In the pre-COVID era, new M8xx releases seemingly came out every few months, serving Pelikan well as a reliable, workhorse platform. However, supply chain issues during the pandemic led to a decrease in M8xx releases and a pivot to other model lines. The most recent M800 models were the Green Demonstrator (2023), the 40th Anniversary LE (2022), and the Black-Red (2022). With only two rehashes and an anniversary model that didn’t quite hit the mark, there was little to excite. Now, Pelikan has unveiled the M800 Cream Blue special edition fountain pen, set to launch in October, which could breathe new life into the M8xx line. Read on for more details about this new special edition.
The M800 Cream Blue features cream toned opaque resin for the cap, piston knob, and section. These are paired with a dark blue barrel called midnight blue by Pelikan. Behind the section sits a blue ink view window which complements the overall design. The Cream Blue incorporates the more traditional Souverän trim including a single trim ring at the section, two separate rings at the piston knob, two separate cap bands, and a beak clip. The cap is adorned with the company’s single chick logo, and all of the trim is plated in 24K gold. The pen comes with a bi-color, rhodium plated 18C-750 gold nib in EF, F, M, or B widths. The M800 is a large model with a capped length of approximately 5.55 inches and has a solid feel due to the added weight of the brass piston assembly.
What does Pelikan have to say about their newest model?
“Classic, yet modern! The color combination of a midnight blue barrel in combination with a fine cream tone transforms the Pelikan Souverän M800 Cream Blue piston fountain pen into an elegant eye-catcher.
The shiny polished gold elements such as the rings and clip form an elegant frame for this harmonious color combination. The 18ct bi-color nib shines as the centerpiece and offers a smooth writing experience for various handwriting styles in EF, F, M and B nib widths.
For all those who feel comfortable with a larger fountain pen size and have been longing for a stylish color statement. An ideal gift for loved ones or a wish-fulfiller for yourself.”
The M800 Cream Blue will be priced slightly less than the M800 Green Demonstrator that preceded it. The new M800 will carry a US MSRP of $840, which means that the Cream Blue will retail in the United States at around $672. Appelboom out of the Netherlands is offering this model for $614.32 on their website, the first price point which was available to me at the time of publication. Pricing will undoubtedly vary some from region to region but the slightly lower MSRP on this one is refreshing and should reduce any incentive to shop abroad.
Those who prefer Pelikan’s larger pens have long awaited a new addition. The M800 Cream Blue brings a refreshing new color scheme while still incorporating the classic Souverän trim style. The cream coloring adds depth, pairing well with the dark blue resin of the barrel and ink view. This fresh design is very appealing, but its real-life appearance remains to be seen. Either Pelikan’s 4001 Blue-Black or their Edelstein Tanzanite would feel right at home in this one. What are your thoughts on the M800 Cream Blue? Will it have you opening up your wallet or are you sitting this one out? Let me know in the comments section below.
UPDATE 9/12/2024: Post updated with the US MSRP and retail pricing data.
I will definitely be adding this one to my collection. I like the contrast of the cream with the dark blue as well as the matching ink view window. On the Warm Grey model, the green ink view window seems out of place to me and the color is just too light of a grey for me unless in person it looks better. But in this model, while the piston knob and section are also light in color, the dark blue barrel provides a very nice balancing contrast. And I think the M800 is Pelikan’s best model. So sign me up for this one!
I agree. It is that really lovely dark blue and its contrast with the cream colored resin that has me all in on this one. In the few real world photos that I’ve seen, the Warm Gray does appear very light in color and I think a shade or two darker with a smoke colored ink window might have served it better. Still waiting to get my hands on that one.
Finally, a totally new M800 (instead of the recent re-hashes)! I was beginning to wonder if they had given up on new designs for this model. I suspect I’ll be adding it to my collection.
I think this is one that a lot of people who bypassed the re-releases will be opting for. The last truly fresh M800 was 2019’s Brown-Black as far as I can recall so this is refreshing and long overdue.
Not my cup of tea, but as I said with the M670 warm grey I’m glad Pelikan is branching out a bit to a newer audience. I’m glad they are doing new things even if I personally don’t want them. If they re-released an 800 Brown Tortoise I’d be one of the first in line as I missed it the last time it came around. Used versions are insanely costly to the point to where I refuse to glance at them. haha
I full agree. Whether or not the next model out is to your taste, it’s nice to see Pelikan trying different combinations and new materials to break out of an old and stale pattern.
