100th Anniversary editions

[JCC123]

  On 9/21/2024 at 5:42 AM, marlinspike said:

 

But you don't need the other stuff to fill the pen,  to fill the pen just needs the bottle and the pen and a 0 mess way to fill a pen is fantastic, not seen since the Snorkel.

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You need a special screw cap adaptor to put on top of the Montblanc ink bottle. Who knows if it will fit others and I doubt ink bottle threads are standardized. That means you will have to refill on the same type of Montblanc bottles with other inks that you want to use. You'll also need the end cap adaptor so you can attach the bulb to the pen when you want to flush it. Like I said, too many gadget/tools to do something simple.

[JCC123]

  On 9/21/2024 at 12:48 PM, Lam1 said:

 

It may be gimmicky, but to me it addresses one of the biggest problems I have with my 149s: filling it from any bottle that is not 100% full! It is simply a pain in the neck and, often, messy and impossible.

Besides, sometimes gimmicky can be fun. My favorite MB is the Heritage 1912, and what is that if not pure gimmicks?

 

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That's not really a problem, more like a red herring, because there are bottles that have the design needed for you to fill it. The easiest solution is to just keep the ink bottle at least half way filled so that there's enough volume in the ink bottle as you said. Also, if this is just for the 149 since other pens in their lineup don't have the issue you are talking about, that means people are willing to have all these extra things just so that they can fill one particular type of pen?

 

The other thing I should point out is that if you watch the video closely, you can see that the bulb attachment seems to be somewhat fickle. He attached and reattached it multiple times. He also needed both hands to squeeze the bulb as the pressure needed to expel the ink from the reservoir seems to be high.

 

This new design looks more and more like a half-baked idea. Should have stayed in R&D until they refined it.

[Seney724]

My question is what if this novel ink filling mechanism becomes Montblanc's "Edsel" and they soon discontinue producing it?

Is there an alternate, "traditional" way to fill these special 149's or will they become an expensive fool's errand?

[JCC123]

  On 9/21/2024 at 2:08 PM, Seney724 said:

My question is what if this novel ink filling mechanism becomes Montblanc's "Edsel" and they soon discontinue producing it?

Is there an alternate, "traditional" way to fill these special 149's or will they become an expensive fool's errand?

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I think this will remain a novelty item. That's perhaps why they introduced it to just one high end product because they know that rolling it out to lower priced pens will not help drive adoption? I doubt that many people will tolerate this much overhead in order to work with their pens. I might be wrong, but we'll see. After all, when I first heard of AirBnB, I thought who the heck wants to stay in some stranger's house or let strangers stay with them? I thought that was dumb too...

[Lam1]

  On 9/21/2024 at 1:49 PM, JCC123 said:

That's not really a problem, more like a red herring, because there are bottles that have the design needed for you to fill it. The easiest solution is to just keep the ink bottle at least half way filled so that there's enough volume in the ink bottle as you said. Also, if this is just for the 149 since other pens in their lineup don't have the issue you are talking about, that means people are willing to have all these extra things just so that they can fill one particular type of pen?

 

The other thing I should point out is that if you watch the video closely, you can see that the bulb attachment seems to be somewhat fickle. He attached and reattached it multiple times. He also needed both hands to squeeze the bulb as the pressure needed to expel the ink from the reservoir seems to be high.

 

This new design looks more and more like a half-baked idea. Should have stayed in R&D until they refined it.

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Hmm... to me that is a problem. If I were using only 2-3 inks, it would be viable to keep the bottle always full. With more than 60 inks from MB alone, that is not possible. I also have never found a single ink bottle (and I have north 0f 250) that if half full would allow one to fill a pen with #9 nib. Even the Akkerman bottles can be very tricky. Usually anything less than 80% full and you already have to start tilting the bottle in ways that often lead to disaster.

 

Of course, that is much more of a problem for #9 nibs. But even the 146 is problematic when the bottle is approaching 50% full. In any case, I almost never use the 146s since I much prefer the 149s i have. 

 

Of course, the new filling system may not be to everyone's taste (but is there anything in the world, except water, that is to everyone's taste?). I, for one, welcome the variety and the attempt at improvements. Does it work flawlessly? I will only know when and if I have one in my hands - until then, I'll reserve judgement. Of course, that is a big if, for I will certainly never have one at the current price.

