100th Anniversary editions

[fpupulin]

Yes, I also believe that in this case the information should be handled with caution. Montblanc's literature is clear in indicating that an O3B nib is still available as one of the options for the 149, but this does not mean - for sure - that it is also available for The Origin, whose nibs have a different engraving, tied to the anniversary.

I copy below, directly from the Montblanc page, the information on the nib options for the 149 The Origin.

 

 

As you can see, the O3B nib is not included. It may be just an oversight, but it is also - and more likely - that this type of nib was not produced with the Anniversary engravings. At least, this is what is shown by the official Montblanc source.

[NoType]

37 minutes ago, fpupulin said:

Yes, I also believe that in this case the information should be handled with caution. Montblanc's literature is clear in indicating that an O3B nib is still available as one of the options for the 149, but this does not mean - for sure - that it is also available for The Origin, whose nibs have a different engraving, tied to the anniversary.

I copy below, directly from the Montblanc page, the information on the nib options for the 149 The Origin.

 

 

As you can see, the O3B nib is not included. It may be just an oversight, but it is also - and more likely - that this type of nib was not produced with the Anniversary engravings. At least, this is what is shown by the official Montblanc source.

@fpupulin Thank you for this sobering reminder of the exclusion of the O3B from The Origin 149’s online nib guide.  

 

Although it could be well argued that the nib guide on The Origin 149’s page, strictly speaking, is only meant to define nib width measurements and general availability rather than demonstrating what is actually available specifically for The Origin 149, and considering that the quantity of errors, both those factual and of omission, that appear with alarming frequency on Montblanc’s website make it quite possible that the exclusion of the O3B was in fact committed in error, your point is nevertheless well taken.  

 

Whether one of the two possibilities — website error or actual O3B exclusion — is the more likely, however, is in my mind eminently debatable.  

 

On my part, I hope that the O3B nib is available for The Origin 149 just as it is available for other 149 models, including for the recent High Artistry A Journey on the Orient Express Limited Edition 1883 Coffret version.  I take comfort in the boutique manager’s contention during today’s conversation that oftentimes the nib selection is greater in scope for limited editions than the standard line, by which logic one could argue that if the O3B nib is available for the standard 149, then it also should be available for a special edition like The Origin 149.

 

And yet.  “Oftentimes” is not “always.”  We would do well to heed @fpupulin’s advise and remain cautiously optimistic rather than recklessly confident.

 

As soon as I receive word from the boutique manager, which will not be until well into Monday, perhaps the end of that day or even possibly Tuesday, since the nib specialist who needs to be consulted is off for the weekend; as soon as the manager contacts me, I will report back.

[fireant]

5 hours ago, Seney724 said:

 

I should also add that you are very fortunate to have such a helpful, knowledgeable boutique manager locally. 

 

I emailed a shop last night to ask about the OBB but they never responded. I followed up with a call but got a sales person who had no idea. Sigh. Now I know to ask for a OBBB (fingers crossed).

[Lam1]

I just checked my correspondence with Fritz Schimpf at the time I ordered My 149 Origin (end of March), and they told me that the Origin 149 was offered in the full range EF to OBBB. I went with a BB because I already had a 149 Platinum trim with OBBB.

[NoType]

38 minutes ago, Lam1 said:

I just checked my correspondence with Fritz Schimpf at the time I ordered My 149 Origin (end of March), and they told me that the Origin 149 was offered in the full range EF to OBBB. I went with a BB because I already had a 149 Platinum trim with OBBB.

@Lam1 Thank you for this information.  Fritz Schimpf know their business, so if they say that, then I believe it.  I now feel confident that the O3B nib is available for The Origin 149.

[fpupulin]

"

10 hours ago, NoType said:

@fpupulin Thank you for this sobering reminder of the exclusion of the O3B from The Origin 149’s online nib guide.  

 

[...] and considering that the quantity of errors, both those factual and of omission, that appear with alarming frequency on Montblanc’s website make it quite possible that the exclusion of the O3B was in fact committed in error, [...]

