Parker Premier Custom

[Vicary]

I picked up a few pens down at the Ohio Pen Show last month, and I'm getting around to posting some reviews. Yesterday I posted about the Classic Pens LM1 and CP8s. Today it's the new Parker Premier.

 

I first saw this pen over the summer at a pen shop in Edinburgh. It caught my eye right away, even grouped in with an assortment of other Parkers. The pen that caught my eye was the Custom model, black lacquered barrel with a silver plated cap featuring the tartan engraving from the Sonnet and earlier 75. It stood out as being bigger and bolder than the Sonnets on display, and certainly different from the Duofolds. I tried a few out and was impressed by the firm smooth nib and the solid hefty feel in the hand. I was put off by the pricing, though, figuring that when the pens were eventually introduced in the US they'd be available for less.

 

http://i862.photobucket.com/albums/ab188/vicaryd/ParkerPremier.jpg

 

I was right to hold off, as pricing in $US compared to £UK is way better. So back in October I added the Custom model to my collection. This pen is black with the silver tartan cap and silver trim. It features a metal section and a white (rhodium plated?) 18k nib. The pen is a cartridge/converter filler like all modern Parkers. Other finishes available are black lacquer with gold or silver tone trim, and an all metal model finished in black or gold with a sort of dashed pattern and a two tone nib.

 

http://i862.photobucket.com/albums/ab188/vicaryd/ParkerPremierOpen.jpg

 

The pens are simple but appealing in appearance. There's a definite family resemblence to the Parker 75 and the earlier Premier line, with gently tapering caps and barrels. The original Premier was sort of an oversized 75 with a simplified design. It was a bit ungainly, though, compared to the 75. Luckily, Parker has chosed the proportions of the 75 as a model for the new Premier. The newer Premier is bigger still, but the decorative elements are definitely derived from the 75 pens and not the original Premier. In particular the ridged end caps on the Premier are very similar to the 75. I had the Tartan Sonnet for a while, but no longer, so it's tough for me to say if the pattern on the cap is exactly like the Sonnet or if it's been upsized to work with the larger scale of the Premier. But in any case it's a nice pattern, and light reflects off of it in very interesting ways. There's a new clip too, a much more angular affair than the standard Parker clip. But it's a good fit for this pen, matching the broad, angular nature of the pen itself. The soft feather clip from the Sonnet would have been very out of place here.

 

http://i862.photobucket.com/albums/ab188/vicaryd/ParkerPremierCap.jpg

 

The pen is usefully larger than the Sonnet as well. The Premier is 5 1/2" long when capped, 5" uncapped, and 6 3/8". At its widest point the cap is a bit more than 1/2" in diameter. So capped and posted it's virtually the same size as a Centennial Duofold. It's much larger than its 75 forebear. Perhaps it could be the 75 OS. It's very similar in size and heft to the Dupont Orpheos. Capped or uncapped the pen is very similar to the large sized Orpheo. In terms of width and length posted it's more like the oversize Orpheo. It feels a lot like an Orpheo as well. Both pens are solid, well finished, slightly cold in the hand, and emit a very satisfying click when the cap is closed. It seems like all Parkers are made in France now, so I guess it's fitting that the Premier should feel so much like thos French pens.

 

http://i862.photobucket.com/albums/ab188/vicaryd/ParkerPremierNib.jpg

 

Like some of those Duponts, and unlike virtually every Parker I've ever seen, the Premier features a metal section. I would have preferred plastic for its warmth and grip, but the metal looks sharp and doesn't seem overly slippery to me. I have used the pen a fair bit since I bought it and I have to say I'm most impressed with the nib. It's very smooth, somewhat firm but with a soft touch on the paper, and near perfect inkflow. Mine is a medium, and writes a line I'd call true medium. It's a revelation compared to the Sonnet. It's much smoother than a Sonnet nib, and while it lacks some of the 'feel', it's a far more consistent writer with none of the skipping or hesitation that seems so common in the Sonnet. In fact my Premier wrote better out of the box than any modern Parker I've ever owned, including all of my Duofolds. Some of this might be due perhaps to a change in nib supplier. The feed appears to be the larger plastic Waterman feed used in the L'Etalon. I'm not sure if the nib is sourced from Waterman or what, though it doesn't share its shape or design with any other Parker nib I've seen. The angular arrow engraving is slick and a good match for the new clip. As far as the nib goes, one thing I could say about the Sonnet is that it didn't feel like any other nib. In that way it's sort of similar to the Ancora nib. But like the Ancora nib, the Sonnet nib is erratic at best as a writer. This new nib design may feel a relatively lifeless but the smooth, consistent nature is welcome.

