Grab your shades and check out the latest version of the TWSBI Diamond 850 IROC

By On · 12 Comments · In Fountain Pens, News

We’ve been keeping a close eye on the development of the TWSBI Diamond 850 IROC fountain pen for some time now. Our first article was published way back in October of 2011 that simply included design renders. Then came some more renders with new colors, and then the jump to testing actual parts. It’s gone through several variations including black titanium coatings, gloss black, and raw steel or matte black finishes, with this latest iteration being by far the most flashy.

TWSBI Diamond IROC Metal 850 capped

This is the most coverage of the development of a fountain pen that I’ve ever seen and I’m absolutely loving every bit of it. Thus far, we know the 850 IROC is a piston filling fountain pen, will include an ink window that’s covered by the cap, and weighs 65 grams. No word on price or release date but I’d be shocked if the pen as seen above comes in under $100. What do you think, should more companies be so open during development? What do you think of this all chrome version? What price point do you think the 850 IROC will actually sell at?

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  • Jay Pulli

    I think it’s great that the companies are open with information during development, especially if reasonable feedback is actually used. Here’s hoping that the matte versions do not have a polished grip section. The all polished version would need to be cleaned daily and maybe polished monthly in my case.

    • cerbeos

      Yeah, they’d be too smudge-prone, in my eyes.

      Being so open is fantastic – there is more than one reason TWSBI pens are how they are and why TWSBI is so successful! (Still need to get my hands on one, though — Yet another on the list for Ohio…)

  • http://twitter.com/writetomeoften Zeynep F.

    It looks breath taking. But I have two concerns. First: 65 grams? Isn’t that a bit heavy? And second, it may have finger prints all over it. (Hope it doesn’t)

    • http://fpgeeks.com/ Dan Smith

      65 grams is definitely on the heavier side. I think a majority of pens are around 30-40 grams. But, this would probably work great not posted.

    • Emilio Villegas

      I share my concern for the finger prints because of my oily hands….

  • Emilio Villegas

    For the sake of my wallet I hope the price is low but with that material and design it’s just fantasy…

  • Mike

    Great to see the evolution of the pen. Must come in black, mattte or smoke with chrome trim. The chrome full-scheme is ugly and cold, reminiscent of a cheap starter pen. Price – under $125

  • Pensioner

    Showing us the progression of design creates interest. I think it’s a smart way for TWSBI get people thinking about their new model. Looks like a very nice pen, but I don’t care for the “round meets faceted” parts. I think they will come in at $140 to $150.

  • The Ruffled Quill

    Hope that there are options other than the 100% Chrome and that the sections are other than polished Chrome. Polished Chrome and fingers = smudges and I dislike polish chrome section – too slippery, but the design is great and their openness is refreshing. I’d say $175! But don’t ya love the piston filler.

  • Tamara

    I can see they’ve put a lot of thought into this pen. A lot of little details here and there. I can’t wait to see the final product!

  • Dirck in Saskatchewan

    The constant presentation during design is one of these two-bladed swords we hear so much about. It engages we raving pen geeks to a high degree (with the benefit of getting feedback before the pen is in the market and addressing persistent gripes before rather than after sales), but it also produces deep impatience. It’s RIGHT THERE! Why can’t I have one NOW?!

    On the pen in question, 65 grams is a vast weight to my way of thinking, but I rate most modern pens as “unnecessarily heavy”. I think the mirror finish is striking, and while it would need quite regular swipes with a cloth to keep the fingerprints down, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Not only is there an excuse to obsessively handle a pen, but it would be easy to prove someone had made off with yours– “see, that’s my fingerprint right there.” I think if it’s the only option it would be unwise, but I think it would be popular as a choice.

    Also; is that exactly the same size of ink window as a Lamy 2000? ;)