Montegrappa Cosmos Enigma

[rinellatony]

So this is the final review of the tribute to mankind trilogy set that Montegrappa produced between 1999 to 2002. The Science and Nature pen was the first one released in 1999 followed by the Human Civilization in 2000. The next and last pen in the series is the Cosmos Enigma which was produced in 2002 and just like the other two it was produced in 1912 pieces. Lets start the last review.......

 

Packaging: 10/10

 

This box set is probably the most thought out and neatest that I've every seen for a pen. It matches the cosmic look of the pen's design and makes the pen look like it floats in the air when displayed. I have to give this box set a perfect score for its originality and close tie-in with the pen's design.

 

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x180/rinellatony/Montegrappa%20Trilogy%20Set/MontegrappaTrilogy042.jpg

 

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x180/rinellatony/Montegrappa%20Trilogy%20Set/MontegrappaTrilogy044.jpg

 

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x180/rinellatony/Montegrappa%20Trilogy%20Set/MontegrappaTrilogy043.jpg

 

 

Appearance: 9.75/10

 

 

This pen is georgeous in person and in pictures. Montegrappa hit a home run with the whole thing from the body of the pen to the cap. The dark blue cellulioud is done really well so are the hand paintings of outer space on the body of the pen. The only thing that doesn't make the appearance of the pen perfect for me is the clip. Its not bad looking but I'm not crazy about it.

 

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x180/rinellatony/Montegrappa%20Trilogy%20Set/MontegrappaTrilogy030.jpg

 

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x180/rinellatony/Montegrappa%20Trilogy%20Set/MontegrappaTrilogy029.jpg

 

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x180/rinellatony/Montegrappa%20Trilogy%20Set/MontegrappaTrilogy031.jpg

 

This silver moon is my favorite part of the pen!

 

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x180/rinellatony/Montegrappa%20Trilogy%20Set/MontegrappaTrilogy032.jpg

 

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x180/rinellatony/Montegrappa%20Trilogy%20Set/MontegrappaTrilogy033.jpg

 

 

NIB: 8.75/10

 

The NIB engraving on this one is pretty good. It kind of has a honey comb look to it that matches the body of the pen a little bit. The performance is good, l'm going the have the NIB adjusted to fine from medium on this one too.

 

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x180/rinellatony/Montegrappa%20Trilogy%20Set/MontegrappaTrilogy034.jpg

 

Filling System: 9.5/10

 

Same rating as the Science & Nature and Human Civilization its a piston filled pen which is great the only reason I wouldn't rate it higher is because I think the pen should hold a little more ink.

 

Cost Value: 9/10

 

At a $3700 retail price we are getting closer to what an Oscarson or Perchin costs but like the previous pens in this set, this is more of a relative rating as I consider these higher end Montegrappa's direct competitors to an Oscarson or Perchin or as another poster said, the Mont Blanc Patrons series. Its hard to justify any pen at these retail price's but it is a pretty good value compared to an Oscarson that retails for about 5k. I do like this pen and the others in this set better than what Oscarson and Perchin offer. Its a heavy pen but not nearly as heavy as a Perchin or Oscarson, plus its piston filled and the Perchin's and Oscarson's are not. IMO pens at these levels should be piston filled. My advice would be to try and get one of these used or discounted. Just like I said with the other two if you feel like indulging yourself its well worth it.

 

Overall: 9.5/10

 

Its hard to give any pen a perfect score, but the Cosmos Enigma is the closest to perfect out of the three. The only things that I could think to adjust would be the clip and the high price, thats it! I highly recommend all three pens but if you only could get one I would say that the Cosmos Enigma would be the winner. Here's more shots of all three.

 

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x180/rinellatony/Montegrappa%20Trilogy%20Set/MontegrappaTrilogy010.jpg

 

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x180/rinellatony/Montegrappa%20Trilogy%20Set/MontegrappaTrilogy009.jpg

 

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x180/rinellatony/Montegrappa%20Trilogy%20Set/MontegrappaTrilogy011.jpg

 

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x180/rinellatony/Montegrappa%20Trilogy%20Set/MontegrappaTrilogy012.jpg

 

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x180/rinellatony/Montegrappa%20Trilogy%20Set/MontegrappaTrilogy014.jpg

 

Here's a couple more with my favorite watch. Its an A. Lange & Sohne Lange 1 Moonphase and the pen matches the watch almost perfectly.

 

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x180/rinellatony/Montegrappa%20Cosmos/MontegrappaCosmos004.jpg

 

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x180/rinellatony/Montegrappa%20Cosmos/MontegrappaCosmos005.jpg

 

I hope you enjoyed the review.

 

Tony

[777]

Thanks for the review of this amazing pen. I'll certainly never own one of these (waaaaaaaaaaay to expensive for me) but I'll bet they're a pleasure to write with.

Edited August 8, 2010 by 777

[Lizzie]

Great pen, congratulations!

I used to like the Human Civilization best, but now my favourite is the Cosmos Enigma. I agree with regards to the clip, it is a little too plain on such an amazing pen.

Nice watch, too!

[rinellatony]

Here are the reviews to the other pens.

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/163074-montegrappa-science-and-nature/

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/163720-montegrappa-human-civilization/

[Brian]

Nice review and tour of this interesting pen. The Cosmos is in good company as well, in keeping with the timelessness of A. Lange & Sohn observing the heavens.