Just saw this today and had to wonder if the straight barrel design is Sailor's initial approach toward a piston filling mechanism. Interesting design, too.

Those are *very* nice, but what gives you the impression they are a step towards piston fillers from Sailor?

There have been half-substantiated rumors of such a move. The straight barrel just seems an easier design for that type of filling mechanism. Or I may be fantasizing.

There's more than one person waiting on the edge of their seats for Sailor to make a non c/c pen...

The professional gear comes now in different colours, in mosaic, in transparent, in wood grain hard rubber and more recently these metal versions. I am holding off until they introduce a piston filler, just like their Realo anniversary LE.