S.T. Dupont vs Montblanc - whose quality is better

[RuffRydas]

One can't have too many 149s. I had one recent 149 (made between 1987-1989 with the precious resin) that I kept during a short time, it felt two times on a wooden floor and it didn't break, so who think that a modern 149 isn't durable is wrong.

The Olympio despite it is a stellar performer is a converted pen where as a 149 is piston filler pen offering a larger and smoother nib. If you are not pleased with a 149, you can get a 146 solitaire which is as good as an Olympio. MB nibs are handground and are hard to fault from my experience from the whole collection of the 146s and 149s I have. Grand Seiko is sold in smaller volumes than Rolex and doesn't retain its value like Rolex. Rolex builds almost 800000 officially certified chronometers but seiko doesn't.

 

If the quality of pens and watches were judged purely on value retention, then MontBlanc and Rolex would be the best in the world. However, I'd argue that in the case of both brands, their value retention is more likely attributed to their fat marketing budgets. I'm not knocking MontBlanc pens, I love mine, but failing to recognize some glaring weakness in their designs after numerous experiences from EXPERTS is a bit silly. George, you've dropped your 149 two times, how do you think the size of your sample demographic compares to someone who repairs/restores pens or sells them for a living?

 

In the end, both MontBlanc and ST Dupont make good quality products, but I think this thread puts together a compelling argument in favor of a lesser know brand. I know I sure could have used a similar thread in my initial research into ST Dupont...

[HBlaine]

For writing characteristics, Dupont is better than Montblanc. For build quality, they're about even -- but Montblanc made two design mistakes with the Meisterstück series, viz., the choice of "Precious Resin" ( a brittle fiberglass-reinforced resin that is prone to crack and even shatter) and the choice to include the section's flared end as part of the nib/feed collar (leading to leaks on the exterior of the section and to breakages that cause the end of the section -- a flange on the collar -- to simply fall off). I consider these two design choices inexcusable, and they are the reason I recommend avoiding these pens.

 

While I'm not going to approach the build quality issue, as I've had no problems with either brand, I do have to disagree about writing characteristics. The Duponts are solid performers, but IMHO, they can't hold a candle to my MBs. (And that's just my modern MBs. Against the vintage MBs, the Duponts aren't even in the same ballpark...)

 

Again, of course, IMHO... YMMV...

 

And, no, by the way, I'm not a particularly big MB fanboy. (Sorry, my Apple background coming throug there... )

Edited December 2, 2012 by HBlaine

[olivier78860]

There are many experiences here. Mine is that of a 1994's 149's cap falling a 0.7m (a bit more than 2 ft) height on a linoleum floor, and breaking, so luck or no luck, it really depends from where you look at it.

 

And I don't think the comparison with watches stands, as Swatch produces so many mechanisms nowadays, that you don't even know what you get when you buy a watch

[georges zaslavsky]

There are many experiences here. Mine is that of a 1994's 149's cap falling a 0.7m (a bit more than 2 ft) height on a linoleum floor, and breaking, so luck or no luck, it really depends from where you look at it.

 

And I don't think the comparison with watches stands, as Swatch produces so many mechanisms nowadays, that you don't even know what you get when you buy a watch

It is not swatch, it is ETA who produced the 2824, 2892 and 7750 swiss movements that are the most common and most middle of the range movements seen in a watch.

[olivier78860]

ETA is a subdivision of Swatch

[georges zaslavsky]

ETA is a subdivision of Swatch

No disagreements here

[RuffRydas]

There are many experiences here. Mine is that of a 1994's 149's cap falling a 0.7m (a bit more than 2 ft) height on a linoleum floor, and breaking, so luck or no luck, it really depends from where you look at it.

 

And I don't think the comparison with watches stands, as Swatch produces so many mechanisms nowadays, that you don't even know what you get when you buy a watch

 

I'm not sure I understand? Rolex and Grand Seiko both have in-house developed and built movements, there's no relation to Swatch at all. BTW there's a HUGE population of fellow watch crazies (George included) that will know/or figure out EXACTLY what movement they're getting before buying a watch...

