the ad 2000 longitude

[georges zaslavsky]

Hi everyone.

 

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.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/georges2/dcp_0263.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/georges2/dcp_0264.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/georges2/dcp_0265.jpg

Edited July 6, 2008 by georges zaslavsky

[HDoug]

I wasn't familiar with this pen... until now, thanks to your review and pics. Thanks for posting!

 

Doug

[kazoolaw]

George,

Thanks for sharing the pictures and review.

How do you like writing with what looks to be a bit of a drop off from the barrel to the section?

gary

[georges zaslavsky]

George,

Thanks for sharing the pictures and review.

How do you like writing with what looks to be a bit of a drop off from the barrel to the section?

gary

I have no problems with the pen ergonomics even if some people say that there is a bit of a drop off from the barrel to the section. I like writing with a pen that is comfortable and ergonomic, the AD 2000 has these two qualities.

[MikeW]

Interesting that a number of these have been for sale on ebay recently - $300 to $350 is the price range.

 

[PaulK]

Beautiful pen George, use it in the best of health. Not sure how to write this question: is the perpetual calendar "functional"?

 

Thanks.

 

Paul

 

[georges zaslavsky]

Beautiful pen George, use it in the best of health. Not sure how to write this question: is the perpetual calendar "functional"?

 

Thanks.

 

Paul

Hi Paul

 

Yes, the perpetual calendar is fully functional.

 

regards

 

georges

[georges zaslavsky]

Interesting that a number of these have been for sale on ebay recently - $300 to $350 is the price range.

A number of ad 2000 longitude???? I wouldn't consider what is for sale on epray as genuine especially when most of these have not their certificate of authenticity, their box and weren't serviced. Ebay is Ebay, Morastylos is Morastylos, there is no comparison of a penshop which is in the pen business since 1930 and a random epray powerseller who doesn't offer a warranty on what he sells. It is like many things I see on ebay that are claimed to be authentic but that aren't.

Edited July 6, 2008 by georges zaslavsky

[MikeW]

I simply wanted to point out that this rather uncommon pen seemed to be popping up on Ebay, for whatever that was worth. I agree that authenticity is always a risk when you do not buy from an authorized dealer.

 

In any event, here are links to two recent listings of these pens, which never sold, for whatever reason:

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/Alfred-Dunhill-Longitu...1QQcmdZViewItem

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/Alfred-Dunhill-Longitu...1QQcmdZViewItem

 

I have no affiliation with the seller nor can I comment positively or negatively on the integrity of the listing; this is fyi only.

[FrankB]

Thanks for another good review, Georges.

 

I got an AD2000 while they were current production, and I opted for a red resin version. The first factor was cost, but I also do not usually buy metal pens. I think this Longitude is lovely, though. I remember that in the store the sales clerk and I played with the perpetual calendar and I just could not get the hang of it. It was fun, though.

 

I do find the feel of the step down to the section a bit odd, but not at all uncomfortable. The resin version is light weight and well balanced. I have a factory stub nib which is a B stub, yet, because it is a Japanese B, it writes like a wet M stub. I love that nib! It is unique among my FP's and enjoy writing with it.

 

I find the AD2000 shape so comfortable, I also bought two of the 2000 roller/ball point pens. The roller version has a clear, unobstructed taper the whole length of the pen, and it is easy to find a portion of the barrel that is comfortable to hold.

 

I hope you enjoy your pen for many years.

[georges zaslavsky]

I simply wanted to point out that this rather uncommon pen seemed to be popping up on Ebay, for whatever that was worth. I agree that authenticity is always a risk when you do not buy from an authorized dealer.

 

In any event, here are links to two recent listings of these pens, which never sold, for whatever reason:

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/Alfred-Dunhill-Longitu...1QQcmdZViewItem

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/Alfred-Dunhill-Longitu...1QQcmdZViewItem

 

I have no affiliation with the seller nor can I comment positively or negatively on the integrity of the listing; this is fyi only.

These pens are not made for everyone's tastes, they are heavy and the complication might not be seen as useful by many people. The longitude is what I call a connoisseur's pen. I know I love mine and have not a single regret to have bought it through my favorite pen shop. Ebay is ebay, it is always a buy at your own risk trap. I know more than a lot of people who had regrets from buying watches and pens on epray. Not everyone who sells on ebay is a pen repairman or a nibmeister nor a watchmaker. That is why I value brick and mortar penshops who has been established since a very long time over online shops which I don't know much of.

[georges zaslavsky]

Thanks for another good review, Georges.

 

I got an AD2000 while they were current production, and I opted for a red resin version. The first factor was cost, but I also do not usually buy metal pens. I think this Longitude is lovely, though. I remember that in the store the sales clerk and I played with the perpetual calendar and I just could not get the hang of it. It was fun, though.

 

I do find the feel of the step down to the section a bit odd, but not at all uncomfortable. The resin version is light weight and well balanced. I have a factory stub nib which is a B stub, yet, because it is a Japanese B, it writes like a wet M stub. I love that nib! It is unique among my FP's and enjoy writing with it.

