Montblanc Skeleton - blue barrel "Blue Hour"

[Lol-x]

Montblanc has made many skeleton pens with clear resin/plastic barrels.

I can understand that, as it allows one to see the ink and internals like a window. Although that window may become stained from ink, that is a different issue.

The same may be said of a skeleton watch where one can see the beauty of the internal mechanism/movement through the crystal.

So that being so, why would Montblanc tint the barrel and cap of a skeleton 'blue'



Skeleton watches never have a tinted colour crystal, so is it just a gimmick or what????

Does it detract or enhance the skeleton effect?

[Invictus Maneo]

I dunno, Steve? Personally, I like it! Perhaps it gives a consistency to the color of the barrel and avoids the problem of ink staining? Having never owned one, this is all speculation.

[Ruud Van Driver]

I agree that it's most likely to avoid ink staining the barrel. However, I'd have thought that a stain-proof barrel would not be an issue.

Personally, I like it in blue as it provides a tidy contrast. If it was a clear barrel in a skeleton that colour, it would look a bit wishy-washy.

[2careless]

Mb has been using blue tinted ink Window for eons. The 146 used to have such since the 70s. So this blue hour tint is nothing new. Besides if you do ink it, the ink will show a darker colour anyway so no worries.
I like this one as the pattern reminds me of Antoni Gaudi's architecture. Pelikan has a Gaudi pen and the pattern on the barrel is very similar.

[Lol-x]

Montblanc have their own Gaudi Skeleton Pen:



It also has a blue tint barrel, so go figure.

I do like the pattern of the pen in my opening post to this thread......so I might be a buyer.....

Do you think these skeletons come with O3B nibs?

[2careless]

Agreed the blue hour skeleton is a very nice pen.
Just not in my price range

I'm stilll looking for the Pelikan Gaudi, much more subtle and cheaper


I believe O3B has to be specially ordered, if they are available at all. That nib is limited edition so it will have to go back to Hamburg for any nib change.

[Lol-x]

The packaging/box doesn't look up to the usual timber piano finish quality. This looks like cardboard with a plastic window
Has anyone seen this packaging in the flesh????
Don't tell me Montblanc has cheaped out on packaging quality on a USD$9K pen



I can't even see the usual name plate of the name of the pen with #xxx of 4108....so is this just an unlimited production with a cardboard box?

This is a little troubling....apparently USD$9,000 isn't worth more than cardboard and plastic. That is just wrong....

Also unlike the photo shown in the first post above, the cap and barrel have a matt ("brushed") sandblasting finish instead of a high polish platinum. Not an aspect that Montblanc want to highlight.

[Bisquitlips]

Steve,

I personally believe it was to accentuate the skeletonizing of the pen. Clear would just not do it to make the silver filigree stand out and perhaps they also thought that a tenting would detract from any ink discolorations, but IMO I think that was secondary. The clear with the gold filigree is a different story and looks much better. Again IMO.

I think MB knew that most of the folks that purchased this writing instrument would never use it due to its price point. But again, that is just me thinking out loud, noting the very limited editions of these FPs. Most purchase them and put them in a collection in the safe.

I did a search on this very subject not too long ago and found that the gold overlays were common on the clear barrel. The silver... not so much.

Again this is only my opinion and I hope it helps.

For me... If I were to ever purchase the silver I would want the blue barrel to make it stand out and the clear for the gold as I love the look of gold next to a white or clear matrix.

[Lol-x]

Originally Posted by Bisquitlips

Steve,

..... noting the very limited editions of these FPs. Most purchase them and put them in a collection in the safe.

Richard, you make some very good points my friend, but I see nothing in my research that indicates this pen is in any way a limited edition, so its breaking new ground, un-numbered quantity for USD$9K

I thought part of the high asking price was associated with the 'limited' numbers in some cases 88, 101, 133 etc.....but this is un-numbered, it isn't even a 4810 limited production.

[Bisquitlips]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

Richard, you make some very good points my friend, but I see nothing in my research that indicates this pen is in any way a limited edition, so its breaking new ground, un-numbered quantity for USD$9K

I thought part of the high asking price was associated with the 'limited' numbers in some cases 88, 101, 133 etc.....but this is un-numbered, it isn't even a 4810 limited production.

Agreed my friend!!!

Only limited due the the price of the acquisition!