Why Are Montblanc Pens So Expensive?

Why Are Montblanc Pens So Expensive?

A Montblanc pen is never just a pen in the hands of a true aficionado. It’s a premium instrument that offers an unmatched writing experience, a luxury item crafted to perfection and a status symbol that every pen collector wants to have. So, it’s no wonder that they often come at a steep price. 

Montblanc pens have a special place in our hearts and our hands, so if you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why are Montblanc pens so expensive?” we’ll give you all the reasons why investing in these pens is worth every penny.

What Is a Montblanc Pen?

A Montblanc pen is a superior writing tool crafted by highly skilled experts at the Montblanc company in Hamburg, Germany. Made with the finest premium materials, such as platinum, iridium, gold, silver, and even diamond, Montblancs are known for their durability and impeccable craftsmanship. Their high-quality nibs are hand tested before the pens are put on the market, ensuring precise and smooth writing that’s expected of every Montblanc pen. 

Moreover, each pen comes with a 2-year guarantee and a certificate of authenticity, which gives you an idea of how seriously the company takes the production of each pen and ensures that you’ve purchased an authentic Montblanc pen.

А Brief History of Montblanc Pens 

The company was first established back in 1906 when August Eberstein, a designer, and Alfred Nehemias, a banker, created their first line of fountain pens. While they initially produced simple fountain pens, they slowly started moving towards the production of luxurious pens, and so the “Rouge et Noir,” Montblanc’s first luxury fountain pen, was born in 1908.

From then, Montblanc continued to expand its fountain pen series. In 1924, they launched the well-known Meisterstück, which to this day is the most famous fountain pen of all time. This established Montblanc as a high-end manufacturer and distributor of luxury items, like writing instruments, watches, bags, leather goods, jewelry, fragrance, and other accessories.

What Makes Montblanc Pens so Expensive?

montblanc starwalker blue

Now that you know more about the company and its epic pens, let’s see why Montblanc pens are worth every penny.

Reputation

It’s very likely that Montblanc is one of the first luxury pen brands you’ve ever heard of, and that isn’t a coincidence. They’ve been on the market for over a century and have built a reputation of being the best in the luxury writing equipment industry. Their pens are used by influential people, such as royalty, presidents, and celebrities, which is a tribute to their excellence and a reason for their high price.

Marketing

Apart from their outstanding performance, unique qualities, and stellar reputation, Montblanc puts a lot of effort into advertising its products well and creating a brand that stands the test of time. On top of that, the company regularly creates limited edition lines that pen collectors can’t wait to get their hands on, increasing the value of each pen significantly.

Material

Another reason for the notoriously high price of Montblanc pens is the high-quality materials that go into each pen. Montblanc nibs are coated with iridium, made of gold, platinum, or other rare metals, and some are even dazzled with diamonds, which can significantly drive the price of the pens.

Perfection

On top of using only the best materials to create their pens, each pen is created with great skill and attention to detail until it passes all the quality assurance tests. Their dedication to providing only the best products to their customers is exactly what affects the end price of each pen.

Why Do People Spend Lots Of Money On Expensive Pens?

The reasons vary from person to person, but here are the most common ones. 

Some purchase expensive pens for the simple purpose of displaying their status, which is why luxury pens can usually be found in the offices of CEOs, wealthy individuals, and people in high offices.

Another reason is the desire to use a pen of high quality in everyday writing. Montblanc pens are well-known for providing a superior writing experience, making them perfect for those looking for a pen that fits comfortably in their hand and has a smooth ink flow.

Moreover, Montblanc pens make for a great investment, which is why they can be found in many pen aficionados' collections. Other reasons include their longevity, premium materials, and design, among other things, which we’ll get into next.

Are Montblanc Pens Worth It?

A Montblanc pen is worth anywhere between a few hundred dollars to a few thousand, and some Montblanc pens are even on the list of the most expensive pens in the world. But is purchasing such a pen worth the high price? There are actually a few key reasons why owning a Montblanc is worth it.

Timeless Designs

If there’s one thing that Montblanc has achieved during their century-old presence in the pen market, it is the ability to create pens that stand the test of time. Over the years, many pens have come and gone from their collections, but there are a few that have remained the same throughout the years, such as the Meisterstuck and the StarWalker.

Apart from the iconic design in their classic pens and some unique collections, Montblanc have also maintained the quality of the materials used for their pens and nibs.

Refillable Pens

Being able to use your premium pen for years and years without it malfunctioning is just another reason why owning a Montblanc is beneficial. Since their pens work with refillable cartridges, they can be used for a long time and can even be passed down to future generations.

Luxurious Materials

Regardless of what Montblanc pen you purchase and its price point, you’re bound to own a pen that’s made with at least one premium material. For example, the nibs in fountain pens are generally made from gold and are excellently crafted to give you an outstanding writing experience.

