Platinum 3776 Century Gold Trim Fountain Pen - Product Review

Today I will review the classic Platinum 3776 Century fountain pen in Gold Trim. The Japanese pen maker Platinum is known for quality, and has been making pens since 1919. Platinum released this pen to commemorate its approaching 100 year anniversary of pen making, hence the Century in the name. And the 3776 part is a reference to the height of Mt Fuji. The particular pen variant which I have been testing for the last two months for this review is the Chartres Blue in broad nib. Chartres blue is a stunningly deep and rich blue color inspired by the stained glass at the Chartres Cathedral in France.

Design

This fountain pen has a rounded cigar shape and is made of translucent resin accented with gold trim on the body and cap. There is also a gold band on the cap, which reads “#3776 Century” and “Platinum Made in Japan”. The pen has a smooth finish, but not slippery smooth. Somehow Platinum has managed to find the perfect balance here. The pens feature Platinum’s “Slip and Seal” mechanism designed to ensure that the nib retains moisture when closed and the ink doesn’t dry out for up to 2 years. In my experience so far this works well, and the nib was always wet and ready to write when I opened up the cap. The cap opens in less than two turns and reveals a beautiful 14K gold nib. The nib has a very clean look and is more flat than rounded across the shoulders. This goes well with the Mt Fuji design and the text on the nib. The nib also has a heart shaped breather hole.

The pen has a cartridge/converter filling mechanism but only uses Platinum’s proprietary system. While I am not a big fan of this, at least the packaging includes one high quality gold trim converter and a cartridge. The pen comes in a no-fuss black box along with a warranty card and user manual.

Function

Platinum has really thought through all of the design elements in building this very practical everyday use pen. And while this is not a super high-end or avant garde pen, this would be a perfect pen for those looking to step up to gold nib fountain pens.This is a medium sized pen that can be used posted or unposted rather comfortably. On the outside, the pen has a smooth resin finish which does attract fingerprints, but has just enough grip to make it not slippery. Personally I am not a big fan of cigar shaped pens, however this pen is lightweight and easy to hold and write with and so it made it into my collection.

The broad nib pen has been writing beautifully straight out of the box. The nib has even ink flow and is not too wet or too dry. The feeling of the nib on paper is also well calibrated, it is not too smooth or too toothy. The nib is clearly where all the love and attention went with this pen. Overall this is a great workhorse pen, and the value proposition is certainly there at the price point of this pen.

Click here to see the various nib sizes and color options available.