Mont Blanc With Discolored Gold Is It Real? With Nice Macro Picture

[Chauncy]

I have two Mont Blanc pens I'd like some information about, I am considering selling them on eBay, I want to make sure they are authentic, and would like input about what they are worth and if I should know anything else about them prior to selling.

 

I purchased this Mont Blanc Meisterstuck Classique Ball point at Costco around the year 2000, I think I paid $99 or maybe $119 for it. It was used regularly for a few years then has been in the box for about the last decade, any concern that this pen is real? it has some discoloration on the gold plating around the center three rings on the body of the pen would this have happened to a true mont blanc? Also please see my additional question below the photo about a Mont Blanc roller ball.

Here is a link to the album of images of the pen, I have a 100mm Macro lens on DSLR so I hope the photos are good enough. http://s108.beta.photobucket.com/user/johnsodr/library/Mont%20Blanc%20Ballpoint

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n5/johnsodr/Mont%20Blanc%20Ballpoint/Pens020.jpg

 

 

Also I have a roller ball of the same model, this pen was found when I worked at a driving range in high school, around 1998 or so. I am not sure of the age of the pen or it's history prior to this. I have compared it extensively with my ballpoint and they seem identical, with one exception, the roller ball clip does not have the "Pix" on the reverse of the clip, the ballpoint does have this embossed word on it. I have heard this is an indication of some fakes, but everything else about the pen seems legit, texture and shape, font of the gold embossing serial number fonts and shape of the molding of the precious black resin parts, even shinning a strong flashlight through the resin shows the exact same blood red hue and the same shape of reinforcing ribs on the interior of the rounded end on the back of the pen. What do you guys think? Thanks much for your help I am a brand new member and just signed up today.

 

Here is a link to the album of images of the rollerball: http://s108.beta.photobucket.com/user/johnsodr/library/Mont%20Blanc%20rollerball

[welch]

I don't think Costco would sell a fake MontBlanc. Costco is a big company, and a big target for damages if whoever owns MontBlanc sued them. (I worked for GE for about 15 years, and our contracts were carefully written: never put the assets of GE within range of a law-suit.)

 

Discoloration? Maybe if it was banged around. I had the same ballpoint, also bought early in 2000 for about $100 - $120. I lost it about two weeks ago, so I can't send a photo. The cap and barrel collected a lot of nicks over the years, but I never looked closely at the gold trim.

[Tryek25]

This happened to a rollerball my dad had sometime ago. I think he had stored it for a short while and re-started using it. He asked me about it and we were able to polish it right off. I used a regular polishing cloth that was given to me at a Boutique.

 

Give it a shot and let us know.

[Sallent]

No...brassing to the gold plated trim would happen to any other pen company except Montblanc. For you see, Montblanc is exempt from the laws of physics and chemistry. It says so in the "Get out of Science Free" Card that they purchased from Stephen Hawking.

 

Besides, their precious Gold is more precious than the average Gold. Regular Gold is for the peasants. Montblanc Gold is mixed with pixie dust and unicorn tears, and would never wear out.

 

Ok, back to reality...looks good to me. Brassing is normal on gold plated trim. You've gotten 13 years use out of the pen. Come on, enjoy her for another 13 years and quit worrying so much.

Edited March 11, 2013 by Sallent

[Chauncy]

No...brassing to the gold plated trim would happen to any other pen company except Montblanc. For you see, Montblanc is exempt from the laws of physics and chemistry. It says so in the "Get out of Science Free" Card that they purchased from Stephen Hawking.

 

Besides, their precious Gold is more precious than the average Gold. Regular Gold is for the peasants. Montblanc Gold is mixed with pixie dust and unicorn tears, and would never wear out.

 

Ok, back to reality...looks good to me. Brassing is normal on gold plated trim. You've gotten 13 years use out of the pen. Come on, enjoy her for another 13 years and quit worrying so much.

 

 

I'm new to the forums here but even as a noob I think I may have detected a hint of sarcasm in that response. But honestly thanks for the info and to the others who replied.

[Chauncy]

And the lack of the "Pix" on the rollerball clip? is that a concern about the authenticity? Like I said I don't know the history of the rollerball, but everything else, even down to the casting details of metals parts that aren't visible when the pen is assembled seems to match identically to my ball point. From the images on photobucket, do you thin this is a real Mont Blanc

[Sallent]

No...brassing to the gold plated trim would happen to any other pen company except Montblanc. For you see, Montblanc is exempt from the laws of physics and chemistry. It says so in the "Get out of Science Free" Card that they purchased from Stephen Hawking.

