A fair review on a nice pen. Mine is from the 80's, black and gold and even then was expensive, but it has lasted time and still brings a smile to my face when using it. Thank you for the review.
Good timing !!! I bought a MontBlanc M 149 this morning. (The yellow gold version with a medium nib). It feels much more comfortable in my hand than I expected. As I was worried about the girth of the grip section. And it looks stunning. A classic beauty.
I have a vintage 149 from the mid 60's. The 14k nib is really broad most probably BB. HOWEVER the nib also has an incredible amount of flex on top of that, unlike the modern nibs. Really love using it. All in all a fantastic pen.
I bought mine at Pen Boutique for 886.00 I slapped myself three times before and after purchase and have enjoyed it ever since. If you love fountain pens, this is the Grail of all pens. I bought mine after the birth of my daughter MB 149 Platinum Medium and use it daily. Great review.
Congrats on your newborn. The MB 149 is just amazing. I am thinking of getting this exact pen. I already own the MB 149 Calligraphy which is marvelous!
It is a lovely nib and not *too* wet which would be a problem for such a wide size. The O3B what Montblanc sometimes call their 'Signature nib' and is normally only available by buying another size (try the O2B) and then sending the pen in for a nib swap shortly after you have purchased it. So if you can't find the option on the web site, that is why.
Hi Stephen. I was in a boutique MB store recently and tried a 149 in OBB. Wow, great pen and nib. I think that nib improves your writing! ;-) Oh, BTW, my in-laws are Dutch.
Stephen, first and foremost, THANK YOU for encouraging me to spend several thousand dollars this year on pens. This is the exact MB I own, thank you again for the review. I am particular to German pens because of their quality. Of all the pens I own, Rotring Art Pens are very impressive, I have all of them. They’re wet, super smooth for a SS nib - so are my Faber Castell pens. Could you review Rotring Art Pens, please?
Where are the 300 and 200 level Montblanc pens? And it seems all they sell are 14-s - 144, 145, 146, 149. Seems like the numbering system is a legacy (obsolete) system
Great as always, Stephen. I only own one pen with an oblique broad nib, &, being the Devil's Spawn (left handed), I did initially find it troublesome - until I found the sweet spot. I am not sure I'd elect for an OBBB, but a BBB would be nice. Most of my vintage M-B's are either broad or double broads, but as you assert, obliques require a re-training of the hand's attitude to the paper. The Platinum accents are very nice, & the nib is concomitant with their usual high quality - faultless; the reversal of the metal elements too, is a nice touch - not unlike the 149's of the late fifties & into the early seventies, where the nibs were tri-coloured coatings (& apparently) the finest 149 series made, overall. Of course, this video is now two years old, but I'd fear the price tag for a brand new model in that finish, today ..... Good stuff !! :D
Hey there Stephen.. I hope that I am about to pick up my very own 149.. I have the 90th Anniversary 146 with a medium nib, and believe I am ready for a BB, we shall see. I enjoy the traditional yellow gold.. but may be persuaded by this Platinum beauty! Frank from Boulder, Colorado
So Stephen, did you return this beauty? Or did you keep it? I have a MB Boheme (model is pre-retracting) with an OBB nib that I adore. The nib is fantastic. I can only imagine how wonderful this OBBB is in the 149 size. I think that, yes, Montblac pens are very expensive. However, I have 3 and each is a wonderful writer and well designed. In my mind, the consistency of their excellence is worth the money, if one can afford it. I will admit, my Boheme I purchased in a Montblac store on clearance for $153 in 2005. Even then, it was quite a fantastic deal for one of my favorite writers.
Colloquially this configuration (149 with O3B "signature" nib) is known as the "Diplomat." For some reason I can't quite fathom I prefer to use it standing up rather than sitting down, it seems to operate better when one is leaning over a desk as opposed to sitting at it. Protip: in my experience standing up during a business meeting to sign something then sitting back down again is considered eccentric - even mildly alarming - behaviour by bank managers.
I seem to recall the 149 in platinum trim was new (I've had the pen for a few months before I shot the review), so it's possible that the nib was launched together with the platinum 149.
I have the same pen. Bought as a M. I like broader nibs like Dr. Brown as well. If one orders it online, its only available in F or M. However some pen sellers might have it in other sizes. I had Montblanc replace my M nib with a BB ~6 weeks turn around.
