack boxes of unopened pens and, in some cases, just wait for them to increase in value. Montblanc staff like to mention to customers that their special and limited edition pens increase in value by about 10% a year. 

 

However, for the segment of the collector community that actually use their pens, Montblanc's Writers Edititions, Patrons, Great Characters etc. of the last maybe ten years has offered very little. 

 

Just my too cents. 

 

 - P. 

[AndyLogan]

  On 7/15/2024 at 11:24 AM, Arcadian said:

 

I really agree with your sentiment regarding past issues, and the desire for a 139 tribute. However, I don't think it's accurate that Montblanc has not done anything for the collector base. It seems their collector pens are doing very, very well. They are being bought in droves by collectors who stack boxes of unopened pens and, in some cases, just wait for them to increase in value. Montblanc staff like to mention to customers that their special and limited edition pens increase in value by about 10% a year. 

 

However, for the segment of the collector community that actually use their pens, Montblanc's Writers Edititions, Patrons, Great Characters etc. of the last maybe ten years has offered very little. 

 

Just my too cents. 

 

 - P. 

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 And choosing to go all metal is a Big "NO" for me who likes to use their pens, I once wrote with my Great Characters Ferrari for 2 hours and it actually hurt my hand, mind you I was not doing fancy penmanship but more like chicken scratch as I am a doctor. I used to have such lovely penmanship but taking notes while topics were being discussed back in the early 2000 in medicine forced me to write like a stenographer. 

[JCC123]

  On 7/15/2024 at 12:52 PM, AndyLogan said:

 And choosing to go all metal is a Big "NO" for me who likes to use their pens, I once wrote with my Great Characters Ferrari for 2 hours and it actually hurt my hand, mind you I was not doing fancy penmanship but more like chicken scratch as I am a doctor. I used to have such lovely penmanship but taking notes while topics were being discussed back in the early 2000 in medicine forced me to write like a stenographer. 

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Exactly, form must follow function. First and foremost, these need to be the fines WRITING instruments. Often that means no bling as bling throws off the balance of the pen and will often make the pen too heavy. Unfortunately, we have a lot of folks entering this market as collectors purely to collect the bling. And, doubly unfortunate that these are the people that Montblanc is paying the most attention to as they have the most money to throw at them. But it's a slippery slope to the bottom. They will have fewer and fewer customers causing them to embrace more of more of these collectors which in turn, will cause them to introduce more bling in order to maintain the same level of revenue from fewer customers. Fewer customers means that they will have to charge more for each item which in turn means more bling in order to justify the astronomical price of the pen. It's a vicious cycle.

 

Leica comes to mind here. As they continue to raise prices to sell to ever fewer customers.

[dbs]

  On 7/15/2024 at 8:55 PM, JCC123 said:

Leica comes to mind here. As they continue to raise prices to sell to ever fewer customers.

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The falling of Leica is not due to the rising of its price tag. But the extreme challenges brought in by the new technologies -- or, the alien species into the old fashion camera eco system.

 

We had a few "alien species" in fountain pen market, for example, Visconti was the one. But they never realized they are the "alien species" and always kept 100 thousand miles distance to we the customers in the pen eco system, eventually failed and nobody wants to mention them.

[eidola]

  On 7/15/2024 at 11:24 AM, Arcadian said:

However, for the segment of the collector community that actually use their pens, Montblanc's Writers Edititions, Patrons, Great Characters etc. of the last maybe ten years has offered very little. 

 

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Yes, I think we agree - a collector to me has the intention to use the pen (or at least unseal it).

 

A speculator (/hoarder?) buys for those other reasons.

 

As a collector in the first sense, I have indeed been little served for the last dozen years.

 

 

[JCC123]

  On 7/15/2024 at 9:43 PM, dbs said:

 

The falling of Leica is not due to the rising of its price tag. But the extreme challenges brought in by the new technologies -- or, the alien species into the old fashion camera eco system.

 

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You just described fountains pens. They are a dying tech. Most young folks don't even know how to read or write cursive. They pretty much know just how to type on a computer. So, they way Leica dealt with it is by raising prices and going upstream to keep the business going.

[a student]

  On 7/16/2024 at 2:55 AM, JCC123 said:

You just described fountains pens. They are a dying tech. Most young folks don't even know how to read or write cursive. They pretty much know just how to type on a computer. So, they way Leica dealt with it is by raising prices and going upstream to keep the business going.

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I suspect that it may be worthwhile distinguishing Leica from MB.

 

For one thing Leica excels in lenses, with possibly unmatchable quality. Production is limited because of limited specialist staff. The prices are high and lenses sell. 

 

As for the camera, it carries a certain mystique. The technology in Leica tends to be a few steps behind that available in say Canon or Nikon, but the "Leica Look", or perhaps the colour science has a charm for a particular circle of customers, as does the relative simplicity of its menus. There are invariably long waiting lists when a new Leica model comes out, and even though the tech gets dated, the camera tends to holds its value .The camera menus are among the simplest and the more intuitive vis a vis other brands.

