Tribute To Mont Blanc Le Grand

[johntdavis]

I'm coming late to the party on these. The US Montblanc website doesn't let you add them to the cart anymore, and Rolf over at Missing-Pen says Montblanc told him they were out of stock. He did point me towards the plain white Solitare LeGrand (http://www.montblanc.com/de-de/collection/writing-instruments/meisterstueck/111933-meisterstueck-white-solitaire-legrand-fountain-pen.html). It looks like the same pen without the engraved section or the quartz star. Might be a good alternative if you love the color but don't want to pay quite as much for the engraving and quartz...

 

I may have found one of the Tribute Le Grands on sale at a watch store. Does anyone with one of these find the section slippery, or worry about scratching/damaging the engraving in normal use? Lacquer's pretty tough so long as you're careful with it and don't drop it (like any normal pen), so that doesn't worry me too much...

[Vlad Soare]

No, I don't find the section slippery at all. But it does attract fingerprints like hell.

The engraving doesn't seem to be too vulnerable. Mine still looks like new after two years.

[Michael R.]

Yes, you are late, but not too late ;-)

 

The Tribute has been replaced by Montblanc with the white Solitaire (which actually costs the same). But (at least in Germany) you will be able to still find the LeGrand Tribute pens in several stores (including Montblanc boutiques).

 

To be honest I still prefer plastic sections over metal sections but so far I have no problems with the Tribute section; I'd say it should hold up well. It's the lacquer I'm more worried about (chipping, scratching,...).

 

I hope you get a good deal at the watch store; it's a beautiful pen and the engraving and quartz star really is a nice add-on.

 

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-54F7K15IgtM/VhEtkPeJJ1I/AAAAAAAABFk/0OSqcda1B6c/s1600/P1280333a.jpg

 

Cheers

 

Michael

[Pen Nut]

Just reading the posts made in page 1 of this thread and found the weight comparisons interesting. Got a 146 in vermeil with about 1/4 of a tank of ink which weighs in at 49.35g. 149 with a touch over 1/2 tank hits the 36.95g mark but the pen that surprised me most without cartridge or convertor fitted is the Marlene Dietrich 1901 com edition in silver which hits a whopping 81.42g........so much for it being a 'ladies' pen eh !

[Vlad Soare]

Wow! Eighty-one grams?

And I thought the Tribute was heavy...

[Pen Nut]

Never weighed this monster when I had it but it dwarfed my daily user 146 vermeil and that is not a small pen really...........

 

 

[Pen Nut]

Even my one of my favourite users the Dickens looks intimidated

 

 

 

 

 

Link below for those curious as to what it is

 

 

http://www.mvburke.com/limitededitionsfldr/greatexhibition.htm

[johntdavis]

Thanks for the responses, everyone.

 

So, if I decide to buy one, I have two options:

1) the current white Solitare 146, direct from Germany with my choice of nib; or

2) a Tribute LeGrand from the aforementioned watch store for $100 more, with an M nib. I tend to prefer F, and the M on my vintage 1970s-1980s 149 is a bit wide for me, but I figure if I don't like the M I have one free exchange at a MB dealer. I'm assuming I can still do this if I buy from the watch store...right?

 

Price aside, is there any real difference between the two besides the engraving and fancy quartz on the Tribute?

 

The part of me that wants to own a limited edition MB is extremely tempted. Either way, being able to get a silver/white MB146 would be excellent--I've been on the hunt for a super-classy white pen with silver trim for a long time. I can't imagine doing better than this.

Edited January 11, 2016 by johntdavis

[Vlad Soare]

The difference between the Tribute and the white Solitaire is purely estetical. However, I think it's worth every penny. The engraving is simply stunning (when it's not covered in fingerprints, that is), and the quarz star looks fantastic. If given a choice, I'd always go for the Tribute.

Even if the pen itself is sold out, Montblanc will still exchange your nib for a finer one for free if you so wish, provided you bought the pen from a legitimate source and have a properly filled out and stamped warranty booklet.

Keep in mind that the Tribute is not a limited edition per se. It has been produced in high quantities, and the units are not numbered. Buy it for your own pleasure, but don't expect it to increase in value over time like a real limited edition might.

Edited January 12, 2016 by Vlad Soare

[johntdavis]

Hello again.

 

Thanks for your input, Vlad. I thought it was pretty much just looks. Not to say the looks aren't amazing. The engraving is one thing, but I love the look of the quartz. I saw it on a Classique Tribute.

 

I talked to the watch store and they were very polite and honest about the fact that they're not an authorized MB dealer, so no star, and thus no warranty. They do promise it is brand new and provide the original box and serial number, as well as a certificate of authenticity from the store. So there's that to consider. Given how often I've had even expensive pens need service, that makes me a bit nervous...

 

Is Missing Pen considered an authorized MB dealer? I know he orders straight from the company. It might be worth it to forego the engraving and quartz to get the Solitare with a full warranty. I'd also save about $100.

 

Thanks, too, for the info about the Tribute not being an LE. I thought it was, and as you said, I imagined it might increase in value. Not that I intend to sell it if I get one...