+Cyrus Nensey thanks for the clarification, that makes a lot of sense. New Zealand has a very small montblanc selection especially in my city where there is only one boutique, probably makes sense we have only the "generic" forms of the pen setups
You will find it only in medium or broad in the store, but it can be special ordered by the store from Montblanc with other nib widths up to OBBB, or you can buy the pen and have the authorized dealer send it to Montblanc for a nib exchange.
Can I ask : Do you think that an oblique nib would help a left handed fountain pen user like myself? As a lefty I tend to hold the pen at a slight angle which means that the nib is rarely "straight on" to the paper.
I think so, but I think that for that to be effective, you'll need what Richard Binder calls a right-foot oblique, cf. his reference pages. The issue is that most commercial obliques are left-foot. I'd talk to Mr Ford at Mrpen.co.uk if I were you: he grinds obliques both ways.
Thank you Stephen. Yes, I thought that the oblique part of the nib would be on the wrong side so too speak for a lefty but thanks for the info. I`ll look into it.
It depends. I am a left-handed underwriter who tends to rotate my pen outward (counter-clockwise), so a left-footed oblique suits me down to the ground. I am seriously considering ordering the 149 O3B in Platinum after seeing this terrific review.
The Rolex of ✒️ fountain pens…a status symbol but as Stephen has said..plastic is plastic..a rose is a 🌹 by any other name. Love to have one, but there are many other more worthy pens that don’t cost nearly as much. Thanks for the review. Cheers.M.
Excellent review. And your words about MB's marketing and branding success are to the point (Rolex fall into the same categoty, BTW). The 149's quality is not worth the price. But then, this seems to be the point with luxury items -- one pays for some subjective appreciation not objective quality. And what is that with "precious resin"? Pfffsss
10:06 yeah, precious resin my ass. Meisterstucks get scratched way too easily and it looks obvious. Of course when you get scratch all over the body it looks less obvious. BUT, the nib is gorgeous... It writes beautifully and it looks great.
If there was one thing you could change about this pen (beside price), what would it be? Thanks for mentioning the weird numbering system of MB, I was going to ask about that but I see it is confusing even for the experts.
How can you write something legible with a triple broad without using capital letters is beyond me... I struggle already with a medium to keep a decent handwriting. It's always either extra fine or fine for me, unless it's a pen intended for signature only.
Yeah, this is expensive and not to my my personal preferences. But, it almost seems economical compared to the Visconti Watermark that Goulet Pens is going to carry. I almost peed my knickers when I saw that $1,695 price. Yikes!
May I suggest you film with the pens over a flat surface like a table with a HD camera (table surface your choice). Although you are a fine looking gentleman, we are really not interested in looking at you nor your wall but looking at the pens up close and clear. Holding a sheet of paper is not in line with the quality of a Montblanc, don't you think?
You not have to be rude. If you don't like something, it does not mean very one doesn't. Sbrebrown does this for the sake of all of us. You really have a nerve to watch for free and at the same time to demand rudely.
A fair review on a nice pen. Mine is from the 80's, black and gold and even then was expensive, but it has lasted time and still brings a smile to my face when using it. Thank you for the review.
Love how Lord Windermere is now a comparative unit of scale! As always, very enjoyable review, thank you!
Thank you for teaching me what the O3B nib from Montblanc does when writing.
Good timing !!! I bought a MontBlanc M 149 this morning. (The yellow gold version with a medium nib). It feels much more comfortable in my hand than I expected. As I was worried about the girth of the grip section. And it looks stunning. A classic beauty.
I have a vintage 149 from the mid 60's. The 14k nib is really broad most probably BB. HOWEVER the nib also has an incredible amount of flex on top of that, unlike the modern nibs. Really love using it. All in all a fantastic pen.
Great review as always. New framing works.
I bought mine at Pen Boutique for 886.00
I slapped myself three times before and after purchase and have enjoyed it ever since. If you love fountain pens, this is the Grail of all pens. I bought mine after the birth of my daughter MB 149 Platinum Medium and use it daily.
Great review.
Congrats on your newborn. The MB 149 is just amazing. I am thinking of getting this exact pen. I already own the MB 149 Calligraphy which is marvelous!
It is a lovely nib and not *too* wet which would be a problem for such a wide size. The O3B what Montblanc sometimes call their 'Signature nib' and is normally only available by buying another size (try the O2B) and then sending the pen in for a nib swap shortly after you have purchased it. So if you can't find the option on the web site, that is why.
Thanks for the review Stephen, I very much enjoy and look forward to your videos.
Thank you, I appreciate it!