 

You are absolutely right! Montblanc's web pages are not renown for their precision, nor for the coherency of contents among different "geographic areas" pages. So, for all those among us that would prefer a OBBB non on their The Origin, I strongly hope that Montblanc "instructions" are simply a misprint.

[Centurion]

Any idea why O3B is possible under the nib exchange program, but Montblanc considers BBB a bespoke nib? Perhaps at one time BBB was under the nib exchange program?

 

I'm guessing BBB and O3B are not offered at all for nibs smaller than the 149 because the other nibs are too small.

[maia]

On 10/7/2024 at 9:38 AM, maia said:

I bought a 149 Origin Collection on local official Montblanc store (stock M nib) and asked for O3B replacement. I'll let you know how it goes.....

Hi all,

 

I can confirm that I have just received my 149 Origin Collection back from the Nib Exchange Service and have what I've asked for (O3B). Turnaround time was from the 22nd of September and was contacted yesterday to pick it up (18th of October).

 

I'll post some pictures tomorrow. I just wanted to confirm the availability of O3B on this pen.

[Seney724]

This is REALLY great information @maia!  Thanks so much.

Yes, please post some photos!

Congratulations!

[NoType]

On 10/19/2024 at 10:18 AM, Centurion said:

Perhaps at one time BBB was under the nib exchange program?

@Centurion I believe this to have been the case.  I recall that @zaddick had posted some years previously that Montblanc had to be cajoled into a 3B nib exchange for @zaddick’s Writers Edition Homer (which boasts a #9 nib), so it might have been after 2018 that Montblanc moved the 3B to the Bespoke Nib Program.  This marks a evolutionary progression to making the 3B more exclusive, from initially allowing 3B nibs as nib exchanges for 146* and 149 models, to restricting 3B nibs to nib exchanges only for 149 models, to now removing 3B nibs entirely from the Complimentary Nib Exchange Program.

___________
* I seem to recall seeing some vintage literature showing the 3B also available for 144 models some decades past.  @Michael R. and others will be able to correct me.

[NoType]

15 minutes ago, maia said:

Hi all,

 

I can confirm that I have just received my 149 Origin Collection back from the Nib Exchange Service and have what I've asked for (O3B). Turnaround time was from the 22nd of September and was contacted yesterday to pick it up (18th of October).

 

I'll post some pictures tomorrow. I just wanted to confirm the availability of O3B on this pen.

@maia As @Seney724 says, this is indeed really good information.  I second @Seney724’s gratitude, eagerness to see your photos, and felicitations.

[fireant]

On 10/18/2024 at 9:41 PM, Lam1 said:

I just checked my correspondence with Fritz Schimpf at the time I ordered My 149 Origin (end of March), and they told me that the Origin 149 was offered in the full range EF to OBBB. I went with a BB because I already had a 149 Platinum trim with OBBB.

 

Oh that is good to know then, Thank you.

[fireant]

 

Disregard, I ordered it through Fritz Schrimpf, it says delivery sometime in November. So it will be a very early Xmas gift.

[maia]

16 hours ago, maia said:

Hi all,

 

I can confirm that I have just received my 149 Origin Collection back from the Nib Exchange Service and have what I've asked for (O3B). Turnaround time was from the 22nd of September and was contacted yesterday to pick it up (18th of October).

 

I'll post some pictures tomorrow. I just wanted to confirm the availability of O3B on this pen.

Ok, so here are some snapshots (2013 149 B and 2024 149 Origin Collection O3B).

 

My experience: service advisors not familiar with special requests / out of standard catalog items. ie: they have a case with the 8 "standard" nibs (EF, F, M, B, BB, OM, OB, OBB), and thus wouldn't believe that an O3B was available for the 149. I had to both show them Montblanc's website (attached) and they had to call someone higher than their pay grade that made my request possible to go through to Germany (otherwise I would be asked to choose from the suitcase with the 8 nibs). Fortunately, everything went through ok in a matter of roughly 4 weeks (faster than expected).

