Launched in 1987, the White M100 paired white resin with black trim, eventually becoming something of a classic thanks to its unique look. At the time, white pens were uncommon, and its black anodized trim stood out amongst Pelikan’s fine writing instruments. It would earn the nickname “Stormtrooper” because of its resemblance to characters from George Lucas’ 1977 film. The White M100 was discontinued in 1993 due to poor sales and we haven’t seen anything quite like it since. Now, thirty seven years later, Pelikan has introduced what some are already calling the “Dirty Stormtrooper.” The new M670 Warm Grey is different; it doesn’t use a typical white resin and departs from Pelikan’s usual trim conventions, employing a black PVD coating. It has its own distinctive model designation, but still feels familiar. While I’m not keen on the resin color, I appreciate the innovative approach this pen represents. Although I find the model a bit forgettable, I’m curious about the possibilities it might unlock. Keep reading for a detailed look at the M670 and my thoughts on the line’s potential.

Pelikan’s M100 White “Stormtrooper”(1987) and M670 Warm Grey “Dirty Stormtrooper” (2024)

Appearance & Design – 7/10

A “Dirty Stormtrooper” with a somber appearance that’s full of unrealized potential

The M670 Warm Grey is packaged in Pelikan’s standard G30 gift box, a rectangular design with a magnetic closure. Inside, there is a faux leather pen sleeve and some literature. It’s a straightforward presentation, though not very striking. The pen sleeve is a nice touch though and the packaging has enough of an upscale appearance to make it a good gift option.

Despite its new designation, the M670 feels familiar if you’ve used other M6xx models. The section, barrel, piston knob, and cap are made from a warm grey colored resin, a color also known as greige. I guess the executives in marketing thought greige might be a tougher sell. The color is a departure from the typical white that has recently been associated with the M600 line, and no, the color is not off-white. It can sometimes appear to be a warm off-white depending on the lighting. The warm grey resin has beige undertones and contrasts well with the black trim. Due to the lighter colored resin, the risk of staining is still higher with this model compared to a black resin pen.

Behind the section is a green ink view window. While I really appreciate the inclusion of an ink view, the green tint seems an odd choice. Perhaps it was meant as a pop of color in what is an otherwise shadowy appearance. While warm grey certainly can pair well with green, a smoke-colored ink view might have suited this design better, especially with the black trim and lack of other green elements.

The standout feature of this model is the black PVD coated trim (more on that later), which differs from the usual gold or palladium finishes. I support using the PVD coating and absolutely hope to see it again. However, I believe the warm grey color does not effectively showcase the potential of the trim, coming off as rather somber and gloomy. Personally, I would love to see this trim used with colors like olive drab green, guards red, or a bright canary yellow, which would really enhance the trim’s appeal.

Imagine the M670 in olive drab green, guards red, or a bright canary yellow

Despite the addition of a new coating to the trim, the M670’s furniture retains the traditional Souverän design. This includes dual rings at the piston knob, dual cap bands, a single ring at the section, a PVD coated cap top, and a pelican’s beak clip. The redesigned single-piece trim construction seen on the M800 Green Demonstrator (2023) and the M1000 Renaissance Brown (2024) was not included here. So far, the single-piece construction has only appeared on re-released designs, suggesting that its primary function is to create some distinction between visually similar models.

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Construction & Quality – 9/10

The Warm Grey features a first of its kind coating on the trim elements that has yet to stand the test of time

Pelikan rarely changes its design template, but recently we’ve seen more new designs, like the M600 Glauco Cambon (2023), the introduction of single trim construction (2023), and the M200 Orange Delight (2024). The M670 features a black PVD coating on all of its trim elements. The coating process, formally known as physical vapor deposition (PVD), vaporizes a solid material in a vacuum and applies it to a surface, creating a thin, bonded layer that enhances the appearance, durability, and corrosion resistance of the item. The coating is generally between 0.2 and 5.0 micrometers thick. While it can wear over time with regular use, care should be taken to avoid harsh chemicals, extreme temperatures, or abrasive environments which can expedite such wear. It’s uncertain how well the coating will hold up in real-world use, but I expect minimal visible wear with normal use for at least the next 5 years, and hopefully much longer. With any newly introduced element, only time will tell.

The rest of the M670’s build is what you would expect from a Souverän. The fit and finish are excellent. The cap easily comes off with a quick 3/4 turn and can be posted securely for those who prefer to write with their pens that way. Be careful not to push the cap onto the back of the barrel too hard in order to prevent scratches on the barrel and micro-cracks at the cap lip.

