Spring is in the air, a season full of promise and the renewal of life. With it comes baseball, April showers, blooming flowers, and fresh news of the next big thing out of Hannover. Earlier today, vendors across the globe gave us our first look at the M600 Violet-White, a light pastel purple or lilac colored model that is sure to fit right in at this time of the year. The new model’s appearance is very much in keeping with past releases which include the M600 Turquoise-White (2018), the M605 White-Transparent (2017), the M600 Pink (2015), and the M600 Tortoiseshell White (2012). There has been some uncertainty and delays surrounding Pelikan’s launch dates this year but, for now at least, you can anticipate the Violet-White hitting store shelves sometime in May 2019.
This M600 is just the newest addition to what has clearly emerged as a series of thematically related releases. Very similar to last years turquoise model, this one will sport a violet striped barrel made from cellulose acetate. Based on the prior M600, you can expect this one to lack a discrete ink view window, something that will be an issue for some. The section, cap, and piston knob will be made of a high quality white resin, likely in the same shade of white that we are by now all too familiar with. The furniture will include two cap bands, two trim rings at the piston knob, and a single trim ring on the section all of which will be 24 carat gold-plated. Pelikan’s standard beak clip will adorn the cap and the nib will be done in a two-toned 14C-585 gold. In keeping with today’s standard, available nib widths will include EF, F, M, and B (with many retailers forced to add a surcharge for the EF width). Like the past few models, an accompanying ballpoint in a matching finish will be available. The gift box will also continue along the lines of prior releases, featuring faux laces along the front, this time in a shade of violet.
M600 Violet-White
K600 Violet-White
Anytime a white pen hits the market, there will be those who raise concerns about staining which is very understandable. That said, with good pen hygiene and regular maintenance, Pelikan’s white resin has proven fairly resistant to staining in real world use and I would not let such concerns 
stand in the way of ownership if this one truly speaks to you. More of a concern to me is the disparity in pricing which has been a prominent issue with Pelikan over the last few years. Last year’s Turquoise-White model had a US MSRP of $500 and retailed in the neighborhood of $400. This year’s domestic pricing looks to include an MSRP of $550 with a suggested retail of $440. That represents a 9.5% increase in the cost of the Violet-White over its predecessor. You will almost certainly be able to find more attractive deals from a wide variety of overseas vendors based on historic trends. Fritz-Schimpf in Germany, for example, is showing a price of €316 including VAT for F, M, and B equipped pens. That means you can probably anticipate being able to pick one of these up somewhere around $300 when the VAT is excluded. That is not a bad deal for an M600 and a 38% savings is difficult to overlook. What do you think of the upcoming M600 Violet-White? Is it a violet vision or a purple nightmare? Feel free to leave a comment below.
Left to right; Pelikan M600 Tortoiseshell White (2012), M600 Pink (2015), M600 Turquoise-White (2018), and M605 White Transparent (2017)
Thanks Joshua; nice article. Pretty pen. I like it.
I have the white tortoiseshell in the M400. I think those white cap pens you highlighted are nice, but just not for me personally. I’m glad I have one, but probably won’t go for anymore. I think this one makes a really nice addition to the lineup though. Nice collection for those who get them all.
I agree that this one is a good fit for those on the path to collecting them all. Fits in well with the color scheme already in place. I can definitely understand not wanting to aggressively pursue these though. I think white on a pen like this is a somewhat polarizing color.
This definetly speaks to me. I will get this one.
Stunning! I was so hoping for a purple/violet /lilac M600. Can’t wait.
Its beautiful but not for me. My wife (who is not a pen person) really likes the look of that ballpoint though.
At least you have a good gift idea for the Mrs.
It’s a very pretty shade of violet; ought to go with my other M600s nicely. I can think of a few purple inks the would look very nice in there.
Not too many purple Pelikans out there so this should fill a nice void for those purple inks yearning for a purple pen.
Pingback: Netzfunde 5 (14.04.2019) – Der Bürokrat
I wanted to pop in here to say: the lilac M600 is my **first** Pelikan and I love it. Some of us pen addicts are also color addicts – I gotta have a splash of color – girly girl color is even better. The more conservative Pelikan colors just don’t speak to me. I had been eyeing Pelikan for a while as many people that draw/sketch in ink swear by the brand. I am also an art school dropout – familiar with Pelikan’s presence in the art supply world.
