Montblanc Platinum 149 Obbb

[Tom Kellie]

Tom- forgot to ask you:

 

Is the OBBB considered bespoke in the sense that one purchases a new 149 and then adds on top of that $1,500 just for the new nib? That's what I understood when I inquired about the signature nib earlier.

 

[Tom Kellie]

~ As an addendum to the above, concerning the Platinum 149 OBBB's price and the “no charge within six weeks” nib exchange, it might be helpful to note the shipping arrangements.

At the time the Platinum 149 was purchased from the China World Trade Center boutique in Beijing, I was working and living in Beijing.

However, after 17 years I relocated from Beijing to a science and technology university in a rather remote location in central China, near an area of exceptional biodiversity.

Last week I flew across China to Shanghai, for waterfowl observation and photography on Chongming Island, located where the Yangtze River enters the East China Sea.

The boutique notified me in Shanghai that the OBBB had arrived, six weeks after purchase.

They offered to ship it to me by FedEx at their cost. I asked them to coordinate with my teaching assistant who would receive the package in my absence.

When I returned home yesterday, my teaching assistant brought the FedEx box to me, with the OBBB safely wrapped, protected by a cream felt pouch with a silk drawstring.

The service and consideration I've consistently received from Montblanc China has been exemplary, thanks to the dedication of several gifted sales staff professionals.

Tom K.

[Pravda]

Thanks for the clarification. I asked because here they told me that I can have any nib swapped into: EF, F, M, B, BB, OM, OB and OBB and these are the sizes I have been playing with.

 

The EEF, Signature, Calligraphy, reverse obliques, and as far as I thought the OBBB would be $1,500.

[Tom Kellie]

~ Pravda:

 

I've been guided through Montblanc's full bespoke process on two separate occasions, in each case by Montblanc Nib Manufacture Specialist Axel Nier.

He systematically explained the typical bespoke options, also noting that it was possible to request idiosyncratic one-of-a-kind nibs, to taste.

The bespoke EEF nib I ordered is a stellar performer which neither scratches or skips while laying out the most delicate of lines.

In the Beijing Montblanc boutique where I've purchased more than one dozen fountain pens there is the standard ‘tester box’ with the various nibs which you've listed above.

There's no OBBB sample nor is there any indication that it might be an option.

However...

In Montblanc China promotional material accompanying the 149s I've purchased, I noticed in small print in the back OBBB*, with the asterisk unexplained.

When I inquired as to what it meant, it was self-evident that the boutique staff were unfamiliar with any OBBB option.

It turned out that the asterisk indicated that it was solely an option for 149 fountain pens but unavailable on other models.

When I initially requested an OBBB I was told that the repair office said that OBBB nibs were strictly available as bespoke orders.

Having read recent Safaritalk posts which seemed to indicate otherwise, I mustered as much tact as possible to ask that the question be presented to a high level manager.

When that was done the welcome news came back that the OBBB was indeed available for 149s as a “no charge within six weeks” nib exchange.

Apparently it's an unadvertised, “upon request only” option. Now that I've ordered and received two OBBBs, the local staff cheerfully offers it to others interested in broader nibs.

Again, there was no bespoke fee assessed for either of the two OBBB nibs I ordered and both arrived within six weeks without any problems.

To you and to other FPN members and visitors interested in expressive nibs, I'd strongly recommend an OBBB as it facilitates smooth flowing handwriting with many varieties of lines.

I hope that this information is of value, as I've greatly enjoyed writing with both of the OBBB nibs I use.

Tom K.

[Pen Nut]

That 'strip tease' opening set of pictures had me expecting a solid platinum 149 that said the nib looks good.

[Tom Kellie]

[Pravda]

~ Pravda:

 

I've been guided through Montblanc's full bespoke process on two separate occasions, in each case by Montblanc Nib Manufacture Specialist Axel Nier.

He systematically explained the typical bespoke options, also noting that it was possible to request idiosyncratic one-of-a-kind nibs, to taste.

The bespoke EEF nib I ordered is a stellar performer which neither scratches or skips while laying out the most delicate of lines.

