Pen Display Case: Maestro Relojero

[Alex2014]

I looked in the last weeks for a non-USA pen display cabinet, because the shipping cost to Europe and the EU taxes make too expensive to order it from USA. Geoff’s 5-drawer pen cases (pencase.co.uk) look great indeed, despite their prices increased with over 40 % in the last three years and the shipping cost (35 pounds, in my case). Finally, my option was a ready-made Spanish pen display case produced by Maestrorelojero Prasvalnet S.L. located in Ribarroja, near Valencia (no affiliation). I had seen their pen and watch display cabinets for collectors and sellers on many distributors’ sites from Italy, Spain and Portugal. The model I ordered directly from the manufacturer was a 78-pen case cherry. Here are my first impressions:

 

1. Packing.

The case came in just a few days wrapped in an air-bubble sheet and packed in a solid cardboard box, protected with EPS. A second box helps the first one not to suffer damages during the transport.

 

 

2. Dimensions and weight

The case seems to me very compact: 37 cm (L) x 21,5 cm (H) x 20 cm (D). It has six drawers (with 11 pen slots each one) and a display compartment with an acrylic windows lid (12 slots). Therefore, the cabinet can lodge 78 pens, which is very competitive for its gauge. It weighs 4.7 kg.

 

 

3. Construction

I am not an expert in wooden works, but it seems the frames of the drawers are made from solid wood, while the drawer bottoms are made from plywood. The case is made from MDF with cherry (it's rather mahogany) veneer. The lid has two chromed hinges and it firmly closes due to a magnetic system.

All the compartments are covered with a fine gray velvet. I like this color as it is neutral and renders evident the fountain pens. The back of each drawer is covered with velvet too, so the pens are completely protected against scratches.

The dimension of a pen slot is 18 x 2,5 cm. This is very important for me because my ‘giants’ could they also fit in the slot (i.e. Denitrio Genkai or Varuna Gajendra, both of them being over 17 cm long – but they can fit only into the display compartment). I introduced even a Mabie, Todd & Co FP in its original box.

 

 

4. Conclusions

This is a nice compact cherry wooden display cabinet that can take almost all the fountain pens of my collection. I can place it easily in any space at hand in my study. The quality/price ratio is excellent and, last but not the least, the price paid included the free shipping in EU - in my case the parcel travelling across the whole Europe. A black color variant is also offered by the manufacturer.

Edited November 4, 2014 by Alex2014

[da vinci]

Nice review, thanks!

[daintydimsum]

Very nice! It makes me almost wish I have enough pens to warrant one

[da vinci]

Very nice! It makes me almost wish I have enough pens to warrant one

I hope you are working on that .

[daintydimsum]

I hope you are working on that .

I am, I am... maybe I should get a large case to uh "encourage" that process.

[da vinci]

I am, I am... maybe I should get a large case to uh "encourage" that process.

It certainly worked for me!

[CSG]

Wow!

[Art]

Beautiful pen case. And it appears that they'll ship for free to the US. Might make a nice self-Christmas gift.

[Elperraco]

Hi!

 

I am from Spain and I was looking for a "cheap" pen chest, I woul like to ask you if large pens fits on the trays, not only at the top.

 

Thanks, and congratulations for the chest a your pens!

[Alex2014]

Hi!

 

I am from Spain and I was looking for a "cheap" pen chest, I woul like to ask you if large pens fits on the trays, not only at the top.

 

Thanks, and congratulations for the chest a your pens!

 

 

In the trays, the longest pen should be under 166 mm. On the top, under 180 mm. The biggest diameter should be 16 mm for the slots of the trays, and c. 20 mm (even more) in the top display.

[oregano]

Very nice case and review, thank you. I'm curious-- what is that beautiful pen fourth from the left?

Edited November 17, 2014 by paloma32

[Alex2014]

Very nice case and review, thank you. I'm curious-- what is that beautiful pen fourth from the left?

 

It is a huge ebonite Varuna " Gajendra" with a #6 Jowo nib. It is hand-made by M.S. Pandurangan, a FP maker from Chennai (India) and it works both as an eyedropper or with cartridge. You could see it better here on FPN.

[Elperraco]

 

 

In the trays, the longest pen should be under 166 mm. On the top, under 180 mm. The biggest diameter should be 16 mm for the slots of the trays, and c. 20 mm (even more) in the top display.

 

 

Thanks for the answer, an example of a pen that fits in the trays and another one that doesn't would be veeeeeeeery helpful.

[Alex2014]

 

 

Thanks for the answer, an example of a pen that fits in the trays and another one that doesn't would be veeeeeeeery helpful.

 

Only few of my FP's does not fit in the trays: Danitrio Genkay (the sixth from the left - see photo above), Varuna Gajendra (a huge eyedropper), and Danitrio Mae Wae (the third from the left in the photo, which is almost 20 mm in diameter). Some of my big FP's that fit in the trays: MB149, Nakaya Long Cigar, Platinum Izumo President, Nakaya Dorsal Fin 2, Jinhao 159, Pelikan M800, Sailor 1911L. I have to mention although that the case is hand-made so there are some little differences between the heights of the trays, so some of my FP's do not fit in all the trays, but only in some of them. It is the case of thicker FP's: MB 149 and Jinhao 159 (due to the cap ring). For all the FP's whose diameters (barrel and cap) do not exceed 16 mm (in all their parts), there are no problems.

Edited November 17, 2014 by Alex2014

[Elperraco]

 

Only few of my FP's does not fit in the trays: Danitrio Genkay (the sixth from the left - see photo above), Varuna Gajendra (a huge eyedropper), and Danitrio Mae Wae (the third from the left in the photo, which is almost 20 mm in diameter). Some of my big FP's that fit in the trays: MB149, Nakaya Long Cigar, Platinum Izumo President, Nakaya Dorsal Fin 2, Jinhao 159, Pelikan M800, Sailor 1911L. I have to mention although that the case is hand-made so there are some little differences between the heights of the trays, so some of my FP's do not fit in all the trays, but only in some of them. It is the case of thicker FP's: MB 149 and Jinhao 159 (due to the cap ring). For all the FP's whose diameters (barrel and cap) do not exceed 16 mm (in all their parts), there are no problems.

 

Thank you a lot! thats exactly what I need to know, I think I have found my christmas selfpresent.

[musicman123]

I'm sorry to revive this topic but I'm curious about getting this case. I've tried to contact the company but got no response at all. Do you know if they can ship to the US?

[Alex2014]

The same wooden display with three trays already full.

 

Edited July 4, 2015 by Alex2014

[EffyA]

The same wooden display with three trays already full.

 

[EffyA]

Beautiful and after all this time, would you still recommend this case? I think I may buy this as I have well over 60 fountain pens and it seems great for the price in which is very hard to find, just wondering if it will be packaged well and worth getting as I'm not familiar with this company. Any comment is appreciated. I did contact this company and yes they ship to the U.S. Regarding someone else's above comment