It’s a sign! I’m a Pelikan enthusiast but don’t have am 800. I told myself this year I wouldn’t buy another pen until I add an 800 to my collection. I had settled on the blue or green stripe but this one is FABULOUS! I think this will be my 800. Thanks for the post!
I think this one would make a most excellent first M800 as long as you’re not concerned about the stain potential of the resin.
Hello, when I first saw this pen, I thought it would not fit the m800 version. I think this model should have been released as m60x because it is very similar to the white cover series of m60x. I also thought that the m600 red tortoisshell and black tortoisshell should be in the m800 series. Still, it’s a model I can’t avoid because it’s an M800. Having an ink window is also a feature I like. I’m looking forward to it.
This one does seem to borrow from their more recent M600 playbook. I’m glad that they didn’t go with pure white on this one. Can’t wait to see it in real life. Not a lot of cream-colored resin in Pelikan’s models. The cream resin on this one appears lighter than the cream-colored barrel of the M200 Cafe Creme
M600 red tortoise is the only 600 series that has any interest. With the renaissance brown graduating from M800 to M1000, maybe we can hope for an M800 red tortoise some day. Excited to see a new M800, but the fact that it’s not red tortoise was a little deflating.
I would love, love, love to seen an M800 Tortoiseshell Red one day. They can have my money for that one. Would be a stunner.
Build from the random spare parts. Good, that they’re trying something new, though.
I wouldn’t say that this is a pen from the leftovers. Some past models, that was clearly the case. Nothing else in the stable has shared these colors so these are newly made pieces just for this model.
It is not to my taste, but I can certainly appreciate the design details. Particularly happy to see the ink window return. At least Pelikan is breathing some new life into the M600 and M800 series recently, rather than just giving up and letting the line fade into history.
The M800 line has needed some fresh blood for quite some time now so I’m sure that this will be a welcome addition. Hopefully there won’t be such a gap in the future for a unique, new M800.
The color combination looks smart, but I cannot understand this obsession with white and cream. Surely, it just means more pen hygiene hassle. The conservative in me can’t help thinking an all navy body with either gold or silver trim might have been interesting.
You definitely have to be mindful of the lighter resins in order to prevent staining but its not a daunting task. Sounds like you have a great idea for a future pen. I would love to see this midnight blue barrel married with lighter blue resin components and palladium plated trim for a silver finish. I think that would look amazing.
There was the 2003 M800 Dark Blue that fits your bill. It was quite rare on auction sites for a while, but appears more frequently now.
I have that model and its smaller cousins. Lovely as it is, I’m envisioning some contrasting blues. How about a dark blue barrel with a robins egg blue cap, section, and piston knob. I think that contrast would be nice.
My first more expensive pen was a Sailor 1911 L MF in Offwhite. User error has stained the grip section and is annoying. That’s why I said I would avoid the gray 670. So, unless I get better at dipping this beautiful pen will suffer the same fate. Maybe there’s a You Tube video on avoiding the situation. In any case, after you experience Pelikan pens the Sailors seem to get less and less use every week.
All the best
Staining of the lighter resin is always a challenge to avoid. I think a lot of it has to do with ink selection. I find that, with care, I have not had any significant issues with this but I am admittedly more paranoid about my lighter resin pens than the darker ones.
Hi Joshua, How are you? I love my 800s and as beautiful as it is, that cream resin is a stain magnet. I can just imagine it after my blue inks! If you like red hues, you can forget about putting any of them in this pen! It looks terrific but pens are made to write with and I don’t think this is practical!
I can’t argue the point. Def would avoid reds personally. This is one I would favor very water soluble colors without a heavy saturation. Reds and purples would be out. That’s just how I would roll with it in an effort to prevent staining. There is a point to be made about style vs practicality.
I’m glad you said it! Plus it’s so easy to see the hairline cracks. I feel like the cream material is more prone to cracking, but it could just be that way with the ones we’ve seen …..
My guess is not so much as more prone to cracking as more prone to showing off said cracks in stunning fashion.
We might also cheer 2 design features: a) double/independent rings and b) ink window. Neither was assured, given recent practice.
Many are worried about ink-stains. I find the light-resin threads to be grime magnets; nonetheless, I’m inclined to buy.
