Everyone likes to be the first with news. Now it's my turn. I got the following press release.

Fred

Etoile de Montblanc, Jewels for Writing

September 2008 will be the world premiere of ‘Etoile de Montblanc’–the new Montblanc line of exclusive writing jewels combines a magnificently sweeping silhouette –a celebration of sensuality and femininity –with the radiant and unique ‘Montblanc Diamond’ floating in the transparent dome of the cap.

Three variations are to be presented:

‘Etoile de Montblanc’, pure and elegant in a precious black body with platinum plated fittings

‘EtoilePrécieuse‘, where the new signature design and the ‘Montblanc Diamond’are enhanced with a row of diamonds cascading down the clip

‘Etoilede Montblanc-Collection Joaillière’, which shines in romantic yellow, warm red and crisp white gold, each studded with precious stones in matching colours, and strictly limited to 10 or 15 pieces worldwide.

In US, Ballpoint prices will start at $865.

Click to view attachment

Those are gorgeous ... and EXPENSIVE!! :-)

They are truly ugly.

No sale here, they look ugly IMHO.

Its hard to tell... I would have to see them in person to make my final call...

They look interesting IMHO. Very diffrent from the classic Meisterstuck line.

Absolutely NOT buying one of those!!

ick!

Allan

I'm too polite to say anything. Yet. But I bet Emperor Ming would prefer them to match his art deco spaceship.



Fred

The FP has a metal section, which for me is a no sale. In addition, the price point is excessive.

These do nothing for me.

That's french for Mont Blanc toilet, right?

Not ugly to my eyes, but certainly different. I'm not ready to run out and buy one, but a gift wouldn't be denied!
Krom

Reminds me of St Dupont. Is Dupont now from MB?

-Flere

These are the ugliest pens I've ever seen, from any brand.

All of the "Masterpiece" thingies (which most of us MB-non-lovers abhor) look better. And more "precious" too -- HAR HAR

Mike

Thanks for posting this interesting bit of information. I am thinking that this is news, and the nature of news itself is that it is what it is whether we like it or not.

So, on the one hand:

Let the Philistines and plebians who are less fortunate cry foul. Who amongst us, the most learned and wise, would not want a $865 ball point that we know writes with the truest and most excellent line. Verily, a scepter to slay the cretins.

And on the other:

What? $865 for What?

lol. I gotta agree, not for me.

The Garbo is IMO Montblanc's nicest modern design since the 142/146/149s of the 1950s. It will likely go down in their history and maybe in 50 years they will be making some kind of writer's LE based on it.

I remeber talking to a MB boutique manager in Canada last year who was telling me that it was one of their best sellers and that the Dietrich was going nowhere (fast). So much so that it was suggested to MB to stop making the Garbo in order to sell more Dietriches and other designs. Ho hum...

I have seen on two occasions men writing with a Garbo... if that's not a testimony to its successful design, I don't know what is.

This "Etoile de Montblanc" seems to me like a (VERY) poor spin-off of the Garbo. As if they're trying to milk more out of the Garbo's success and maybe make it easier to accept by men. I think they should've simply done a black 146-style pen with the curves and proportions of the Garbo and maybe a different clip... something not unlike a reverse-cap ribless Woolf without all that gold trim around the knob. Of course that beautiful alternation between black and ivoire on the Garbo would have been lost, but so would've been the feminine pearl and section. Oh well, there's still hope... and the Garbo is still on the market!

my wife bought me a Garbo BP...is it ok for a guy to write with this pen or is it kinda for a woman only???

The Garbo is probably the most feminine looking pen in the entire MB line. But I shan't think less of anyone if he should wanna write with it.

hehe...thanks

$865 for a ballpoint with platinum plated trim?! Surely there must be some other redeeming feature? What exactly is so special about this pen apart from its controversial looks to warrant the high price?

I patiently await higher resolution pictures.

I saw this pen today, and it is better than I was expecting. Admittedly I was pretty sure it was going to be a ladies pen, with no question of a male-female crossover! But having handled it, maybe it has potential for the more extroverted male.

I could see it being used as an evening pen, coming out of the inside pocket of a Dunhill dinner suit, and teamed with a pair of diamond Montblanc cufflinks!

But at nearly £600, do people buy pens, just for special occasions?

It looks like a skywalker with a top that's become infected. Different while not being pleasant.

K

I think it's got a diamond rather than a plastic star.

Kurt

where did you see it? i might take a look in selfridges to check if they got it... but honestly they are ugly, very ugly....and so dear..

I too withhold any comment on the looks of the pen.
The price will put it out of my mind very quickly.
I wonder how practical the FP is for use. If you want to or have to hold it a little higher you get from the thin part to the thick ring. Seems very strange.

Does this mean that the prices of meisterstuck goes down I withhold from comment on new pens

Sadly for me, I see the introduction of the Etoile as a continuation of a deliberate move by Montblanc toward becoming a women's specialty boutique and away from their prior identity as a (primarily) men's pen company.

First there was the lipstick mechanism Boheme line, then the introduction of purses and jewelry lines. And now the Etoile.

While it is true that Montblanc also makes men's cufflinks, wallets, luggage, belts, and even cigar cutters - the store inventory mix and the display placement shows the emphasis in Boutiques is clearly shifting to women's lines. And the shift is far more dramatic than would be expected by a company just trying to expand it's demographic. The cigar cutter is displayed at my boutique on the far right display case in the bottom window, three inches from the floor, unseen unless you are gatoring.

No, Montblanc is deliberately becoming a chick store. By next season I expect the introduction of logo'ed lingerie and open-toed sling-backs. I have no clue how they expect to drive male foot traffic with this strategy.

I mourn for my old Boutique where I was likely to find CEOs and CEO wannabes at the counter trying to decide between a medium and a fine 146 or 149, or considering a Writers' Edition or a POA Edition for a gift. I would have advised the addition of a humidor, cognac bar, and wingback leather chairs. Instead, when I walk into the Lenox Mall Boutique, I am surprised if I find anyone with a Y chromosome on my side of the counter. It's now just the same group of well-heeled ladies that strolls through Neiman Marcus, Tiffany's, and Cartier.

Change is bad. Change is always, always bad. (Ray's First Rule)

**sigh**

Hmmmm, seems to be some truth to this when I think about it. I'm not too sure about the actual change in the male to female customer ratio, because the boutique is always empty when I'm there.

I have seen this pen in my local pen stockist, it's a nice pen, but certainly aimed at the feminine market.

Sadly for me, I see the introduction of the Etoile as a continuation of a deliberate move by Montblanc toward becoming a women's specialty boutique and away from their prior identity as a (primarily) men's pen company. I disagree, MB has established itself as a luxury brand and is diversifying, they have provided high quality leathergoods for many years alongside there pen collections, by diversifying they are moving with the times in order to stay in the market, my local stockist say they sell 7 MB's to Males to every 3 sold to Females.

I mourn for my old Boutique where I was likely to find CEOs and CEO wannabes. I still see this in my local pen stockist where MB's, Montegrappa, Cartier and Caran d'Ache are the biggest sellers, but MB is still the biggest seller to Male Senior Exec's etc.

Kind regards
NIGEL