Hint: something very similar was released by Parker around ten years ago.

Gee another Duofold in a different color

It's funny that Parker and to some extent Aurora & Pelikan make a fuss about a limited edition and it's just one of their standard pens in a different color. Which usually means that they change out the rodstock for a week and that's it beyond some different engraving.

Not commenting on the pen in specific just about limited editions in general

K

I wonder if we really need another Duofold Mandarin? I would have preferred it if Parker had done something truly innovative, like a piston filler oversize Duofold. Oh well, I'm sure it will still sell out pretty quickly when it's out.........

Yep that's the problem too people just want to have the complete set So if it is something interesting then it might not sell and Parker can't let that happen!

K

It is a pretty pen and I'd like to have it but as is the case with all the "special" Duofolds, I'm sure it will sell for much more that I would be willing to pay. If the "special" pens were the same price as the regular line (why not?) or if there were something other than just a fancy box and a new color, I would be more excited.
Ben
On second thought, if I had the cash, I'd rather get the Chris Thompson Mandarin Duofold replica.

Wait, The box says Cloisonne. Is this just another mandarin yellow plastic pen or is it something different?

Parker should take a leaf from Sailor's book. Sailor's LE Realo featured a piston filling system which for Sailor was a first. Pricing was good too, not much more than what their base model (King of Pen) plus specialty nib (Naginata-togi) would have cost. That one sold out fast, and if they made twice the number of pens, they would have sold out too.

Hi Nimrud,

There is no need for Parker to do so. They get away with making an LE of 10000, and they still sell out in no time. Even if the LE is only a different colour.

Parker is still a strong brand name, and it still sells.

Warm regards, Wim

Yes, that's true wimg. I thought there was a good reason for me to stick to vintage Parkers. Now I'm reminded what it is!

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but isn't "Cloisonne" enamel over metal, usually bronze. I also thought the enamel was multi colored. Anyway, if it is true Cloisonne it would be different from the standard Duofold. This might be Parker's answer to maki-e, and they might even be contracting with a Chinese manufacturer to produce these pens (which might increase their profits even more). - Cynical, I know.

If this pen has a bronze or brass base, I wonder how heavy a Centennial-size pen would be?

Yes, you nailed it. Those "limited editions" are a cash cow for the company.

A Parker Piston FP.....that would be a WOW!!!
Bet the folks at Pelikan would be scratching their heads then. We can only hope that Parker makes such a pen.

I don't think Parker would make a piston filler or anything complicated. That would require investments - in pens!

Yes Parker and Waterman (both Sanford) ) are strong brands - but nothing more than 'brands'. They are no longer dedicated and innovative pen companies, they are marketing dominated. They just have products, which happen to be pens, good pens, but technically simple. As simple as possible, mainstream cartridge/converter fillers, for school and office use, where quick maintenance, simplicity of use and clean fingers count.

When exactly has Parker been innovative the last time?

That bottle in the wooden box looks like a Penman bottle

There is nothing wrong with simplicity. Personally, I have nothing against converters and cartridges; they may not be liked by the purists, but they are preferred by many users (believe it or not) and there no reason why we should be against them. These days you don't need to write a lot, so piston filler pens with a large capacity are not necessary. What many buyers look for in a fountain pen is style, smoothness in writing and practicality; I don't blame them for doing so.

May be I sounded too puristic. I don't mind c/c pens at all, and use them regularly, too.

I just have the impression, that Parker/Waterman just do(es) the least possible effort even for expensive pens. They should give more bang for the buck, not just marketing whizz - you can't write with marketing effort. In the higher end market, there is room for piston fillers (see the success of MB, also their LEs). Parker just changes the plastic rod (not even celluloid) in the machines and gives you an LE .
Ok, this time it is enamel over metal.

Still, no innovative activities nowadays ...

Seriously doubt that will ever happen. Parker was one of the majors that made a firm committment to getting away from in barrel ink storage. After the committment to the Aerometric and C/C I don't see them every spending a dime to go back to an in barrel storage system like the piston.

Its sad. Parkers are good pens. The should really come up with a new filling mechanism - it would be nice. They then could carve a new niche for themselves.
Look at Sailor - a much smaller compnay and they recently produced a Piston FP - though it was a limited run but I think it was more of a market testing. AND IT SOLD!!!! Saior has new converts now. Parker should do the same.

I can agree with that. But I have to say that a converter-type pen with a plastic section-barrel should not cost 300-400 euro. It should be a lot cheaper.

The filling system has absolutely nothing to do with price. The value of a pen depends largely on the quality of manufacture, the cost of materials, the effort involved in making the pen and whether it is a limited edition.

Going to have to disagree with you on that statement: look at other limited editions the filling system does have alot to do with how "special" the pen is. Look at Delta who has several levels of LE for each pen with the lateral lever filler being the top. As well the buyer of an LE does want something different and an unusual filler ( see ancora or even Stipula) is going to have a premium. So if you make your limited edition different from the standard pen in more than just materials it can be sold for more.




The cost of the pen depends on what the marketing department thinks they can get out of the buyers. The manufacturing cost depends on what you mentioned.

The value of the pen is the intersection of the manufacturing cost and what people are willing to pay. If you have a pen that costs $50 to manufacturer and sell it for $800 then the value of the pen is $800 but if no one buys it for that msrp and the after market price drops down to $200 then the value of the pen is $200. But to someone who thinks it is an ugly pen the value is $0


K

There are examples of pens like the marbled balances II that are at least as nice as the duofolds and were cheaper. I do not hate duofolds, BTW, I have one (a jade international) and I like it. All I say is that they are overpriced.