ST Dupont Montparnasse

[jar]

A little more about the evolution of ST Dupont pens.

 

ST Dupont entered the luxury pen market in 1972. Their first design was the Classique, a very slim, pretty conventional pen of the period. It was executed using the finest materials available and with ST Duponts typical attention to detail at all levels.

 

Here is an example of a typical Classique pen.

 

http://www.fototime.com/382D6AFE712A58D/standard.jpg

 

The next series was the Gatsby. With the Gatsby ST Dupont addressed some of the limitations found in the Classique. It is still a slim pen as was popular at the time, but because the section (the part that holds the nib) is internal, the feel of the pen is much better. It looks slim but feels stout.

 

http://www.fototime.com/65CF56A4BF4429D/standard.jpg

 

About 1989 ST Dupont introduced what would become their flagship pen until the introduction of the Olympio series. It was called Montparnasse.

 

The Montparnasse was a departure for them and the only pen they have offered that has a screw on threaded cap. Like the earlier models the attention to detail is perfect.

 

http://www.fototime.com/FBCFAF7213CD260/standard.jpg

 

With the Montparnasse we see another increase in the girth of the pen, it has a body slightly wider than the Gatsby, and like the Gatsby, the section is internal and you hold the body itself when writing.

 

http://www.fototime.com/B065F4EBC2BBE44/standard.jpg

 

Capped, the Montparnasse is almost exactly the same length as the later Fidelio, but when posted it is slightly longer.

 

http://www.fototime.com/E7EC0EA718BCDCB/standard.jpg

 

http://www.fototime.com/CC337F50D2BE1CA/standard.jpg

 

Since the section is internal, just as with the Gatsby, ST Dupont needed a way to remove the section to fill the converter or replace the ink cartridge without the owner getting ink all over his fingers. With the Gatsby they solved that problem by allowing the owner to twist the cap to remove the section, but the screw type cap on the Montparnasse required a different solution.

 

Fortunately ST Dupont had a solution in house, the same method they used with their lighters.

 

http://www.fototime.com/5621E1F4E9FDCE0/standard.jpg

 

At the base of the body you find a swing out handle that unscrews the section from the body.

 

http://www.fototime.com/D505E9B143AA73F/standard.jpg

 

It is a complicated system but as expected, works smoothly, reliably and effortlessly.

 

Like most ST Dupont pens it has a solid brass body so it is a fairly heavy pen. Balance though, as expected, is perfect and I can write for hours without fatigue or pain in my hands. The nib as with all ST Dupont pens is gold, in this case 18K gold in a wrap around design.

 

The Montparnasse was offered in two styles.

 

The basic model had either heavy gold or silver plating on a brass body with Guilloche work or in a solid color Chinese Lacquer finish.

 

The upscale model was the Chairman, and there ST Dupont played with the combination of intricate Guilloche work covered by many layers of translucent Chinese Lacquer. The combination of the facets in the Guilloche and the layers of lacquer means that light constantly reflects differently so that the appearance is always changing. The lacquer also warms to the hand and adds a wonderful tactile experience when used.

 

The Chairman arrived in a really simple white box, certainly no hint of what was inside.

 

http://www.fototime.com/6998B85F99D5DB2/standard.jpg

 

Inside I found a wood grained plastic box.

 

http://www.fototime.com/FE34B9B6C0C5860/standard.jpg

 

When opened it displayed the pen nestled into a fitted recess and simply a plaque saying Chairman.

 

http://www.fototime.com/2A71B96AA45D5A6/standard.jpg

 

Understated elegance.

 

http://www.fototime.com/81A68DAB692A135/standard.jpg

 

http://www.fototime.com/EE2A3A0DC6F708A/standard.jpg

 

http://www.fototime.com/373B7F621AC1A8A/standard.jpg

 

Of all my ST Dupont pens, the Montparnasse has to be one of my favorites. The size is comfortable, the pen has a commanding presence without being imposing, like all ST Dupont pens they write smoothly, effortlessly, consistently, without any hesitation.

