Germany and the Rotring 600 Series Pens

[flight878]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5132/5515807286_2c7c87e5bb_z.jpg

 

Recently I've initiated and have been trying to complete a Rotring 600 collection -- the older, knurled series. Except for the mechanical pencil, I've only had success patiently looking through eBay Germany for worthy deals. I only need the matriarchal Trio-Pen to reunite the family, but it has always eluded me. When up for bidding, even in used condition, it has sold for as high as EUR 200. Some users who offer it don't offer PayPal as a payment option but only the characteristic bank transfer (Überweisung), and there are others who do offer PayPal but have stated in the listing mean things like:

 

HINWEIS: Ich versende NICHT ins Ausland!

 

But I digress...

 

Here is what I'm curious about. Many eBay German sellers regularly sell new Rotring 600 pens that are known to be permanently discontinued, especially the knurled fountain pens, rollerballs, and the ballpoints. Some list having 3 in stock or more. They sell out, and the sellers posts more in stock in a similar listing. They continuously replenish their stock, and I've observed this over a period of more than 4 months. Where do they get these pens? Do they forage for old stock via German distributor warehouses? I'm not talking about those selling off their collections. The sellers often list a bunch of Rotring products in addition to other writing instruments, including current production models. I would like to know more about how this Black Forest treasure hunt works...

 

Do German art supply stores continue to sell these rare gems? Is there a very limited production of these discontinued pens for the German market from the Rotring HQ in Hamburg? Perhaps German FPN members familiar with Rotring's presence in Germany could provide some info. I know via JetPens confirmation that the 600 mechanical pencils are today made in Japan. The Rotring 600 gold series pencils have been reincarnated in Japan as the Rotring 800 series. Perhaps Rotring licensed a German firm to make the pens currently for sale for the German market?

[Phormula]

My guessing is that there is still plenty of stock to take from. Rotring has been struggling to find a position in the market after the sales of their technical drawing stuff declined because nowadays this work is done with computers and plotters. When the company entered the Sanford group, some of their pen designs reincarnated as Parkers but still long after it is possible to find those pens NOS. Actually I am a fan of the Rotring Newton FP and I bought mines (the one I use and a spare) on e-bay as NOS. What I have observed is that sellers keep listing them, but always no more than 2-3 at a time, so people is more motivated to bid or buy now and prices keep up. Too bad that this company gave up this line of products.

[RedSox04]

I always wanted to put a lamy studio 14k nib in one of these