Montblanc M Ultra Black Discontinued?

[lucraak]

I could not find this through the search but it might have been asked before...

 

Is the M Ultra Black discontinued?

 

I was saving up to get my first MB M Ultra Black...(the one with the orange details) I wrote with it in a boutique a while ago and loved it but did not have the money for it.

When I finally wanted to take the plunge I cannot find it anymore. Amazon now sells it for 800 euros which is way too much for me.

 

What happened?

 

[dennis_f]

Hi Modernpens,

 

I was told at a boutique in Aug 2019 that it was discontinued. Apparently there were too many complaints about issues with the matte grey surface -- either chipping off to reveal the layer beneath, or buffing to a shine with use (as the Lamy 2000 typically does).

 

People were returning them with complaints, and Montblanc decided it wasn't worth their while to keep replacing them. By the summer of 2019 they were replacing returns with the original glossy version.

 

Having asked about them in other boutiques I was simply told that Montblanc was no longer producing them.

 

Occassionally I'll see one in authorized reseller locations -- like jewellery/watch stores -- but haven't seen one in a boutique since at least last spring.

 

D.

[ljz]

As far as I know, the pen has been discontinued a while back. Thus, it’s no longer available through MB official website or MB boutiques. However, I believe there’s a few authorised dealers that still have the pen in stock. You may also visit some stationery premises out there to try your luck, nonetheless it’s not advisable to go out that often during this critical time. Alternatively, you can check through Ebay.

 

In my honest opinion, with that amount of money, it’s not advisable to purchase the MB M fountain pen. As the magnetic snap mechanism tends to demagnetise over the course of usage, you’ve to send it in for service as soon as the mechanism malfunctions (cap becomes loose after capping). The cost of repair from MB is, as everyone knows, exorbitantly high. If you’re new to MB, my suggestion is the normal 146.

[ljz]

Hi Modernpens,

 

I was told at a boutique in Aug 2019 that it was discontinued. Apparently there were too many complaints about issues with the matte grey surface -- either chipping off to reveal the layer beneath, or buffing to a shine with use (as the Lamy 2000 typically does).

 

People were returning them with complaints, and Montblanc decided it wasn't worth their while to keep replacing them. By the summer of 2019 they were replacing returns with the original glossy version.

 

Having asked about them in other boutiques I was simply told that Montblanc was no longer producing them.

 

Occassionally I'll see one in authorized reseller locations -- like jewellery/watch stores -- but haven't seen one in a boutique since at least last spring.

 

D.

The matt finish on the Ultra Black 146 from 2016 does have the same issue.

[lucraak]

Ohw really! Tnx for these replies. Ill save up my money for something else then. Good to hear these long term issues, I was totally not aware of these.

With this information I can put my quest for this pen a bit easier to rest

[dennis_f]

The matt finish on the Ultra Black 146 from 2016 does have the same issue.

 

I recently found the 146 at a boutique (not an MB boutique, I mean), and I've been lusting for it ever since... but I've been reminded of this fact too often to ignore it. Of course, there's also the (rare) issue of the nib plating chipping (I think this is only the case with the 146 UB, and not the M); in fact, I've seen more than a few images of this on instagram.

[dennis_f]

Ohw really! Tnx for these replies. Ill save up my money for something else then. Good to hear these long term issues, I was totally not aware of these.

With this information I can put my quest for this pen a bit easier to rest

 

No problem... and I totally hear you; even knowing that there's an issue, and literally being warned off of the pen by MB staff, as well as several owners, it's still a hard one to resist. D-mn you Mark Newson.

[A1979]

I have both pens (146 Ultrablack and M Ultrablack) since approximately 2 years: so far, no issues (chipping, cap, etc.). To be completely honest, I should however mention that the M skipped a lot out of the box. John Sorowka solved the issue.

[jporos]

It would be sad if the Montblanc M Ultra Black is discontinued. Here is a shot of mine I took the other day in the full sun. After three years of everyday use (this is my only fountain pen right now), you can see that the barrel is still matte and the magnet still works perfectly. The pen writes and draws so well ( and I have owned many pens; Sailor, Lamy etc) that I have no use for any other fountain pen. To the original poster, if you want an M, get one. The 149 is simply a very different pen and you will be unhappy if you really wanted an M.

 

 

[dennis_f]

It would be sad if the Montblanc M Ultra Black is discontinued. Here is a shot of mine I took the other day in the full sun. After three years of everyday use (this is my only fountain pen right now), you can see that the barrel is still matte and the magnet still works perfectly. The pen writes and draws so well ( and I have owned many pens; Sailor, Lamy etc) that I have no use for any other fountain pen. To the original poster, if you want an M, get one. The 149 is simply a very different pen and you will be unhappy if you really wanted an M.

 

 

 

 

JPoros,

 

I was the second poster above who forwarded the information I received from several MB boutiques. Having posted that info, I can't say I disagree with anything you say: frankly I could buy a 149, but it would look ridiculously out-of-place in most contexts I find myself in, and it really doesn't match my style... and I just don't like it as much as I like the M (ultra black, or otherwise).

 

I really love your pen! You're lucky to have picked one up before they stopped being easy to find!

D.

[jagwap]

Shame about the finish. I like the look. I got close to grabbing a 146 UB a couple of times.

 

I have an M fineliner which is older than any of the UB models and the magnet is fine. It is only a sample size if 1, but I dont see how it would de-magnatise, unless it was dropped.

[dubhe]

To the OP, I had the M and had to return it twice for repair. In the end I changed it for the current StarWalker to keep in my leather notebook folio. Although I have several Montblancs and Pelikans, this StarWalker goes everywhere my work notebook goes and writes as well as my other pens. It also looks great with the blue globe under the floating star.