I’ve been expecting news of an M205 Aquamarine fountain pen to officially break for a few weeks now. It was mid-June of last year when we learned of the M205 Amethyst and I expected Pelikan to keep a similar timeframe for this year’s product announcement and release. The M205 Aquamarine marks the second special edition model designed to mirror the color of the limited edition Edelstein Ink of the Year. Pelikan Taiwan announced via their Facebook page the debut of this new Classic Series demonstrator. Mum is still the word from Pelikan International but I expect a global announcement with more details soon. It shouldn’t take long for this pen to show up for pre-order via the usual retail channels. Aside from the photos shown here, translation of the sparse accompanying text indicates that release is intended for sometime in August.
While official details are still lacking, the pen itself is no longer a mystery. This will be an aquamarine colored demonstrator corresponding to this year’s Edelstein Aquamarine ink. The M205 line has seen a re-invigoration over the last year, first with the Amethyst (2015) followed by the Blue Demonstrator (2016) reissue a few months ago. This will be the second special edition model that takes its style queues from its corresponding ink color. I would expect similarly styled special editions to follow for the foreseeable future give the reception from the community to date. The M205 is part of Pelikan’s Classic Series, an upscale, entry-level line of pens. This model will have the characteristic silver-colored, chromium coated furniture characteristic of all of the M205s. This is in contrast with the gold furniture of the M2oo series. The cap top will depict a printed one chick logo with chromium trim on the crown of the cap. Other trim features includes a single cap band, trim ring at the piston knob, and the traditional pelican’s beak clip. The pen is equipped with a polished stainless steel nib. You will be able to visualize the pen’s mechanics as well as the ink reservoir by virtue of the pen body being transparent.
This will be a special edition release which means quantities will be limited to the initial run. The offered nib sizes will likely be limited to just EF, F, M, and B. While available as a stand alone pen, it will also come as a set that includes the fountain pen along with a bottle of Edelstein Aquamarine ink. This makes for a nice gift package if there is a fan of fine writing instruments on your gift giving list. It appears that a ballpoint pen will also be available in this finish as was the case for the Amethyst. Pelikan Taiwan indicates that we will see this release sometime around August of this year.
No word yet on retail pricing but I expect it to be similar to last year’s model. That would put the Aquamarine somewhere around $140 for the pen alone and $163 for the gift set.
I like the look of this pen very much and will be adding it to my collection. The M2xx family of pens remain some of my favorites amongst all of Pelikan’s offerings. Of course, it’s always better to see real world pictures than these promotional mock ups so I have to withhold final judgement until the pen is in the wild. What are your thoughts? Will you be picking one of these up?
UPDATE 7/5/16: Post updated to include pictures of the matching ballpoint pen. Also, vendors are starting to list the pens for pre-sale. By way of example, one well known vendor out of Italy, Novelli, is advertising the M205 for $102, the K205 for $105, and the M205 & Ink gift set for $119. Prices are subject to fluctuation and variability but this is a very good price for this model. Prices will be higher than quoted for those in Europe due to regional taxes.
I’m a sucker for the 2xx line so the answer is most definitely yes!
I know the feeling.
Absolutely… pending on how it looks in person because I was disappointed with the Amethyst color being darker IRL than showed on pictures. But this color is just stunning and I’m sure I’ll get it either way!
This is why I always reserve my final opinion until seeing the pen in person. Still, even when there is deviation from the promotional pics, I’m not usually disappointed.
According to Pelikan Taiwan the boxed set will be available in August. Really looking forward to getting it alongside with my M205 Amethyst set!
That will make a nice pair.
A colored M205 demonstrator? Well of course! 🙂
I wonder whether it will be frosted like the Amethyst …
I suspect that it may be but only time will tell.
If I can afford it, I may well purchase. These photos are lovely.
This is better looking than I expected. Time will tell if I end up getting one. Never thought I would be able to get a Cognac but did. So you never know.
Never know indeed but it would make a nice complement to your Cognac. I hope you’re able to get one of these if you truly want one when we see them in the flesh so to speak.
As much as I’m trying to simplify, scale down and declutter my life and my pen collection, I am a sucker for this series. Almost definitely yes.
I love the color and the ink is amazing – but I gotta be honest Josh, I still get hung up on the price point for a steel nib pen that is mass produced… I wish I could let it go, but it kills me that this should probably be more in line with a TWSBI 580AL – or charge $140 but add a 14k nib.
