Okay, so I have many L'il Princesses in the collection, just don't tell her because when we are together, my time is alllll hers.

Also, Please don't insult her about her little flaws around the section tip ring. Like all little ladies, she's very self conscious and if she gets a complex, my life will be miserable trying to convince her that she's beautiful again. Really, I've see several 144's with this malady so it seems to be a common problem. As large as it seems in the close-up, it's hardly noticeable without loupe or macro lens, but I do think it must have been a QC issue at Mb during the run of this pen. I kept her wiped down after each filling, kept her neat and tidy, safely tucked away in a humidity controlled environment. So.. I dunno... But of course I still love her..

And:

WOW! What a gorgeous pen!
Abhik.

Thanks Abhik, she's also of the best writing Mb's I have ever used.. I'll eventually send her in to have that silly ring replaced (maybe to someone who can refinish the current one.. don't really trust anything from Mb on the 144 now)...

beatufiul pen....i must agree the color is EYE catching

Those worn and pitted looking section rings seem to be very common in these pens. I guess partially because this trim ring is what actually holds the cap on when closed and with acidic MB inks sometimes left in the pens this ring gets eaten away. My Bordeaux doesn't have near so pretty of a cap but so far the trim ring is in great shape. You have a beautiful pen!

Thank you! I don't know what really causes that problem. Acidic ink is probably correct but I never left it sitting with ink in it for extended periods. Filling, writing, just normal pen use, flushing when it goes out of rotation. With this one it seemed to happen over a few years with just normal use and care. I know none of my Pelikans with the gold plated trim rings have this problem, but then as you mentioned, the ring holds the cap on the Mb but not on the Pelikan.

I found the website of Daniel Kirchheimer who specializes in restoring gold plating, caps, etc so I think I'm going to give him a try on it and see if he can deal with it. Should be less expensive and probably better quality than sending it back to Mb for a replacement.

I wonder if the ring can be replaced? I have a black 144 roller ball that the cap won't snap on tight anymore. This trim ring seems to be worn down from use. If a new ring could be installed it would be in tip top condition.

nice 144;) and yes the 144 are very good writers

What a stunning pen, she is truly stunningly good looking.

Nice. Really gorgeous.
I have a hybrid one in black.
I just swipe the cap of the solitaire duo rollerball with the cap of my black resin 144.
So now apart from a 14k nib instead of the original 18k, it looks the same as a solitaire duo 144.
Sadly there are some dents on the sterling silver cap.

Awwwww What a cutie