100th Anniversary editions

[oregano]

13 hours ago, Mulrich said:

Purely aesthetic. And I don’t think it’s awful, just not something I like that much. Maybe if I see this model in person my opinion would change. 

 

I feel the same way. I'm not a huge montblanc collector, but to me the Montblanc clip is such a recognizable feature of the design of the pen that I find it jarring to see the ball clip, which I associate very strongly with Aurora. I appreciate the fancy metalwork and the curve of the clip but I don't like thinking of another brand when I look at another branded-pen (particularly with that price tag!). I love the green 145 but the clip is definitely making me think twice. It looks good on the big regular 149, but not the other models imo.

[arcfide]

When I see the pens in person, I might be willing to overlook the ball clip, depending on how nice the rest of the pen looks. I do need to see one in person, though. 

[fpupulin]

For those of you who already own the 149 The Origin, is the white imprinting on the cap engraved our just painted? Thank you in advance.  

[DimitriDiak]

5 hours ago, fpupulin said:

For those of you who already own the 149 The Origin, is the white imprinting on the cap engraved our just painted? Thank you in advance.  

Hi.  All these MST 100 editions feature the original logo laser engraved on the cap, dating back to 1924.  The engraving looks solid and feels smooth.

[fpupulin]

12 minutes ago, DimitriDiak said:

Hi.  All these MST 100 editions feature the original logo laser engraved on the cap, dating back to 1924.  The engraving looks solid and feels smooth.

 

Thank you for the information.

[JCC123]

Stopped by the NYC Montblanc Flagship Boutique this afternoon. Asked the salesperson what he knows about the 100 anniversary releases. He said that they're planning two additional releases this year. They haven't been shown the actual pens but he said that they will be limited pens which will likely mean that they will be expensive. I also ask about simple resin pens and he seemed to suggest that that's not likely so more metal blings are forthcoming.

 

We'll have to see. If that's the case then this year's releases will be a bust for me....

[penwarrior32]

On 4/6/2024 at 2:47 AM, DimitriDiak said:

Just in my centennial Meisterstuck 149.  Luckily I was one of only three receive in all of Canada.

 

The body is black and a blue “Ink Effect” only in the cap (also black).  Very nice and very visible at certain angles or in bright lighting.  The clip featured in the collection is a homage to the many different clip versions that existed during the 1920s and the balance in the hand is excellent and it appears to be just a little more back weighted.  The medium nib is super smooth and wet (too smooth for my taste - I would have liked a little more feedback or an EF).

Beautiful pen

[mosh_2k7]

Just recently visited the Montblanc Haus Boutique in Hamburg and the Flagship store in Hamburg. Was very disappointed with this 100th Anniversary release unfortunately  Just doesn’t appeal to me. Nothing really stands out unfortunately. Montblanc nailed it with the 75th Anniversary release! Still my favourite anniversary release. The 90th Anniversary release had some nice writing instruments as well, like the Skeleton. For the 100th Anniversary nothing much to shout about unfortunately. Huge opportunity missed I would say to introduce something really special!

[admmarcos]

20 hours ago, JCC123 said:

Stopped by the NYC Montblanc Flagship Boutique this afternoon. Asked the salesperson what he knows about the 100 anniversary releases. He said that they're planning two additional releases this year. They haven't been shown the actual pens but he said that they will be limited pens which will likely mean that they will be expensive. I also ask about simple resin pens and he seemed to suggest that that's not likely so more metal blings are forthcoming.

 

We'll have to see. If that's the case then this year's releases will be a bust for me....

+1 with the same feeling. Although I'm good with the green 145 (regular) and also the 146 in blue. But the prices didn't justify the purchase. 

[admmarcos]

10 hours ago, mosh_2k7 said:

Just recently visited the Montblanc Haus Boutique in Hamburg and the Flagship store in Hamburg. Was very disappointed with this 100th Anniversary release unfortunately  Just doesn’t appeal to me. Nothing really stands out unfortunately. Montblanc nailed it with the 75th Anniversary release! Still my favourite anniversary release. The 90th Anniversary release had some nice writing instruments as well, like the Skeleton. For the 100th Anniversary nothing much to shout about unfortunately. Huge opportunity missed I would say to introduce something really special!

Indeed. It is way more interesting to target one 149 of 75 years. 

[marlinspike]

I am not surprised to see, at the money, people not being interested in the Origin Collection, but I am surprised at people praising the 75th and 90th over it. To me those are a trim ring (with a diamond, the biggest and lamest of gimmicks) and a different tone of gold. To me, these Origin Collection pens are much more special than those, they just have identifiable flaws and cheap packaging, which they shouldn't have at these prices.

[NoType]

22 hours ago, marlinspike said:

they just have identifiable flaws

@marlinspike 

Could you elaborate?  (I have been reading this entire thread from its inception over the weeks as posts were created, but I do not remember mention of flaws, of design or manufacturing, so forgive me for being lazy and asking you to possibly repeat your or another’s points instead of rereading the thread.)

[Todor]

Just posted some first impressions on the coral and blue ink, take a look:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/374967-montblanc-100y-meisterstück-le-the-origin-collection-—-coral-blue/

[marlinspike]

5 hours ago, NoType said:

@marlinspike 

Could you elaborate?  (I have been reading this entire thread from its inception over the weeks as posts were created, but I do not remember mention of flaws, of design or manufacturing, so forgive me for being lazy and asking you to possibly repeat yours or another’s points instead of rereading the thread.)

