I know that many of you have been anxiously waiting for the day to come when Pelikan announces the release of an M200 Rose Quartz Special Edition but I’m here to tell you that today is not that day. Looking back on historic trends, that announcement doesn’t usually come until August, and it has even been as late as October so you will have to be patient a while longer. That doesn’t mean you have to go away empty handed. Pelikan took to their social media channels today in order to announce the newest pen off the factory floor, the M200 Pastel-Blue Special Edition. If this newest addition to the Classic line is giving you that old familiar feeling, that might be because it bears a striking resemblance to the M200 Pastel-Green (2020) from three years ago as well as the M200 Gold-Marbled (2019). Sparingly used in the past on only a handful of models, Pelikan has really embraced white resin over the last decade. Off the top of my head, I can think of at least ten different models that have used that material in recent years, more than all of the prior decades combined. This new M200 is slated for a mid-June launch and retailers should be taking pre-orders anytime now. Read on to find out what you can expect from Pelikan’s newest fountain pen.
The M200 Pastel-Blue is the spiritual successor to the Pastel-Green, taking everything you may have liked about that model and changing only the color. In this instance, we have a pearlescent pastel blue barrel which features a degree of translucency, adding to the ethereal effect. The shade is a pleasant looking sky blue to my eye. The slight translucency in the material promises to give a glimpse into the pen’s inner workings but this is not a demonstrator. This model will feature a dedicated ink view made of a clear transparent plastic. The Pastel-Blue’s cap, section, and piston knob are made from white resin paired with gold plated furniture. As is typical for an M200, that furniture will consists of a beak clip, a single cap band, a crown clip nut, and a single ring at the piston knob. I am happy to see that Pelikan went with a plated crown rather than a plastic one which holds true to the aesthetic of the prior models. That has been a bone of contention with the more recent pens hailing from the M205 lineage. Also coming back is the white resin cap top with the company logo screened in gold. It looks sharp and pairs well with the rest of the pen’s components. That was a big miss on the Gold-Marbled that the Pastel-Green rectified and it’s nice to see Pelikan learn from their mistakes. This new model will feature the standard gold-plated stainless steel nib of the M200 which will be available from most retailers in the widths of EF, F, M, and B. Some retailers may offer other nibs such as BB and IB from their own inventory but that would be a retailer specific offering. Some vendors will also swap in a 14C-585 gold nib from the M400 line for an upcharge if you so desire. In addition to the fountain pen, there will be a matching K200 ballpoint for those that prefer to own the set or if you favor ballpoints over fountain pens. The new models look to ship with Pelikan’s recently updated G30 gift box featuring a special blue insert to match the pen’s theme.
Pelikan’s promotional literature has this to say about their new model;
“The Classic Series 200 fascinates by its soft pastel-blue appearance, reminding of the open blue sky. The delicate, light blue hue alternates through the pearl effect in the material, resulting in ever new color impressions.
The Pelikan-characteristic material is slightly transparent, allowing a view on the inside of the fountain pen. In combination with the white precious resin and the gold-plated decorative elements, a balance between classic design it carries away your imagination.”
M200 Pastel-Blue Fountain Pen
K200 Pastel-Blue Ballpoint Pen
In terms of what you might expect to pay, the US MSRP for the fountain pen is $290 which means this one will retail for $232. The MSRP on the ballpoint is $240 which rings up as $192 at the register when the standard 20% discount is applied. That is no small price to pay when you consider that this is a smaller pen sporting a stainless steel nib. Those looking for a discount would be wise to shop overseas where retail is likely going to range from ~$125 to $150 when the VAT is excluded, a significant savings over domestic US pricing. While US prices have been astronomical for some time, this new blue model is only about $28 more than its green processor. While foreign pricing has long been more attractive, even those prices have suffered some upward creep over the past year or two, likely reflecting the current state of global economics more than anything else.
I am happy to see that Pelikan is still putting pens out, all-be-it at a much slower pace than in the past. Based on the number of pastel models that Pelikan has released in recent years, I can only surmise that they must do well for the company, and I can see this one selling without much issue. To interject some of my own thoughts based on first impressions, I can’t help but wonder how much better this pen might have been with a few small tweaks. This new model is, for all intents and purposes, the same pen as the Pastel-Green. The two models differ only in color therefore I am curious to hear whether or not those who already own a Pastel-Green would be enticed enough to add this one to their flock as well? I have a suspicion that the answer for many may well be no, particularly at these price points. What would have really jazzed this up for me would have been the addition of the silver colored chromium plated trim of the M205 line. Those cool tones would have paired so well with the blue and set this one further apart from the Pastel-Green making the purchase a no brainer. I’m speaking for myself of course but I don’t think that I’m alone in this opinion. I also know that a lot of people out there find the M2xx series to be too small for their liking, preferring an M6xx or larger, which means that this will disappoint those who didn’t jump on the recently released M800 Green Demonstrator. Given the budget constraints of most people today, I do wonder how many people will pass up the Pastel-Blue, opting instead to hold out hope for an M200 Rose Quartz. What are your thoughts on the Pastel-Blue? Are you waiting to see what’s going to be next to come down the line or have you already placed your pre-order? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment’s section below.
Thank you for another great article, Josh. I wholeheartedly agree that the M200 chassis with white and pastel acrylics must be selling well to a particular segment of fountain pen users. Just like how Ian Schon’s colourful pocket pens do so well in Japan.
I actually quite like this pearlescent pastel blue acrylic ( or is it cellulose acetate?) – but if it was in a larger chassis eg the M600 size and up – I might consider getting one.
I would also like to see some of these marbled finishes come to the larger models as well. Definitely think some neat models could be made if Pelikan shook things up a bit. As it is, it looks like they are staying close to tried and true formulas.
