In a short time, Pelikan has released two brand new Classic models that are making waves. The first one, the M200 Orange Delight, came out last month, and now we have the long-awaited M200 Copper Rose Gold hitting store shelves. First announced at the end of September 2023, issues during the final quality check postponed the release until this Spring. With the wait finally over, the first Classic pen to incorporate rose gold trim is impressive. Developed in the 19th century and popularized by Carl Fabergé, rose gold is an alloy made of gold and copper, giving the final product a pink or reddish color. It’s use is not new in the fountain pen world, as other manufacturers have also applied it to their pens, but it is particularly unusual to see it on a Pelikan. In fact, the only other instance that I can recall its use was on 2016’s The Statue Of Zeus, the sixth entry in the Seven Wonders Of The World series and a much more upscale model. This special edition marries the alloyed furniture to a shimmering copper colored barrel with white resin accents, creating an attractive design. Due to the delay, there’s a lot of anticipation for this pen, and the only obstacle now might be similar to what affected the Orange Delight. Keep reading to find out what those obstacles might be and whether the M200 Copper Rose Gold is worth your time.

Appearance & Design (10/10) – A shimmering copper barrel, white resin, and rose gold trim make for a handsome pen

The Copper Rose Gold comes in the standard G30 gift packaging, without any thematic changes this time. The gray rectangular box with a magnetic lid opens to reveal a textured brown interior holding a white faux leather pen sleeve. When you slide out the Copper Rose Gold, you can tell it’s not just any M200 thanks to the reddish tint of the trim. The look might not appeal to everyone, but rose gold has been gaining popularity in recent years.

Pelikan’s standard G30 gift packaging

The appearance of rose gold can vary depending on how much copper is used. The furniture of the new M200 fountain pen is somewhat different in color than the Statue of Zeus, perhaps owing to the difference in base metals. The plated furniture includes a clip nut, beak clip, cap band, and piston knob trim ring. The cap band is stamped “Pelikan Germany” and the white resin cap top features a screened copper colored logo which complements the overall design. The cap, section, and piston knob are made of white resin, and there’s a dark brown ink view behind the section. The barrel is copper-colored with some darker striations, but it’s more even than recent marbled finishes. In strong light, the barrel sparkles and reflects that light in a captivating way. The pen also has a rose gold-plated stainless steel nib stamped with the company logo and width. Overall, the elements are well thought out and harmonious.

Note the difference in appearance between yellow gold and rose gold in these M200 nibs

Like the M200 Orange Delight, the Copper Rose Gold also avoids the same design issues seen on past models. All components are plated appropriately and the cap top matches the overall look of the pen, two prior areas of contention. Pelikan’s recent releases have felt very intentional in their design, with each element being carefully considered. The white resin may show stains more than black, a serious consideration which needs to be taken into account. This hasn’t been a major issue for me, but I also try to choose my ink carefully when using white resin pens. Simply put, the M200 Copper Rose Gold is a beautiful model, perhaps a bit more understated than the Orange Delight, but equally attractive. The only visual barriers will be for those who don’t like the look of white resin and/or rose gold.

Click on an image in the gallery to view it

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Construction & Quality (10/10) – A delayed release shows that quality is still a top consideration at Pelikan

The reason for this release’s delay was never disclosed, but there seem to be no concerns at present about the build quality of this model. Although the plating of this new pen may not have been tested in the field for many years like other models, there have been no issues in the eight years since the Statue of Zeus was released. The white resin section effectively conceals the manufacturing seams. The cap stays closed when stowed, is quickly removed for use, and posts securely onto the back of the barrel. Given my past experience, I anticipate that the Copper Rose Gold will function hassle free for the foreseeable future.

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Weight & Dimensions (9/10) – Small and mighty, the Copper Rose Gold still won’t win over those who prefer a larger model

The M200 Copper Rose Gold, like other M2xx models, is a smaller pen. Some people like its small size because it’s easy to carry and comfortable. Others who prefer a larger pen will be disappointed because the M200 is neither heavy nor substantial enough to suit their taste. That said, those who favor the M200 form factor will appreciate the size and excellent balance that comes from posting this model. The Copper Rose Gold is 4.92 inches when closed and 5.71 inches when posted, with a diameter of 0.46 inches. Since it’s mostly made of plastic, it only weighs 0.49 ounces. If you’ve used fountain pens before, you probably have an idea of how this one will fit your preferences.

A size comparison. Left to right; M200 Copper Rose Gold (2024), M600 Black/Green (2003-10), M800 Black/Green (1987-88), and M1000 Black/Green (2012-15)

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Nib & Performance (8/10) – A plain appearing nib gains just a bit more intrigue with its rose gold plating

The Copper Rose Gold has a stainless steel nib that is very simplistic in its appearance. It doesn’t have many decorative details, stamped only with the company name, logo, and the nib’s width. This is the first time Pelikan has made a rose gold plated stainless steel nib, so the reddish colored nib is, for the time being, special to this model. I purchased mine with a fine nib. It writes a line that’s typical for a Western fine, but not as thin as Eastern standards. The nib writes smoothly, came well aligned, and has been without any obvious problems. If you don’t like fine nibs, this pen is also available in EF, M, and B widths.