 

[a student]

  On 9/21/2024 at 2:20 AM, JCC123 said:

Am I the only one who thinks this stuff is gimmicky? Are we actually better off needing all the extra junk just to fill our pen? Really? You would gladly trade what we have now which is simplicity itself with all those extra gadgets and steps needed to fill a pen? Not to mention the fact that I can see people loosing the end caps... 

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Indeed not. The fun from watching the gimmick work and watching the ink colour charge up is lost to the opaque precious raisin body. The other odd bit is the oxymoron name for this gadget: the traveler! A pen with such a filling mechanism and accessories is the last thing you want to carry on board with you. 

 

Perhaps MB only has a certain kind of collector in view in terms of the market for this pen at 5000+. Lowering the price by imputing values to the box and the accessories is, to my mind, fooling ones self. If it were a spectator and priced at 1500 (no fancy box or ink bottle), then there may be a relatively larger market for this model

[JCC123]

  On 9/21/2024 at 3:05 PM, Lam1 said:

 

 

Hmm... to me that is a problem. If I were using only 2-3 inks, it would be viable to keep the bottle always full. With more than 60 inks from MB alone, that is not possible. I also have never found a single ink bottle (and I have north 0f 250) that if half full would allow one to fill a pen with #9 nib. Even the Akkerman bottles can be very tricky. Usually anything less than 80% full and you already have to start tilting the bottle in ways that often lead to disaster.

 

Of course, that is much more of a problem for #9 nibs. But even the 146 is problematic when the bottle is approaching 50% full. In any case, I almost never use the 146s since I much prefer the 149s i have. 

 

Of course, the new filling system may not be to everyone's taste (but is there anything in the world, except water, that is to everyone's taste?). I, for one, welcome the variety and the attempt at improvements. Does it work flawlessly? I will only know when and if I have one in my hands - until then, I'll reserve judgement. Of course, that is a big if, for I will certainly never have one at the current price.

 

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Yea, I'm the opposite, 146 is my size limit. I sold my 149 years ago after owning it for decades because it just doesn't get used. I never had a problem filling it, fully. There are various bottles made to tilt to help compensate. Even Montblanc's previous shoe design had an indentation and tilt design that was made to let folks fill their pens.

 

The trick to filling all of these plunger pens is what I call the syringe method. You've seen plenty of shows and movies where the doctor or nurse flips the syringe over to push the air out of the syringe? It's the same trick you use on filling these pens. Once you first pull in the initial ink by twisting the plunger close completely, flip it over, tap the pen body to get the ink to settle to the bottom, then open the plunger to push all the air out. You can see that's the case when ink starts to come out of the nib. Then flip it over into the ink bottle to let that drip into the ink bottle, then fill the rest of the pen again. Do this as many time as needed. Usually once it all that's needed to fill the pen completely.

[a student]

  On 9/21/2024 at 12:48 PM, Lam1 said:

 

It may be gimmicky, but to me it addresses one of the biggest problems I have with my 149s: filling it from any bottle that is not 100% full! It is simply a pain in the neck and, often, messy and impossible.

Besides, sometimes gimmicky can be fun. My favorite MB is the Heritage 1912, and what is that if not pure gimmicks?

 

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Don't you think that paying 5000+ is a bit over the top for the convenience of filling up a particular fountain pen?

[Lam1]

  On 9/21/2024 at 4:19 PM, JCC123 said:

Yea, I'm the opposite, 146 is my size limit. I sold my 149 years ago after owning it for decades because it just doesn't get used. I never had a problem filling it, fully. There are various bottles made to tilt to help compensate. Even Montblanc's previous shoe design had an indentation and tilt design that was made to let folks fill their pens.

 

The trick to filling all of these plunger pens is what I call the syringe method. You've seen plenty of shows and movies where the doctor or nurse flips the syringe over to push the air out of the syringe? It's the same trick you use on filling these pens. Once you first pull in the initial ink by twisting the plunger close completely, flip it over, tap the pen body to get the ink to settle to the bottom, then open the plunger to push all the air out. You can see that's the case when ink starts to come out of the nib. Then flip it over into the ink bottle to let that drip into the ink bottle, then fill the rest of the pen again. Do this as many time as needed. Usually once it all that's needed to fill the pen completely.