In the Beijing Montblanc boutique where I've purchased more than one dozen fountain pens there is the standard ‘tester box’ with the various nibs which you've listed above.

There's no OBBB sample nor is there any indication that it might be an option.

However...

In Montblanc China promotional material accompanying the 149s I've purchased, I noticed in small print in the back OBBB*, with the asterisk unexplained.

When I inquired as to what it meant, it was self-evident that the boutique staff were unfamiliar with any OBBB option.

It turned out that the asterisk indicated that it was solely an option for 149 fountain pens but unavailable on other models.

When I initially requested an OBBB I was told that the repair office said that OBBB nibs were strictly available as bespoke orders.

Having read recent Safaritalk posts which seemed to indicate otherwise, I mustered as much tact as possible to ask that the question be presented to a high level manager.

When that was done the welcome news came back that the OBBB was indeed available for 149s as a “no charge within six weeks” nib exchange.

Apparently it's an unadvertised, “upon request only” option. Now that I've ordered and received two OBBBs, the local staff cheerfully offers it to others interested in broader nibs.

Again, there was no bespoke fee assessed for either of the two OBBB nibs I ordered and both arrived within six weeks without any problems.

To you and to other FPN members and visitors interested in expressive nibs, I'd strongly recommend an OBBB as it facilitates smooth flowing handwriting with many varieties of lines.

I hope that this information is of value, as I've greatly enjoyed writing with both of the OBBB nibs I use.

Tom K.

 

 

Thanks again Tom K. This totally explains it and I intend to put this information to good use. If you noticed in another post, I just received my Martele (without the requested OB nib which I will have to wait for) but now I am wondering if I should order a nib swap for my 90 years. The F it came with is not so good, maybe jump to OBBB?

[meiers]

Hi Tom. I am so grateful for your colourful posts. Your contributions are so thoughtful and engaging. I love all the photos and handwritten notes.

[Pravda]

Hi Tom. I am so grateful for your colourful posts. Your contributions are so thoughtful and engaging. I love all the photos and handwritten notes.

+1 Amen

[Ghost Plane]

Sheer bliss to catch up with all the pictures. I strongly recommend the BB at a minimum and adore my OBBB. So restful to the hand and fun with shading and sheening inks.

[Pravda]

Sheer bliss to catch up with all the pictures. I strongly recommend the BB at a minimum and adore my OBBB. So restful to the hand and fun with shading and sheening inks.

I just called them up and said I wanted a OBBB for my 90 years let's see what you all been raving about

[da vinci]

I just called them up and said I wanted a OBBB for my 90 years let's see what you all been raving about

Well done Pravda

Edited August 25, 2016 by da vinci

[zaddick]

Tom's comments are spot on regarding the O3B nibs. Most boutique staff do not know of the nibs and sometimes insist they do not exist. I have literally had to tell them to put a request for O3B on their paperwork.

 

One key point Tom made that I want to stress is that the O3B is only for the #9 size nibs. OBB is the widest #6 nib available standard.

 

There is no BBB as a standard nib width for the 149. I assume that would be bespoke if you ordered one.

[Tom Kellie]

~ When Montblanc’s bespoke program was explained to me in full, on two occasions, I was specifically told that a BBB nib was a bespoke option, not a nib exchange option, as zaddick has noted.

Montblanc Nib Manufacture Specialist Axel Nier is a straightforward gentleman who lays out the bespoke options with clarity and candor.

Such bespoke nib options as music nibs, italic nibs, EEF nibs and BBB (or wider!) nibs are all available with careful customization to the buyer’s preferences.

As Pravda has listed, the “nib exchange within six weeks” options which are shown in each boutique’s ‘tester box’ are EF, F, M, B, BB, OM, OB, and OBB.

My experience with the ordering process was that the OBBB nib is treated as something of a chimera with characteristics of both a standard nib exchange and of a bespoke nib.

The China World Trade Center boutique where I ordered the OBBB nibs has a very high sales volume, catering to media figures and the affluent residing in downtown Beijing.

The sales staff are consummate professionals with substantial experience in addressing the preferences of discerning clientele.