Edited January 14, 2010 by jar

[MYU]

Thanks for this tour-like review of some ST Dupont pen models, Jar. It's great to see some of these other pens (excellent photos, btw) and how they compare to the Montparnasse. Beautiful pen. I love this design. I don't own any ST Dupont pens, but expect I will someday.

Edited January 14, 2010 by MYU

[jar]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. I think it is interesting to see pens reviewed within the context of the Marque itself and also competing pens from a given period.

 

AbE:

 

If the pictures are good it's likely someone else took them, it is only the crappy ones I can claim are mine.

Edited January 14, 2010 by jar

[Ed Ronax]

Nice review, thanks.

[adam11]

I recently (re)discovered Dupont and jar had something to do with it with his advice and help (thank's jar). Currently, Dupont Montparnasse for me represents one of the most beautiful pens ever made and I really hope I will own one some day.

Edited January 15, 2010 by adam11

[georges zaslavsky]

very nice pen jar thanks for the review

[ArchiMark]

Excellent review of a very handsome pen, jar!

[Ladynib302]

A little more about the evolution of ST Dupont pens.

 

Jar: Ladynib302 thanks you for this enlightening and most timely review; Enjoyed it and appreciate it!!!

 

 

ST Dupont entered the luxury pen market in 1972. Their first design was the Classique, a very slim, pretty conventional pen of the period. It was executed using the finest materials available and with ST Duponts typical attention to detail at all levels.

 

Here is an example of a typical Classique pen.

 

http://www.fototime.com/382D6AFE712A58D/standard.jpg

 

The next series was the Gatsby. With the Gatsby ST Dupont addressed some of the limitations found in the Classique. It is still a slim pen as was popular at the time, but because the section (the part that holds the nib) is internal, the feel of the pen is much better. It looks slim but feels stout.

 

http://www.fototime.com/65CF56A4BF4429D/standard.jpg

 

About 1989 ST Dupont introduced what would become their flagship pen until the introduction of the Olympio series. It was called Montparnasse.

 

The Montparnasse was a departure for them and the only pen they have offered that has a screw on threaded cap. Like the earlier models the attention to detail is perfect.

 

http://www.fototime.com/FBCFAF7213CD260/standard.jpg

 

With the Montparnasse we see another increase in the girth of the pen, it has a body slightly wider than the Gatsby, and like the Gatsby, the section is internal and you hold the body itself when writing.

 

http://www.fototime.com/B065F4EBC2BBE44/standard.jpg

 

Capped, the Montparnasse is almost exactly the same length as the later Fidelio, but when posted it is slightly longer.

 

http://www.fototime.com/E7EC0EA718BCDCB/standard.jpg

 

http://www.fototime.com/CC337F50D2BE1CA/standard.jpg

 

Since the section is internal, just as with the Gatsby, ST Dupont needed a way to remove the section to fill the converter or replace the ink cartridge without the owner getting ink all over his fingers. With the Gatsby they solved that problem by allowing the owner to twist the cap to remove the section, but the screw type cap on the Montparnasse required a different solution.

 

Fortunately ST Dupont had a solution in house, the same method they used with their lighters.

 

http://www.fototime.com/5621E1F4E9FDCE0/standard.jpg

 

At the base of the body you find a swing out handle that unscrews the section from the body.

 

http://www.fototime.com/D505E9B143AA73F/standard.jpg

 

It is a complicated system but as expected, works smoothly, reliably and effortlessly.

 

Like most ST Dupont pens it has a solid brass body so it is a fairly heavy pen. Balance though, as expected, is perfect and I can write for hours without fatigue or pain in my hands. The nib as with all ST Dupont pens is gold, in this case 18K gold in a wrap around design.

 

The Montparnasse was offered in two styles.

 

The basic model had either heavy gold or silver plating on a brass body with Guilloche work or in a solid color Chinese Lacquer finish.

 

The upscale model was the Chairman, and there ST Dupont played with the combination of intricate Guilloche work covered by many layers of translucent Chinese Lacquer. The combination of the facets in the Guilloche and the layers of lacquer means that light constantly reflects differently so that the appearance is always changing. The lacquer also warms to the hand and adds a wonderful tactile experience when used.