Hi Stephen. I was in a boutique MB store recently and tried a 149 in OBB. Wow, great pen and nib. I think that nib improves your writing! ;-) Oh, BTW, my in-laws are Dutch.
Stephen, first and foremost, THANK YOU for encouraging me to spend several thousand dollars this year on pens.
This is the exact MB I own, thank you again for the review. I am particular to German pens because of their quality. Of all the pens I own, Rotring Art Pens are very impressive, I have all of them. They’re wet, super smooth for a SS nib - so are my Faber Castell pens.
Could you review Rotring Art Pens, please?
one day... one day ❤️❤️❤️
I love my 149's, but that O3B nib is undoubtedly too broad for my everyday handwriting. Looks perfect for you!
Just bought this pen today, arrives tomorrow, hope I like it :-)
Where are the 300 and 200 level Montblanc pens? And it seems all they sell are 14-s - 144, 145, 146, 149. Seems like the numbering system is a legacy (obsolete) system
Great review and thank you for not pronouncing the “C” of Blanc like most reviewers do :)
Readers digest. It's a good thick large pen that makes a nice thick line. Just don't drop it!
I think the nib actually adds a lot of nice character to your handwriting!!
Great as always, Stephen. I only own one pen with an oblique broad nib, &, being the Devil's Spawn (left handed), I did initially find it troublesome - until I found the sweet spot. I am not sure I'd elect for an OBBB, but a BBB would be nice. Most of my vintage M-B's are either broad or double broads, but as you assert, obliques require a re-training of the hand's attitude to the paper. The Platinum accents are very nice, & the nib is concomitant with their usual high quality - faultless; the reversal of the metal elements too, is a nice touch - not unlike the 149's of the late fifties & into the early seventies, where the nibs were tri-coloured coatings (& apparently) the finest 149 series made, overall. Of course, this video is now two years old, but I'd fear the price tag for a brand new model in that finish, today ..... Good stuff !! :D
Classic pen. Love them!
Thanks, Stephen.
Hey there Stephen.. I hope that I am about to pick up my very own 149.. I have the 90th Anniversary 146 with a medium nib, and believe I am ready for a BB, we shall see. I enjoy the traditional yellow gold.. but may be persuaded by this Platinum beauty!
Frank from Boulder, Colorado
Frank Bruno That's wonderfula
Can someone explain the “ink shortage” Montblanc claims they are having? Is diamond having shortages?
So Stephen, did you return this beauty? Or did you keep it? I have a MB Boheme (model is pre-retracting) with an OBB nib that I adore. The nib is fantastic. I can only imagine how wonderful this OBBB is in the 149 size. I think that, yes, Montblac pens are very expensive. However, I have 3 and each is a wonderful writer and well designed. In my mind, the consistency of their excellence is worth the money, if one can afford it. I will admit, my Boheme I purchased in a Montblac store on clearance for $153 in 2005. Even then, it was quite a fantastic deal for one of my favorite writers.
This one was returned
Colloquially this configuration (149 with O3B "signature" nib) is known as the "Diplomat."
For some reason I can't quite fathom I prefer to use it standing up rather than sitting down, it seems to operate better when one is leaning over a desk as opposed to sitting at it.
Protip: in my experience standing up during a business meeting to sign something then sitting back down again is considered eccentric - even mildly alarming - behaviour by bank managers.
Very good review, interestingly i thought the platinum trim only came in fine and medium variety nibs, i guess my boutique lied to me
I seem to recall the 149 in platinum trim was new (I've had the pen for a few months before I shot the review), so it's possible that the nib was launched together with the platinum 149.
sbrebrown That makes sense, thanks for the reply
I have the same pen. Bought as a M. I like broader nibs like Dr. Brown as well. If one orders it online, its only available in F or M. However some pen sellers might have it in other sizes. I had Montblanc replace my M nib with a BB ~6 weeks turn around.
+Cyrus Nensey thanks for the clarification, that makes a lot of sense. New Zealand has a very small montblanc selection especially in my city where there is only one boutique, probably makes sense we have only the "generic" forms of the pen setups
You will find it only in medium or broad in the store, but it can be special ordered by the store from Montblanc with other nib widths up to OBBB, or you can buy the pen and have the authorized dealer send it to Montblanc for a nib exchange.
Can I ask : Do you think that an oblique nib would help a left handed fountain pen user like myself? As a lefty I tend to hold the pen at a slight angle which means that the nib is rarely "straight on" to the paper.
