Even if you discount all the golden number claptrap as the bafflegab it is, Visconti made a very attractive pen in the Divine Proportion although the $1600 price tag was a bit of a conversation stopper.





They have used the same spiral fluted shape in other models, and have now created a new spiral model also carrying the same sterling highlights at the vertices that the Divine Proportion showed called the Divina Black.




At 'only' $800 list (street price closer to $500) this is a good looking pen, and if you don't want the large or 'Maxi' version, there is also a mid-size.

I view this manufacturer's marketing with a bit of cynicism, as they will repackage every design six different ways hoping to sell and resell (guess that's the name of the game) but some of their pens do look very nice, and this seems to be one of them.

I saw the Divine Proportion in a store when it came out a year ago and was duly impressed with it but the price was ridiculous. I didn't think about the design being redone until the stunning black and silver ones showed up at the Ohio Pen Show. I like the large Divina Black but can wait for a used one. I would rather see Visconti come up with an interesting design in the same price range as their great Van Gogh series.

Bill

I think the Divine Proportion and the Divina Black are lovely pens. Yes, Visconti does milk their designs. They did so with the Voyager series and I do not even know how many different Voyager models were eventually marketed. I got at least four different Voyager-type pens because I love the design and the writing chacteristics of the pens. However, I will not be adding any Divine Proportion models to my pen stable. The prices are downright silly.

Have to agree. The prices are getting way out of line.

My Omas Paragon Arte Italiana is a better writer also a piston filler and I bought it in almost new condition as a second hand pen for 320 euros. The Omas Milord or Paragon are way better writers than the Visconti but I am never going to buy a Visconti following the leaking problems and other disastrous repair stories. I am reserved about Delta I will see if it is really worthy for me to spend for me 530 euros on a dolce vita over size because I am truely starting to think it is not.

I too was sorely tempted to purchase the Divina when it first came out, but the price was scary. I can wait. Let's see how long it takes Visconti to produce the same design in other color/material combinations.

I was looking at the celluloid model at Art Brown yesterday, which doesn't have the metal lines delineating the shape; looks like a different pen.

I agree. Some of the mdoels with wood grain celluliod come off better without the trim, but anything in one colour might as not have the spiral design as you can't see it without the bright trim to highlight it.

I think it is time I filled up my Divine Proportion and got to using it, after this thread.

Georges, just my personal opinion, but I would hold off on the Delta. I lucked into one of the LE pens over Christmas [Inuit] and while mine writes decently enough and is a comfy size in the hand, it just feels and looks less impressive than less expensive pens. I'm now debating whether I want to keep it. If I'd paid anything near full price for it, I'd've been horrendously disappointed.

I understand but in Europe and more particularly in France you can't discuss prices in shops only when there is a discount period called "la période des soldes". I have already chosen my next pen, another 149. The two vintage 149s I own never failed, classic lines, easy filling system excellent flexible nibs. I have also tried pîston filled Stipulas, which offered a great nib and great celluloid but they are out of my price range for the moment. Perhaps later. I also tried a Montegrappa Extra nice pen but not big enough and too short in size. The worst I fear with Delta is to have a leaky pen or a scratchy pen. Most of the fountain pens I have bought in second hand (except one as new) never had any single problem. The most expensive pen I paid was a vintage jade duofold senior flat top single band which costed me 500euros. I have never paid more for a pen. I am not going to waste money on a thing that could truely disappoint me. About Auroras, I have tried a lot of them, but their nibs are horribly toothy and their prices are high too. My favorite italian pen brand is Omas closely followed by Montegrappa and Stipula. I check and buy pens that I am sure will never cause me troubles of any kind. Limited Editions are out of my price range that is why I don't buy them.

Saw the new Divine Proportion, Divina Black, and Divina Desert Springs at the Philadelphia Pen Show. The Divine Proportion in gold trim was a stunner. My wife liked the Desert Springs. They all have the same shape but only Divina Black comes in mid-size. If the Desert Springs came in a mid-size she would have gone home with one. Helped my pocketbook!!