Logo for obvy's consumer magazine

Advice and tips on buying and selling between private individuals

How can you spot a fake Montblanc fountain pen?

Montblanc fountain pens are renowned for their quality and luxury. They are handcrafted in Germany and are considered one of the most prestigious fountain pens in the world. Over more than a century, Montblanc has become a benchmark for elegance, refinement and technical excellence. Montblanc combines top-of-the-range European craftsmanship with timeless style, resulting in iconic pieces such as the Montblanc 146 fountain pen. In addition to their aesthetic beauty, Montblanc fountain pens are also known for their quality finish and writing comfort. Its authenticity has attracted counterfeiters who have wasted no time in reproducing the luxury house's iconic products. Nevertheless, this pen requires unrivalled expertise. In this article, you will find advice on how to tell the difference between a genuine Montblanc 146 fountain pen and a fake Montblanc 146 fountain pen.

The price :

The first thing to watch out for is the price of the fountain pen. In fact, sometimes overly attractive prices on Montblanc products are the sign of a scam. If you see an offer for a new pen for around a hundred euros, it's very likely that it's not genuine.

Price alone cannot be used as an indicator of the authenticity of a luxury brand pen, as there are many counterfeits sold at high prices.

Packaging:

Pay close attention to the packaging of the box in which the pen is sent. A real pen will be presented inside a box. This luxury pen obviously comes with a luxury box. Montblanc wants its products to be presented in the best possible way, as you can see from the image below.

Replica factories don't bother to make boxes for the pens; they simply send their products in small, low-quality pouches.

Serial number :

Also check the serial number of your pen. Details like this will tell you whether your pen is genuine.

The number must be engraved on the top ring of the cap, near the clip. It must consist of two numbers and seven letters. Versions manufactured before 1991 do not have a serial number.

On the left, an authentic Montblanc fountain pen, on the right, a replica Montblanc fountain pen.

The central band of the pen :

Pay attention to the central strip of the pen. This is where the brand name is normally written. The font of the letters should be fairly thick but also close together. Look specifically at the "M", the branches of the M should be close together. As a general rule, the letters of the "Montblanc" inscription should be high and not wide.

On counterfeits, these letters are thicker and much wider. Also check for the presence of the r marking, which attests to its authenticity.

Finishes :

Last but not least is the finish of the Montblanc fountain pen. Indeed, the brand makes a point of honour of the precision of its pens. Montblanc uses high-quality materials that enable them to create products with an impeccable finish.

If your pen has imperfections and looks cheap, ask yourself questions about its authenticity.

Secure the purchase of your second-hand Montblanc fountain pen with Obvy :

If you want to conduct transactions, sales and/or purchases, between private individuals in complete security, choose Obvy. Obvy is a secure payment platform designed to eradicate online scams between individuals. When you make a transaction on Obvy, the funds are only credited to your seller when the buyer certifies the conformity of the item purchased.

In the event of a counterfeiting scam, you can quickly and easily return the product to the seller and get your money back. What's more, you'll have all the information you need about the seller in the event of legal action.