 

Sorry,  I mean aesthetic flaws (though there is an unboxing of one on YouTube that has a manufacturing flaw in the trim ring). Also I do believe in videos I detect the finial being slightly off center in the metal caps, something I've seen on year 2 ATW80 solitaires

[DimitriDiak]

11 hours ago, marlinspike said:

I am not surprised to see, at the money, people not being interested in the Origin Collection, but I am surprised at people praising the 75th and 90th over it. To me those are a trim ring (with a diamond, the biggest and lamest of gimmicks) and a different tone of gold. To me, these Origin Collection pens are much more special than those, they just have identifiable flaws and cheap packaging, which they shouldn't have at these prices.

Hi Marlinspike,

I feel the same and agree with your comments.  Despite the inflated cost, which isn't unique to this collection, the six offerings in my opinion stand out as unique additions for those who can afford one.  And for collectors, it presents an excellent opportunity to commemorate the brand.  On the other hand for those who love the 149, it's easy to foresee that in the absence of other offerings, this 149 with its added aesthetic details will become highly sought after.

 

With regards to the pieces I own, those of my friends and those I've observed at retailers, as well as the six or eight reviews I've followed, I haven't noticed any mention of flaws.  However, given the intricacies of this industry and its heavy reliance on skilled craftsmen, it's not uncommon for the occasional defect to slip past the numerous inspection stations.  

 

I understand how disappointing this fact may seem but we seem to think that the regular increases (inflated prices) will result in better quality control and from my experience that is usually not the case.

[NoType]

7 hours ago, marlinspike said:

 

Sorry,  I mean aesthetic flaws (though there is an unboxing of one on YouTube that has a manufacturing flaw in the trim ring). Also I do believe in videos I detect the finial being slightly off center in the metal caps, something I've seen on year 2 ATW80 solitaires

@marlinspikeThank you for your explanation.  Off-centre finials are usually seen on older Montblanc Solitaires with solid material caps (e.g., granite — Soulmakers 100 Yrs Slv Gran LE1906, ident 36688; lapis lazuli — UCF Yellow Gold LE100 and White Gold LE100, idents 105628 and 105682; porcelain — Black SE and White SE, idents 106069 and 106071), so it is surprising to learn they have been spotted on some of the models released thus far from The Origin Collection as well as on Year 2 AtW80 Solitaires. 

[NoType]

2 hours ago, DimitriDiak said:

given the intricacies of this industry and its heavy reliance on skilled craftsmen, it's not uncommon for the occasional defect to slip past the numerous inspection stations.  

 

I understand how disappointing this fact may seem but we seem to think that the regular increases (inflated prices) will result in better quality control and from my experience that is usually not the case.

@marlinspikeIn relation to my previous post, these points by @DimitriDiak are especially well taken.

[marlinspike]

6 hours ago, NoType said:

@marlinspikeThank you for your explanation.  Off-centre finials are usually seen on older Montblanc Solitaires with solid material caps (e.g., granite — Soulmakers 100 Yrs Slv Gran LE1906, ident 36688; lapis lazuli — UCF Yellow Gold LE100 and White Gold LE100, idents 105628 and 105682; porcelain — Black SE and White SE, idents 106069 and 106071), so it is surprising to learn they have been spotted on some of the models released thus far from The Origin Collection as well as on Year 2 AtW80 Solitaires. 

Interesting to hear this about the older ones. It's on none of my older ones, but I pretty much never see a new one without it recently. 

 

 

8 hours ago, DimitriDiak said:

 as well as the six or eight reviews I've followed, I haven't noticed any mention of flaws. 

I can't think of a single fountain pen reviewer who has any idea on how to judge jewelery (which actually is what fine writing is, at this price point for what you're getting it should be van cleef level).  Mostly it's just a bunch of ooing and ahhing, and if they do say anything negative it will be about how it doesn't post or too many turns to uncap or some other thing that completely misses the point. 

 

 

Personally, I think these are a much better effort than the 75th and 90th, but they should have marbelized all the plastic for the full plastic ones (yes,  I realize then they can't use the same barrel as the doue, but at this price point they shouldn't worry about that) and I really hope they mean to say enamel when they say the doue have lacquer on the caps.  I also think the tone of gold and coral they use don't pair well.  Maybe their champagne gold would have but hard to say without seeing it done. 

[NoType]

1 hour ago, marlinspike said:

I can't think of a single fountain pen reviewer who has any idea on how to judge jewelery (which actually is what fine writing is, at this price point for what you're getting it should be van cleef level). 

 

1 hour ago, marlinspike said:

I really hope they mean to say enamel when they say the doue have lacquer on the caps.  I also think the tone of gold and coral they use don't pair well.  Maybe their champagne gold would have but hard to say without seeing it done.

@marlinspike You seem to have an artist’s eye for detail, materiality, and colour, which Montblanc could definitely benefit from.

[DimitriDiak]

1 hour ago, marlinspike said:

… but they should have marbelized all the plastic for the full plastic ones (yes,  I realize then they can't use the same barrel as the doue, but at this price point they shouldn't worry about that) and I really hope they mean to say enamel when they say the doue have lacquer on the caps. 

 

I think with the “Ink” effect on the resin caps Montblanc was going for a more delicate. understated design inspired by the different marbling effects of the early Meisterstuck, also updating the marbling of today’s production techniques.  

Personally I like the limited marbling effect to the cap it is very subtle (depending on the lighting) and contrasts well with the rest of the body. Otherwise the effect would have been blended into the pen and lost.

 

Here are the details of the coatings:

DOUÉ LEGRAND:  Platinum-coated with lacquered pattern. Laser-engraved vintage logo. Platinum-coated cap ring.

DOUÉ CLASSIQUE & SOLITAIRE LEGRAND:  Gold-coated with lacquered pattern. Laser-engraved vintage logo. Gold-coated cap ring.