 

I apologize for the poor comparion across genres, I was only trying to point to the fact that even though Grand Seiko is a MUCH lesser known brand than Rolex, it produces a better quality product for similar (if not slightly lower) prices, similar to MontBlanc vs ST Dupont (IMHO).

Edited December 2, 2012 by RuffRydas

[georges zaslavsky]

I'm not sure I understand? Rolex and Grand Seiko both have in-house developed and built movements, there's no relation to Swatch at all. BTW there's a HUGE population of fellow watch crazies (George included) that will know/or figure out EXACTLY what movement they're getting before buying a watch...

 

I apologize for the poor comparion across genres, I was only trying to point to the fact that even though Grand Seiko is a MUCH lesser known brand than Rolex, it produces a better quality product for similar (if not slightly lower) prices, similar to MontBlanc vs ST Dupont (IMHO).

haha this made me laugh :roflmho:

[bloof]

My limited experience and 2 cents:

 

I bought my first high quality fountain pen a few weeks ago and did not want to know anything about pens until I bought one, the reason being not wanting to judge a pen by other people's opinions or brand.

 

Anyway, I settled for an ST Dupont Malletier (never heard of ST Dupont before I bought it). I must have tried 20-30 pens in that shop in over an hour of scribbles and found the ST Dupont amazing and smooth. The Chinese lacquer is wonderful, the pen heavy and very good in hand.

Even the Fine nib I picked is very smooth.

 

MB vs ST Dupont: I don't know, I don't have enough to judge. I hate brand "value" as it clouds judgement: if you love the brand you'll love what they make, if you hate the brand then you will have an inverse bias.

 

There should be "blind tests" by people who are unaffected by brand image.

 

That's my 2 cents.

 

PS: the entire luxury market is based on value perception, be it watches, pens, leather shoes, or anything else.

I assemble my own watches so I have more elaborate opinions on that: MB & Rolex are indeed comparable as being the top recognized brands and top in volumes sales (Rolex makes 700,000 to 1,000,000 watches a year). But the comparison ends there: where MB seems to have "fallen" is their new trend towards less sturdy construction and therefore depreciation in value (read this whole thread) however Rolex still makes the most solid watches out there, no compromise or cost cutting (and I personally hate Rolex, but credit is fully due).

[jar]

My limited experience and 2 cents:

 

I bought my first high quality fountain pen a few weeks ago and did not want to know anything about pens until I bought one, the reason being not wanting to judge a pen by other people's opinions or brand.

 

Anyway, I settled for an ST Dupont Malletier (never heard of ST Dupont before I bought it). I must have tried 20-30 pens in that shop in over an hour of scribbles and found the ST Dupont amazing and smooth. The Chinese lacquer is wonderful, the pen heavy and very good in hand.

Even the Fine nib I picked is very smooth.

 

 

 

Welcome home. Pull up a stump and set a spell. Glad that you like your new pen.

[iveyman]

I have just added one more ST Dupont Montparnasse pen to my collection. I now have 5

ST Dupont pens. They are all smooth writers, smooth as butter and they are always on, from the time I took them out of the box and inked them up. I have never had any problems with them. I like the CC filler they have, for ease of cleaning and changing inks.

 

The quality of St Dupont pens, particularly the ones made with Chinese lacquer is bar none. Here are photos of my latest acquisition, a red ST Dupont XL Montparnasse, made with Chinese lacquer. It clearly shows they pay attention to every little detail. I don't own a Montblanc and I double I ever will.

[JonDoh]

Get a USA made Bexley instead.

[tempo]

I like Montblancs.

 

- They are simple. Nib + black plastics, the end.

 

- Have a place that I can go to get help. (Like an online e-bank V.S. bank with physical branch office)

 

- metal parts on Montblanc are great, no like some pens where the metal is plated badly as if children's toy

 

 

 

I don't understand S.T. Dupont....

