Platinum 3776 Nice Lavande/lilas - Serial Numbers

[vanarts]

Hi everyone,

 

I've been staring at the Platinum 3776 Nice Lavande on my computer screen for two weeks and yet I still can't make the last move to actually buy it. The reason is, some sellers in Japan sell this pen and its Lilas cousin for a lower price, stating that there's no blotter card with a serial number in the box. Platinum's website states that the cards come with the pens in the first production lot (3000 for Lavande and 2000 for Lilas).

 

I wonder if these pens, which don't have a card with a serial number, belong to the later production lots, or if the sellers somehow lost the cards, or if they had been used for testing in the stores before being put up online for sale. What's contradicting is that, if the pens are limited editions, should there not be more production lots than the first one (of thousands, which was already kind of many for a limited edition)?

 

I've searched everywhere for the information but can't find an answer. Please point me to the right thread if I missed any that discussed this before.

 

Many thanks!

Edited July 26, 2019 by vanarts

[mke]

Did you ask Platinum directly?

http://www.platinum-pen.co.jp/contact_us/econtact.html

[Sakura FP Gallery]

It were only the first 2000/3000 pens that received the numbers and the blotter cards. For all I know the Lilas and Lavande are regular pens now.

[mke]

It is a normal pen now. It sells with a good rebate in Japan - depends on which nib you want. I saw the rose-colored for a bit over 10000 recently.

[Bounce792]

The Lilas and Lavende are regular production now and don't have serial numbers. The serial numbers are only on the first lots, which they planned as special editions. So, if you find one with a serial number, you've got one from the first batch. All of the others are the regular production run.

[mke]

> of thousands, which was already kind of many for a limited edition

 

There are Montblanc limited edition pens "x/30000".

[vanarts]

Thank you very much for the help from all of you! I didn't know that something called limited edition can be later produced as a normal production run. It only makes sense if the serial number is etched onto the pen. A blotter card is always kept somewhere other than in our hand.

 

 

> of thousands, which was already kind of many for a limited edition

 

There are Montblanc limited edition pens "x/30000".

 

Really? 30000? Apparently "limited" is a loose term...

[mke]

> Really? 30000?

 

Don't remember which one it was - but look at the Agatha Christie pen: 27000 FPs

https://www.montblanc.com/en/discover/limited-editions/writers-editions/agatha-christie.html

The Hemingway also was 20000.

https://www.montblanc.com/en/discover/limited-editions/writers-editions/hemingway.html

 

Check the link "All Details" on these pages.

[Sakura FP Gallery]

Thank you very much for the help from all of you! I didn't know that something called limited edition can be later produced as a normal production run. It only makes sense if the serial number is etched onto the pen. A blotter card is always kept somewhere other than in our hand.

 

 

 

Really? 30000? Apparently "limited" is a loose term...

 

I do not think they were meant to be limited. Only the first 2000/3000 got something extra

[Olya]

Thank you very much for the help from all of you! I didn't know that something called limited edition can be later produced as a normal production run. It only makes sense if the serial number is etched onto the pen. A blotter card is always kept somewhere other than in our hand.

 

 

 

Really? 30000? Apparently "limited" is a loose term...

Those 2000/ 3000 are to my knowledge indeed engraved with their number (eg 1234/2000). A vendor couldn't keep the card or sell it separately, as the pen clearly shows it is part of the limited run.

[TSherbs]

> Really? 30000?

 

Don't remember which one it was - but look at the Agatha Christie pen: 27000 FPs

https://www.montblanc.com/en/discover/limited-editions/writers-editions/agatha-christie.html

The Hemingway also was 20000.

https://www.montblanc.com/en/discover/limited-editions/writers-editions/hemingway.html

 

Check the link "All Details" on these pages.

Yeah, marketing bull*$&*+

[vanarts]

Those 2000/ 3000 are to my knowledge indeed engraved with their number (eg 1234/2000). A vendor couldn't keep the card or sell it separately, as the pen clearly shows it is part of the limited run.

 

The Platinum website states clearly that the Rose pens got the engraved serial numbers (https://www.platinum-pen.co.jp/e_fountainpen_century_nice.html) but it doesn't mention this feature on the Lilas and Lavande product pages. I haven't seen any picture of these pens with an engraved number either. Personally I think getting an extra card with a serial number is not worth the high price.

 

 

 

I do not think they were meant to be limited. Only the first 2000/3000 got something extra

 

I see, then they're more like special editions than limited editions.

[Intensity]

I'd really like either of those pens with an UEF nib or at least EF. From what I'm seeing, the nib selection for these pens is very limited: only F, M, and B. If they are a part of the regular line-up now, I wish there would be an option to get them with very fine nibs.

[mke]

> I see, then they're more like special editions than limited editions.

Actually, not even special editions, special editions are pens which are time-limited or location-limited.

If you paint a number of any production pen you have, then it is the same situation.

 

Despite the high numbers, the Montblanc pens are really limited editions, the Hemingway pen has never been copied by Montblanc - in a different color or as a second edition, while Sailor, Pilot, Platinum and many other companies just change the color(s). Both are proven ways to milk the cows, ahem customers.

[jchch1950]

Limited editions first then regular production. Any price difference?

[vanarts]

Limited editions first then regular production. Any price difference?

Yep, it's a difference of about 5000-8000 JPY, which is pretty big!

Edited July 29, 2019 by vanarts

[ENewton]

 

The Platinum website states clearly that the Rose pens got the engraved serial numbers (https://www.platinum-pen.co.jp/e_fountainpen_century_nice.html) but it doesn't mention this feature on the Lilas and Lavande product pages. I haven't seen any picture of these pens with an engraved number either. Personally I think getting an extra card with a serial number is not worth the high price.

 

 

 

I see, then they're more like special editions than limited editions.

 

 

I bought one from the first run, from a reputable source, and don't see any engraving on my pen.

[amk]

The 'limited edition' Platinums I really covet are the Nagasawa ones. The apricot is really super and there's a sweet demo with the cockadoodle nib.

[vanarts]

The 'limited edition' Platinums I really covet are the Nagasawa ones. The apricot is really super and there's a sweet demo with the cockadoodle nib.

 

And maybe the Wagners? There are these blueish green, coral and yellow versions that make me wish that I lived in Japan to join their club .

[amk]

vanarts you are a wicked enabler.... I didn't know the Wagners, but they are now on my list! The coral is a lovely pen, isn't it?