Montegrappa Classica

[jar]

The Montegrappa Classica is a very traditional design that was introduced during the last few years of the original Aquila family ownership of the company that was continued and reissued while Montegrappa was part of the Richemont Group. It is a sensuously curved round bodied pen with flat ends. In size, it is about the same size as the Symphony but instead of being faceted, as mentioned above the body is rounded.

 

The original version of the Classica was a celluloid pen that came in cinnamon , a turquoise blue and a charcoal pearl while the reissue model has a resin body and came in a navy blue, black and red.

 

Let's start with a look at the later resin version, this one in the navy blue. Where the Symphony sections are in Sterling silver, my Classica examples have sections in matching resin or celluloid. The cap and body band, clip, both end pieces and the section base are Sterling silver. The resin used is really nice, pearlescent with colors that vary from near periwinkle to a deep navy blue that is almost black under some lighting and that has small sparkle insets that catch the light when used outdoors.

 

http://www.fototime.com/7410C1BD0E35D80/medium800.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/BAD23139E28CFC5/medium800.jpg

 

The celluloid version is even more beautiful, if that is possible, with a body that has amazing depth and that you feel like you could reach into.

 

http://www.fototime.com/C1762C763D7A246/medium800.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/00697D480680ECB/medium800.jpg

 

So how do the two compare side by side?

 

In performance they are identical, moderately wet writers with nibs that are on the fine end of medium.

 

In looks, each is unique and I can't really decide which I prefer.

 

http://www.fototime.com/682F7003EC9E56C/medium800.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/469024593398E0F/medium800.jpg

 

One major difference between the two can be seen in the cap bands, the band on the resin Classica is wider, the logo smaller and Montegrappa in laser etched script while the smaller band on the celluloid Classica looks mechanically engraved with a larger logo and smaller letters for Montegrappa.

 

http://www.fototime.com/18933D124499B8A/medium800.jpg

 

The nibs, sections and screw threads seem the same and it takes almost four full rotations to cap or uncap the pen.

 

http://www.fototime.com/4846F7A38080906/medium800.jpg

 

Both pens use a standard international cartridge/converter filling system and both of these pens were made during the Richemont ownership era.

[Stylus156]

Being new to the FP game I haven't seen this Montegrappa model before - Exquisite.

 

The colors, marbling, and depth of effect leave quite an impression. It's a shame that these are no longer in production, I think they have more appeal than anything they have out now.

 

Magnificent, thanks for sharing jar,

M.

[jar]

Being new to the FP game I haven't seen this Montegrappa model before - Exquisite.

 

The colors, marbling, and depth of effect leave quite an impression. It's a shame that these are no longer in production, I think they have more appeal than anything they have out now.

 

Magnificent, thanks for sharing jar,

M.

 

Fortunately there are some modern Montegrappas that offer a similar experience of depth and feel. The Extra 1930, Emblema and Miya offer similar deep and luscious celluloids and the Espressione and Micra offer similar pearlescent resins. Check them out.

[airborne18th]

Jar,

Thanks for this posting. I have just started looking at the Classica and I am seriously considering it. (I found a shop that has a bunch of them laying around ). Though I am trying to really stop buying anymore pens for a while.

[airborne18th]

Being new to the FP game I haven't seen this Montegrappa model before - Exquisite.

 

The colors, marbling, and depth of effect leave quite an impression. It's a shame that these are no longer in production, I think they have more appeal than anything they have out now.

 

Magnificent, thanks for sharing jar,

M.

 

Look at the Omas Bologna...it is no Montegrappa, but still a very nice balanced pen and a smooth nib. And some great colors.

[jar]

Jar,

Thanks for this posting. I have just started looking at the Classica and I am seriously considering it. (I found a shop that has a bunch of them laying around ). Though I am trying to really stop buying anymore pens for a while.

 

Neat; are they the resin or celluloid model?

[jar]

I'd like to try to show a little more of just how intriguing the resin is on the Classica.

 

As mentioned above in the OP it is a pearlescent blue with small light reflecting particles that change the appearance of the pen depending on the light. In direct sun light it is the flashing embedded pieces that seem to dominate making the pen sparkle as it is moved.

 

http://www.fototime.com/7410C1BD0E35D80/medium800.jpg

In filtered sunlight though it is the pearlescent blue that dominates and it appears almost like abalone or mother of pearl.

