The flagship Pelikan M1000 fountain pen stands taller than its siblings, both literally and figuratively. Even so, it sees the fewest number of releases amongst all the Souveräns. Perhaps that is one reason that the new M1000 Renaissance Brown has made such a splash. It has been five years since the M1005 Stresemann (2019) made its debut which makes this new model worthy of review. Strictly speaking, I’m selectively ignoring the ultra-limited and exotic Raden and Maki-e models which are also built off of the M1000 chassis. The M1000 is a very large model, unwieldy for many, and not what I would call the most practical pen out there. And yet, there is something special about an M1000, something that the other Souveräns just don’t have. It’s a bit hard to describe but once you place that huge, juicy nib onto paper for the first time, you start to get a sense of that magic. While Pelikan’s modern nibs, at least those produced over the past few decades, have skewed towards hard and inflexible, the M1000’s nib graces the paper with just the most delightful amount of spring, thanks in part to its large size. They are a joy to write with and the Renaissance Brown is no exception. Also worthy of note is the fact that this is a case of “who wore it better?” Recall that the M800 Renaissance Brown was first on the scene in this finish back in 2017. When a classic makes a comeback, there is sure to be a lot to unpack. Keep reading to learn all about the M1000 Renaissance Brown and whether or not it would make a worthy addition to your flock.

Appearance & Design (10/10) – A wonderful homage to the chiaroscuro style of the Renaissance

The M1000 Renaissance Brown comes in the standard G30 gift packaging, a simple rectangular box with a magnetic closure. While it may lack unique or specially themed elements, it does include a white faux leather pen sleeve, which some may find useful. Once removed from the sleeve, the first noticeable feature is its size – it’s a big pen with ample space to display the lovely, marbled finish.

The finish of the Renaissance Brown’s transitions from light pearlescent marbling to dark brown, reminiscent of the chiaroscuro technique in art. This technique was first made famous by Leonardo da Vinci in the late 15th century and can be seen in much of his work including “Virgin of the Rocks” (1483-1486). The new M1000 pays homage to this artistic style, just like the M800 did in 2017. The unique opaque, dark brown acrylic is eye-catching yet subtle and pairs well with the warmth of the gold plated trim.

On the left is Leonardo da Vinci’s The Virgin of the Rocks, c. 1483-86, currently housed at the Louvre. On the right is The Virgin of the Rocks, c. 1491-1508 residing at The National Gallery in London

Pelikan’s M800 (left) and M1000 (right) Renaissance Brown fountain pens, separated by seven years

For the second time ever, Pelikan modified the trim’s appearance for this release. We first saw it on last year’s M800 Green Demonstrator. There have been several Souverän releases in the meantime, such as the M600 Glauco Cambon or Red-White, that did not sport the new furniture. It was likewise absent on the Raden Red Infinity, Maki-e Dragon, and the Maki-e Ivy and Komon. The random application makes it difficult to know if this is the future direction of Souverän trim or just something that Pelikan is experimenting with. Both instances so far have been on revisited finishes, which may indicate that it is simply being used to create some distinction between models that would otherwise look almost identical.

Note the difference in trim between the new M1000 (top) and its older M800 (bottom) counterpart

The newer trim of the cap and piston knob reflects the classic Souverän style from the late 1980s but with a twist. It is forged from a single piece of metal with two raised and polished rings separated by a band with a more matte appearance. The engraving along the cap band reads “Pelikan Souverän Germany.” Unchanged from past iterations is the trim ring at the section, the beak clip, and the gold plated cap top featuring the company’s logo. The whole package is topped off by Pelikan’s rhodium plated 18C-750 gold nib.

Click on an image in the gallery to view it

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Construction & Quality (10/10) – Pelikan’s flagship pen appears be of solid construction, without fault or obvious flaw

The construction of the M1000 Renaissance Brown gives no cause for alarm despite the recent acquisition by Hamelin. The pens are still made in Germany and production has largely proceeded as usual with the same pool of talent and skill. However, the new trim ring design has only been in use for the past year, so it’s too early to know for sure how it will withstand the test of time. There haven’t been widespread issues reported, and I currently have no overt concerns about the trim’s durability. What has been demonstrated over the last few decades is that the trim ring at the section may have the potential for corrosion if not properly cared for.

The acrylic material of the barrel is opaque and there is no discrete ink view window. The ink chamber can be visualized, however, when held up to a strong light, such as that of a cell phone, providing at least a rudimentary way to gauge the amount of ink remaining in the pen. As usual, the cap can be quickly removed with 3/4 of a turn and posts securely for those that prefer to do so. One final note is that the piston assembly, like the M800, is threaded and screwed into the barrel meaning it can be removed should the need ever arise.