 

Regards,

 

maia

[maia]

One extra info: It detracts from the overall experience when you know what you are talking about but are limited to what they are ultimately willing to do. This is a first world problem, I know, but these are not inexpensive products and staff are not well trained. I suspect that if I were to talk about a bespoke order, they wouldn't be able to help at all (this is an official MB retailer!)

[Lam1]

7 hours ago, fireant said:

 

Disregard, I ordered it through Fritz Schrimpf, it says delivery sometime in November. So it will be a very early Xmas gift.

 

Congrats!

 

Nothing like an early Xmas gift to lift the spirit!! 😊

[NoType]

1 hour ago, maia said:

Ok, so here are some snapshots (2013 149 B and 2024 149 Origin Collection O3B).

 

My experience: service advisors not familiar with special requests / out of standard catalog items. ie: they have a case with the 8 "standard" nibs (EF, F, M, B, BB, OM, OB, OBB), and thus wouldn't believe that an O3B was available for the 149. I had to both show them Montblanc's website (attached) and they had to call someone higher than their pay grade that made my request possible to go through to Germany (otherwise I would be asked to choose from the suitcase with the 8 nibs). Fortunately, everything went through ok in a matter of roughly 4 weeks (faster than expected).

 

Regards,

 

maia

@maia Thank you very much for these clear and closeup image of your 2024 The Origin 149 with O3B nib as well as your excellent comparison photo with your 2013 149 B!  Incontrovertible evidence that The Origin 149 is available with an O3B is precisely for what many here were searching, and to be able to visualise the difference between a B and an O3B on a 149 is very delicious icing, indeed.

 

Thank you also for screen capturing the online page that spells out that for the 149 models, the O3B is available; I, for one, had never carefully perused the Montblanc website under the “Discover” tab and did not know one could read about nib sizes by following the path of “Care & Services,” “Writing Instruments,” and then “Nibs.”  You’ve opened up a new area of reading for me on the site.

 

Yours is unfortunately an all too common experience for many of us who patronise non-flagship Montblanc boutiques.  It really does behoove a potential customer to do their homework as you have done, rather than rely only on what one is told by retail staff.  On occasion, one may stumble upon a manager willing to enquire of their superior for more information, which I have been fortunate to experience, but having the facts at one’s fingertips when speaking with salespeople is immeasurably better, and we should all benefit by following your example.

 

Happy endings are fabulous here on the subforum, and when they are as educational as yours, they are the absolute best.  That your complimentary nib exchange was completed in only four weeks is quick, almost shockingly so considering staff have quoted me up to nine-month wait times.

[NoType]

55 minutes ago, maia said:

One extra info: It detracts from the overall experience when you know what you are talking about but are limited to what they are ultimately willing to do. This is a first world problem, I know, but these are not inexpensive products and staff are not well trained. I suspect that if I were to talk about a bespoke order, they wouldn't be able to help at all (this is an official MB retailer!)

@maia I could not have articulated this better.  A most excellent point!

[Lam1]

1 hour ago, maia said:

One extra info: It detracts from the overall experience when you know what you are talking about but are limited to what they are ultimately willing to do. This is a first world problem, I know, but these are not inexpensive products and staff are not well trained. I suspect that if I were to talk about a bespoke order, they wouldn't be able to help at all (this is an official MB retailer!)

 

Congratulation on your wonderful Origin, @maia.

 

The kind of experience you had is the reason I don't buy from boutiques, unless I absolutely have to (like the it was the case for the Orient Express 149)! The staff at boutiques usually doesn't know anything and they are, IME, condescending.

 

In recent years, my go to store for MB is Fritz Schimpf. For Pelikan I split between Schimpf and Novelli and for Italian pens it is Novelli. I have bought from tons of places, but Schimpf and Novelli are, IME again, the best. They know their business, are very professional and they have wonderful people, always ready to help.

[NoType]

7 hours ago, fireant said:

 

Disregard, I ordered it through Fritz Schrimpf, it says delivery sometime in November. So it will be a very early Xmas gift.

@fireant Excellent!  This is what exciting news we like to read!