Got A Visconti Opera Club

[Driften]

I picked up a new Visconti Opera Club Sparkling Blu Deep Ocean Limited Edition and thought I would give my first impressions of the pen. Mine is #086 of 200 and has the number engraved on the back of the cap.

 

The pen is a translucent blue with good depth to the material that really does remind me of the ocean. The metal parts are silver plated. The silver is a fingerprint magnet though. The cap takes 2 1/4 turns to remove. That is a bit much for me. I wish it uncapped faster or even better had the hook safe setup of the HS or Opera Elements. I do think the pen will not easily vibrate the cap off in a pocket so that is a good thing. I have had other pens with quad entry threads uncap them selves. The larger number of turns hurts using the pen for quick notes, but would be totally fine for longer sessions or taking notes in a meeting where you can soft cap it while you go. The cap does seem to be efficient so far I have had no issues with the nib drying out but only since I have only had it a couple of days that is too soon to tell.

 

I find the section to be comfortable and have had no issues with the metal being slippery. The thread are not sharp and would not be a issue for people that hold farther back on the pen then I do. I find I like using the pen best unposted. It's a bit long for my medium sized hands posted and adds more weight.

 

I was a little surprised to see a number 6 sized nib. I know there is an Opera Master version that is larger and somehow thought only the larger master size would have the #6 nib. The 23k pd nib is smooth and nice. It's a M nib but is writing more fine then that. It could also be that it will get wetter after a couple of fills. Currently it's about an average to slightly wet nib not a gusher some people have.

 

I bought this to be a smaller size pen then the Maxi HS. It does fit in the pen pocket of my cargo shorts much better, but with the 2 1/4 turns to uncap it's not as practical as the HS for a quick note while out and about. I am enjoying the pen and very happy I bought it. It does make me want a midi sized HS though.

 

Fiorenza Luxuries PTY LTD (rozmenko on eBay) in Australia was a good seller and was willing to verify the nib and pen were without flaw before sending it. I would buy from him again and is the source of a lot of Visconti LE pens offered only in his market.

 

I was not able to get good size information when I was shopping for this pen. Here are my measurements
Section: 10.5mm-11.5, Barrel: 13.6mm, Barrel Length with nib: 130mm, Closed: 140mm, Posted: 172mm, 40g total weight.

 

Pictures

http://driften.dragonsightsoftware.com/images/ViscontiOpera-1.png

 

http://driften.dragonsightsoftware.com/images/ViscontiOpera-2.png

 

http://driften.dragonsightsoftware.com/images/ViscontiOpera-3.png

[1nkulus]

Great pics and write up. The color is striking.

 

Blue and RT are among my favorite combo's.

[Driften]

Great pics and write up. The color is striking.

 

Blue and RT are among my favorite combo's.

 

 

I agree! I would much rather have blue with silver color then gold. Gold is nice with green but otherwise I don't care as much for gold.

[1nkulus]

I agree! I would much rather have blue with silver color then gold. Gold is nice with green but otherwise I don't care as much for gold.

+1

 

IMO, the other AUS editions (daintree, barrier reef) are comparatively bland and I wouldn't bother.

[Driften]

I agree yet again. I don't think I am interested in the other LE's. I think this pen fills my need for older model Visconti pens. I am thinking about a midi sized Homo Sapiens to go with my Maxi and I expect at that point I will be done with the brand. I don't want to pay the higher prices of the demonstrator HS's like London Fog and shy away from the filling system of the Divina. I expect I will keep a close eye on Dante's new creations at Pineider.

[1nkulus]

I agree yet again. I don't think I am interested in the other LE's. I think this pen fills my need for older model Visconti pens. I am thinking about a midi sized Homo Sapiens to go with my Maxi and I expect at that point I will be done with the brand. I don't want to pay the higher prices of the demonstrator HS's like London Fog and shy away from the filling system of the Divina. I expect I will keep a close eye on Dante's new creations at Pineider.

+1

 

Midi with a stub as the last hurrah.

 

I am getting tempted to give the Opera a shot...