I very much appreciated the classic trim rings on this one. Really makes it unclear when and why they are choosing the one design over the other. I have my theory on it but need some more data points. The ink windows never really left most of the solid resin models but I am glad to see that it keeps popping up. I think that is such a useful feature. Staining I think would be the only major issue that is a potential for this one but its not enough of a concern to keep me away from it.
It takes two points to make a line. I can’t extrapolate our data, either, but would love to hear your theory. The M1000 RB and M800 GD are…??clearer?? than this cap? Don’t technically have an ink window? Were announced on an even-numbered day?
So far, we’ve seen the new trim style on two models that were each similar designs as past releases. I think, for now, it’s a way to create some separation and distinction between those releases. I also think it’s a way for Pelikan to air this out and gauge feed back while they decide whether or not to fully commit to it. Just my own theory though.
Independently came up with the same idea. M1000 Renaissance Brown echoes the M800 RB. M800 Green Demo echoes the earlier M800 GD.
Speaking of Edelstein Tanzanite, there have been rumors that it has been discontinued. Anything to that?
The rumors of Tanzanite’s death have been exaggerated from what I understand. It is true, there is and has been a massive back order on it for several months now and most stores have exhausted their supply. Tanzanite has been held up in manufacturing due to issues sourcing the raw ingredients. Tanzanite should be making its way back onto the market in October from what my sources tell me.
Tempting…very tempting!
Such an overdue beauty. A just when Inwas feeling that I couldn’t be swayed into another 800.
Overdue indeed. Hopefully we won’t have another M800 drought like this again for a while.
Is there any translucence to the barrel or is it completely opaque?
We only have the pre-release photos to gauge from but I don’t anticipate any translucence. I think that it will be an opaque blue resin with a transparent blue ink view. This could have been neat with a transparent barrel though, a la the M420/425 or M625.
I think the color is very interesting but it seems very expensive for an M800?? I would love to own this one but only if I can get it for a great deal.
As far as pricing goes these days, it’s in line with recent past M8xx releases. These have gotten quite expensive over the years.
Couldn’t resist. I just preordered one from Missing-Pen (https://missing-pen.com/) at $537.00 plus $14.00 shipping. Have ordered from them before and have been very pleased. I really like the contrast in this pen.
Yes, Missing-Pen is a reliable retailer and that price is a good price indeed. That will likely be the lowest price to be found and available to those in the US shopping abroad.
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Close, but no cigar. It’s a matter of taste, but I’m not a fan of the cream-blue combo with the gold trim. I find the dark blue barrel with the ink window to be the only, really attractive part of the whole pen. Why not make a whole pen in that cool, very dark-blue color, and with a silver colored trim too?
I definitely would buy a pen like the one you are proposing. Pelikan did that back in 2003 and it is a lovely looking pen but this blue is much, much darker.
Yes, I am aware of the dark-blue M405/605/805 series from about twenty years ago. But this blue, which I am imagining, would be even darker, almost black, like indigo, and I think that’d be a beautiful pen. One thing I do like about these latest releases is the inclusion of ink window in this model, the white M910 and also in M670.
What a beautiful pen! This is one I would love to have.
Beautiful! Very classy color combination of that kinda ivory color and the midnight blue. A must have for my M800 collection. Prefer this one over the new Toledo.
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I placed my pre-order and bet it will look good with my GvFC Midnight Blue. Any idea how many they plan to make?
Oh, that would be a great matchup. They don’t release such statistics regarding how many are to be made. Should be enough to satisfy most of the early interest so these should be abundant up front.
Has anyone of you tried this release? I would like to know If the cream resin stains easily before I buy that. Otherwise I may go with a blue or red striped one. Thanks!
Hello. Cream and White resins all behave pretty similarly. Yes, they will stain if you 1) don’t exercise good pen hygiene or 2) use highly saturated inks (e.g. purples/reds). Those are your biggest risk. Even with the best of attention, there is still an inherently higher risk than with black resin. You just have to decide if the risks is acceptable to you. For my usage pattern, I have not had significant issues with staining in my white pens but there are a few that have just the slightest bluish discoloration.
Has anyone received theirs yet? Are they in stock anywhere? I pre ordered mine in early October but have not recd anything. Looking on-line, it appears as tho the pen is in stock almost everywhere?
Hello. I received mine two weeks ago, ordered from Fritz Schimpf in Germany and shipped to the USA.
Thanks Joshua. This may be the last pen I get from nibs.com. They haven’t even responded to my email inquiries. Ugh.