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Weight & Dimensions – 10/10

The M670 is a light, medium sized pen that is comfortable in the hand and fits nicely in the pocket

With all the awkwardness of a pubescent teen, the M670 is a medium-sized pen whose niche is filling the gap between the M400 and the M800. It is perhaps one of the more polarizing lines, suffering from a touch of the Goldilocks complex. It is neither big enough nor heavy enough to satisfy those who prefer the M800 while also being too big for those that gravitate towards Pelikan’s smaller models. The M670 measures 5.28 in (13.4 cm) when capped, 6.10 in (15.5 cm) when posted, and has a diameter of 0.49 in (1.2 cm). It weighs just 0.57 oz (16.2 gm). For those that don’t mind its size, the M670 fits well in the hand, balances nicely, and travels easily.

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Nib & Performance – 7/10

It’s the same, firm nib, in Pelikan’s standard widths, now available in “dark mode”

The M670 Warm Grey has a PVD coated 14C-585 gold nib that appears all black. Nibs come in EF, F, M, and B widths. The scroll work and Pelikan logo remain unchanged from the standard design, although they can be hard to discern, swallowed up in the sea of black. I bought my pen with a fine nib. While it writes like a true Western fine, it is unlikely to satisfy those who prefer those needlepoint Japanese fines. The nib is firm, and the feed does an excellent job of preventing it from drying out. My pen worked well right away and had no defects, writing without any hard starts or skipping. Hopefully the PVD coating will be as good as the underlying gold in terms of corrosion and wear resistance, particularly if exposed to more caustic inks.

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Filling & Maintenance – 9/10

The M670 Warm Grey is a reliable and easy to maintain piston filling fountain pen

The M670 Warm Grey features Pelikan’s classic piston filling internals. It fills directly from an ink bottle, with a smooth piston travel that allows the pen to fill with a single cycle, holding about 1.30mL of ink. Maintenance is minimal, usually requiring only an occasional lubrication of the piston every few years depending on your usage/habits. This is accomplished by removing the nib and adding a small drop of silicone grease to the inside of the barrel. The piston assembly is snap fitted and is not designed for removal, so this should not be considered part of routine maintenance. Staining, particularly at the section, is a real risk given the light colored resin therefore care should be taken if that is an issue for you. Overall, the M670 is easy to fill and maintain, ensuring a hassle-free experience.

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Cost & Value – 7/10

The Warm Grey has a new look that doesn’t come with a significant increase in cost

The Warm Grey is slightly more expensive than last year’s M600 Red-White with a $660 MSRP. Domestic vendors will generally sell this one at a retail price of $528. Factoring in inflation, the M670 remains considerably cheaper than M6xx models from 2021. It’s encouraging that prices have remained stable despite employing a new technique in manufacturing. In Europe, the Warm Grey sells for €352.94 (~$372.58), excluding VAT. If you like the black PVD trim and the warm grey resin isn’t too gloomy for you, it might be a good choice. However, the price is high for a pen that, despite a fresh take on the trim, doesn’t offer any really groundbreaking innovation. Compared to recent models like the M200 Golden Lapis and the M800 Cream Blue, this model feels like a lower priority option for your hard earned funds.

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Conclusion

The M670 sports a new trim that holds a lot of untapped potential but falls a bit short thanks to a lack luster resin

M670 Warm Grey: 49/60 or 81.6%

The M670 Warm Grey doesn’t offer anything groundbreaking, but it has a unique trim never before seen on a Souverän. While the concept shows promise, a more interesting resin color could have made this model more appealing. I’m sure that this one will pull at the heart strings of those that fondly remember the original M100 Stormtrooper. I hope we will see the PVD coating used again, either in a more colorful M670 or possibly in a future M470 or M870. Compared to the other releases this year, this one seems the least necessary and can likely be skipped without fear of missing out too much. I’d love to know your thoughts on this model so please feel free to leave a comment below.

PROS

• The black, PVD coated trim brings a new visual element to a classic design
• The included ink view is a great way to gauge the remaining amount of ink in the pen
• The feed does an amazing job at resisting drying out
• The M670 includes Pelikan’s traditional trim elements

CONS

• The warm grey resin has a gloomy, underwhelming appearance
• The lighter color resin will be more prone to staining than darker resins
• The black PVD coating on the nib swallows the design
• The trim’s coating has not yet been put to the test of time, therefore durability is uncertain

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A Look At The Pelikan M670 Warm Grey

Pelikan M670 Warm Grey 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.