 

Overall I'd have to say the Premier has impressed me. After having a bit of a new product dry spell, Parker has come up with a winner in my book. Like the Parker 100 from a few years back, the new pen borrows from the design language of Parker's past, but incorporates the modern as well. But I find the Premier a much more interesting piece than the 100. I like the size and weight of the pen, it's attractive without being over-the-top, and it's the best writing new Parker I've come across in a long time. Flaws? While the nib is a highlight, it's also a bit of a disappointment in that it is only available in fine and medium. Extra-fine and broad are available only by nib exchange- and the pen will have to go back to France for that! I'm not nuts about black pens, in particular black lacquer which always seems more susceptible to getting scuffed. Some might not like the c/c filler, but it's fine by me. Same with the metal section. I'd like to see a bigger variety of color and finish available, though I guess with time that's certainly a possibility. I could definitely see this pen as a successor to the 75, offering a wide array of finishes over a long production run. In the US I think it's well priced, too. The Custom model featured here retails for $300, so has a street price closer to $200. Compared to £220 it represents a much better value in the States than in the UK. I wouldn't just recommend this pen to Parker fans, but to Waterman and Dupont fans as well. In fact I'd recommend this one to anyone looking for a simple, attractive, great writing pen.

Edited December 1, 2009 by Vicary

[Eccles]

I can only agree with your assessment. I bought mine from the US to save on the price, and after one use it immediately went into my top 10 favourites. I try to rotate my pens, but I keep getting tempted to refill this and keep it in permanent use. The heft is 'solid' but never onerous, and it's M nib is soooo smooth that I find myself inventing reasons to write with it. I love this pen.

Glenn.

[RLTodd]

I had two reactons.

 

1) One of the ugliest Parker pens I have seen.

 

2) Looks like a French Waterman they hung a Parker Arrow Clip on.

 

3) After looking at the pictures over several days I have also been struck by how "cheap" it looks.

[Mille]

I had two reactons.

 

1) One of the ugliest Parker pens I have seen.

 

2) Looks like a French Waterman they hung a Parker Arrow Clip on.

 

3) After looking at the pictures over several days I have also been struck by how "cheap" it looks.

 

Yes, it looks quite cheap. There seems to be a problem when the manufacturers feel the need to make something special, something that is not quite made to be used or sold. But I think it looks cheap in a sort of cool way, especially since they have not used gold but instead let it sport something I associate with chrome.

[Vicary]

While looks are subjective, I don't see the 'cheap' criticism at all. The pen appears very appropriate to its price class. The lacquered barrel is rich and even, the polished tartan cap is a refined design, and everything looks and feels solid and well constructed. I think it looks every bit as good as a competing Cross or Waterman products. I'm not normally a fan of lacquer over brass pens, outside of the Dupont Orpheo. But in that category, the Parker appears every bit a premium product.

 

As for looking like a Waterman, I have two things to say about that:

 

1. In terms of shape and proportion, the pen is virtually identical to a 75. It's just bigger and has a different clip and section.

 

lol

Doug

[adam11]

Thank you for review.

I don't want to spoil your joy, but sadly this pen is just one the pens in unsuccessful Parker modern line (with some rare exceptions) :thumbs down:

To me it looks pretty much similar to iridium point Cerutti FP created to be business gifts for people that actually don't use FP. Price is outrages to. But this is about looks, I won't to hold the pen in my hands before final decision.

Edited December 2, 2009 by adam11

[RLTodd]

After a bit more thought on the matter.

 

Maybe "tawdry" would be a more appropriate adjective than "cheap."

[Vicary]

Maybe "tawdry" would be a more appropriate adjective than "cheap."

 

Hahahaha if that's how you see it.

 

I think the pen finds a good medium between understated or bland and flashy or gaudy. I like the black barrel/silver cap look. Dupont does something similar with a diamond head pattern on the cap that I find equally classy.

 

There are plain black versions with gold or silver trim for those who find a little too much flash on the Custom version...

 

And while looks are fairly important when choosing a pen, the most important factor for choosing the Premier is the nib. I can't stress enough how much better this one is than the Sonnet or even Duofold nibs. If only it was available in more point sizes...

 

Doug

[adam11]

I just saw black version with gold trim and it does look a little bit better. Cap does have some "tradition" in its design, but still...

[MYU]

I am liberal when it comes to expressing other perceptions of reviewed pens, but please tone down the negative subjectivity. What works much better is to talk about specifics rather than generalizations like "One of the ugliest Parker pens I have seen" and "given the junk that the Parker 100 was." Let us try to keep things civil here, OK?

Edited December 3, 2009 by MYU

[RLTodd]

There is nothing else to critisize about it.

 

Waterman nibs and feeds have never been a problem.

 

The Parker cartridges and higher priced converter have almost never been a problem.