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Weight & Dimensions (9/10) – A juggernaut of a pen that will scratch the itch for those that like ’em big but leave everyone else out in the cold

Many of Pelikan’s recent releases have consisted of smaller pens. The M1000 is anything but small. That will be a turn off for many. Those that prefer a larger pen will enjoy the M1000’s heft and girth. This is not a pen to be carried in your pocket but rather one that is better left on your desk or transported in a case due to its large size. I find that a model this large is best to use without posting but that is a personal preference. There is nothing to keep you from doing so. Officially, the Renaissance Brown is 5.79 inches (14.7cm) when closed and a whopping 6.89 inches (17.5cm) when posted, with a diameter of 0.56 inches (1.4cm). Because construction includes a brass piston assembly, it weighs 1.24 ounces (35.1gm). While the M1000 is not a good fit for everyone, it’s a delightful beast for those not put off by its size.

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Nib & Performance (10/10) – The largest and most decorative nib in the line-up delivers a unique and enjoyable writing experience

The Renaissance Brown comes equipped with an 18C-750 rhodium plated nib which gives it a two tone appearance. While the nib’s design is similar to other Souveräns, you can instantly identify an M10xx nib by its double scroll work. If that doesn’t give it away for you, you might take note of the broad shoulders on this hulk of a nib. That large size allows for a degree of spring and perhaps even a hint of flex that other Souveräns simply don’t have. Because the M1000 is a wet and generous writer, you may get a line that seems a bit wider than what is stamped so that should be kept in mind when selecting a nib width. Opting for a drier ink can help tame this to a degree. The Renaissance Brown comes from the factory with a nib in one of four standard widths which are EF, F, M, and B. My example was purchased with a broad nib and had no issues out of the box. The tines were aligned nicely and the pen was free of skips or hard starts.

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Filling System & Maintenance (9/10) – A piston filler that is easy to fill and maintain, marred only by the lack of an ink view

The M1000 is a piston filler and, like any other Pelikan, known for its reliability and ease of use. Rotating the knob at the back of the barrel advances the piston which travels the length of the barrel smoothly. Should it ever begin to bind or become difficult to advance, the piston can be easily serviced by unscrewing the nib and applying the tiniest drop of silicone grease to the inside of the barrel. Cycling the piston fills the pen which has a stated capacity of 1.35 mLs. When not in use, the piston knob snugs against the back of the barrel and lacks any play. There is no discrete ink view as I discussed above so there is no good way to gauge the amount of ink remaining in the pen out of the box short of utilizing a strong light. The piston assembly of the M1000 is screwed into the barrel and can be removed if necessary, however that is a rare occurrence and should not be considered a part of routine maintenance.

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Cost & Value (8/10) – Relatively flat pricing after years without a unique release make this one worth a second look

The Renaissance Brown represents the flagship model of the Souverän line. It has a US MSRP of $1,070 which generally means a retail price of $856 from most domestic vendors. Five years ago, the M1005 Stresemann retailed for around $740. Pricing from overseas vendors will also vary but this once can be had for €584 (~$634.45) with the VAT excluded. No matter which way you slice it, this is an expensive pen. That said, it is uncommon to get a special edition in this line, especially one with such a desirable finish. If the size of the pen isn’t a turn off, there may be some value to be had, making this one worth a second look. Like the M800 Tortoiseshell Brown that came before, I expect this one to remain desirable and hold onto its value once the initial stock is sold out.

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Conclusion – The Renaissance Brown brings back a classic finish in a bigger package and pairs it with a pleasant writing experience making this one worth a look

M1000 Renaissance Brown: 56/60 or 93.3%

The Renaissance Brown breaks no new ground with both the finish and trim having been seen before. Personally, I would have loved to see something unique come out of Hannover. That said, the finish is gorgeous yet subtle. If you’re going to revisit one, Renaissance Brown was a great choice. The trim adds an element never before seen on an M1000 but is not to everyone’s taste. Still, no cardinal sins were committed here and the total package is quite pleasing. If the size or price doesn’t turn you off, then this is for sure one to pick up and add to your collection, particularly if you missed out on the M800 Renaissance Brown. Availability has been a bit of an issue for this one in certain regions so don’t delay if an opportunity presents itself. We can always wish for more such as an ink view or exotic nib choices but the new M1000 represents the best of Pelikan working within the framework of their current aesthetic. All I can hope is that it won’t be another five years before we see the next mainstream M10xx release.

PROS

• A huge nib with a unique design and pleasing writing characteristics only found on the M1000 line
• The Renaissance Brown finish is quite attractive without being ostentatious
• A nib and piston assembly that can be removed, if necessary, makes the pen easy to maintain

CONS

• There is no discrete ink view window making it difficult to gauge the ink remaining in the pen
• The large size will be a turn off for many that simply find it unwieldy
• Pelikan’s nibs still only come in the most basic widths making us long for the days of 3B and O3B options

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A Look At The Pelikan M1000 Renaissance Brown

Pelikan M1000 Renaissance Brown 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.