 

I find the AD2000 shape so comfortable, I also bought two of the 2000 roller/ball point pens. The roller version has a clear, unobstructed taper the whole length of the pen, and it is easy to find a portion of the barrel that is comfortable to hold.

 

I hope you enjoy your pen for many years.

The resin versions of the AD 2000 were on par with MB 146 and waterman's edson in terms of quality and finish if not higher. I love the longitude because it has a useful complication when your watch hasn't a calendar and/or when you haven't a calendar. The pen is very comfortable to use capped or uncapped. I have B nib on mine which is a flawless performer and real exquisite japanese nib which writes as good as my best european M nibs. The AD 2000 is a flagship pen that is easily comparable with other flagship pens.

[bilbok]

George,

Thanks for sharing the pictures and review.

How do you like writing with what looks to be a bit of a drop off from the barrel to the section?

gary

I have no problems with the pen ergonomics even if some people say that there is a bit of a drop off from the barrel to the section. I like writing with a pen that is comfortable and ergonomic, the AD 2000 has these two qualities.

 

I saw several AD2000 andsome had a bigger drop than others. These were not comfortable.

 

[georges zaslavsky]

I saw several AD2000 andsome had a bigger drop than others. These were not comfortable.

I like mine and it is a very comfortable pen, Frank B also agrees with me on that matter.

[georges zaslavsky]

The ad2000 is a shaped cigar pen version of the namiki bamboo but with other specific things, different materials and color were available at the time when it was produced also the clip mechanism is unique to the dunhill.

Edited July 26, 2008 by georges zaslavsky

[bilbok]

I saw several AD2000 andsome had a bigger drop than others. These were not comfortable.

I like mine and it is a very comfortable pen, Frank B also agrees with me on that matter.

 

Mine is too but I tried some which were not.

 

 

P.S.Tu connais la vallée village ? Il ya un magasin d'usine Dunhill. Ils y vendent plusieurs AD2000.

[georges zaslavsky]

I saw several AD2000 andsome had a bigger drop than others. These were not comfortable.

I like mine and it is a very comfortable pen, Frank B also agrees with me on that matter.

 

Mine is too but I tried some which were not.

 

 

P.S.Tu connais la vallée village ? Il ya un magasin d'usine Dunhill. Ils y vendent plusieurs AD2000.

Non je connais pas, mais je connais morastylos le spécialiste du stylo depuis 1930. Au fait la vallée village se trouve à Paris?????

[bilbok]

I saw several AD2000 andsome had a bigger drop than others. These were not comfortable.

I like mine and it is a very comfortable pen, Frank B also agrees with me on that matter.

 

Mine is too but I tried some which were not.

 

 

P.S.Tu connais la vallée village ? Il ya un magasin d'usine Dunhill. Ils y vendent plusieurs AD2000.

Non je connais pas, mais je connais morastylos le spécialiste du stylo depuis 1930. Au fait la vallée village se trouve à Paris?????

 

Près de Disneyland, station Val d'Europe (RER A).

 

Regarde sur le site internet "la vallée village".

 

[georges zaslavsky]

Près de Disneyland, station Val d'Europe (RER A).

 

Regarde sur le site internet "la vallée village".

J'ai vu le site web de la vallée village, et il est hors de question que j'achète mes stylos dans des centres commerciaux genre Parly 2 ou la Belle Epine à Thiais. J'ai acheté un AD 2000 qui est une édition limitée et c'est suffisant.

Un magasin de stylos se doit d'être un magasin de stylos pas un magasin de vêtements ou maroquinerie.

At last but not least, I would rather stick to some shop whose owners father and son have been 78 years in the pen business rather than a factory shop who opened not so long ago. Hence why I go to Mora Stylos every time I want to have outstanding deals. I am not also mentioning the customer service which is a 5 stars customer service at Mora.

[bilbok]

J'ai vu le site web de la vallée village, et il est hors de question que j'achète mes stylos dans des centres commerciaux genre Parly 2 ou la Belle Epine à Thiais.

 

Pour quelle raison ?

 

Jene suis jamais allé dans ces 2 centres et je doute qu'il y aie un lien avec la vallée.

 

J'ai acheté un AD 2000 qui est une édition limitée et c'est suffisant.

Alors pourquoi me demandes tu où est la vallée ?

 

Les éditions limitées à des milliers d'exemplairesne n'ont le caractère d'illimité que pour faire vendre plus cher. Elles ne sont ni rares, ni recherchée en général. Une édition limitée c'est 200 pièces, pas 3000.

 

Un magasin de stylos se doit d'être un magasin de stylos pas un magasin de vêtements ou maroquinerie.

Pourquoi ?

 

At last but not least, I would rather stick to some shop whose owners father and son have been 78 years in the pen business rather than a factory shop who opened not so long ago. Hence why I go to Mora Stylos every time I want to have outstanding deals. I am not also mentioning the customer service which is a 5 stars customer service at Mora.

 

What is an outstanding deal for you ?

 

I don't care if the owner's mother had a lover and if his father was alcoholic and his brother retarded. I just look at the price.

 

And 190 euros for a BP dunhill Sidecar is the listed price. At la vallée, you have 40% off.