Fake Montblanc?

[JCG]

Hi again. 
This might be a really silly question... but when I Google the serial numbers am I literally just typing in the number? Or mentioning montblanc serial number? Just I tried putting the number in and it just said no matches found? Sorry, I’m clueless I know. Thanks. 

[zaddick]

Just the number is usually the place to start. Try the number and montblanc. Then try the number and fake. 

[JCG]

👍 Thank you. 

[GoldenArrow]

Like Rolex in watches, Mont Blac is probably the most faked pen around, and this goes double for vintage models. As with everything valuble and desirable, immense effort goes into making things appear what they are not. Do your research before buying and only buy from reliable and reputable sources with a great return policy! Caveat emptor...

[FredRydr]

 

6 hours ago, GoldenArrow said:

Like Rolex in watches, Mont Blac is probably the most faked pen around, and this goes double for vintage models....

 

I strongly disagree with the suggestion that vintage Montblanc pens are twice as likely to be faked than modern Montblanc pens under any reasonable definition of those terms.  

 

Still, counterfeiting remains a concern here, almost a preoccupation with those who are new to Montblanc pens (or wallets or jewelry or watches).  Today's search of this Montblanc forum (since 2005) on the word fake is "Found 5,913 results," more than the results for a search on Meisterstuck.  (And I just added a couple more instances!)

[GoldenArrow]

I spoke to a vintage pen expert, whose main interest is Mont Blanc. According to him, great effort goes into faking the really expensive early models (pre-Meisterstück), being handmade to bring fantastic prices. Since I am not into Mont Blanc, I cannot verify this. The source, however was reliable and had no reason to tell stories. To me, it seemed like a warning of a very real problem.

[sgphototn]

No one fakes an Oliver student pen - no money in it.

 

Montblancs (and a few others) are faked because of the great amount of money to be made. 

 

Same as in the art world. No one fakes your Aunt Matilda's watercolor of a tree. However, there are what might be called 'factories' faking Masters. (see Made You Look on Netflix).

 

It's about the money. 

 

I do wonder though why those who buy Montblancs other than with a reputable dealer then decide to check if their purchase is genuine. 

 

"The price was too good to pass up!" said the defrauded buyer.

 

 Those making/selling fakes understand human nature.

 

 

 

 

[JCC123]

On 3/13/2021 at 9:04 AM, JCG said:

Great advise. Much appreciated. Thank you. 

I guess you're located in the U.K? Here in the U.S. there's an 800 number that you can call that goes to Texas where the MB warehouse and customer service are located. You can ask them if the serial number is authentic. I've done that whenever I bought stuff from eBay just as a check. Googling most often doesn't work. They will tell you from the serial number what kind of pen it is.

 

I'm not sure if they will do the same in the U.K. with the customer service number but try that first and if it doesn't work, call Texas.

[lobsang]

Do Montblanc serial numbers begin with “MB”? I have many MB pens, and none has a SN that begins like this. The, the word “metal” seems sus to me, and the whitecap on the pen cap does not seem genuine to me. I hope I am wrong, and wish you the very best.

[NoType]

14 minutes ago, lobsang said:

Do Montblanc serial numbers begin with “MB”?

@lobsang Not necessarily.  Some do, but most of my pens (genuine and acquired from either authorised retailers or Montblanc boutiques) have numbers starting with letters other than “MB.”  So that is not a metric by which to measure authenticity.  I also have Montblanc pens with the word “Metal” on the clip ring, so that in itself is also not a reason for suspicion. Determining authenticity is a multi-pronged and not always straightforward affair, unfortunately.

[Jayebird]

26 minutes ago, lobsang said:

the word “metal” seems sus to me,

I have a Meisterstuck bought new from an authorized dealer - it has "metal" as part of what is underneath the clip.

With regards to comments about regarding vintage vs modern being faked... really depends on the model. Some of the older vintage models aren't faked much, but then the real thing only goes for a couple $$ USD because they were lower end models. 149s of various ages are very common fakes, along with apparently some of the higher end special editions with a range of variations making it harder to track (eg: Bohemes)

The Refills look legit based on photos from Montblanc.com.

Is there anything particularly suspicious to you about the sellers? Eg: rather too many pens of the same model sold, really low prices, other reviews suggesting people got fakes?

[NoType]

5 hours ago, Jayebird said:

. . . fakes, along with apparently some of the higher end special editions . . .

@Jayebird Sad to say, the counterfeiters’ sophistication continues to grow; I have seen replicas of the Victor Hugo LE1831 and Elizabeth I LE4810 that made me look twice.

[Jayebird]

8 hours ago, NoType said:

I have seen replicas of the Victor Hugo LE1831 and Elizabeth I LE4810 that made me look twice

Totally believe it.

[Cjtamu]

The quality of the fakes is why I stick to reputable sellers, particularly with pre-owned pens. Few weeks back I thought I had a nice little MB145 from someone well-respected in the community. When they started to work on the nib they realized it was a fake and let me know. People that treat me like that earn my respect and repeat business.

[NoType]

7 hours ago, Cjtamu said:

stick to reputable sellers, particularly with pre-owned pens

@Cjtamu Wise words. 

 

7 hours ago, Cjtamu said:

they realized it was a fake and let me know

@Cjtamu Thank you for sharing your positive experience with a reputable seller.