Pelikan has been on fire this August, dropping news of not one, not two, but three new releases. Earlier this month, we learned of the M600 Glauco Cambon, a pen that breaks new ground with a spirit that feels a lot like the Pelikan of old. Before we even had a chance to fully wrap our minds around that release, Pelikan announced the much anticipated M205 Rose Quartz. While that would have been more than enough to temporarily slake our thirst for new models, Pelikan drops yet another release just as the month of August comes to a close. Earlier today, the company announced the forthcoming Souverän M600 Red-White fountain pen, conspicuously just in time for their upcoming 185th Anniversary celebration this Saturday. Pelikan has been bringing bold, bright colors married with white resin to the M6xx line since 2012. Taking into account the tortoise releases over the past few years, that makes the mid-sized M6xx line arguably one of the brand’s most exciting at the moment. In case you need a refresher, white resin M6xxs have included the M600 Tortoiseshell White (2012), M600 Pink (2015), M605 White Transparent (2017), M600 Turquoise-White (2018), M600 Violet-White (2019), and the M605 Green-White (2021). Pushing past the pastels, the new M600 Red-White will come in a bold and striking shade arranged in stripes made of cellulose acetate accented by white resin and gold plated furniture. While this model may frustrate those longing for a new M800 or even M1000, the bold colors and striking looks of this one will likely have it flying off store shelves. Worldwide availability is expected starting in mid-October of this year, available only while supplies last. Read on to learn all about the newest Souverän to join the family.
“The lustrous white parts are meticulously crafted from high quality resin, exquisitely turned and polished to achieve an irresistible sheen. The barrel, adorned with alternating red and white stripes, is meticulously fashioned from cellulose acetate, ensuring exceptional durability and beauty. To add a touch of opulence, all rings and the iconic Pelikan clip are elegantly plated with 24-carat gold.”
Excerpt From Pelikan’s Sales Literature
To me, the color combo of red and white is reminiscent of a strawberry, partially dipped in white chocolate, a red and white checkered tablecloth, or a bouquet of red and white roses. That color combination has always been classic and striking. It is no different when applied to a pen. The new Souverän M600 Red-White’s rich color is accented by gold plated furniture, which is made up of a stylized beak clip, two cap bands, two trim rings at the piston knob, and a trim ring at the section. The barrel will be opaque, lacking any discrete ink view, but that was the case with this line of Special Edition pens, even before Pelikan abruptly ended 92 years of ink view tradition. Even so, there will certainly be those who shy away from the reduced practicality. The cap, piston knob, and section are made of a white resin which does have an inherent risk of staining though I have not found this to be an issue with proper care and savvy ink selection. Like all of Pelikan’s models released in the past decade, this one will be available with EF, F, M, or B nib widths. Each nib is made from 14C-585 gold, partially plated with rhodium to give it a two-tone appearance which goes well with the overall look. While the M205 Rose Quartz did not get a matching ballpoint this year, the M600 Red-White will, featuring the twist mechanism of the K600. Packaging will also be unique, with this one coming in a specially designed gift box.
M600 Red-White fountain pen with matching K600 ballpoint
Pricing will vary by vendor and region. The US MSRP is $640 meaning that this one will generally retail for around $512 in the States. That is actually $64 cheaper than what 2021’s Green-White M605 retailed for, a small but welcome price reduction. Overseas vendors will have this model available for somewhere in the neighborhood of $375 to $440. All new pens purchased from authorized retailers come with a 30 day nib exchange and a 3 year warranty. It does strike me as a bit curious that we would get two M600s back to back like this. While the aesthetics are wholly different, one certainly has the potential to cannibilize sales of the other. Let’s face it, most people don’t have unlimited resources therefore many will be forced to choose between the M600 Glauco Cambon and the Red-White, an incredibly difficult choice indeed.
