A Case Of Long Lost Twins (Or In Other Words Pilot Celemo Vs Platinum P T L -5000 A )

[hari317]

The Pilot Celemo (FCM-500R) and the Platinum PTL-5000A are both entry level 14k solid gold nib pens from the Japanese big two. The pens are so similar with just minor differences that these look like twins that were separated at birth and raised in different households. I will be showing a black PTL-5000A and a red Celemo in this post.

 

I have already reviewed the Celemo here.

 

The similarities begin with the packaging:

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Platinum%20Vs%20Pilot/IMG_0686.jpg

 

The pens come packed in a pen case with a transparent see through plastic swivel cover:

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Platinum%20Vs%20Pilot/IMG_0687.jpg

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Platinum%20Vs%20Pilot/IMG_0688.jpg

 

The Platinum with its clip hang tag which I have separated:

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Platinum%20Vs%20Pilot/IMG_0689.jpg

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Platinum%20Vs%20Pilot/IMG_0690.jpg

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Platinum%20Vs%20Pilot/IMG_0691.jpg

 

The Red Celemo:

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Platinum%20Vs%20Pilot/IMG_0692.jpg

 

The pictures of the tag etc I have documented in the previous Celemo review itself, so I will not repeat them here.

 

The pens together: Nearly identical in length and girth:

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Platinum%20Vs%20Pilot/IMG_0693.jpg

 

Uncapped:

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Platinum%20Vs%20Pilot/IMG_0695.jpg

 

Opened:

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Platinum%20Vs%20Pilot/IMG_0696.jpg

 

The Platinum is well constructed with metal section threads.

 

The section-barrel thread pitch is the the same, but there is a difference in the diameter. The Platinum section will thread loosely into the Celemo barrel, the Celemo section however, will not thread into the Platinum barrel:

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Platinum%20Vs%20Pilot/IMG_0697.jpg

The Nibs:

 

Both the nibs are the so called wing type nibs that clip on to the feed. Such nibs are economical to make due to the lesser amount of material required, esp when the material is 14k gold. The Platinum nib is shaped to be rigid, the Pilot has a slightly softer nib.

 

The cap gripping trim at the base of the nib is golden in the Celemo, it is steel on the Platinum. The steel looks slightly out of place on a golden trim pen....

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Platinum%20Vs%20Pilot/IMG_0698.jpg

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Platinum%20Vs%20Pilot/IMG_0699.jpg

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Platinum%20Vs%20Pilot/IMG_0700.jpg

 

Both the nibs are of Medium width. The Platinum has the nib width marked in Kanji script and the Pilot in English. However, as can be seen from the pics, the Pilot runs quite wide as compared to the Platinum.

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Platinum%20Vs%20Pilot/IMG_0701.jpg

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Platinum%20Vs%20Pilot/IMG_0702.jpg

 

The Celemo has flat ends, the PTL-5000A has rounded ends which I like very much.

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Platinum%20Vs%20Pilot/IMG_0703.jpg

 

Writing Performance:

 

Both the pens have proved to be reliable performers. I have carried both the pens through conferences and the Platinum was my sole carry through a 14 day outdoors trip. I have not included writing samples since the nibs do vary from piece to piece and the line made by my pen has little value to others who may buy their own pen.

 

Cost:

 

Both the pens have the same mrp: 5000JPY plus tax. I have seen the PTL-5000A go for as low as 32USD shipped on the auction site.

 

Conclusion:

Over all, based on my use, I found that I liked the build quality of the Platinum slightly better, the nib slightly better and ink flow slightly more to my liking on the PTL-5000A to the Celemo, but YMMV.

 

I hope this comparison was useful to the reader who can then arrive at their own conclusion.

 

Best

Hari

[bbycrts]

Thanks Hari! I was browsing J-Subculture the other day and noticed the remarkable similarity between the two pens - great review to highlight the similarities and differences.

[vig2432]

One more thing hari- The platinum one has a translucent feed which helps you see the ink. Apart from this, I am amazed that both the pens are virtually identical

Edited April 4, 2015 by vig2432

[benbot517]

I knew these pens were similar, but not by so much!

[hari317]

Thanks Hari! I was browsing J-Subculture the other day and noticed the remarkable similarity between the two pens - great review to highlight the similarities and differences.

Thanks! after my review of the Celemo, I often get asked which pen: Celemo or PTL-5000A? i hope this review can help answer that.

 

I knew these pens were similar, but not by so much!

 

One more thing hari- The platinum one has a translucent feed which helps you see the ink. Apart from this, I am amazed that both the pens are virtually identical

Actually both the pens have translucent feeders. This has long been a feature of some Japanese pens, right from the 70s. Once inked it is very difficult to make the feeder pristine again, that is a good way to detect if the pen has been used...

[vig2432]

 

Actually both the pens have translucent feeders. This has long been a feature of some Japanese pens, right from the 70s. Once inked it is very difficult to make the feeder pristine again, that is a good way to detect if the pen has been used...

Now i notice even the pilot one is also somewhat like that. The platinum one is more transparent. My question is why are they so identical- did pilot and platinum outsource this pen to same manufacturers. I thought they had their own manufacturing units

[hari317]

Now i notice even the pilot one is also somewhat like that. The platinum one is more transparent. My question is why are they so identical- did pilot and platinum outsource this pen to same manufacturers. I thought they had their own manufacturing units

I am pretty sure no outsourcing is involved. Even if they outsource, that need not be a reason for similar pens. This is not like in our place where usually there is just one company that makes the same piston fill pen for most of the brands, each brand giving the pen a different fancy name, that's all.

