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When the Boheme was first launched, it caused a big stir thanks to it's neat retractable nib mechanism. Harking back to the days of the eyedropper-filled, retracting nib safety pen. And make no mistake, the retractable nib is cool. In fact, it fits perfectly one of my definitions of the word "cool". Completely unnecessary, but so very neat. So neat that you find yourself buying it "just because"!
The new Doué Gold is the same great pen, just with a new finish. And what a finish it is!. It fits perfectly with the Boheme's nifty little size, giving it a bit of classy art deco appeal. Both cap and barrel are covered in a pattern of milled circular indentations. The cap and barrel end are in gold plate, while the barrel is covered in a semi-soft matte black finish. The clip has the Boheme's trademark stone set into it, in this case, black onyx.
As I said, it's the size that makes the Boheme so useful, you can fit it into any pocket, or pocketbook for that matter. Montblanc makes a great leather case that holds the Boheme and a small notepad if you're looking for a "custom made" case. As a "carry it around" pen, the Boheme has few equals in today's market. It's quite a lot of pen in such a small package. If such things concern you, it's also a Montblanc, which gives you a bit of "snob appeal" as well. I used to disregard this, but I suppose that at times it might come in handy. Maybe when you're trying to convince the loan officer at the bank that you really can afford that new mortgage!
I was very happy with my broad nib model. It puts down a nice, wet line, and I have had no problems with skipping or drying out. Although I should probably say up front that I use it fairly frequently, so it doesn't really get much chance to dry out.
Aside from the retractable nib, the other neat aspect of the Boheme is the method of replacing the cartridge into the barrel. The barrel end flips open and you then continue to turn the barrel a bit, which extends the cartridge from the barrel end. You can then pull out the old cartridge and replace it with a new one. The down side is having to use cartridges only, instead of a converter and bottled ink, but I'll take this trade-off in exchange for the cool retracting nib!
The Doué Gold Boheme is the perfect excuse to add a new Boheme to my collection!
The Pearl Lacquer Boheme is the same great little pen, but considerably dressed up. If the Boheme Doué Gold might be considered to be the "gentlemen's dress-up pen", then the Lacquer Pearl would clearly be the "ladies dress-up pen"! This pen would be right at home with an elegant cocktail dress, or at a formal dinner party. It's much less subtle than the Doué Gold, but no less elegant.
As it is, the Pearl Lacquer Boheme carries it well enough. It's easy to see this pen as a piece of jewelry.
This makes it a fun pen to use as well as fun to look at. The Pearl Lacquer Boheme is also available in a ballpen version, as well as a capped rollerball. The rollerball is much longer than the fountain pen or ballpen models, something to keep in mind if you're looking for compact in your pen, as I would imagine most who buy a Boheme are. In whatever version, the Boheme Lacquer Pearl is a treat for the eyes. It's not for the faint of heart, it stops just short of being flashy, but if you want a pen that makes a statement despite it's tiny size, it's tailor made. Images copyright 2005 William Riepl |
Of
course, once you buy it, you have to live with it. Well, unlike many
"cool" things that have come and gone in my life, the Boheme
has managed to stick around. Once you buy it, you find that it's actually
quite a useful little pen in it's own right. Setting aside the cool
factor, you get a great writing little pen that fits almost anywhere.
Before
you remove the cap and expose that great retractable nib, it will be
the size that strikes you first about the new Boheme Doué Gold.
(It's the same size as the original Boheme) At only 4 1/4 inches long
closed, this is a tiny pen. At least in today's world of monster
sized LEs that is. 
After
you remove the cap, it screws onto the barrel end. Continue turning
it and the nib extends into writing position. Of course, if you're using
the ball pen or rollerball version, this doesn't apply! But, assuming
that like me, you just couldn't resist the fountain pen, you go through
the little ceremony of extending the nib. At this point, you put pen
to paper and find out how it writes.
With
the nib extended all the way, the Bohmeme is still not a huge pen, at
only 5 3/8 inches long. That's plenty long enough to feel comfortable
for me. I like the light weight, it's only just over one ounce.
I
suppose that the Boheme might be considered to be a pen full of trade-offs.
In terms of size, the retracting nib, cartridge filler, and so forth.
All trade-offs of one sort or another. But then I consider life to be
full of trade-offs, and after all, there's no such thing as the "perfect
pen". So I'm more than happy to stick with my Boheme, trade-off
though it may be. 
For
another excuse, you might want to try the new Pearl Lacquer Boheme...
We just got these in right before uploading this article, and rather
than add another article, we decided to add a few images to this one.
The
barrel and cap are engraved with a pattern of interlocking rings. The
cap is gold plated, but the barrel is covered with a deep pearl white
lacquer. This is accented by the clip which is set with a pearl. The
overall effect is definitely not subtle, but it stops just short of
"over the top" if you like an assertive pen. The diminutive
size of the Boheme is a great help in this regard, were this finish
offered on a larger pen it might easily have been overwhelming and ended
up looking overdone or flashy. 
Looks
aside, the Pearl Lacquer Boheme is, of course, still a Montblanc Boheme,
with the same retractable nib and nifty cartridge filling system as
the others in this line.