I am loving this combination of red and white, a lovely and classic aesthetic. Of course, final judgement needs to be withheld until we can see some real world photos but this one holds great promise. I feel like the M6xx has been Pelikan’s playground over the last decade, a place where they can let their hair down and have some fun. I do think that this would have made an exquisite M800 but, c’est la vie. Unfortunately, no matter how good this one looks, there are many out there that find the M6xx line on down too small for comfort and the relative dearth of appealing new models from the bigger lines will remain a source of frustration. Still, this one is sure to check all the boxes for a lot of fans. What are your thoughts on the new Souverän M600 Red-White? Do you already have your pre-order in or are you holding out for bigger and better? How do you choose between this one and the Glauco Cambon? Feel free to leave a comment below and let me know.
If it sells well, and helps Pelikan stay solvent, very good. But I don’t like it, though to be fair I don’t like any of the white Pelikans. But if it helps Pelikan and they can produce other interesting models, I’m happy.
I like your attitude Stephen. Well said.
I’m just holding out for a nice M800 release, I’d say another raden M1000 but I think that’s asking for too much given the one they just released.
Pelikan is very tight lipped about upcoming releases. Hopefully they will surprise us.
Its a beauty but I just picked up the green with white and this is too similar. I also have a pre-order in the the Glauco Cambon. As a limited edition that I have been waiting for since the 2021 teaser, it’s an easy choice.
It is a case of same pen, different color. Nice to have the variety though.
Love it!!! This is going to be the choicest peppermint stick in my Christmas stocking 😉
My mind never went to peppermint sticks but now that you’ve said something, I can’t see anything else.
It is cruel to release yet another beauty so soon after the other two, which I have pre-ordered. I would have preferred a bit of a break to save up for the next release, especially given the rising prices of pretty much everything, including pens, and the terrible value of the A$. But it’s a must have, given that I collect this series; I’ll just wait until it comes out and see what the best deal is.
I agree, a break would have been most welcome but there is more to come before year’s out I hear. Definitely a little uptick in releases compared with the past several years.
This is a welcome sign that Pelikan is returning to its previous form as a creator of elegant writing instruments. I would have to decide whether I can justify buying this one as I already have the white and pink M600- this may be too close to duplication. Also, as you point out, collectors will have to decide whether they can afford both the new M600 Glauco Cambon and this new M600 Red-White. This is going to be tough!
I am very curious as to how this one stacks up against the Pink. I agree though that this feels as close as a return to form since we’ve had going back to before COVID.
I LOVE this one! However, I will most likely not be purchasing it as I have a bad matching problem with pens and inks, and I’m afraid most red inks will stain the white. Also, I’m going to wait and see if it’s more true red or leans a bit pink (I hope not!). Meanwhile, I’ll keep on the lookout for an easily washed red ink (I know the three I have are NOT lol).
It wasn’t a problem for me with the Glauco Cambon, as that one just isn’t to my taste.
Have you tried Waterman’s Audacious Red? I haven’t had issues with that one staining.
I have not, so thanks so much for the recommendation! In that case, I will get this one once I see real world photos I think. Just to make sure it’s not pink.
That’s a good thought. Some of the photos did give the pen a pinkish hue but it’s so hard to judge on those pre-release photos. I hope that it will be a true red.
I will put in another recommendation for Waterman Audacious Red. It is for me a very well-behaved ink. I have also had good experiences with the red Edelstein inks, Ruby (tough to find now) and Garnet. I have used all three in the Transparent-White M605 and in the Violet-White M600 without staining.
I applaud Pelikan for what appears to be yet another fine example of a variation on a traditional theme. I’m sure it will be another success and rightfully so. That said, this combination isn’t for me as I’m not a fan of white resin. The Glauco Cambon is more intriguing to me as it delightfully and unexpectedly veers into the abstract. Happy to see that Pelikan continues to surprise and impress with its special offerings in addition to its solid core products. More of this, please.
I think the Glauco Cambon is the one that attracts my attention the most. It is a lovely pen. It is a bit pricey but wow!
A lot of pens are expensive and they are hard to justify. That one is expensive but at least I can see some value in that proposition.
More indeed. I’ll second that call to action.
