Montblanc 146 Vs. Aurora Optima Vs. Dupont Olympio

[kozmokr]

Actually MB in the pen world is exactly like Rolex in the watch world.

Both make very good products, both use a lot of marketing, and both are the first brand name anyone would think of when talking about pens/watches.

 

In what you may call WIS circles (and the respective nickname for pens sonbs) both brands are quite frowned upon despite their great products. Their recognition and marketing is exactly what the snobs are looking to avoid. They don't want to see the same pen/watch they use, used by someone that just bought it for the brand name.. How can they look down upon them if they have the exact same thing?

[Keyless Works]

I was referring to their resale value. I don't think Rolex and MB are that comparable because Rolex tightly controls the supply in each market and limits their mass produced product such to create a demand...this is something that MB does not do. There are also certain models you simply can't get new from Rolex unless you have a good relationship with Rolex or an AD...these models are instantly worth thousands more than retail the minute they hit the second hand market. The Rolex professional series (even the easy to get models) appreciate in much less time than a regular MB pen or any standard production watch for that matter.

 

As iconic brands I agree that Rolex and MB are similar.

[nnysldrwv]

Thank you so much, everyone. The information you provided helped me a lot.

I've bought a Montblanc 149, recieved yesterday. I've been enjoying the pen. It writes well and feels delicate. I love it.

I think I'll go for the Aurora optima when I decide to buy another pen.

 

Thank you very much!

 

 

 

Edited July 22, 2015 by nnysldrwv

[KBeezie]

If all the nibs were optimal to Mfr specs I'd likely lean towards the Aurora Optima, with the Montblanc 146 being the second choice. I don't have an Aurora Optima, but I do have an Aurora Afrika LE which is basically an Optima with fancier appearance, I also have a Montblanc 146.

 

Appearance wise, both of em look great to me, feel wise, the MB 146 is solid feeling, the Afrika is lighter though (better for longer sessions), Not sure if the Optima is a match on weight or not.

 

http://i.imgur.com/yTKecdk.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/covCYxN.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/6kQGw9q.jpg

Edited July 22, 2015 by KBeezie

[Bo Bo Olson]

A bit too late.

I have a modern MB Virginia Woolf, which has a 'Springy' nib....decent tine bend, but not much tine spread. @ 2X instead of 3 X of regular flex or semi-flex or 'flexi'/maxi-semi-flex.

 

I have a standard sized MB 234 1/2 Deluxe ('52-54 only) KOB in Semi-flex.

A rolled gold 742 ('51?-55) with a nib that is a bit better than semi-flex....not quite maxi-semi-flex.

 

I had lucked into a Large minty 146 from the '70's, with a nice springy regular flex nib. It was not exactly what I was looking for but I was at a live auction and got it cheap in no one was bidding for the pens. €150.

 

I had been looking for and finally lucked into a medium-long '50's 146, with a 'flexi'/maxi-semi-flex nib.

I wanted a good assortment of '50's MB nibs. I lucked out.

 

IMO, the MB's from the '50-60's including the 149 (too big for me to feel comfortable with) have more lively nibs. Keep your eye out for them. 2xx is good too....their second tier back when they made 4 tiers, 3 MB and I think it was Mona Rosa for the lowest.

After MB went bankrupt they stopped making second tier and lower.

 

I have a Dupont Classic, in one does need the best pen made, even if it's a nail. (I got to get rid of a nail in that nib size. I have 5-6 nails, don't need any more.) Be aware the finest counterfeited pens in th world are Duponts....buy for more, from some one reputable if buying used, if not new. Even the inside of the clip is mirror polished on a real Dupont.

 

When I was 'noobie' I did take a gamble on a very well made fake Dupont in a flea market. Jar told me how to tell if it was as fake as I feared.

You are not going to get a real Dupont for €30....not even in a flea market.

 

I almost bought a Aurora Verdi, in back when that pen was made...or a couple years after on sale like my Woolf at my B&M. Aurora still made semi-flex nibs then. I got the Woolf instead. Do keep your eye out on Vintage Aurora pens for a semi-flex nib with a bit of tooth to it. From what I understand Aurora no longer makes semi-flex nibs.

 

Buying modern pens on the whole is buying a boring nib. That is why so many folks get some of their pens made into Stubs or Cursive Italic.

Edited July 22, 2015 by Bo Bo Olson