31 March 2013

3776

The current workhorse of Platinum is the model 3776—a balance pen, made of plastic in several colors, including some transparent versions.


The first year (1978) 3776. The nib is dated as made on September of 1978.

But the original 3776, from 1978, was different. It was designed by the writer and pen collector Haruo Umeda and had a clear inspiration on the Waterman “100 Years” pen. The similarities, in contrast with previous models by Platinum, are limited to the rugged body. This shape, should we note, was cut on the lathe with an ad-hoc tool. During the first year of production (1979), the pen had 9 rings on the back of the barrel. This was, apparently, difficult to machine and already on the second year of production the number of rings was reduced to five.


Platinum 3776 from the first two years of production of the pen, with nine and five rings on the last section of the barrel.

The nibs were made of 14 K gold, and they were fairly rigid. The feeds were made of ebonite, and they also show some changes between the first and second year pens.


Nib and feed of the first year pen (1978). Note the long ebonite feed.


The pen on top was made on the second year of production (production date of January 1979). Its feed shows some fins on the lower side. The one on bottom, from 1978 (production date of September 1978), has no fins.

A similar model is still on production today, but the new nibs have a different design and the feeds are now made of plastic. And there was also a deformed version around 1987—the Platinum Glamour, equipped with both steel and 14 K gold nibs.


Platinum Glamour with steel nib, and plastic feed.

As is customary on Platinum pens, all of them use cartridges (and converters if the barrel could fit them, which is not the case of the Platinum Glamour).


Pilot Vpen– Pilot Blue

Bruno Taut
Chuo (Tokyo), March 3rd, 2013
etiquetas: Platinum

7 comments:

Unknown said...

Beautiful pen. Thank you for the comparison with the new model. I always felt there was some difference but didn't quite know where it was.
I'll be sure to grab a vintage one if the chance arises.

It does remind me quite a bit of the Ribbed Sailor naginata pen. I always felt that both where some sort of homage to the Waterman 100 year pen.

Bruno Taut said...

Thanks for passing by and commenting, Michel de Montreal.

At the end, the basic difference is on the nib and feed. About the ribbed Sailor model, little can I say now, but I will keep on asking questions.

Cheers,

BT

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing.
How do you know the production date of these two pens?
September 1978
January 1979

Bruno Taut said...

Strictly speaking, I only know the production dates of the nibs, as engraved on their reverse.

Thanks for passing by and commenting.

BT

JOSAVI said...

Hello again Bruno, I have with me a the above pen. It has the 9 rings at the back of the barrel. I checked the back of the nib and it is dated 959 which from my understanding will be September 1984. It still uses the ebonite feed with fins. Just wondering if the 9 ring version went beyond 2nd year of production? Sadly the pen I have is missing the finial. Thanks

Bruno Taut said...

Josavi,

I would like to see your pen, but so far I can say that the 9-ring pen had a very short life, and it did not reach 1984.

Thanks for passing by and commenting. Cheers,

BT

JOSAVI said...

Hello Bruno, thank you. I am also a bit baffled, but will send pictures. Is there a link or email address I can send them. my email: setuptwo@gmail.com
Josavi

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