OMG. I want the M205 Rose Quartz and I want this one, too! I have the turquoise and the pink M600s, and I absolutely LOVE the white resin. I’m not worried about duplicating; rather, I’m thrilled with Pelikan for branching out into more adventurous colors and I want them all! Seriously, I’ll probably buy the Rose Quartz and then see if this one is in the budget for later (if it’s still available). You’re right about the quick rate of new pen releases; I would’ve preferred the Rose Quartz now and the Red M600 about three months later. From famine to feast!
I am jealous of your pink M600! That’s the one I missed out on, and I can’t justify secondary market prices. I also love the white resin!
It is nice to see the number of new releases pick up and I don’t think that Pelikan is done for the year. There should certainly be a few more to come before the years out. They are definitely making it harder to choose, a good problem to have I guess.
For me, the Glauco Cambon is the one to get of the two. It is much more unique in its design, and I just like the way it looks compared to this one. I am not a fan of the white capped Pelikans. But it is good to see new releases coming out more regularly now. Keep ‘em coming!
I would agree. The Glauco Cambon is really a fist of its kind technique applied to the barrel and definitely more intricate than the Red-White. Still, I love having the variety.
I love it! The stark simplicity of the red on white really appeals to me. However, the price point is well above my usual budget limit for a pen, especially since I can find all sorts of lovely vintage Pelikans for less!!!
For example, I managed to buy my original grail pen, a Toledo from the 1980’s, at a price that is similar to the list price of this red and white!
If anyone feels like buying the M600 for me for my birthday though, I wouldn’t trade it in!
The price is always the kicker for these but this one is certainly positioned better than some that came before. I agree though that it is still a bit too high.
Joshua, many thanks for your valuable news. In this series of M600, they do nothing but add different colors besides white. I expect more interesting designs from Pelikan. Glauco Cambon is more exciting. In the M800 series, they only released the green demonstrator after 2019. The M800 is very neglected.
There was a time when the M800 was the only model getting meaningful new releases. It seems that there is a swinging pendulum and the M800/M1000 is on the wrong side at the moment. The white resin M600s have been popular for Pelikan so you can understand why they still go there. The Red and Black Tortoise M600s as well as the Glauco Cambon have been nice respites from the white. Seems like the M6xx line is the most happening these days.
As usual Joshua, thanks for keeping us abreast of all the new excitement from Pelikan. I am a little late to this party, but this new Red-White M600 is a definite add to my flock. The M6xx forms the core of my daily drivers, and I like the white pens in general. Having a white M60x in the red spectrum will also, I think, salve a little the deep emotional wound I have from missing out on the Pink Pen. Personally, I am enjoying the love that the M60x is getting right now, though as pointed out by others, my wallet is loving it a lot less.
My very first Pelikan was a post-1997 M600 in traditional Green-Black. Over the years, I have acquired at least one example of every Souverän model, but the current M600 is still my favorite. The light weight and excellent balance work well for me, and the newer M6xx size fits my hand just a little better than the M2xx/4xx models.
The pre-1997 old style M600 was my first “high end” Pelikan that I worked very hard to be able to purchase. Have had a soft spot for the M600 ever since.
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A Pelikan featuring Canada’s national colours is going to sell like maple syrup drenched Beavertails do at Winterlude. If only it were designed to feature the M605 livery with rhodium coloured “furniture”, it would be the perfect “Canadian Pelikan”. But regardless of the colour of the metal trim, this is going to be the “Canada Day Pen” for many of the Great White North’s fountain pen enthusiasts.
I had never heard of Winterlude and had to look it up. Sounds awesome. I’m gonna have to check it out if I ever get up north. Same with BeaverTails. Reminds me of funnel cake reading the description. Sounds delicious. I can definitely see how this pen has Canadian vibes and I think that it would have looked awesome with silver trim.
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I’m not a fan of white Pelikans but I can’t say I don’t find them interesting. For example the M605 white transparent, AKA the Ghost, was and still is an interesting Pelikan. The others 600 series white bodied models mixed with some wild colors are not my cup of tea. Not to mention a complete omission of the ink window or some barrel transparency. In fact, quite underwhelming. Thanks, but no thanks.
Absolutely fair criticism. The lack of an ink view is a major issue and the colors chosen to date have been interesting and admittedly not everybody’s cup of tea.