This is the first Pelikan model that pushed me into a major ‘step up’ pen purchase. So in that regard, it is a success. The nanosecond I saw it – I *knew* THIS was going to be my first Pelikan.
So for some – it is THE pen! It is as if Pelikan is hiding a small female designer in their midst, who comes out once in a while to say: us ladies with small hands would like a pen designed for US.
Congrats on your first Pelikan! The M600 is a great choice and I’m glad that you found one which spoke to you. Enjoy it!
April, I agree with your comments about color and size. I, too, am driven by color. My first Pelikan purchase (aside from the Green Marble M200 I bought around 2000) was the Pink M600. I must have a high color IQ because throughout my life, color has influenced most of my purchasing decisions. It makes sense that lots of fountain pen people are also artistic people who love color. Not everyone who uses a fountain pen is a businessman in a suit who uses his pen to sign the occasional letter (I think Pelikan markets mostly to that group). I was driven to buy my first fountain pen from a desire to use all those pretty ink colors.
I also have very small hands. I won’t even buy a pen with a #6-size nib anymore because the longer nib places my hand too far off the paper for comfort. My absolute favorite pens are my Pelikan M300 and my M320s. These precious little gems fit my hand perfectly. I still love my M200s and M600s, because they are also small enough for me.
You can be sure I will be adding the Lilac M600 to my flock. Just have to decide on a nib. I’ll probably get one at nibs.com and let John Mottishaw’s bunch grind me a stub. My absolute favorite pen – a Pelikan with a custom stub.
Debi, thank you for sharing your thoughts. I would like to comment on your statement; “Not everyone who uses a fountain pen is a businessman in a suit who uses his pen to sign the occasional letter (I think Pelikan markets mostly to that group).“
I can see how you would come the that conclusion when you look at the Souverän line of fine writing instruments that seems to be the focus here in the US. That said, Pelikan caters to a broad audience with whole lines of fun and colorful pens. These are much more readily available overseas than here in the USA. I think that can skew our perceptions.
Well stated, Joshua. You always reply with the utmost tact and kindness. If you have any pull with Pelikan, perhaps you could tell them that we’d love to see all their beautiful color options over here in the U.S. Pretty colors make me happy, especially when they’re on my fountain pens.
I like these bright colors with white caps. Do you have any inkling if they will bring back the white tortoise M600?
Sorry to disappoint but I wouldn’t hold your breath. That was a 2012 release that is very hard to come by. Took me years to find one. I doubt it’s going to come back around anytime soon.
Which is more popular, this or the turquoise? Just interested to hear opinions. Thanks
I don’t know that I’ve heard or have a good sense of which of these two, Violet-White vs Turquosie-White, may have been the more popular. In my mind, they are both on pretty even footing as far as sentiments go. My personal preference would be for the Turquoise-White however.
Thanks for this nice review. I read in another review that the Violet White’s striped barrel is not translucent, thus not allowing the level of remaining ink to be seen. That would seem to be a departure from the other striped M600s like the Pink or Turquoise versions. Can you advise whether this is correct?
As always, many thanks for giving us Pelikan collectors a really useful website crammed with useful information!
It is correct that there is no ink view of any type on the Violet White but it is not a departure. The Pink (2015), Turquoise White (2018), and Violet White (2019) are all without an ink view of any type. There is no translucency between the stripes. The last M6xx with translucency was the M605 White Transparent (2017).
Hi Joshua
Thank you for that very prompt reply. I have the Pink and Tuquoise versions already, where the ink level is at least detectable by holding the pen up to strong sunlight or (on a cloudy day) a torch. It is a little inconvenient but one can live with it. I now have to decide whether I can afford another M600… Such difficult decisions!
Best
Philip
Yes, the holding up to strong light to just get a glimpse is workable though less than ideal. I use a cell phone flash light. Still, I understand why Pelikan choose this approach based on the pen’s design. I would personally prefer an ink view of some type though.