MB Solitaire Carbon Fiber & Steel Ballpoint -- Made in France?

[theodore94]

I just bought a MB Solitaire Carbon Fiber & Steel Ballpoint. However, I'm doubting its authenticity given that it says "Metal" and "France" next to the serial number. Does anyone else have this pen, and if so, does yours say Germany?

 

 

[Michael R.]

Yes, that's normal ands authentic for metal and/or Solitaire pens from a certain period of time.

 

Enjoy your pen.

 

Cheers

 

Michael

[theodore94]

Thanks @Michael R.! That's surprising!

 

While trying to figure out the authenticity, I checked eBay and saw that some come in large boxes (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Montblanc-Meisterstuck-Carbon-Steel-Ballpoint-Pen-New-With-Box/284230808955) and some in small boxes (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Montblanc-164-Solitaire-Carbon-Fiber-amp-Steel-Ballpoint-New-amp-Rare-W-Boxes-/203263252864). Hopefully at least the large box is authentic?

 

Were the boxes perhaps different for different size pens? Mine is approx the size of a 164. Is there also a "Le Grand" size?

 

Archive URLs:

 

http://web.archive.org/web/20210410185355/https://www.ebay.com/itm/Montblanc-Meisterstuck-Carbon-Steel-Ballpoint-Pen-New-With-Box/284230808955?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5337748402&toolid=10001&customid=86284X1538780X3042e4d7b19299f75fb348fd6441905c

 

http://web.archive.org/web/20210410185405/https://www.ebay.com/itm/Montblanc-164-Solitaire-Carbon-Fiber-amp-Steel-Ballpoint-New-amp-Rare-W-Boxes-/203263252864?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5337748402&toolid=10001&customid=86284X1538780X00bc6bb8b42490a03e878b2ac4ea487c

 

 

[Michael R.]

Most more expensive (e.g. Solitaire) pens should come in the larger boxes originally.

But during the course of time boxes and pens get mixed up. Also some store sell the pens in whatever "similar" box comes handy.

 

Inflight boxes for pens sold during plane travel were smaller as well.

 

The Solitaire Carbon Steel was introduced in 2001 and sold in different writing modes and two sizes for the fountain pen:

Montblanc2000s3-7 by pensninks, auf Flickr

 

Montblanc2000s3-8 by pensninks, auf Flickr

 

 

Cheers

 

Michael

 

 

[theodore94]

Thank you so much! So altogether, then, I guess it looks like it's authentic?

 

I apologize for asking this just because I don't speak German, but am I correct from the pictures that the ballpoint only came in one size? So the "Black M" on the box doesn't refer to the size of the pen (at least not in a way that would be differentiated from another size model)?

[Michael R.]

Looks authentic to me. Especially in case it has the typical 3D-effect of authentic carbon fibre.
 

"Black M" indicates the refill it originally came with. Black ink with medium width.