 

But hey, I also don't understand women's shoes, bags, wallets, clothing, cosmetics.....

 

Let's just no argue about it.....

 

 

 

And be thankful Montblanc still has boutiques, by the ways things are going, soon they will be selling with their "Concierge"

 

 

Anyone see that news about the Montblanc's "concept store" in Beijing?

 

 

http://stories.montblanc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Au%C3%9Fenansicht.jpeg

[olivier78860]

Dear Tempo, I surely hope your post was to be read on second degree.

 

Otherwise, I'll take the liberty to say how preposterous it is, to suggest metal parts on S.T. Dupont pens are badly plated (like kid's toys (?)) or that they can only be compared to women's artifacts. Their pens might not be of your taste, which is totally legitimate, but it is not possible not to defend their usually excellent quality.

[tempo]

Hi Olivier, sorrysorrysorry m(-__-)m Orz (<-- a low bow, The O is the head, r the arms, etc.)

 

 

I guess what I mean is this:

 

 

A Fake pen looks just like a Real pen. => Fake looks like Real.

 

But that also means, a Real looks like a Fake..... does it not?

 

 

This is where I got the impression....... X__________X

[Pen Nut]

Interesting thread, some comments confuse me (doesnt take much) like Get a USA made Bexley instead. or a English made YOL ???

 

This comment is great however Rolex still makes the most solid watches out there, no compromise or cost cutting (and I personally hate Rolex, but credit is fully due). sooooo the most solid watch out there made with no compromise or cost cutting and you hate them ?

 

Anyway back to pens. I am a MB fan to a big degree. I am however being drawn into getting a DuPont just to see for myself. Then, and only then, will I feel I can pass comment or wind on the OP question.

[humsin]

I have just added one more ST Dupont Montparnasse pen to my collection. I now have 5

ST Dupont pens. They are all smooth writers, smooth as butter and they are always on, from the time I took them out of the box and inked them up. I have never had any problems with them. I like the CC filler they have, for ease of cleaning and changing inks.

 

The quality of St Dupont pens, particularly the ones made with Chinese lacquer is bar none. Here are photos of my latest acquisition, a red ST Dupont XL Montparnasse, made with Chinese lacquer. It clearly shows they pay attention to every little detail. I don't own a Montblanc and I double I ever will.

 

 

That looks unbelievable!!!

 

 

I honestly find Montblancs plasticky....

[georges zaslavsky]

I have seen and tested several duponts, the craftsmanship on them is excellent. I would like to own one but I don't find them enough big in terms of diameter for me which is why I don't own one. This being said they have surpassed Waterman's quality and are comparing neck to neck with Cartier's offerings which are also very well made. St Dupont is a very good brand reserved to the connoisseur.

[Krittabhas]

I own exactly 3 MB 149's and 3 Montparnasse XL's . Been writing with them for a long while, I would say both models deliver different extraordinary writing experience. I am not talking about functional issues here because many gentlemen above have explored thoroughly. I am talking about emotional aspect, the feeling when I use it. For MB 149 I feel more conventional, luxurious, and authoritative. With DuPont, I feel sophisticated, confident, and being myself. So,..., all in all, I can't pick one of them. It's about the way I wanna feel that day.

[humsin]

I have just added one more ST Dupont Montparnasse pen to my collection. I now have 5

ST Dupont pens. They are all smooth writers, smooth as butter and they are always on, from the time I took them out of the box and inked them up. I have never had any problems with them. I like the CC filler they have, for ease of cleaning and changing inks.

 

The quality of St Dupont pens, particularly the ones made with Chinese lacquer is bar none. Here are photos of my latest acquisition, a red ST Dupont XL Montparnasse, made with Chinese lacquer. It clearly shows they pay attention to every little detail. I don't own a Montblanc and I double I ever will.

 

That lacquerwork is amazing!!!