OK, I really need all your help on this one because it is going to be difficult. I have tracked down and started talking over these three pens and was hoping you would help me decide on which 1 to take a deep breath and go for After then, no more MBs I swear it lol. I recently got hooked on Montegrappa and will start looking there..

The Montblanc 75th Anniversary 149 Skeleton







The Montblanc Catherine the Great 4810



The Montblanc Salvador Dali 100

Thats a rough choice... I would have to go with the Montblanc 75th Anniversary 149 Skeleton, but if you got the Catherin, you could save some money for a Monte or two...

Hello,

These three pens are from three different price ranges. If it was me, I too would prefer the 75th anniversary skeleton. But with what it cost would go for the Catherine and 5 or more Montegrappas.

Regards,
Darius

Hey guys.. The Dali is in the same range as the skeleton (both solid gold and equally rare 75 and 100 pieces respectively), the Catherine is a lot cheaper true if i go for that one I can get several other monte(s) though I already have a feeling that the Catherine won't be my pick, I am afraid if i get it i'll always want another LE. But it would definitely save me a bundle.

What do you think you have to pay for a Dali or for the 75th Skeleton? What are the market prices?

Axel

75th Anniversary for sure. Just look at that nib! The Dali is nice, but I don't think I'd get that one if it came down to those three pens. The Catherine is definitely out of place. It's not even the 888 Edition! To be a little more fair, look at the 888 Set from Pensinasia.com with St. Peter and Catherine paired together.

The Montblanc Salvador Dali 100 1st choice
than the 149 skeleton.

The skeleton is a pen limited to 75 pieces and from 1999. The Dali is liited to 100 pieces and from 2004. So there are 25% less skeletons out there, and it's 5 years older. Add to these two facts that the skeleton is a more sought after pen, you get a higher maket value.

Update: Darius was absolutely right and my calculations were way off..

I had the prices for the Catherine and the Dali and just got an email about the 75th 149.. Its totally, not only out of my league, but also beyond my dreams..!!

So no skeleton for me.. or at least not this one (55K) but I just sent them asking about the skeleton 333 and the black widow.

Get the Black Widow!

For me there are only two choices here. Skeleton 75th anniversary or Dali.

To be honest I will prefer definitely Skeleton 75th anniversary. It is on the size of 149. Therefore it is big pen. It is the first skeleton pen produced by MB. and therefore it very valuable. When the pen released, it caused a sensation all around the world. In addition with this pen there is also a very attractive presentation box with magnifying glass. When you place the pen in the presentaion box you can see the image of the pen enlarge so as to see all the beautiful details of the pen. The skeleton 75th Anniversary is literally covered with engraving, right down to the piston mechanism. As far as I am concern, the production of this pen took one month. Finally its nib has hit the top of my list of all-time best nibs. Maybe it is the best example of the penmaker's art.


On the other hand, I think Dali is smaller pen. You don't have the opportunity to see the piston mechanism. The cap of the pen it is very beautiful but the barrel of the pen is not so attractive.

I'd go for the The Montblanc Catherine the Great 4810

If you have to decide between skeleton star 333 and Black widow, then go for Black Widow. But you should know that is much more expensive Black Widow than Skeleton star 333. Of course it is cheaper than skeleton 75th but still is quite expensive. You should also know that skeleton star is platinum plated and Black widow is made from white gold.

What is the most affordable skeleton? What with the fortune one in rose gold for asia this year?

Pretty much all my choices in the beginning of this thread are now being ruled out.. I should have researched better before coming here and blab lol

I guess this leaves me with the Catherine?

The most affortable skeleton is the skeleton star 333. As far as it concerns the pen fortune number it costs approximately 20000 euros. I have read that it cost 22000 euros, but I don't know whether this is true. It is quite expensive. On the other hand, skeleton star 333 definetely is below 15000 euros.

Pravda,

The least expensive Skeleton would be the Skeleton 333 edition, when released in 2000 it was sold for €7,500. But being sold out long ago, its value has inevidably increased. If you spend some time tracking one down, you may find one for something between $15,000 - $20,000. Although I have seen go for near $30,000.
Click to view attachment

The second least expensive skeleton, as far as I know, is the John Harrison 333, released in 2003 for €9,500. Current price, I'm not too sure of, but possibly in the same range as the Skeleton 333.
Click to view attachment

Then they start to go beyond $30,000. The Black Widow was $35,000 when I last checked.

May I suggest some pens in the $15,000-$25,000 price range, although they are not skeletons.

The Mozart 2006
Click to view attachment

The George Washington 2007
Click to view attachment

Regards,
Darius

*Pssst* Go for the St. Peter and Catherine 888 set!

The Mozart Limited Edition (shown above) is spectacular in person.

I would say this or the Black Widow if you want a skeleton.

For me, Catherine is the clear choice. It looks more unique and remarkable than the other two pens. Especially with the price factored in, I think it is a better value by far.

so expensive pens but anyway nice to look at. for their price you can buy yourself a nice muscle car.

