Montblanc Around the World in 80 Days Review: A Double Broad Nib Delight

Introduction

Some pens try to impress by shouting. The Montblanc Around the World in 80 Days does the opposite: from a distance it reads as a handsome blue Le Grand-style writer, and only up close do the Jules Verne-inspired details start revealing themselves. After spending time with it, the biggest takeaway is the nib. The double broad 18K nib on this example is a genuine pleasure to use, and it colors every other impression of the pen.

Size, Price, and First Impressions

Placed next to a stack of standard notebooks, the pen sits at what most people would call a very comfortable size. It is essentially a 146 / Le Grand format, which is a size that works for a wide range of hands without feeling oversized. The barrel fills well through the piston mechanism, and the ink window does its job as expected.

In Europe, this pen is priced at 698 euros and 35 cents for this nib configuration. Prices may vary a bit depending on the market, but that is the reference point. For a Montblanc, it is not cheap, though the immediate response is that it could easily have been priced higher.

Design and Theme Details

The indigo blue and rhodium trim combination is the first thing that works in the pen’s favor. The wavy pattern on the cap represents the ocean leg of Phileas Fogg’s journey, and a steamboat is engraved on the cap as part of the same story element. It is subtle, and that is part of the charm.

The hidden details are where this pen gets fun. The clip carries a lacquered Ace of Spades, a nod to the wager Fogg made at a card table, and the other suit symbols are scattered across the cap for you to hunt down. The finial is marked with the number 80 on one side and 18 on the other, referencing the 80-day wager and the 18-day first leg of the journey, two days shorter than expected. Even the nib carries small engravings, including the start and end dates of the journey and a hot air balloon referencing another Jules Verne story.

The rest is classic Montblanc construction: the clip works well without being too tight or too loose, the center band, the piston turning knob with its porthole-like styling, the ink windows, and the flared section. Nothing feels bolted on for decoration’s sake.

The Double Broad Nib: Writing Experience

The nib range for this model is broad: extra fine, fine, medium, broad, double broad, oblique medium, and oblique broad, all in 18K. The double broad on this example is the star. It starts up straight away without priming, writes wet, and lays down a very wide, juicy line that is great for signatures and expressive writing.

There is a slight stub-like quality to it. Because a very broad nib carries so much tipping material, you get a natural line variation: a wider downstroke and a narrower side stroke. It is not a flex nib and should not be pushed as one, but the subtle variation is a nice bonus for those who enjoy it.

Reverse writing is the one area where the nib does not shine. With squarish rather than fully round tipping, reverse strokes get scratchy and unpleasant. That is the trade-off for the more calligraphic character of the nib, and for most users the forward writing experience more than compensates.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The main consideration is price. At roughly 700 euros, this is a serious purchase, though it behaves like one: an 18K gold nib, piston filling, quality materials, and a writing experience that genuinely justifies the cost.

The reverse-writing limitation is worth knowing if you like flipping a stub-ish nib over for fine lines. And since the theme details are deliberately understated, buyers looking for a loud, overtly themed pen should set expectations accordingly. This one rewards close inspection rather than first-glance spectacle.

Buying Advice

This pen suits two buyers especially well. First, anyone who already loves the Le Grand size and wants a version with a standout writing experience. Second, fountain pen enthusiasts who appreciate hidden thematic details and enjoy discovering them over time. If your priority is reverse writing or a fine line, look at other nib options in the range instead.

Conclusion

The Around the World in 80 Days is a pen with understated elegance: it looks like a 146 in a special outfit, with details like the steamboat engraving and the Ace of Spades clip that reveal themselves gradually. The double broad 18K nib is the real highlight, delivering a wet, smooth, wide line with a touch of natural line variation. It is not cheap, but it does everything it is supposed to do, and there is very little to genuinely complain about. For fans of Montblanc, Jules Verne, or simply great broad nibs, it is an easy pen to like.