Montblanc pens use luxurious materials, such as gold, platinum, and other rare metals for their nib, and resin and durable lacquer for the body of the pen. Moreover, they test each pen until they’re sure it meets the necessary standards of quality. 

A Pen With Warranty and Repair Options

As we mentioned, Montblanc pens are known for their durability and longevity. Initially, each pen comes with a 2-year warranty, and in case you experience any problems, you only need to take your pen to the closest Montblanc store and replace it with a new one. But if your pen malfunctions for whatever reason, you can take it to a certified Montblanc boutique for repair and servicing.

Popular Montblanc Pens

The following Montblanc pens are true classics that have been in production ever since they were first created, and are now a part of many pen aficionados' collections.

Meisterstück Fountain Pen

Montblanc Meisterstück 146 Platinum Coated LeGrand Fountain Pen

When one thinks about Montblanc, the Meisterstück is the first pen that comes to mind. It came out in 1924 and is still just as popular now as it was back then. It has a classic design, with a sleek and cool body and a nib made either from 14k or 18k gold, crafted to perfection. Moreover, the nib comes in 8 different sizes, which ensures that anyone can find the right sized nib for their handwriting.

Nothing is left to chance when it comes to this pen, as each pen is tested over 100 times to ensure that it meets the quality standards at each step during production.

Meisterstück Classique Pen

Montblanc Meisterstück 145 Gold Coated Classique Fountain Pen

The Meisterstück Classique pen also boasts a timeless design and attention to detail that’s put into each pen. Made from precious resin and platinum, this pen is an office staple for many professionals, either as a fountain pen or as a ballpoint pen.

StarWalker Pen

Montblanc Starwalker Precious Resin Fountain Pen

The StarWalker pen is another favorite for many Montblanc aficionados. It has a unique design inspired by space exploration and the vastness of our universe, making it the perfect fit for those who want to own a statement piece. It comes as a ballpoint pen, a fountain pen, and a fine liner, and is made from resin and ruthenium. 

Limited Editions

Montblanc Great Characters Elvis Presley Limited Edition 1935 Fountain Pen

Last but not least, Montblanc pens are also known for their limited edition pens. Often available in small quantities and designed with a specific theme or person in mind, these pens are the most sought-after pens in the Montblanc collection. If you’re a pen collector, this is the category that will be of most interest to you.

FAQs

Are Montblanc pens worth it?

Due to the luxury materials used, the high-caliber design, and the brand identity that Montblanc has built in the past century, we have to say that owning such a pen is definitely worth it. However, if the pen you want doesn’t fit your budget, check out our preowned Montblanc pens and fountain pens at a lower price point, as well as the things you should think about when buying preowned Montblanc pens.

Do Montblanc pens have a lifetime guarantee?

No, Montblanc pens don’t have a lifetime guarantee, but they do provide their customers with a 2-year warranty from the day of purchase. If something happens to your pen after the 2-year period, it’s best to send it to a certified Montblanc repair service.

How can you tell if a Montblanc pen is real?

To distinguish real Montblanc pens from fake ones, you should take a look at their serial number. This number is located around the ring of the pen clip, just keep in mind that models after 1991 have 2 more numbers and 7 letters. An additional precaution would be the certificate of authenticity issued by the company. 

Conclusion

By creating superior writing tools with unique designs and premium materials, Montblanc manages to stay in the leading position as a luxury pen producer.

This is also why Montblanc pens are some of the highest-priced on the market. They’re not only exquisite writing tools, but they’re also a symbol of status and prestige, hence the price.

So, if you’re a fan of luxurious pens of great quality or if you’re new to luxury pens, we guarantee that Montblanc has the right pen for you. Moreover, a Montblanc pen is always a good investment, especially if you’re purchasing a limited edition one.

Feel free to leave us your comments on why you love Montblanc pens and which one you’d want to try first.

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3 comments


  • Georges Louis

    Personally I like quality material and in this context a nice pen like this one is good to have specially if someone meets important persons such managers, CEO’S, Ministers or even in rare circumstances, a member of the Royal family! Obviously this pen will be used only on special events/ circumstances… (too risky as thieves will try to steal it).


  • Kaj

    Hi there,
    Thank you for the article. Maybe you can help me. Do you know if they increase in value. I have a starwalker fine liner from my grandfather. It must be over 30years old. Found a nr on the lid saying ER11008830. Can you help me find somebody who can tell le its worth. Thank you. Kaj from Belgium


  • Anthony Ross

    As a retirement gift from a former employer I am the down at heart owner of one of your iconic writing instruments ….. it was presented to me in June 2000 … it has never worked satisfactorily since my retirement presentation!!
    Your thoughts would be much appreciated, my retirement occupation is largely based on hand writing [not key board!!]
    Thank you,
    Anthony Ross
    0409 910 708


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