Here is a review dedicated to my latest acquisition the ad 2000 longitude. But let's start about how I get hooked on this pen. Back in the day in 2001, when I was a student I saw the ad 2000 in a shop. It was a pen that immediately caught my attention. It was a pen with clean and neat lines despite its futuristic design. I had also learn at that time that Dunhill made a version of the AD 2000 called the longitude with a perpetual calendar integrated to its body. The ad 2000 was always a very appreciated pen because of its aesthetics, very high quality of craftsmanship and subtle elegance. In march 2008, I spotted a Longitude on Mora's website, so I phoned and asked him to reserve the pen. He also had a carbon fibre ad 2000 for sale but the longitude being rarer and a limited edition, I chose the Longitude because there were 1300 examples of the Longitude built and numbered for the worldwide market. Mine is number 547.
Let's review the pen
1) Appearance
This pen uses the classic balance torpedo shape like the 146, it however shares its origins with the namiki bamboo. The pen is very well designed combining subtle elegance and class. The brushed steel makes of it a discrete and elegant pen.
It is pen that indeed can get noticed because it is uncommon and its subtle elegance catches the eye of connoisseurs and FP amateurs. It is a far better designed pen than the Dunhill Sentryman and Dunhill Sidecar.
2) Weight
At 55 grams, I would certainly not call it a lightweight pen but a heavy one. However it is a well balanced pen, ideal for long writing session. You also have to remember that the pen has an integrated perpetual calendar hence where comes the additional weight.
3) Ergonomics
The handling with this pen is as good as with my man 100 or with my 146. The pen was designed by taking in account that long writing sessions should be written with comfort. People with large or small hands will like that pen.
4) The filling system
The converter is enough for writing 2 days, though you can use the ad 2000 as an eye dropper. The converter is easy of use and very reliable.
5) The nib
This is where this pen makes the clear difference with its successors the Sentryman and the Sidecar. The Namiki B on this pen nib is one of the smoothest and most pleasing to write with. Aesthetically it is a very discrete nib with a mate finish. This nib easily equals my 1965 MB 146 Medium Oblique Nib, my 1966 MB 149 Medium Oblique Nib, my 1987 Pelikan 800 Medium nib, my Omas 360 Magnum Medium Nib and my 1947 Parker Button filler Medium Stub nib which are all flexible to
extra flexible nibs. The nib is not too wet nor too dry, just perfect. It is one of the best japanese nibs I have written with.
Conclusion:
The ad2000 is a pen in its own league better than its successors that are the sentry man and the sidecar. Even though not produced anymore, it remains an expensive pen even in second hand condition, finding one with the whole package is more difficult. I paid mine 400 euros, there was a carbon version for sale for 520 euros. This pen is a very interesting alternative to MBs, to the Edson and other pens if you like for something unique and of the highest quality available.