Unrealistic pricing has been my issue with Pelikan for a few years now. I found the MSRP for the M120N egregious. I agree that these entry level pens are a bit overpriced for what they are but that seems to be the price of admission these days. No scenario that I can see would ever have these getting cheaper. Deals can still be had but TWSBI-like pricing is something I doubt we’d ever see Pelikan adopt.
I’ve already have one on order from my local pen shop. I am very fond of the translucent colors Pelikan has in the M2xx line.
It’s funny that demonstrators didn’t really appeal to me initially. I can still remember contemplating my first demo purchase. Now I own every M2xx demo ever released and have grown quite fond of them. I think the Aquamarine will make a nice addition.
Eeeeeeeeeeeeee! Eeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! OMG, I can’t think of anything intelligent to say, except, I must have this pen! Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! It’s my absolute favorite color in the whole world, it’s a Pelikan, it’s gorgeous! What more do I need to know, except where can I get one? Needless to say, I’ll be stalking pen sellers till I find mine!
Well said indeed. Sounds like Pelikan has made a pen that really speaks to you. Good luck in your acquisition.
soooo pretty! I’m definitely going to get one. Perhaps even in EF, since I don’t have one of those yet and lately have found some need for a really fine pen (or want, it’s never really a -need-). Though I’d still wish they’d give me a 4XX or 6XX version of those… I love their gold nibs. Don’t misunderstand me, their steel nibs are great, but they just don’t quite compare… *sighs*
Still, I’m certainly going to get me one of those. Such a beautiful color.
I tend to favor EF and F nibs which seems to better suit my smaller writing. The EF on my M120N almost reminds me of a Japanese fine which is quite a feat for a Pelikan. I’m a fan of both their gold and steel nibs. Unless it’s one of Pelikan’s vintage gold nibs (which is a no brainer), I’d be hard pressed to pick between the two from today’s modern lot.
For some weird reason, even though I have a very small script I do favor the broader nibs. I adjust my writing with it. I have a Fine 120er (the classic), but not EF as of yet. I think I’ll try one.
I keep thinking the broader ones are smoother. And I like to see lots of ink *laughs*
Just thought I’d put in my 2 cents here; I have a green marble M200 with an EF nib, and I love mine. While it’s not gold, it writes really smoothly for a steel nib, and makes my normally loopy handwriting look almost elegant. Hope you enjoy yours. I’ll probably get an XF in the Aquamarine, too. It’s worth repeating.
I got the M120 classic in F, and I do like it – at times. I have writing moods just as I have moods for everything else, it seems. At some times I want a very soft and broad stroke (my M600 M or even B are great for that) and at other times I kind of “yearn” for a smaller script. I don’t have enough selection for that yet, so I’ll probably go into EF too, just to see how it is, and because I don’t have it yet.
And yeah, I know their steel nibs are great. I just tend to think the gold nibs are even greater 😉 If that makes any sense.
It makes perfect sense; Pelikan does have some nice steel nibs, but I much prefer their gold nibs. I also have different writing “moods.” So I understand your desire for having different nibs available in your collection. I like stubs for variety. Haven’t had a Pelikan ground down to a stub yet, though. We’ll have to see if that’s in the cards. Maybe with the M205 Aquamarine…?
That would be a very nice combo I think.
For stubs I went only to Mr. Pen for now, the Italix pens. I haven’t yet found a Nibmeister I would like to try, but I really didn’t look for one either. I’ll go for the fine variety of nibs for a while, I guess. But I might let my Classic M205 Duo highlighter (green) get ground down. Double B is a bit broad after all 🙂 But it’s pretty!
Sadly, I don’t think this pen is going to be in my price range, but it does look great. I’m loving the colour!
Prices will vary depending on where you live and where you purchase. I live in the USA and will be purchasing overseas. I anticipate paying $95-112 for the Aquamarine and that will probably be the lowest range that the pen can be found.
Hey, Joshua, do you recommend any particular overseas online shops for getting M205s in that price range? Inquiring minds want to know….
There are several. More often than not these days, I seem to be getting many of my pre-orders from Fritz Schimpf in Germany and that is who will be supplying me my M205 Aquamarine. Excellent company that I recommend highly. You will also find good price and service from Appelboom in the Netherlands and Novelli in Italy to name just a few. Prices are all comparable but shipping will vary. You can find links to all 3 of those retailers on my “Links” page. Please do check out some of the other vendors listed there and shop around for the best price that works for your budget.