 

The collector versions tend to be in the same price range as the corresponding model, albeit in more limited quantities. It also produces limited quantities of watches, simple in design and choice of materials, but in the higher price range, over ten thousand dollars a piece

 

Though it is seen as a luxury item, Leica itself does not make that claim as far as I know.. The prices range from from a few hundred dollars for the sofort to under ten thousand dollars for the newer M models, and the latter are by no means the most expensive cameras available- that may well be a Phase One characteristic 

 

ALL LEICA CAMERAS ARE EDC

 

For MB, writing instruments for which it is widely recognised, are only one part of the business that includes luggage and smaller leather goods, fragrances, watches, glasses, etc. And its luxury character is often announced by a guard at the MB boutique door. It was not always thus.

 

The writing instruments are produced in multiple versions annually, some ornate to a point of embarrassment for those who wish to use the thing for everyday writing- not the kind of pen that you could comfortably use whenever any writing is called for. The "precious resin" version is the nearest to EDC. Some are sufficiently expensive to serve solely as gifts for the politically powerful.

 

I would have thought that adding to the availability and variety of nibs, including calligraphic ones, might be the way to go for MB if it wishes to continue as a successful business in context of serious writers. It is of course now a luxury business independent of the writing instruments business

Edited July 16, 2024 by a student
typos

[a student]

1.  

  On 7/16/2024 at 6:35 PM, a student said:

 

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Edited July 16, 2024 by a student
Duplication

[Arcadian]

  On 7/16/2024 at 6:35 PM, a student said:

I would have thought that adding to the availability and variety of nibs, including calligraphic ones, might be the way to go for MB if it wishes to continue as a successful business in context of serious writers. It is of course now a luxury business independent of the writing instruments business

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I like you post, and your analysis of Leica. I agree also with the above statement, and I think Montblanc does deserve credit - lots of it - for having launched the 149, 146 and Solitaire Calligraphy models over the past few years. They are serious fountain pens for actual writers. It is, however, a little blunted by their removal of some nib sizes from their free nib exchange program, so they now carry the price of a custom nib, i.e. somewhere along the lines of a couple of grand. It would be a stronger statement, and a superior way to own their history and legitimacy in the market, if they kept a sharp focus on being the very best purveyor of fountain pen nibs. That would, in my opinion, be a stronger foundation upon which to build. Otherwise they'll become just another watered down brand struggling to justify their own existence. Their leather goods won't get it done. They look good, but don't stand up to use very well. 

 

 - P. 

[Centurion]

  On 7/17/2024 at 12:24 PM, Arcadian said:

 

I like you post, and your analysis of Leica. I agree also with the above statement, and I think Montblanc does deserve credit - lots of it - for having launched the 149, 146 and Solitaire Calligraphy models over the past few years. They are serious fountain pens for actual writers. It is, however, a little blunted by their removal of some nib sizes from their free nib exchange program, so they now carry the price of a custom nib, i.e. somewhere along the lines of a couple of grand. It would be a stronger statement, and a superior way to own their history and legitimacy in the market, if they kept a sharp focus on being the very best purveyor of fountain pen nibs. That would, in my opinion, be a stronger foundation upon which to build. Otherwise they'll become just another watered down brand struggling to justify their own existence. Their leather goods won't get it done. They look good, but don't stand up to use very well. 

 

 - P. 

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I agree . . . why remove some nib sizes from their free nib exchange program, does it really save them that much money? Or increase their profit greatly that the previous nibs are now considered custom orders? I think MB is the only full service (produces everything in the FP and has their own repair service[sort of]) fountain pen manufacturer with actual physical stores, and committing to that full-serviceness by having and keeping the widest range of nibs would just add to their reputation.

[JCC123]

  On 7/16/2024 at 6:35 PM, a student said:

I suspect that it may be worthwhile distinguishing Leica from MB.

 

For one thing Leica excels in lenses, with possibly unmatchable quality. Production is limited because of limited specialist staff. The prices are high and lenses sell. 

 

As for the camera, it carries a certain mystique. The technology in Leica tends to be a few steps behind that available in say Canon or Nikon, but the "Leica Look", or perhaps the colour science has a charm for a particular circle of customers, as does the relative simplicity of its menus. There are invariably long waiting lists when a new Leica model comes out, and even though the tech gets dated, the camera tends to holds its value .The camera menus are among the simplest and the more intuitive vis a vis other brands.

