Due to the explosion of technology, tons of smartphones, laptops, and tablets have flooded the modern market making a regular pen stand alone in this diversity of gadgets. It may seem weird, but this digital boom has not affected the segment of luxury pens like the Montblanc brand.
More people are searching for a more individual and tactile connection to the physical act of writing, which is not provided by electronic devices. The demand for expensive and quality drawing instruments is growing each year pushing their prices higher. Why are Montblanc pens so expensive?
Let’s analyze if Montblanc pens justify their enormous price by being the best writing tools.
Are There Any Reasons for Such Price?
Of course, these vintage pens have their price for a reason. There are several factors that allow the company to dictate extremely high prices for these writing tools. Each item features superior engineering and is a part of a long history of the brand. Along with these things, its huge marketing campaigns “sell” the status and awareness that you get something exclusive and elite. This makes you feel exceptional as well.
History of Brand
Montblanc is known as a high-end pen manufacturer. As a rule, this name comes to your mind first when you talk about luxurious and quality pens.
The company was founded in Hamburg, Germany, in 1906. Its first fountain pens date back to the early twentieth century. Now, its name is a synonym of a historic brand with a great heritage and its own pedigree, and it reveals the message: we have been making the best pens all the time. Some of their iconic writing instruments have a legacy behind (for example, the Meisterstück 149).
The hallmark of their pens is a white star on the black background. It resembles the highest mountain in the Alps (Mont Blanc, 4810 meters). This status symbol was chosen to show that all Montblanc pens are exclusive and have the highest quality.
Besides that, the manufacturer has the backup of Richemont, a giant company that produces and sells luxury goods. With the biggest network of boutiques, this corporation promotes Montblanc products to the masses, and this also reflects on the price of the pens.
Due to some characteristics typical for Montblanc pens (classic shapes, trim rings, engraved nibs, the logo, etc.), these writing tools are considered timeless.
Quality of Pens
The other factor that determines a high price for the pens is certainly their supreme quality. Craftsmanship and several hours of manual work are required to produce each item.
As the nib is the crucial element in a fountain pen’s construction, it is made with particular attention. Usually, it is made of 14- or 18-karat gold with an iridium tip and takes 35 steps to be created (with more than 100 steps for the whole pen). After it is embossed, it is polished by hand with a diamond file. A lot of effort and skills are required to give it the perfect symmetry and shape.
A lot of work is done by women who work at the factory. They are in charge to give each nib an ideal look and sound. Yes, every pen is tested in a special quiet room! This is done by hand to ensure the exact feeling and sound of writing with every item. The golden nibs easily adapt to your hand, and this comfortable feeling will remain the same for years.
All Montblanc pens ensure an unforgettable writing experience and are great for signatures. Your signature gets a characteristic look, and in combination with ink, it is hard to imitate.
Most items from limited collections are really unique. Performed in sky blue and with a fox face pattern, the Meisterstück Le Petit Prince Classique was born to remind about a famous book. Crafted with platinum, the Meisterstück Solitaire Geometric Dimension has a three-dimensional geometric pattern with an optical effect.
Marketing
Naturally, smooth writing performance and fantastic appearance are primary criteria that determine Montblanc writing instruments as the premium class.
The company has also put a lot of effort into numerous marketing programs that build up an image of luxury goods and target a certain buyers’ segment.
The manufacturer introduced a line of pens in limited editions devoted to writers, artists, and other great characters. This smart step reveals the idea that these famous people would have used one of these pens.
A lot of people would like to buy a status rather than a device for writing to impress other people. If you own such a pen, this means that you will get into a VIP club of its exclusive users. Even if these items are overpriced, possessing one of them shows you have a disposable income that allows you to waste a couple thousand dollars (or more) on stationery.
All these factors make Montblanc writing tools so reputable, costly, and unique. The company has made its name just like Rolex or Mercedes-Benz and gets a considerable profit out of it.
List of Montblanc Pens That You Can Buy on Amazon
The pen lovers, who are ready to spend several thousand dollars on luxurious pens from limited editions, will enjoy the selection tabulated below. These writing instruments are made and handcrafted in homage to famous people and their deeds.
How much do these masterpieces cost? Most of them are so expensive that they are not available for sale from the official manufacturer’s website and should be purchased in specialized Montblanc client relation centers and boutiques. If you are looking for online stores where to buy them, follow Amazon links given in the list.
| Review | Name | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Patron of Art Homage to Scipione Borghese Limited Edition (888) Fountain Pen | Green marble barrel with 18-karat rose gold overlay Solid M nib with an engraving Gold-coated clip Comes in a gift box Weight 3.18 oz./90.3 g |
| Great Characters John F. Kennedy Limited Edition (1917) Fountain Pen | Performed in the colors of the U.S. flag 18-karat gold-coated M nib The naval star tops the clip Engravings and decorations devoted to the president’s life White barrel with a nautical rope pattern |
| Great Characters Edition Leonardo Da Vinci Fountain Pen | Silver-colored aluminium barrel and cap Platinum-coated fittings Hand-crafted gold nib Piston-type ink filling Numerous engravings and details that correspond to the artist’s famous sketches and inventions |
| Meisterstück UNICEF Solitaire Le Grand Rollerball | Blue lacquer engraved barrel and cap Individual serial number White images throughout the body that feature the first character learned by kids Platinum-coated clip |
| Homer Limited Edition (1581) Fountain Pen | Metal barrel with coral-colored resin inspired by the shape of a horse Solid gold nib with an engraving Champagne tone gold-coated cap with a clip Numerous engravings around the body and the cap inspired by the Ancient Greek motifs Weight 3.9 oz./111.3 g |
| Patron of Art Homage to Ludwig II Limited Edition (4810) Fountain Pen | Gold nib with an engraving Cap in white translucent lacquer with a crown on top Champagne tone gold-coated clip shaped like a swan Barrel in blue translucent lacquer Weight 3 oz./85 g |
| Alfred Hitchcock Limited Edition Fountain Pen | Black/silver lacquer barrel and cap with a laser-engraved pattern that represents the vertigo effect 18-karat white gold nib with a self-portrait of the filmmaker Clip in the form of a knife Packaged in a presentation box |
| Andy Warhol Limited Edition Fountain Pen (1928) | Silver tone barrel Gold-coated M nib engraved with a dollar sign Squeegee-shaped clip Platinum-plated decorations Cap with the images of 4 bold-colored flowers |
| John Lennon Limited Edition 1940 Fountain Pen | 18-karat solid gold M nib Handcrafted with sterling silver and natural tanzanite Guitar-shaped cap clip with a diamond Packaged in a presentation box |
| Great Characters James Dean Limited Edition (1931) Fountain Pen | Sterling silver barrel with an engraving Cap of precious wood Gold-coated nib Ruthenium-coated clip Weight 2.8 oz./80.9 g |
Summing Up
The enormously high price for Montblanc pens makes customers think they are worth it, and that these tools have something remarkable in them. From a technical standpoint, they are just high-grade pens. If you have a limited amount of money, you can buy other branded pens from other companies. You will get stunning quality for less money with no need to sell your car to get a pen of your dreams. If a high price is not an issue, along with a Montblanc pen, you will buy an emotional satisfaction that values more than the money spent.
References
- Writing Instruments by Montblanc – https://www.montblanc.com/
- Montblanc (Company) – https://en.wikipedia.org/
- How It’s Made: Montblanc Writing Instruments – https://www.surfacemag.com/
- Montblanc Fountain Pens: Status Symbol Or Great Pen? – https://www.writeexperience.com/