Montblanc Jules Verne Review, Writers Edition 2003

It has been one of the most exciting week for me. I’ve been tracking an EMS for my WE Jules Verne for the past few days before its arrival and it came sooner than I thought. I was lucky enough to be able to obtain a new and unopened piece through an ebay seller from Taiwan. His response time was fast and delivery was prompt. Its like Christmas in March . Let’s dive into it shall we?

FIRST IMPRESSION
Sealed box, pristine and untouched within, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to obtain this piece. It’s a standard packaging for any WE, comes with the unwritten and unstamped warranty document. So, after few minutes going through the package, finally got to the pen. The soft cushioned holder for the pen is more secured and firm. This is handy just in case one gets too exciting , pops open the book-like box too hard and having the precious writing instrument plunging to the ground.
DESIGN 8.5/10
This is perhaps one of the more popular and sort after WE in the market, and I have been contacting few boutiques and even the ones that are directly in linked with Hamburg has no stock of this anymore. Seeing it in person, I can see why. The guilloche pattern looks magnificent below the clear lacquer coupled with the platinum plated ends and cap edges and clip. It seems like most photograph shows it almost in marine blue tone, but in reality, it has a strong tint of purple on it, and a lot more colours/tone that the human eye can see and cameras and computer monitors could not duplicate. The curve edges of the cap and the piston knob gives a smooth and maritime theme to it, as the pen is mainly based on his fictional writing. The nib, beautifully carved with the diving helmet motive, providing much of the visual interests. Without doubt, in my opinion, this is one of the most beautiful pens ever made.
CONSTRUCTION AND QUALITY 8/10
The relatively heavier feel of the pen compared to other MB resin-type pen gives it a solid and confident feel. All the parts and joints are flawlessly assembled, joints are smooth and it feels like it can take all the underwater pressure like the Nautilus itself, and torpedo though deep waters. When capped, it has no loose joints, and firmly seal the pen. One can feel there is more metal in this pen than many other. There tend to be more condensation here, perhaps due to the metal parts.
WEIGHT AND BALANCE 7/10
Again, the weight is good, almost as heavy as the Shaw, given all the metal being used here. Writing it un-posted seems to be best as the cap may add to much weight and affects its balance.
NIB AND PERFORMANCE 8/10
One of the smoothest nib I have used, after the Mark Twain. It has a little of flex to it, and the flow is wet and consistent. One thing I do notice is the very weight of the pen seems to add a bit of pressure to the nib when writing, coupled with the silky smooth nib, giving it a different writing experience. I’m using Royal Blue at the moment and it’s and absolute bliss!
REFILL SYSTEM 8/10
This is a standard MB piston filler, can’t find fault in it and it works flawlessly. There’s no ink window here though, as I would love to see my blue ink flowing from it! The piston knob detached nicely from the rest of the barrel with ornate pattern rings at the edges. Just love those details.
VALUE 7/10
This is to date the most expensive pen I have paid. I feel is rather worth it for a new and untouched pen of such beauty.

SUMMARY 7.75
I seldom purchased anything online without knowing exactly how it feels or looks like in person and the one and only time I have laid eyes on this was through a glass case during and exhitbition at the local mall last month. This is one of the WE that any serious collector should have in their must have list.

Comparison nib with the 146 and 149

Comparison in size with the 146 and 149

Comparison between WE Mark Twain and WE Jules Verne design for the barrel shares the similar concept of using water and waves , one which uses etched resin and the other guilloche with lacquer.