Montblanc Vintage 1960–1989 SlimLine — SL and CS, the slim pens below the Noblesse

The SlimLine — also “SL” or “CS” — was the least expensive of the slim ranges, below the Noblesse and well below the Meisterstück. The model catalogue lists it from 1980 to 1990.

Who it was meant for

It was intended for senior pupils and students (forum post of 27 January 2011), according to another post in what was then called the “third price category” (forum post of 2 December 2006). A fountain pen “CS” is documented as early as the 1970s (forum post of 26 July 2005). The SlimLine was mass-produced (forum post of 8 November 2005) and is not forged (forum post of 25 March 2017).

How to recognise it

It is reliably recognised by the star set on the end of the clip; the Noblesse does not have it (forum post of 20 February 2010, forum post of 2 December 2006). The model catalogue accordingly describes the clip as “set with a white Montblanc star”. Especially in English-speaking countries the SlimLine is often assigned to the Noblesse, wrongly according to forum posts (forum post of 17 October 2007, forum post of 20 February 2010).

Versions

• gold-plated with fine pinstripe guilloche, a few also rhodium-plated
• coloured with gold-plated trim in black, red, brown, blue, white and green, of “resin in various colours”
• satin steel with chrome-plated trim or a black cap
• from 1987 anthracite steel

The barrel is a sleeve over an inner material. If it slips, what looks like a shiny ring appears, which can be pushed back (forum post of 17 October 2007).

Nibs

The nibs are steel wing nibs, gold-plated or plain; SlimLine fountain pens never had a real gold nib. If a SlimLine nib bears a carat stamp, it was fitted later from a Noblesse (forum post of 24 March 2009, forum post of 17 October 2007). Early and late production used different nibs (forum post of 17 October 2007).

Ballpoint, rollerball and relatives

Ballpoints came with push and with twist mechanisms (forum post of 25 March 2017, forum post of 7 April 2013). Today’s Montblanc rollerball refills, which have changed only in the thread, also fit the rollerballs (forum post of 16 May 2007). A forum post regards the two-colour ballpoint 2735 (1982–1988) with SlimLine clip as a single pen outside the coloured range; its moulds later went to LAMY (forum post of 23 February 2012).

Some Markant fountain pens, such as the M7720, hardly differ from the SlimLine in design, workmanship and material. They can be told by a different logo and a slightly different clip (post on Penexchange (thread “Faszination Montblanc?”)).