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I do that with CC pens all the time and also for piston/vacuum pens if they fail to fill the first time around (but it is messy).

The problem is different: the hole that takes up ink on a 149 is at the very base of the nib, so often there is not enough ink to cover the hole and, then, there is no amount of creativity that solves that (and I have all kinds of bottles. Granted, some are worse than others, like the SE MB inks).

 

For CC pens with #9 nibs this is, of course no problem. Nor it is a problem for the Pelikan M1000, which can be eye-dropped.

[Lam1]

  On 9/21/2024 at 4:23 PM, a student said:

 

Don't you think that paying 5000+ is a bit over the top for the convenience of filling up a particular fountain pen?

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Sure. But that was not the question I was addressing.

I certainly cannot afford it, as I mentioned above. And if I could, there are many other pens in that price range that would be ahead this one in my wish list (like some Maki-e pens).

 

But you do realize that this is relative, right?

Many, many folks cannot afford a second hand 146, or even a Lamy Safari.

On the other hand, there are also many folks around for whom the price of this pen is pocket change.

 

Heck, I'd love if a Bugatti Veyron were $20k. Alas, it is not.

So is life...

[ak47]

  On 9/21/2024 at 1:36 PM, JCC123 said:

You need a special screw cap adaptor to put on top of the Montblanc ink bottle. Who knows if it will fit others and I doubt ink bottle threads are standardized. That means you will have to refill on the same type of Montblanc bottles with other inks that you want to use. You'll also need the end cap adaptor so you can attach the bulb to the pen when you want to flush it. Like I said, too many gadget/tools to do something simple.

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I agree

[Opooh]

For me it is simple, stop smoking again half year ago, makes 20 euro a day spending on other foolish things.

Since the 149 is my grail pen and next 149 they will launch will be 2049 for the 125th anniversary, this will be the last MB I buy.

I think that it will be a one off like the 1914 heritage. 
Be sure even when it becomes their Edsel, you will probably never buy them as cheap as today.

reminds me the early eighties, in a Cologne penshop, a brand new solid gold 149 priced at 5000 DM, too expensive. Now they are 12000 euro on eBay  ( some 24000 DM). Should have bought it.

[a student]

  On 9/21/2024 at 7:24 PM, Lam1 said:

 

Sure. But that was not the question I was addressing.

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Thank you for the clarification

[SpecTP]

I like gimmicky.. that's why I have snorkel pens.. I like this one alot. But alas, I have better uses for that much money. even disposable budget.

[Heinkle]

How have owners of the 149 Origins found the platinum plating on the cap and piston knob? Does it seem resilient?

 

It’s the one thing I’m hesitant about (aside from the ornate clip).

[inkstainedruth]

  On 9/21/2024 at 7:24 PM, Lam1 said:

Heck, I'd love if a Bugatti Veyron were $20k. Alas, it is not.

So is life...

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That's reminding me of Conan O'Brien's final week as host on The Tonight Show -- and the "Bugatti Mouse"....  

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[lionelc]

@Heinkle - no issues with coating on the 149 origin, have used it quite a bit, robust as far as the 2 months i have owned one.

[Lam1]

  On 9/29/2024 at 10:29 PM, Heinkle said:

How have owners of the 149 Origins found the platinum plating on the cap and piston knob? Does it seem resilient?

 

It’s the one thing I’m hesitant about (aside from the ornate clip).

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I don't think there would be any issue with the plating. MB has been doing this kind of plating on the knob and cap for a very long time. While I only used the Origins once, I've had (and used) a Blue hour and the Petit Princes (which have plated knob and cap top) for years and they are as good as new.

[fpupulin]

The kind of plating where Montblanc pens have been traditionally problematic  are rose-gold and ruthenium. Platinum plating has proved to be very stabile. I own several Montblanc in that finish and I never had any problem.

[Heinkle]

Thanks for clarifying the platinum trim.

 

Another (perhaps dubious) question - would it be possible to replace the Origins clip for a standard platinum clip without causing a lot of damage?