 

Parker / Waterman ink has never been a problem. (Maybe the Newhaven Parker Black, but that is still open to debate.)

 

No one has ever critisized the Waterman factory's production standards.

 

Functionally it is not different than a French made Sonnet or mid level Waterman.

 

So, I think the only two things open to critisizm would be the hold (Standard configuration Parkers and Watermans are seldom critisized on that issue), and the styling.

 

Resurect this thread in two years, December 2011, and I bet that this model will have gone the way of the Parker 100. If I am wrong I will own up to it.

[Garageboy]

The tooling they used to pattern the cap and the nib doesn't leave enough sharp edges, making it look "cheap"

Does feel solid, but I wish the precision was there

[FrankB]

Thank you for the review. I have been curious about this model and I am glad to see a write up.

 

For me the metal section is a major drawback, if not a deal breaker. Your positive remarks about the section do cause me to stop and reconsider, though. Otherwise, I sort of like the overall aesthetics of the pen. I might subjectively refer to its looks as a bit "ordinary," but I certainly would not say "cheap."

 

The nib is the heart of a pen for me, and I am glad to hear the pen writes well. Over the years I have accumulated a large number of Parker pens, and all of them write well - including my Sonnets. It sounds as if Parker has maintained their writing quality. I am going to see if I can try one at a B&M or a show.

 

The retail prices of this collection are a concern for me. I am waiting to see where street prices go after the model has been around for a while. I am seriously thinking I might buy one of these.

[MacP]

A new fine-point black and gold Premier is my new arrival, and I'm very pleased with it, especially because of the nib, which writes smoother under my rather heavy hand than any other pen I own. Those others include Sailor, Pilot, Namiki, Aurora and a few others that include vintage Parkers and Sheaffers. Most other nibs are capable of smooth strokes in one or two directions but become scratchy/toothy in others, often with lateral motions. Not so this nib - a pleasant surprise. I had my doubts about the styling, in particular the metal section. Oddly, it doesn't seem uncomfortable or cold. Nor is it slippery. Perhaps that's due to the slight angle of narrowing and the ribbing in the most distal portion. For a nib of this quality, I'll sacrifice wishes for a non-metal section. Maybe Parker will come out with a revision using a section matching the barrel. Whether they do or not, I intend to get a second as a backup. It just writes too well. Nice work!

[Vicary]

I still can't quite figure out why people are expressing issues with the styling of the new Premier. Especially because it draws so much from Parkers of the 70s and 80s. And I finally found enough sun out today to take a few more pictures of my Premier, this time side by side with its spiritual forbear, the Parker 75. So here are a few comparison shots....

 

http://i862.photobucket.com/albums/ab188/vicaryd/ParkerPremier75.jpg

 

To me the Premier looks just like the 75's big brother. Note that the overall shape and the slightly stepped end caps are very similar. The other primary difference is that there is a slight step between the barrel and the cap of the Premier. They two pieces fit completely flush on the 75. I find the new pen to be usefully larger compared to the 75.

 

http://i862.photobucket.com/albums/ab188/vicaryd/ParkerPremier75Open.jpg

 

Posted you see the primary difference between the two pens- the metal section and the more open nib design. While the 75 nib design is somewhat classic, I wouldn't say that it is superior aesthetically to the Premier's. And I can say for certain that my Premier lays down a smoother, more even line than any 75 I've ever used. The metal section is a turn off for some, I know, but that's more a usability issue than an issue of appearance. In fact here it helps to visually balance out the brightwork on the cap when the pen is opened.

 

http://i862.photobucket.com/albums/ab188/vicaryd/ParkerPremier75Ends.jpg

 

Towards the barrel end you can see that the 75 has a slightly more graceful taper to the shape. The Premier appears a bit slab sided by comparison.

 

http://i862.photobucket.com/albums/ab188/vicaryd/ParkerPremier75Caps.jpg

 

Besides the nib, section, and size, the other main difference between the two is the clip. You can see the 75 uses the classic Parker arrow clip while the Premier has a stylized, modern version. I like the clip, and I also like the placement of the clip, which allows a little more of the pen to peek out of your pocket while still holding it secure. Someone had mentioned they thought the engraving on the cap was too shallow, but I disagree. It's just as deep if not deeper than the Cisele engraving. It's just not quite as sharp. And while the tartan patterned engraving was most recently seen on the Sonnet it was, I believe, originally used on the 75.

 

I look forward to seeing what other patterns, engravings, and finishes Parker applies to this new Premier. Like the Sonnet and 75 I think there is a pretty huge potential for variety and collectibility.

 

If I had any complaint about the appearance of this pen, I would have to say that I would prefer the barrel in matching silver tartan with a plastic section. Hopefully Parker will consider that in the future. But as is I think it's the most attractive non-Duofold Parker in ages...