The stumbling-block seems to be that Montblanc promotional material sidesteps the OBBB nib, aside from discreet, vague references placed in back pages.

The use of the asterisk, as in OBBB*, heightens sales staff concern that there’s something out-of-the-ordinary about OBBB nibs. Without further clarification, their understandable instinct is to sidestep the nib.

Over the first three months of back-and-forth negotiation to seek an OBBB nib exchange, as opposed to a “bespoke OBBB”, several well-meaning Montblanc China staff members referred to the OBBB as a “signature nib”.

That may be because in their estimation, that would likely be its sole function, as a tool for a grandiose flourish of a signature intended for effect.

For that reason I asked myself if it was wise to persist in seeking an OBBB, concerned that it might turn out to be no more than an unwieldy ‘paintbrush’ of a nib, with limited practicality.

After all, I’d been content with EF 149s and a bespoke EEF for writing spindly micro-notes on student manuscripts and as marginalia in books.

Had it not been for posts from several FPN members, describing their OBBB nib exchange experiences, I might have abandoned the quest for an OBBB nib exchange.

About five or six visits to the boutique were necessary to tactfully nudge the staff to inquire at the highest levels as to whether or not the OBBB was indeed a 149 nib exchange option.

The internal material available to them and their training had made no mention whatsoever of the OBBB, aside from a fleeting reference to it as a sort of ‘crazy bespoke option’.

When it was finally determined that a 149 OBBB nib exchange might be made, I purchased a 149 and sent it off, receiving the OBBB six weeks later.

The results were more than satisfactory, as writing with such a pleasingly wide nib is akin to driving a Rolls-Royce — smooth, powerful, with a remarkable degree of variation available in response to one’s finger, hand, wrist and arm motion.

In the six months following the arrival of the original OBBB I frequently stopped by the China World Trade Center boutique to admire the stock and purchase ink or pens.

As I sat facing the wall, a display case was behind the sales staff member. A Platinum 149 beguiled me, month after month. Imagination visualized a Platinum 149 OBBB. The rest is history.

Now that the staff have seen two OBBBs, and have been through the nib exchange process, they’re happy to recommend it to others seeking a broader nib.

My impression is that there’s no inherent issue with ordering an OBBB nib exchange. Rather it's handled as an “upon request only” option, with which boutique staff might not be familiar.

Ghost Plane and other members performed an invaluable service in advocating the widest nibs, fortifying my resolve to order an OBBB. How glad I am that I’ve done so.

When Pravda receives his OBBB I hope that he’ll share my pleasure in writing with such an outstanding piece of Montblanc craftsmanship.

The hand-eye coordination adjustment to using an OBBB nib is minimal. As with any finely honed instrument, one observes and tweaks until it’s just right.

As Ghost Plane has noted, the fun begins when seeing quality inks displaying the subtle nuances of their hues, which OBBB nibs do with panache.

May those who hesitate investing in an OBBB nib be inspired to reconsider, as writing with an OBBB is such a joy!

Tom K.

Edited August 26, 2016 by Tom Kellie

[Tom Kellie]

Platinum Nibs

[A1979]

 

The EEF, Signature, Calligraphy, reverse obliques, and as far as I thought the OBBB would be $1,500.

Does it mean that the "bespoke nib" will cost more than a new 149? 😳

Edited August 26, 2016 by A1979

[Pravda]

Does it mean that the "bespoke nib" will cost more than a new 149? 😳

More than x2 a new 149 :/

[A1979]

More than x2 a new 149 :/

🙈 For that price you'll get a "bespoke ink" too. 😀

[Pravda]

I'm so happy that TK told us the OBBB isn't to be considered bespoke. Otherwise wouldn't have justified the cost, the price of a Solitaire 146 in its own right

[gerigo]

Tom

 

I am curious to find out how long it took for your bespoke nibs to get to you? I had the privilege of meeting Axel about 6 weeks ago in Shanghai and ordered a couple of Bespoke nibs from him. The store said it would be 6 months before I would get my pens. But they also said 6 months for a simple nib exchange. I feel they are saying this to manage my expectations.