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I know that this Aquamarine pen will come with the steel nib. I’m wondering, can that nib be customized? Of course, I’d prefer a real gold nib, but that would put it into another price range entirely. However, if this stainless steel nib can be customized, I’d like to have one cut down to a stub. I love writing with stubs, and that would make my pen just a little more special – to me, anyway. Does anybody know about this? Also, has anyone ever seen a Pelikan stainless steel replacement nib available in a stub? That would be ideal; to just buy a stub nib and switch it out.
I have a M200 steel nib (gold colored) that Linda at Indy Pen Dance ground to her Daily Italic. It’s a very nice, smooth writer that I think is worth the price.
Alaskazimm, thanks for the recommendation. I might be interested in trying out a Daily Italic. I’ll get in touch with Indy Pen Dance. I had never heard of them before. I looked them up online, and they seem like they might be a great resource. You can never have too many fountain pen connections!
Linda does good work and you would be well served by Indy if you choose to go with them.
The tipping on the nibs, both steel and gold, is amenable to a custom grind. A nib meister can easily turn these stainless steel nibs into something more interesting. Nothing off the shelf in stub unfortunately.
Great to know, Joshua. Thanks for the info. Too bad no stubs off the shelf, but as long as I can get a custom grind on my steel nibs, not a problem!
This looks a lot better than I thought it would when the idea was first mentioned; even better than the recently released blue demo. I love a blue pen and this is just different enough from my (many) other blue pens that I’m sorely tempted. But I’m holding out hope the rumored M400 Tortoise is about to make its appearance.
No word on a brown tortoise yet but I too remain hopeful as we’ve seen most of the rumored models and then some come to fruition this year.
I hope so. My wallet’s afraid the standard solution to “just buy both” will go into effect shortly.
That has been my go to solution for years now. My wallet gave up on me long ago.
I so ordered the EF today. 🙂 Now I can’t wait for it to come out. Of course it had to be the gift box, because… special 🙂 And I think I actually don’t have the Aquamarine ink yet. The Topaz and the Sapphire, but not the Aquamarine. (I have way too many blue inks.)
Yay, and thank you for the heads up. I can’t wait to try it.
Congrats! Hopefully we won’t have too long to wait. I’m dying to see this one in person. I am using the Aquamarine ink exclusively for the past few weeks. I really like the shade. Goes nicely with my M120.
Well, turns out I even have reviewed the Aquamarine ink… shows what I know 🙂 Typical me, but it’ll be fun anyways.
I’m still not sure about the shade, but the pen looks amazing in the pictures. I’m curious how it’ll be in person. And here’s to hoping 🙂
By the by, the wait was well worth it. I got mine today, and it’s absolutely gorgeous. And not just the blue in another color, it’s something real special.
And I love my EF nib! It’s as smooth as the other Pelikan nibs.
I’m glad that you’re happy with your purchase. This is a great looking pen, more appealing to me than the Amethyst was last year. Enjoy it!
So true. 🙂 And I am. It’s a gorgeous writer. We’ll have a lot of fun together, that pen and me.
I love the M205 EF nib, too — a joy to write with, and for me the most practical for daily use.
So — is it frosted like the Amethyst?
I haven’t had a close look at the Amethyst, to be honest, but the pictures look similar, yes. I’d love to try an EF gold nib from Pelikan, but I’ll have to wait for my next gold nibbed version for that. 🙂 I think I’d still go for the M for daily use, but I like to write a big larger usually. But this one is a dream for my smaller writing days 😉
I haven’t bought the Aquamarine pen yet, but I have tried the Aquamarine ink, and I just love it. It’s a beautiful, deep teal; a very nice color which seems appropriate for many situations. I am very much looking forward to buying the matching fountain pen.
I’ve been using the ink for about a month now and love it. It’s a very versatile shade that is well behaved and a joy to write with. The M205 makes a nice counterpart and I’m sure will sit beautifully amongst your flock.
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Dear Joshua, my retailer told me that the fountain pen might be in in August, he mentioned also to call in advance due to delivery. I’m very happy to make the combination of a fountain pen including the same ink. I was thinking it has happened with the amethyst, unfortunately Pelikan did not make that choice at that time. It is a great opportunity to combine and show it in a nice box. What you see is that Pelikan is upgrading their products (e.g.slight price increase for this model).
Anyhow a good combination for writers and collectors.
I am dedicated to pelikan pens. In this case, I would love to have a pencil.
On the Classic line, Pelikan only tends to release the fountain pen and the ball point. It’s not until you step up to the Souverän series that they begin manufacturing matching pencils. I wouldn’t expect to see a pencil in this finish. Sorry about that.
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