 

http://www.fototime.com/8B09D8B5B1445B8/medium800.jpg

 

http://www.fototime.com/84B6F39D2384205/medium800.jpg

Here is resin done superbly, a fitting and always changing visual delight.

[airborne18th]

Jar,

Thanks for this posting. I have just started looking at the Classica and I am seriously considering it. (I found a shop that has a bunch of them laying around ). Though I am trying to really stop buying anymore pens for a while.

 

Neat; are they the resin or celluloid model?

 

 

They are resin.

[ianmedium]

Jar, beautiful pens! The celluloid version looks very similar to my Historia, especially the celluloid.

 

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm225/ianmedium/mont10.jpg

 

 

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm225/ianmedium/mont7.jpg

 

[jar]

Jar, beautiful pens! The celluloid version looks very similar to my Historia, especially the celluloid.

 

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm225/ianmedium/mont10.jpg

 

 

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm225/ianmedium/mont7.jpg

 

Yes, there are often strong family resemblances between the Montegrappa siblings. The Historia was made in a limited edition IIRC at about the same period, The Historia had the full Sterling silver section and the Greek Key cap band and was an edition of 1000 pens I think.

 

The Classica was the regular production sibling and continued production into the Richemont era so you can find Classica celluloid pens with both the '1055 VI' Vincenza and the '1140 MI' Milano guild marks.

Edited May 27, 2012 by jar

[goldiesdad]

Beautiful pens and what decoration on the nibs ... wow outstanding ... Great pic too

[beluga]

Hmmh, attractive pens, but could you elaborate more how they write and compare to other pens in your collection?

 

You only mentioned that they are moderately wet writers at the fine end of medium.

 

I have held beautifully crafted pens in my hands that utterly failed to convince as writing instruments.

"The proof lies in the pudding" and in a pen nothing is more important to me than the way the pen writes.

Edited May 28, 2012 by beluga

[jar]

Hmmh, attractive pens, but could you elaborate more how they write and compare to other pens in your collection?

 

You only mentioned that they are moderately wet writers at the fine end of medium.

 

I have held beautifully crafted pens in my hands that utterly failed to convince as writing instruments.

"The proof lies in the pudding" and in a pen nothing is more important to me than the way the pen writes.

 

I'm not quite sure what it is you want. To be in my collection a pen must at least write smoothly with good balance and fine control. It must be reliable and comfortable over extended writing sessions.

 

If you give me an idea of what you'd like to know maybe I can elaborate.

[ArchiMark]

Great review and pics, as usual, jar!

 

Didn't know about the Classica....but looks great.....

 

Had the Historia for awhile, very nice pen....probably shoulda kept it along with my other Montes, such as the Extra 1930....oh well....

 

Really like the look of these pens and they feel great in the hand and to write with too...

 

[jar]

Great review and pics, as usual, jar!

 

Didn't know about the Classica....but looks great.....

 

Had the Historia for awhile, very nice pen....probably shoulda kept it along with my other Montes, such as the Extra 1930....oh well....

 

Really like the look of these pens and they feel great in the hand and to write with too...

 

 

The Historia is the same pen but with the Sterling silver section and the incised cap band. They are great pens and yes, you shudda wudda kept them.

 

AbE:

 

Since you mention the Extra (and Extra 1930), here is a picture of the sections and nib as a reference:

 

http://www.fototime.com/FEB44F1A2041E05/large.jpg

 

and the Extra and Classica side by side:

 

http://www.fototime.com/3EE8B0DC9D5E174/medium800.jpg

 

http://www.fototime.com/DC27B027D183960/medium800.jpg

Edited July 24, 2012 by jar

[breaker]

very nice pics!

[Montblanc owner and lover]

very nice pens with splendid refractions

[georges zaslavsky]

very nice pen I however prefer the extra due to its filling system and its larger nib.

[jar]

very nice pen I however prefer the extra due to its filling system and its larger nib.

 

Understood. I actually prefer a cartridge/converter filling system but piston filled systems and others are also nice.

 

The wider section on the Extra and Extra 1930 is nice as is the larger nib. Here are several larger nib wide section pens for comparison.

 

http://www.fototime.com/E53C6F2D0482746/large.jpg

 

From left to right: Sheaffer PFM, Montegrappa Extra, Pelikan 1050, Montblanc 149. Parker Big Red, Sheaffer Senior Flat Top.

 

My ideal would be a Montegrappa Extra like pen that was cartridge/converter.

[Drianis]

I think Montegrappa pens are amazing! So elegant! (old but gold)