 

Besides, their precious Gold is more precious than the average Gold. Regular Gold is for the peasants. Montblanc Gold is mixed with pixie dust and unicorn tears, and would never wear out.

 

Ok, back to reality...looks good to me. Brassing is normal on gold plated trim. You've gotten 13 years use out of the pen. Come on, enjoy her for another 13 years and quit worrying so much.

 

 

I'm new to the forums here but even as a noob I think I may have detected a hint of sarcasm in that response.

 

Just a hint? Anyway, it was all in good fun. You had a valid question...and as I said, it is not a big deal. It is expected on a pen of that age. Enjoy her. Your only regret should be not buying the fountain pen version of it. With Montblanc prices today being astronomical, you may never get the chance to do so.

[jar]

I don't think Costco would sell a fake MontBlanc. Costco is a big company, and a big target for damages if whoever owns MontBlanc sued them. (I worked for GE for about 15 years, and our contracts were carefully written: never put the assets of GE within range of a law-suit.)

 

Discoloration? Maybe if it was banged around. I had the same ballpoint, also bought early in 2000 for about $100 - $120. I lost it about two weeks ago, so I can't send a photo. The cap and barrel collected a lot of nicks over the years, but I never looked closely at the gold trim.

 

 

Costco may have a problem related to selling fake items. See this and other threads on Costco Montblanc pens.

[Chauncy]

Has anyone peeked at the albums I posted of marco shots of the two pens? Any opinions on whether they are real or not based on these pictures? What about the lack of the "Pix" under the clip on the RB?

[mmahany]

With all the pictures you posted I have 99% confidence that the pen is authentic. Everything down to the box looks just as it should. In the rare event it were a replica, it would be the best one I've ever seen.

 

 

 

 

EDIT-By the way, that's a very nice 335i sedan. I'm planning on buying one myself in the near future and getting the Dinan tune.

Edited March 12, 2013 by mmahany

[psychobabble]

Lack of "Pix" does not make it a fake. Older MB's lack this.

[Chauncy]

Lack of "Pix" does not make it a fake. Older MB's lack this.

 

Is there a known range of dates the rollerball could be from (without the Pix)? I may have more interest in the pen if it is older. I tried to look up some dating info, but found it very FP centric and couldn't really find the "Pix" feature referenced.

 

Is there any model number designated to these pens? or just "Classique"?

[Chauncy]

With all the pictures you posted I have 99% confidence that the pen is authentic. Everything down to the box looks just as it should. In the rare event it were a replica, it would be the best one I've ever seen.

 

 

 

 

EDIT-By the way, that's a very nice 335i sedan. I'm planning on buying one myself in the near future and getting the Dinan tune.

 

Thanks, glad to hear that. Good Choice, the 335 is a monster especially with Dinan, that is one incredible and efficient engine especially for it's introduction in 2007 with 300hp/300lb*ft and 26 or more MPG highway. If you happen to get a very early one make sure it has the oil cooler it's a good idea in all those cars, but I think Dinan may require it for the higher output stage 2 software. Sadly I don't have mine any longer but I really loved it.

[mmahany]

With all the pictures you posted I have 99% confidence that the pen is authentic. Everything down to the box looks just as it should. In the rare event it were a replica, it would be the best one I've ever seen.

 

 

 

 

EDIT-By the way, that's a very nice 335i sedan. I'm planning on buying one myself in the near future and getting the Dinan tune.

 

Thanks, glad to hear that. Good Choice, the 335 is a monster especially with Dinan, that is one incredible and efficient engine especially for it's introduction in 2007 with 300hp/300lb*ft and 26 or more MPG highway. If you happen to get a very early one make sure it has the oil cooler it's a good idea in all those cars, but I think Dinan may require it for the higher output stage 2 software. Sadly I don't have mine any longer but I really loved it.

 

Ah, glad to see you knew what I was talking about with the Dinan. I wanted to get an M3 (of course who doesn't?), but the $65-75k price tag is a bit ridiculous plus I need a 4 door. So the better option (for me) seems to go with a 335i with the M-Sport package and the dinan tune and save myself about $15k.

 

 

 

As far as the question about "PIX" under the clip to those who were interested, Montblanc began adding that around 1997. Again, if it's old enough it won't have "PIX" under the clip or possibly even a serial number. For instance, I have a 164 ballpoint that just reads "W. Germany" on the clip ring.

[oaklandjoe]

I have noticed that the nib of my 149 has this kind of discoloration. I thought that the nib was solid rather than brass with plating. Has anyone seen such a phenomenon before and can advise? I am considering selling it since I haven't used it for at least 10 years but am concerned about the nib. It certainly doesn't affect it's function but still...