 

best,

Doug

Edited December 8, 2009 by Vicary

[adam11]

I still can't quite figure out why people are expressing issues with the styling of the new Premier. Especially because it draws so much from Parkers of the 70s and 80s. And I finally found enough sun out today to take a few more pictures of my Premier, this time side by side with its spiritual forbear, the Parker 75. So here are a few comparison shots....

 

http://i862.photobucket.com/albums/ab188/vicaryd/ParkerPremier75.jpg

 

To me the Premier looks just like the 75's big brother. Note that the overall shape and the slightly stepped end caps are very similar. The other primary difference is that there is a slight step between the barrel and the cap of the Premier. They two pieces fit completely flush on the 75. I find the new pen to be usefully larger compared to the 75.

 

http://i862.photobucket.com/albums/ab188/vicaryd/ParkerPremier75Open.jpg

 

Posted you see the primary difference between the two pens- the metal section and the more open nib design. While the 75 nib design is somewhat classic, I wouldn't say that it is superior aesthetically to the Premier's. And I can say for certain that my Premier lays down a smoother, more even line than any 75 I've ever used. The metal section is a turn off for some, I know, but that's more a usability issue than an issue of appearance. In fact here it helps to visually balance out the brightwork on the cap when the pen is opened.

 

http://i862.photobucket.com/albums/ab188/vicaryd/ParkerPremier75Ends.jpg

 

Towards the barrel end you can see that the 75 has a slightly more graceful taper to the shape. The Premier appears a bit slab sided by comparison.

 

http://i862.photobucket.com/albums/ab188/vicaryd/ParkerPremier75Caps.jpg

 

Besides the nib, section, and size, the other main difference between the two is the clip. You can see the 75 uses the classic Parker arrow clip while the Premier has a stylized, modern version. I like the clip, and I also like the placement of the clip, which allows a little more of the pen to peek out of your pocket while still holding it secure. Someone had mentioned they thought the engraving on the cap was too shallow, but I disagree. It's just as deep if not deeper than the Cisele engraving. It's just not quite as sharp. And while the tartan patterned engraving was most recently seen on the Sonnet it was, I believe, originally used on the 75.

 

I look forward to seeing what other patterns, engravings, and finishes Parker applies to this new Premier. Like the Sonnet and 75 I think there is a pretty huge potential for variety and collectibility.

 

If I had any complaint about the appearance of this pen, I would have to say that I would prefer the barrel in matching silver tartan with a plastic section. Hopefully Parker will consider that in the future. But as is I think it's the most attractive non-Duofold Parker in ages...

 

best,

Doug

 

 

 

Well, this is simply matter of taste. I'm bit confused why you need so much some kind of approval from another members; if you like the pen, simply enjoy in it

BTW. Recently I got an opportunity to see this pen in person (simple black version) and must says, I didn't change my mind about liking design of it.

 

(PS never the less, thank's for the new pics and whole effort in presenting this pen to us)

[jonro]

Thanks for your review; I've been wondering about this pen. It is an elegant looking pen. When I have an opportunity, I'll give one a try.

[Vicary]

Well, this is simply matter of taste. I'm bit confused why you need so much some kind of approval from another members; if you like the pen, simply enjoy in it

BTW. Recently I got an opportunity to see this pen in person (simple black version) and must says, I didn't change my mind about liking design of it.

 

I don't need anyone to like the pen, but I was hoping some might understand it better. I wanted to show by comparing and contrasting the Premier and the 75 that the Premier definitely belongs to the Parker family; visibly, conceptually, and actually. To see the two side by side shows a decided family resemblance.

 

I wish I had some of the other post-75 Parker models to compare it to as well. I was thinking the Premier was the first Parker with a metal section, but that is also not the case. I'm pretty sure I had a 105 with a metal section, and the Falcons had metal sections too as part of their integrated nib units.

[Izzy]

Thank you for a wonderful review.

 

I have to say I landed a new Premier just after xmas. I was originally going to get the Black/Silver Cap version shown in your review, however when up close and personal I went for the all Silver (metal) version.

 

I love this pen, it's weight, it's looks, it's performance are up there with some of the best (high end) pens I own and in some cases it's even better.

 

The beautiful two tone (white/yellow gold) medium nib is super smooth, the metal section causes me no problems whatsoever and it has a wonderful ink flow, I have written for several hours with this pen at one time with no fatigue or aching fingers, it justs flows smoothly across the paper without any effort.

 

I beleive that Parker (Waterman) are on to a winner here (IMHO)

 

Kind regards

NIGEL

[orangos]

Sorry to say, but it looks like a fountain pen designed by a Judge Dredd fan. Not a bad thing in itself, but...