I think so, but I think that for that to be effective, you'll need what Richard Binder calls a right-foot oblique, cf. his reference pages. The issue is that most commercial obliques are left-foot. I'd talk to Mr Ford at Mrpen.co.uk if I were you: he grinds obliques both ways.
Thank you Stephen. Yes, I thought that the oblique part of the nib would be on the wrong side so too speak for a lefty but thanks for the info. I`ll look into it.
It depends. I am a left-handed underwriter who tends to rotate my pen outward (counter-clockwise), so a left-footed oblique suits me down to the ground. I am seriously considering ordering the 149 O3B in Platinum after seeing this terrific review.
The Rolex of ✒️ fountain pens…a status symbol but as Stephen has said..plastic is plastic..a rose is a 🌹 by any other name. Love to have one, but there are many other more worthy pens that don’t cost nearly as much. Thanks for the review. Cheers.M.
always enjoy your video's. so the question today. did you in fact keep this pen? if so, would you sell it??
I concider to buy this pen, but I can't choose between platinum or gold. Which one should I choose in your opinion?
Dorf That is really a matter of taste. The platinum finish is a bit cooler than the yellow gold.
Ok, thanks.
Excellent review. And your words about MB's marketing and branding success are to the point (Rolex fall into the same categoty, BTW). The 149's quality is not worth the price. But then, this seems to be the point with luxury items -- one pays for some subjective appreciation not objective quality. And what is that with "precious resin"? Pfffsss
10:06 yeah, precious resin my ass. Meisterstucks get scratched way too easily and it looks obvious. Of course when you get scratch all over the body it looks less obvious.
BUT, the nib is gorgeous... It writes beautifully and it looks great.
If there was one thing you could change about this pen (beside price), what would it be?
Thanks for mentioning the weird numbering system of MB, I was going to ask about that but I see it is confusing even for the experts.
Snow cap, snow cap, snow cap, figure it out, put you thinking CAP on,all the best RS London boy.
A bit late... but just out of curiosity... did you end up keeping it... or did you send in back? :)
Please do a review on click aristocrat fountain pen
Your wish will be answered
Is this a special made nib? Because Montblanc only makes up to O2B to my knowledge.
You can trade
Into montblanc to get this nib I believe
If you were in Canada 🇨🇦 that “red bird “ on the chesterfield behind you would probably be a “two pounder “ eh! Greetings from the east coast.
How big is this pen compared to the Jinhao 159?
thelongslowgoodbye About the same size. I compare the two in one of my fountain pen shootouts. You can find an index to my videos on sbrebrown.com
After watching this video I went out and bought one.
So, just curious, is this pen in any way user serviceable? (Also, if you get that close to the camera you could put your eye out, be careful.)
It's not
How can you write something legible with a triple broad without using capital letters is beyond me... I struggle already with a medium to keep a decent handwriting. It's always either extra fine or fine for me, unless it's a pen intended for signature only.
Thankyou!
What ink did you use?
I think it's MB royal blue
Yeah, this is expensive and not to my my personal preferences. But, it almost seems economical compared to the Visconti Watermark that Goulet Pens is going to carry. I almost peed my knickers when I saw that $1,695 price. Yikes!
Maybe one day I'll have spare $1000 to spend on anything and that would be the day I buy MB pen.
I've said it before. Miss your old man cave.
Writing sample 11:36
Precious. Resin. Means. Plastic. !!! Writing. Instrument. Means. Pen. !!! Montblanc. Means. Expensive. !!!
I will give you 3 thumbs up :P thank you.
May I suggest you film with the pens over a flat surface like a table with a HD camera (table surface your choice). Although you are a fine looking gentleman, we are really not interested in looking at you nor your wall but looking at the pens up close and clear. Holding a sheet of paper is not in line with the quality of a Montblanc, don't you think?
Which is what I do in my newer videos.
Thank you, sir! Love your reviews. Will be picking up my 149 Platinum M and Marc Newson F in a week or so.
Funny, this brand reminds me of Rolex watches, nice but overpriced and kinda vulgar image. Btw, not a white star but snowy mountain top
please review pen, nobody is interested about the box and packing
khoo chee peng No, YOU are not interested in the box; many people are, actually. Don't confuse your opinion with that of all other people.
Anyone likes to buy my pens boxes
Anyone likes to buy my pens boxes
You not have to be rude. If you don't like something, it does not mean very one doesn't. Sbrebrown does this for the sake of all of us. You really have a nerve to watch for free and at the same time to demand rudely.