Platinum 3776 Century Nice

[Hennypenny]

I received my Platinum 3776 Century NICE two days ago and like it so much I wanted to write a quick review. The Platinum 3776 series' quality, functionality and reliability have been extensively reviewed and discussed, so I want to focus on the aspects of this pen that differentiate it from previous versions.

 

The NICE (named after the town of Nice in France) is a limited edition of 2000 pens, and differs from previous versions in that it's a clear demonstrator with a "sand-blasted" finish that makes it appear frosted. It also differs from previous editions in that it features rose gold trim and grooves that run the length of the barrel and cap.

 

My initial impression upon opening the package I received was that the packaging seemed a little cheap, but then I must admit the cardboard box got beat up a bit in the mail. I opened the pen's oval box, and again was underwhelmed - the frosted plastic initially seemed a bit flimsy and cheap-looking. However, I'm a fan of Platinum pens, so I examined it carefully and must say its appearance has grown in my estimation.

 

Despite its initial appearance, the NICE is actually quite solid. It has a substantial amount of trim that adds heft and stability. The cap screws on securely, the pen is well-balanced, and it features "slip and seal" cap technology designed to keep the nib from drying out. I ordered a Medium nib, and, as expected, find it to be smooth, free-flowing, and more like a Western Fine in line width.

 

So how does it differ from other 3776s? Well, first there's that frosted finish - I find I LOVE it! It allows you to see into the cap and barrel, but disguises some of the interior features that might otherwise be unappealing. For example, at the top of the cap you can see the spring that is at the heart of the slip and seal system (which is fun to watch when you screw the cap on and off), but not so well that the fact that it's silver-colored (rather than gold) is annoying. It also obscures the converter and/or cartridge, and the excess ink that gets into the section - things that are sometimes distracting with perfectly clear demonstrators.

 

The second surprise was the length-wise grooves in the body and cap - I've tried to capture the grooves in one of my photos. I find these grooves give the pen a nice tactile feel, and help in keeping the pen from feeling slippery. I'll be interested to hear others' opinions of these grooves.

 

I find myself growing increasingly attached to this pen - the frosting, the grooves, the rose gold finish - they all just push my buttons. When combined with Platinum's quality and functionality, I'm thoroughly pleased with the Platinum NICE!

 

 

 

 

[E8x8]

Congratulations on a beautiful pen! I personally find the frosting and the vertical lines intriguing and really set it apart from the other pens in the series. In addition, I read somewhere that rose gold (due to the copper content) will produce a patina over time.

[Feathers]

I've been eagerly waiting for someone to post about this pen, as I have been eying it up for a little while now on Goulet's site. You mentioned seeing silver coloured components inside the pen - does that include the converter? I was hoping that everything would be matchy-matchy, given the price range it's in (but maybe I'm expecting too much?)

I like the grooves and the frosted parts. It's a cool looking pen. Thanks for posting!

[Federalist Pens]

Great Review! I just got the Burgoyne model (Red Demo) myself this year!

Great Pen!

[Hennypenny]

Here are some more pics of the nib, section and converter. You can see that the converter's trim is silver - so it doesn't match the trim. But the frosted barrel and the grooves mute the appearance of the converter when it's in place. Also, it "book-ends" the silver of the spring in the cap, so there's a symmetry in that.

 

I posted this abbreviated review because I wanted to get these pics posted quickly. This is a unique version of the 3776 - at first glance I wasn't sure about it, but now I'm smitten!! HP

Edited August 3, 2014 by Hennypenny

[Hennypenny]

Aha! I just figured out what pen this reminds me of - the Omas Ogiva Vision! I don't believe it had a frosted finish ... but I've always liked the looks of that pen. HP

[Feathers]

Ahhhhh ok, thank you so much for clarifying it for me, Hennypenny. I appreciate the extra pics too. I don't have any Platinum pens (yet LOL) and this one, or the Bourgogne or Chartres versions are calling my name

 

Ohhh, you're right! It DOES look a lot like the Omas Ogiva Vision. Here's a linky (partway down are the gold and silver trim versions) http://www.nibs.com/OmasArchives.html

It doesn't look frosted, per se, but the ridges do give it that look, don't they? A bit occlusive I guess.

 

I'm digging the frosted look. As you said, it helps hide the silver guts. I think because I've been looking at the pics of the empty pen on Goulet's site, I fell in love with that, totally forgetting about the insides LOL

[Hennypenny]

Did I mention that with this version of the 3776, and unlike the Chartres and Bourgogne versions, you can actually see the spring compress when closing the cap? So you can tell when the "slip and seal" mechanism is engaging. Not a big deal, but kind of fun. HP

[discopig]

I already have a 3776 Century but I might just have to go for this one.

[tinysnail]

LOVE. The frosted demonstrator look is so neat. I haven't received my 3776 Nice yet, but it should be in my mailbox next week :)

[maverink]

what were the damages for buying the beauty..?

[Hennypenny]

I paid $209, shipping included. And I might as well give a shout-out to Printhardcopy, from whom I ordered - he took preorders, and then shipped as soon as he had the pens - a smooth transaction.

 

BTW, these are a limited edition of 2000 - the pens are numbered. So that's why they're more than the other versions of the 3776.

[tinysnail]

Got mine today! Haven't tried it out yet, but boyyy is it ever pretty. Where do you find the number that tells you which one it is out of the 2000?

 

EDIT: FOUND IT! Back of the cap. Mine is #149!

Edited August 5, 2014 by tinysnail

[Hennypenny]

Got mine today! Haven't tried it out yet, but boyyy is it ever pretty. Where do you find the number that tells you which one it is out of the 2000?

 

EDIT: FOUND IT! Back of the cap. Mine is #149!

Congrats and enjoy! Mine is 853.

 

HP