In an unexpected bit of news from TWSBI comes a proposal for an updated design of their Montesa line. The new line will contain a ballpoint, rollerball, mechanical pencil and a piston filling fountain pen of thinner diameter than Diamond 540. The images below are from mock up samples and the range of writing instruments may be offered in several colors, as well as in plastic and metal versions. For those who prefer a matte finish, that may be a possibility further down the road.
The nibs are said to be the same #5 size found in the 540 and most likely use the new JoWo nibs. No price has been set just yet. It will vary depending on the materials used. One thing’s for sure, it won’t be expensive. There’s also no time frame for an expected release but these will carry the TWSBI branding and will be available through normal TWSBI channels.
I find this to be an interesting development. Montesa was the name of TWSBI before they were TWSBI, but because of some registration issues they couldn’t use the name Montesa. Over the past several months they’ve run promotions, usually over holidays, where they’ve given away Montesa pens with a qualifying purchase. Now they’ve created a design with the Montesa name and TWSBI branding. Could this be a more affordable piston filling fountain pen with the potential to knock the 540 off it’s throne?
Source: TWSBI
