Why Are Montblanc Pens So Expensive?

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why are montblanc pens so expensive

A pen is just a pen, right?

Wrong!

Pens represent much more to those who love them. Montblanc pens are approximately 125 years old and have been crafted with nothing but the best quality and finest materials.

The heritage of Montblanc is passed from one person to another, making it a brand for all generations.

If you’re looking for a luxury pen that you can invest in, Montblanc should be one of the first brands that springs to mind. Although they’re not the most expensive pen on the market, they still come with a hefty price tag, and you might be wondering why such an investment is worth making.

The article will break down five reasons that make these pens worth their weight in gold.

What are Montblanc Pens?

Montblanc is a manufacturer of high-quality pens, bags, watches, jewelry, and other luxurious items, and they have been in business for over a hundred and twenty years.

Montblanc’s fountain pens, ballpoint pens, and rollerball pens redefine luxury and finesse. And, their pens come with an international guarantee for two years from the date of purchase, covering all defects in manufacturing and materials.

Not that they usually come with defects, but a 2-year guarantee is still somewhat a good offer.

Not only are the ones of the highest quality and durable, but authorized dealers of Montblanc have Montblanc’s certificate of authenticity and warranty, something that makes it a legit collector’s item.

A Brief History of Montblanc Pens

The company began, from humble roots, in 1906, when a Berlin designer called August Eberstein collaborated with a banker from Hamburg named Alfred Nehemias to create a line of simple fountain pens.

The company’s first high-quality pen “Rouge et Noir” was launched in 1908, followed by the launch of their first Montblanc fountain in 1909, but it was in 1924 when its Meisterstück was launched that they confirmed the brand’s immortality. The Meisterstück would become one of the best-known and most famous writing instruments of all time.

Meisterstück

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They’ve since grown to become one of the most popular producers of luxury goods in the world, with their pens being sold for thousands of dollars.

What makes Montblanc Pens so expensive?

Reputation

Montblanc pens are expensive because they have a reputation for being the best on the market. The company has been around for over one hundred years and their pens are often used by influential people like presidents and celebrities.

The reputation of Montblanc pens is also connected to their history. Montblanc has been producing quality products with some models being over 100 years old.

The brand has also been associated with royalty, with many European Royal Families choosing Montblanc as their pen brand of choice.

From the early 1960s, the Montblanc pen range has been a dominant force in the luxury fountain pen market. It’s this historical aspect and a great heritage that has made Montblanc pens iconic writing instruments.

a montblanc pen rests on top of a notebook.
A Montblanc pen rests on top of a notebook.

Marketing

Although Montblanc pens’ writing performance and exquisite features are—primarily—their winning formula, they know how to brand and advertise their products effectively.

They have invested a lot into numerous marketing programs to build a brand reputation that oozes luxury.

The company has also introduced a limited line of pens dedicated to writers, artists, and famous people in a bid to make the customers feel part of the great characters’ legacy. For instance, Montblanc released the ‘John F. Kennedy Special Edition Ballpoint Pen,’ a pen commemorating the former US president. The blue ink pen has Kennedy’s ‘JFK’ initials engraved on the platinum-coated clip. It also has three platinum-coated cap rings, which stand for Kennedy’s three brothers.

Additionally, the pens are sold at only select retailers around the world, restricting supply. These factors contribute to Montblanc costing more than other brands on average.

Material

The materials used for making their pens are of supreme quality. That plus the mastery of skilled craftsmen only results in high-quality writing utensils, and this quality is reflected in the prices of their products.

Montblanc pens are made of iridium, diamond, and platinum. All Montblanc Meisterstück nib has a tip made of iridium, a hard and rare material. As a matter of fact, iridium is rarer than gold and platinum.

Montblanc pens are designed to last forever. Some customers have had their original pens for over fifty years!

Plus, they are refillable. Who wants to spend a few hundred dollars on a pen that won’t last a lifetime? The fact that the pens are refillable means you can buy ink refills or filling systems and use the pen for many years.

Perfection

montblanc pen in its carrying case
Montblanc Pen in its carrying case. (Image credit: “Expensive Mont Blanc Pen on a White Background” by Marco Verch Professional Photographer on Flickr CC BY 2.0)

Montblanc pens are products of intricate engineering, instruments made with great skill, patience, and repeated tests.

Montblanc prides itself on producing pens “that are a combination of design, material, and detail.”  The company integrates the technical know-how of its engineers into the manufacturing process.

Making a single pen takes more than 100 assiduous steps, with the pen’s nib requiring over 30 steps.

After that, each Montblanc Meisterstück nib undergoes a handwriting test. The test is done by a trained craftsman, making sure the nib writes smoothly and feels right.

Why Do People Spend Lots Of Money On Expensive Pens?

The answer to this question is not so simple. For most people, it has to do with the value that they see the feeling they get when they possess these pens.

There are different kinds of people who buy pens: some are collectors (dealing in antiques or vintage fountain pens), while some others are just regular users searching for something really special.

a woman signs documents with a montblanc pen.
A woman signs documents with a Montblanc pen.

In addition to the intrinsic value of these products, it’s worth mentioning that many buyers use them as business tools when meeting clients. They acquire such luxury pens to convey an important message that they have taken great care over every detail in terms of their appearance and style through purchasing such items for themselves. In this way, it gives them a more personal image and increases their perceived importance.

Other reasons for buying luxury pens include longevity, they write smoother, and they are giftable.

The price range of luxury pens varies from a few tens of dollars to several thousand and is mainly dictated by the rarity, preciousness, and scarcity of the materials they are made from.

Are Montblanc Pens Worth It?

Having seen all these good things you get when you buy Montblanc pen taps, are they worth the money or hype?

Let’s recap the good and the bad…

The most obvious positive is the rich history of the Montblanc brand. The materials used are of Supreme quality, skilled artisans make them, they are limited editions, and they last forever!

In addition, they are refillable, and even though there are so many cheap refillable pens, they are simply not as luxurious as Montblanc pens.

But with a price tag of $200 to $6,000, there seem to be many who wonder if these special pens aren’t over-priced.

My answer is… they are not!

These pens tick all the boxes that make people spend a lot of money on luxurious writing utensils.

And if you can’t spend $6000 on such exquisite pens, you wouldn’t understand the absurdity of spending £5.9 million on the mighty Fulgor Nocturnus by Tibaldi.

Some thoughts and ideas about Montblanc fountain pens.

Conclusion

Yes, Montblanc pens are expensive, but they are worth investing in.

Montblanc pens are beautiful and well-crafted, but they also have many other attributes that make them worth the investment. Not only are they fashionable and available in a variety of styles, but they are also practical with more innovative and modern designs, made of high-quality materials, and are long-lasting.

And, with a smooth writing experience and its rich heritage, they are both convenient writing utensils and incredibly impressive status symbols.

If you’re looking for a great pen for yourself or as a gift to someone, Montblanc Pen is a great choice.

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AUTHOR

Jessica started off as an avid book reader. After reading one too many romance novels (really... is it ever really enough?), she decided to jump to the other side and started writing her own stories. She now shares what she has learned (the good and the not so good) here at When You Write, hoping she can inspire more up and coming wordsmiths to take the leap and share their own stories with the world.