[truphae_inc]

Such a beauty!!

[Stylo_dOr]

Your Visconti Opera Club is another good looking pen. It's nice to have a pen that fits the hand, rather than one that's too big. How do you like the #6 Palladium nib? Any improvement on the ink flow?

[Driften]

I am getting good flow and shading, but its not a gusher that some people say the pens are like. It may change over time I have not used a converter worth of ink out of it yet. I had a Montblanc that went from dry to a nice and wet nib all on it's own after the first cartridge have been run though it. This pen could turn wetter over time as well. For now I am happy with it and it's good for the times I need a finer nib. Like writing in my passport size travelers notebook.

 

What I really love is the Homo Sapiens with it's broad nib that writes more half way between M and B. That nib and pen is totally me. Next week my midi Medici will show up with a M nib. I hope its more of a true medium but would be happy if it's a bit wetter then a M.

 

In any case both Visconti pens I have both have very smooth nibs that don't have issues with starting or skipping.

[1nkulus]

@ driften

 

For the travelers notebook, you will have to call upon the Japanese.

 

When did you order the midi, I thought you were still contemplating?

Is the HS black or bronze trim?

 

The Medici is a lovely pen (a bit too brown for me) and the palladium trim with engraving sets it up beautifully. That M ought to be stubbed.

Acrosilk, they call it IIRC.

[Driften]

@ driften

 

For the travelers notebook, you will have to call upon the Japanese.

 

When did you order the midi, I thought you were still contemplating?

Is the HS black or bronze trim?

 

The Medici is a lovely pen (a bit too brown for me) and the palladium trim with engraving sets it up beautifully. That M ought to be stubbed.

Acrosilk, they call it IIRC.

 

 

I was contemplating and decided quickly to get the Medici midi instead of yet another black pen. The midi sized HS's are captured converters that can only be serviced by Visconti. With other Italian pen companies that have gone under and Dante being forced out of Visconti I am not sure they will be around in 10 years. The Medici midi is a C/C pen which is easy to service on my own and has less to go wrong with it. So it felt like a safer, but more expensive buy, as well as not being yet another black pen in my collection. I still might get a bronze HS someday, but I expect it would be the larger size with the power filler.

 

I ordered it from Goldspot pens on the 23rd and they shipped it USP Ground for free and I will be getting it on the 31st. That sure is slow shipping, I have had pens from England that fast and the Opera from Australia was only five days... Oh well.

[1nkulus]

Goldspot definitely didn't earn a gold for delivery.

 

Hope they tested it prior to dispatch.

 

The Medici color is great/unique and the C/C a safe bet. I have always been skeptical of Italian QC.

Shame about Dante, fingers crossed or else a remake of Omas.

 

I would go with the Dark Age HS (apparently unbreakable) in Oversize for the stealth look, nothing comparable in other brands.

[Driften]

Goldspot definitely didn't earn a gold for delivery.

 

Hope they tested it prior to dispatch.

 

The Medici color is great/unique and the C/C a safe bet. I have always been skeptical of Italian QC.

Shame about Dante, fingers crossed or else a remake of Omas.

 

I would go with the Dark Age HS (apparently unbreakable) in Oversize for the stealth look, nothing comparable in other brands.

 

 

One review of the the Medici said he heard from multiple sources that Visconti now hands every Medici (and I expect other newly made pens) to a nibmeister for adjustment before shipping them to distributors now. Don't know if that is true, but it would be a way to correct their bad reputation and get interest in the brand again. I guess I will see how mine is soon.

 

Dante is at Pineider now and maybe over time they will surpass Visconti as the Italian pen to buy. Not that Aurora is not a good pen! I love my Optima. Pineider seem to be putting a lot of effort into ramping up Dante's designs and quickly making improvements from customer feedback.

Edited July 28, 2018 by Driften

[Inkheart]

Yes, excellent review. And beautiful pen!! Congratulations!

 

I as well am monitoring the activity of Pineider for the same reason. Haven't taken any bait yet, though.