Thank you for the information. I’m that person who “designed” the Pastel Pink on Instagram and bothered you about the release of the Rose Quartz special edition pen the other day. I am really hoping that they do a design similar to what I did, and don’t turn away from pastels and white cap/piston knobs just because they produced another pastel this year 😅 I personally feel sad about this pen. I know there will be tons of people who will buy this, but I think it will go down in the Pelikan history as the pen who disappointed the people who were waiting for the pink one. It’s childish to say this, but I honestly want to give this pen a hug and tell her it’s just bad management and not her fault to be born around this time. She could’ve been the star of the next year’s special release that people would go crazy about.
Ha! I love your perspective. I truly hope that an M200 Rose Quartz comes and is everything that you hoped it would be.
I like the aesthetics, but when it sells for more than I paid for my M400 White Tortoise not that long ago (fall 2018), I will probably have to pass. At least at US dealer pricing. But if going to the UK or other European seller brings it down to $150 or less that is different.
The disparity in regional pricing continues to boggle my mind and it’s really hard to endorse models like these when they come in well above $200.
Great review as always, Joshua; thank you. This is a beautiful little pen; I’m going to have to get one. I like the gold nib and trim; I must admit I am biased. I usually prefer gold over silver, period. That being said, I sometimes like blue with silver, but it seems to me that the blue/silver combo has been done to death. I especially like the gold with the warm white (beige? ivory?) because gold looks great with warm colors. However, I also like the unexpected look of the gold with the cool blue. What can I say? I just like this pen. I think it could become one of my favorites. I’ll probably get an M400 nib for it.
Sounds like love at first sight. I’m sure this one could become a favorite for many.
I also like the gold trim against the warm white. The M200 Gold-Marbled pulled me into that look, and it has grown on me since. This pen appeals as well. Once I have seen some real-world photos, I will almost certainly be in touch with my favorite dealer for this one.
I can definitely see what you’re saying but still would have preferred chromium plating myself.
One of the few Pelikan purchases I regretted was a blue Souverän with gold. That should have been silver. However this one reminds me a little bit of the M600 Turquoise, which is among my favorite pens. But the chrome plating would have been just as attractive to me.
I guess that I can see it going either way.
I’m not a fan of the pastels. My wallet is grateful!
Always nice when you can get that reprieve. You have more restraint than I and I admire that.
My husband cheered when I told him Pelikan just released a new pen in a color I don’t like. 🙂
Haha. I bet. My wife just rolls her eyes.
Another great article, Josh. Thanks. It’s a real pretty pen but a little pricey. Thankfully I think the 200s are a little small for my tastes so this one won’t tempt me.
I don’t mind the M200 size. It fits nicely in the pocket and posts like a dream. I would like to see a pattern like this come to a larger model but it seems like there is a school of design for the Classic series and a wholly different thought process behind the Souverans.
I love the marbled line; I got all the recent ones except the Petrol that I should get soon. What I don’t like about the marbling though, it’s that it can be really deceiving. My blue, green, brown and pastel green do look great (the non pastel being more spectacular), but the gold marbled I got is just dull, it’s almost plain with just a vertical shaded line. Ironically, it’s the only one I didn’t buy online, but I just didn’t know what to pay attention to at that time.
Yes, not all marbling is created equal and I agree, my Gold-Marbled was a bit disappointing. Still, something neat about the inherent variation and no two being exactly alike.
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It’s a very good looking pen,but I think it’s to light for me.Being A guy I prefer the darker colors.
It’s a bit hard to gauge from just the pre-release photos. I’m hoping the real world pics will show it to be a little deeper blue. Lighting will be important too I’m sure.
Thanks, Joshua! Already pre-ordered mine. It’ll join my 2019 Gold Marbled and 2020 Pastel Green white flock.
The trio will look nice togehter I’m sure. Congrats!
Not a blokes pen this one. Hard pass.
My concerns are more for durability. I do worry about long term sustainability of white resin and clear ink views. I think ink selection with this one would be particularly important. Definitely seems like there is a segment that this color appeals to and others not at all. Hopefully Pelikan keeps the variety coming.
Love it. Will add it to my flock.
Good deal! Seems like this one is a love/hate deal. Not finding too many people in between so far.
This one is a definite maybe for me. The color is appealing. The M6xx has been my favorite size for years, but I agree, the M2xx/M4xx pens are lovely in the hand when posted. I find myself reaching for them increasingly often. I have not added to my flock in a while, and this one might break the pause.
I’ve always been fascinated by so many findings the M2xx/M4xx being too small. There was a day when that was the standard size. The bigger pens are great but I think a lot of value gets overlooked in these little guys. I’m looking forward to seeing some real world pics of this one.
I don’t like the hue of this blue at all–not sure why, but it even makes me feel a little queasy. I was never a fan of their marbled blue color, though. I think the concept is ‘elegant’, very French looking, but in execution the white and this color blue do not look good together imo. One more pen I don’t have to buy! I personally am wondering when they will release news of a new m600, and what that might be.
I can see that. I’m hoping that the actual shade of blue might be a touch darker in real life but we will have to wait to and see.
I have the pastel green and am probably going to get this blue one as well. The pastel green pelikan is my favorite of all the pens I’ve tried and I was always tempted to try and find one of the purple marbled ones, but I love blue so this is perfect for hitting my weaknesses. I have small hands but don’t like short pens like the Kaweco, the M200s feel perfect. My only contention is that I’ve had some staining in the pastel green’s threads and on the piston. I’m not sure how to fix it and I try to be extra careful with the rest of the snazzy white resin.
Pens of this nature can and do stain, just comes with the territory. Do your best with pen hygiene and select your inks wisely. That’s really all you can do.