Hi Pravda,
I have all the pens you are interested in. And many others. Contact me alzisk@gmail.com and I will send you the lists.
I would advice to get Faulkner set or pens now while it is still at good price. Trust me it will grow in price as good as Jules Verne.
I would prefer Tate over Humbolt for sure much more impressive pen.
Best Regards,
Alex

Hi Darius,
Are you looking for anything? I can help. Or do you have anything to offer?
Let me know at alzisk@gmail.com
Regards,
Alex

That Catherinie The Great looks superb!

I cast my vote on the Mozart 2006 as well. Probably the nicest pen MB has made and I haven't even seen it in person. What I've seen in person is the Medici and it looks better than you would expect from the pics. The engraving is quite refined. The nib is boring like no other nib I have seen on a pen above the $100 mark, so expect to have it replaced with a regular 146 nib or even better a vintage one. My point here is that in this price range you should expect to be able to handle the pens (w/o ink) before you purchase them, that is if you intend to use them at all. Do try the Medici.

Ah great minds thinks alike

Of course it is a matter of taste but, Catherine is by none way unique. See Catherine 4810, Catherine 888, Peter 4810, Peter 888. It is a nice pen Catherine but you can not compare with the other two.

It is nice indeed but I will prefer its size to base on 149.

I agree with the thought that pens based on the 149 are preferable, but for different reasons. I use my pens, and my grip is rather rediculously bad. I use my thumb and 3 fingers to grip the section, rather than 2. So pens with larger girth suit my handling better. However, the available pens with a large girth are either high end limited editions, or the 149 made of solid gold and solid platimun (with the exception of the regular 149, the Hemingway and the Dumas of course). Since I can not at the present time afford those pens, I settled on those based on the 146. Then it became my quest to complete the Writers Editions, Patron of Arts, and Donation Pens.

Darius the Mozart is amazing and within the price range I am more looking at, however, I don't seem to find anyone who has one for sale.. Found several skeletons but they are way to expensive for me (wish I knew that before coming and shooting off my mouth lol) but even the Black Widow and the Salvador Dali are too pricey to be practical..

I am pretty much following everyone's advice so far I have put a reservation on the Sir Henry Tate at the MB boutique in Cairo where I have found it and should be heading there shortly for work and I am asking around for a good price for the Catherine the Great because I really like bottle fill pens more..

Anyone around have more information about the Mozart? or the Beethoven I saw that its equally beautiful but have no idea about the price..

Thank you

Hi Pravda,
As far as I know, the higher end limited edition are only sold officially through the MB Flagship boutiques, with the exception of those that are country specific. Although you may be able to find one for sale from a prominent private collector. I don't know to what number the Mozart is limited, but I am venturing a guess at 100+/-. If you are interested in the Juliard however, I know where you could get one, but I think it's more expensive than the Mozart. Although I might be wrong.

I was in Paris two months ago, and I have seen Mozart in MB boutique. To be honest I was not impressed. It was somehow small pen. In the picture seems better than in reality. Anyway, there are 250 pieces around the world. So it is not as rare as one may think. Its price it was between 16000-18000 euros. So I believe it is too much money for this pen. At the price of 20000 euros you can find skeleton with fewer pieces worldwde. I am sure that if you still desire the pen I can find you a MB boutique that you can buy it. Just let me know and I will speak with some MB staff so as to know which boutique has available this pen. You can ask and by yourself if you want.

Thanks Ma0ca.. hmm.. I guess that rules that one out too then.. For USD 15-20K I might have considered it but for EUR 15-20K that is almost double nowadays its too much you are right I would much rather go for the Skeleton 333 in that case, which I cant

But the good news, with the Tate and Catherine pens I can now add a 3rd to my list and even a fourth and a fifth if i am not spending the prices above for a skeleton or a rare LE.

Darius, I am sure it was in another post but I can't look for it now.. What MBs do you have? I have a feeling you have something really special

I would get the salvador dali! I love how it's shaped like a paint brush. I was looking at purchasing this pen about 2 years ago and I found it at Airline International. Eddie Kallman told me that he sold one for $37000.00 to customer a couple of months previous to my search. He has since told me the price has risen. If you can afford it go for it. It's out of my price range though. Good luck!

The black widow is also a sweet pen, I would probably purchase that over the Dali.

I'd recommend a good, solid 149. But if you like all that bling, a standard issue 149 won't do it for you. Second choice is the Skeleton 333 if you can find one. I regret that I didn't buy one when I had the opportunity. But I suppose that would have led to more skeletons, and I've about given up on the ramen noodle diet.

Eric

I already have two 149s No its not about getting my next new pen, it was more like I want to stop buying MBs but wanted to end it with a bang lol Too bad all the ones I had my eyes on I can't afford but now i am starting to draw up a list of 3-4 LEs that I would like to own instead

Sorry to disappoint you Pravda, but I don't have any higher end limited editions. I only wish for them and hope I could one day get them. All I have are regular editions Writers Editions, Patron of Art 4810s and Donation Pens.

There's a silvercolored Skeleton at a Dutch marketplace-site right now for € 12.000,-
No box or papers (which is strange for such an expensive pen...)

Absolutely simple! ==> Catherine