 

The Chairman arrived in a really simple white box, certainly no hint of what was inside.

 

http://www.fototime.com/6998B85F99D5DB2/standard.jpg

 

Inside I found a wood grained plastic box.

 

http://www.fototime.com/FE34B9B6C0C5860/standard.jpg

 

When opened it displayed the pen nestled into a fitted recess and simply a plaque saying Chairman.

 

http://www.fototime.com/2A71B96AA45D5A6/standard.jpg

 

Understated elegance.

 

http://www.fototime.com/81A68DAB692A135/standard.jpg

 

http://www.fototime.com/EE2A3A0DC6F708A/standard.jpg

 

http://www.fototime.com/373B7F621AC1A8A/standard.jpg

 

Of all my ST Dupont pens, the Montparnasse has to be one of my favorites. The size is comfortable, the pen has a commanding presence without being imposing, like all ST Dupont pens they write smoothly, effortlessly, consistently, without any hesitation.

[adelaidepen]

I have recently purchased a few LE Duponts. I have both the BP and FP Pharaoh and have just picked up the Medici FP. My initial opinion is that BPs are more fragile and unlikely to withstand regular use - the clip in particular worries me a little.

The FPs are a little scratchy nib-wise but beautiful pens - I'll try and get some pictures up someday.

[jar]

I have recently purchased a few LE Duponts. I have both the BP and FP Pharaoh and have just picked up the Medici FP. My initial opinion is that BPs are more fragile and unlikely to withstand regular use - the clip in particular worries me a little.

The FPs are a little scratchy nib-wise but beautiful pens - I'll try and get some pictures up someday.

 

I'm surprised the nibs are scratchy, that is something seldom heard when discussing ST Dupont nibs. The Pharaoh and Medici are beautiful and I look forward to seeing pictures of your pens.

[ArchiMark]

I have recently purchased a few LE Duponts. I have both the BP and FP Pharaoh and have just picked up the Medici FP. My initial opinion is that BPs are more fragile and unlikely to withstand regular use - the clip in particular worries me a little.

The FPs are a little scratchy nib-wise but beautiful pens - I'll try and get some pictures up someday.

 

Like jar said, very surprised that your pens are on the scratchy side, as all the Duponts I bought are smooth like glass when writing...

 

Are they fine size nibs?

 

Were they bought new or used?

 

If new, then maybe you should have them fixed by Dupont?

 

Just to be clear, not saying that your nibs aren't scratchy, just surprised given most Dupont experiences that I and others have had...

[jbn10161]

Nice survey; thanks. The Chairman is a classic, beautiful pen.

[jar]

The Montparnasse also came in a large size reviewed here.

 

http://www.fototime.com/8485CC03DC12255/standard.jpg

[Glenn-SC]

WOW!

 

Nice pen and nice Review.

 

Thanks jar!

[dutchie]

Would anybody know whether there is a broad nib for the standard Montparnasse? Dupont USA says NO, but I have my doubts.

 

Thanks.

[jar]

Would anybody know whether there is a broad nib for the standard Montparnasse? Dupont USA says NO, but I have my doubts.

 

Thanks.

 

 

As I said in the email, "Yes Virginia, there is a Montparnasse Broad Nib"

 

See this article for additional confirmation.

 

Remember, the Montparnasse was discontinued before the current US Distributor took over. They really don't seem to know all that much about the older models.

 

From Bill's article:

 

Then, one year at the DC show I came across a four piece set of the Montparnasse in the silver plate lined pattern. Although my "serious" collecting involves sterling silver, I was just too tempted to pass these pens by, so they ended up going home with me. Only the fountain pen ever got any use, but with a nice broad nib complete with that renowned Dupont smoothness, it got a lot of use!

[Xof72000]

Nice review !

Thanks !

[david1600]

this gold one just

[kroywen1982]

I just got a Gold one NOS. I love it.

[jar]

I just got a Gold one NOS. I love it.

Without pics it don't exist. (actually these days, even with pics it might not exist)