The nib of this pen writes a consistent line and doesn’t have any flexibility. I prefer the stainless steel nibs from Pelikan because they have a little bit of spring and are very dependable. The pen’s feed, which is often overlooked, is a big part of what makes it special. The feed’s ability to stay wet and ready to write is very important to me since I cannot use my pens as often as I would like. You can replace the nib with one from any M2xx or the more ornate 14C-585 nib of the M400, but then you’d lose the rose gold look that makes this pen special. The nib you choose when you buy the pen may be the one you’ll have for a long time, as it might be hard to find replacement rose gold nibs in the future. I don’t expect any issues with premature plating failure, as the plating process for rose gold is no different than their usual application.

Pelikan’s first ever rose gold-plated stainless steel nib

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Filling System & Maintenance (10/10) – A piston filling pen with an ink view really brings this one back to Pelikan’s roots

The pen’s filling system is based on Pelikan’s piston mechanism, known for being reliable and easy to use. The M200 Copper Rose Gold is a pleasure to fill and maintain. Its piston knob smoothly moves the piston back and forth with a simple twist. The pen can hold about 1.20mLs and fills quickly from a bottle of ink. When retracted, the piston knob fits snugly to the back of the barrel without any play.

While Pelikan no longer includes ink views on their Souveräns, it’s nice to have one here. A dark brown ink view is situated behind the section, which is highly valued by many. This small feature adds significant functionality to the pen and it’s great to see on a non-demonstrator model. Maintaining the Copper Rose Gold should be simple, requiring just a tiny drop of pure silicone grease applied to the inside of the barrel when the piston finally stiffens after years of use. This can be easily done through the section and does not require any special equipment. As I’ve mentioned before, the piston assembly is snap fitted to the barrel and is not easily removable. However, this is unlikely to be an issue since removal is seldom necessary.

The piston seal of the Pelikan M200 Copper Rose Gold can be seen through the ink window when the piston is advanced

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Cost & Value (8/10) – A seldom used plating and a reduction in price mean that this one is a better deal than many that have come before

The M200 Copper Rose Gold has a US MSRP of $230 and retails around $184. That is $24 cheaper than the previously launched Orange Delight, for reasons I don’t fully understand. The price from overseas sellers has been more consistent at €121 (~$130.92) when excluding the VAT, similar to what the Orange Delight retails for. When factoring in the cost of shipping, the price difference is minimal therefore those in the US shouldn’t hesitate to look to their domestic retailers for purchasing. By virtue of being the first Classic model to use rose gold and also the cheapest M2xx in some time, it may be a better value proposition than many other recent releases.

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Conclusion – The M200 Copper Rose Gold commits no sins and is worth picking up if the look appeals to you

M200 Copper Rose Gold: 55/60 or 91.6%

The Copper Rose Gold is something new from Pelikan. It has rose gold plating which has been seen on a Pelikan only once before. Rose gold has gained in popularity over the past few years, and Pelikan may be taking advantage of that. Of course, not everyone likes the look of rose gold. Apart from the furniture, the barrel has a beautiful coppery appearance that shimmers in good light. Paired with white resin and no glaring issues with the design, the overall appearance is quite captivating.

Other positives include the fact that the M200 Copper Rose Gold is a piston filler with an ink view. However, it is a smaller pen, which will be a problem for those that prefer a larger model. If the size doesn’t bother you, the lower price is definitely welcome. Despite still being expensive, there is potential for real value here, especially if Pelikan doesn’t make too many more rose gold pens in the future. It’s an attractive pen for the price, and I like the direction Pelikan has taken with their recent releases. Whether you love or hate this pen, we can all be excited to see what they come up with next.

PROS

• The presence of an ink view adds welcomed functionality
• The copper colored barrel shimmers in an alluring way
• Pelikan’s piston filling system ensures that the Copper Rose Gold is a joy to fill and maintain
• Reduced pricing is always a plus, making this one of the more affordable birds in recent memory
• The feed keeps ink flowing even after a period of stasis

CONS

• White resin will carry an inherent risk of showing stains, particularly at the section
• The Copper Rose Gold will be too small for those who gravitate towards larger models
• Pelikan’s nibs still only come in the most basic sizes
• It may be difficult to find a matching rose gold nib in the future should you desire to replace it for any reason

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A Look At The Pelikan M200 Copper Rose Gold

Pelikan M200 Copper Rose Gold Writing Sample

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*The pen utilized for this review is my own from my personal collection and therefore the opinions expressed are also mine and free of any undue influence.