 

The collector versions tend to be in the same price range as the corresponding model, albeit in more limited quantities. It also produces limited quantities of watches, simple in design and choice of materials, but in the higher price range, over ten thousand dollars a piece

 

Though it is seen as a luxury item, Leica itself does not make that claim as far as I know.. The prices range from from a few hundred dollars for the sofort to under ten thousand dollars for the newer M models, and the latter are by no means the most expensive cameras available- that may well be a Phase One characteristic 

 

ALL LEICA CAMERAS ARE EDC

 

For MB, writing instruments for which it is widely recognised, are only one part of the business that includes luggage and smaller leather goods, fragrances, watches, glasses, etc. And its luxury character is often announced by a guard at the MB boutique door. It was not always thus.

 

The writing instruments are produced in multiple versions annually, some ornate to a point of embarrassment for those who wish to use the thing for everyday writing- not the kind of pen that you could comfortably use whenever any writing is called for. The "precious resin" version is the nearest to EDC. Some are sufficiently expensive to serve solely as gifts for the politically powerful.

 

I would have thought that adding to the availability and variety of nibs, including calligraphic ones, might be the way to go for MB if it wishes to continue as a successful business in context of serious writers. It is of course now a luxury business independent of the writing instruments business

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Not sure what your point is in creating an essay on Leica? If you can't see the similarities between these two brands/products and their market strategy, I'm not sure a 1000-word essay is going to help you.

[a student]

  On 7/18/2024 at 2:17 AM, JCC123 said:

Not sure what your point is in creating an essay on Leica? If you can't see the similarities between these two brands/products and their market strategy, I'm not sure a 1000-word essay is going to help you.

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Thank you for sharing your opinion.

Much obliged

[NoType]

  On 7/16/2024 at 6:35 PM, a student said:

I suspect that it may be worthwhile distinguishing Leica from MB.

 

For one thing Leica excels in lenses, with possibly unmatchable quality. Production is limited because of limited specialist staff. The prices are high and lenses sell. 

 

As for the camera, it carries a certain mystique. The technology in Leica tends to be a few steps behind that available in say Canon or Nikon, but the "Leica Look", or perhaps the colour science has a charm for a particular circle of customers, as does the relative simplicity of its menus. There are invariably long waiting lists when a new Leica model comes out, and even though the tech gets dated, the camera tends to holds its value .The camera menus are among the simplest and the more intuitive vis a vis other brands.

 

The collector versions tend to be in the same price range as the corresponding model, albeit in more limited quantities. It also produces limited quantities of watches, simple in design and choice of materials, but in the higher price range, over ten thousand dollars a piece

 

Though it is seen as a luxury item, Leica itself does not make that claim as far as I know.. The prices range from from a few hundred dollars for the sofort to under ten thousand dollars for the newer M models, and the latter are by no means the most expensive cameras available- that may well be a Phase One characteristic 

 

ALL LEICA CAMERAS ARE EDC

 

For MB, writing instruments for which it is widely recognised, are only one part of the business that includes luggage and smaller leather goods, fragrances, watches, glasses, etc. And its luxury character is often announced by a guard at the MB boutique door. It was not always thus.

 

The writing instruments are produced in multiple versions annually, some ornate to a point of embarrassment for those who wish to use the thing for everyday writing- not the kind of pen that you could comfortably use whenever any writing is called for. The "precious resin" version is the nearest to EDC. Some are sufficiently expensive to serve solely as gifts for the politically powerful.

 

I would have thought that adding to the availability and variety of nibs, including calligraphic ones, might be the way to go for MB if it wishes to continue as a successful business in context of serious writers. It is of course now a luxury business independent of the writing instruments business

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Thank you, @a student, for this analysis of Leica and Montblanc, which I found to be a fascinating, edifying, and nuanced comparison-and-contrast of these brands.  

[Karmachanic]

  On 7/18/2024 at 2:04 AM, Centurion said:

why remove some nib sizes from their free nib exchange program,

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If I recall correctly this applies to BBB and OBBB nibs due to low demand.  EF, F, M, OM, B, BB OB, and OBB nibs are still available.

[Seney724]

  On 7/18/2024 at 5:24 PM, Karmachanic said:

 

If I recall correctly this applies to BBB and OBBB nibs due to low demand.  EF, F, M, OM, B, BB OB, and OBB nibs are still available.

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When purchasing a 149, my understanding is the nib exchange program will not allow a swap for a BBB but that an OBBB remains an option.

On the other hand, for a 146, neither the BBB nor the OBBB are available via the program.

 

[Centurion]

  On 7/18/2024 at 5:29 PM, Seney724 said:

When purchasing a 149, my understanding is the nib exchange program will not allow a swap for a BBB but that an OBBB remains an option.

On the other hand, for a 146, neither the BBB nor the OBBB are available via the program.

 

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That’s puzzling to me … the 146 has more choices than the 149? I suppose there are more  146 sold than the 149, but the 149 is supposed to be their flagship. 
 

The OBBB is more popular than the BBB? Hmm, maybe at BBB wideness, more FP writers want a more “interesting” look so OBBB is more in demand than BBB??