 

I think these models are being made by Pilot and Platinum for a very very long time now and you know that competitors try to offer similar products but with some product differentiation. I think the twins thing is the common idea, picked by both these companies and they have both evolved/refined to a stage where they are the same but still different.

 

If you look at the nib of the PTL-5000A, it is very similar to the one on the Aurora Hastil. Now the Hastil was the inspiration for Montblanc's line of metallic slim pens, the Japanese might have followed suit, their value addition being a resin body instead of metallic. Montblanc stopped offering such slim pens, but the Japanese still do.

Edited April 4, 2015 by hari317

[migla9]

Thanks for the comparison, Hari! Excellent pictures.

 

They're so similar that it's hard to believe it's a coincidence. Even the red and black color choices are the same. On the Celemo, I like the airtight feel of the cap clicking on. Is the Platinum similar?

 

Do they each use their proprietary cartridges and converters? I know the Celemo takes Con-20 and Con-50 converters. Does the 5000 use the standard Platinum converter?

[hari317]

Thanks for the comparison, Hari! Excellent pictures.

 

They're so similar that it's hard to believe it's a coincidence. Even the red and black color choices are the same. On the Celemo, I like the airtight feel of the cap clicking on. Is the Platinum similar?

 

Do they each use their proprietary cartridges and converters? I know the Celemo takes Con-20 and Con-50 converters. Does the 5000 use the standard Platinum converter?

Thank you!

 

The Platinum has a different, more hard feel as you cap it, it is also a click cap.

 

Yes, the PTL-5000A takes proprietary Platinum converters or Platinum cartridges.

 

The Celemo will take only a Con-20 or the Pilot Cartridge.

[vig2432]

Thank you!

 

The Platinum has a different, more hard feel as you cap it, it is also a click cap.

 

Yes, the PTL-5000A takes proprietary Platinum converters or Platinum cartridges.

 

The Celemo will take only a Con-20 or the Pilot Cartridge.

Celemo also takes CON-50. I am using one with CON-50

[hari317]

Celemo also takes CON-50. I am using one with CON-50

IME, I found that the Con-50 does not seat fully and there is a risk of cracking the section threads if forced. I did not take that risk. The Pilot website also recommends only Con-20 and carts and they are usually quite accurate. However if you are successfully using a con-50 with your Celemo, more power to you.

[rpsyed]

Thanks for the review! I knew about the PTL-5000 but hadn't heard of the Celemo.

[hari317]

Thanks for the review! I knew about the PTL-5000 but hadn't heard of the Celemo.

Thanks! It is a pity Sailor has no pen in this price range with a gold nib.

[mehandiratta]

The Pilot Celemo (FCM-500R) and the Platinum PTL-5000A are both entry level 14k solid gold nib pens from the Japanese big two. The pens are so similar with just minor differences that these look like twins that were separated at birth and raised in different households. I will be showing a black PTL-5000A and a red Celemo in this post.

 

I have already reviewed the Celemo here.

 

The similarities begin with the packaging:

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Platinum%20Vs%20Pilot/IMG_0686.jpg

 

The pens come packed in a pen case with a transparent see through plastic swivel cover:

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Platinum%20Vs%20Pilot/IMG_0687.jpg

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Platinum%20Vs%20Pilot/IMG_0688.jpg

 

The Platinum with its clip hang tag which I have separated:

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Platinum%20Vs%20Pilot/IMG_0689.jpg

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Platinum%20Vs%20Pilot/IMG_0690.jpg

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Platinum%20Vs%20Pilot/IMG_0691.jpg

 

The Red Celemo:

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Platinum%20Vs%20Pilot/IMG_0692.jpg

 

The pictures of the tag etc I have documented in the previous Celemo review itself, so I will not repeat them here.

 

The pens together: Nearly identical in length and girth:

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Platinum%20Vs%20Pilot/IMG_0693.jpg

 

Uncapped:

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Platinum%20Vs%20Pilot/IMG_0695.jpg

 

Opened:

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Platinum%20Vs%20Pilot/IMG_0696.jpg

 

The Platinum is well constructed with metal section threads.

 

The section-barrel thread pitch is the the same, but there is a difference in the diameter. The Platinum section will thread loosely into the Celemo barrel, the Celemo section however, will not thread into the Platinum barrel:

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Platinum%20Vs%20Pilot/IMG_0697.jpg

The Nibs:

 

Both the nibs are the so called wing type nibs that clip on to the feed. Such nibs are economical to make due to the lesser amount of material required, esp when the material is 14k gold. The Platinum nib is shaped to be rigid, the Pilot has a slightly softer nib.

 

The cap gripping trim at the base of the nib is golden in the Celemo, it is steel on the Platinum. The steel looks slightly out of place on a golden trim pen....

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Platinum%20Vs%20Pilot/IMG_0698.jpg

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Platinum%20Vs%20Pilot/IMG_0699.jpg

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Platinum%20Vs%20Pilot/IMG_0700.jpg

 

Both the nibs are of Medium width. The Platinum has the nib width marked in Kanji script and the Pilot in English. However, as can be seen from the pics, the Pilot runs quite wide as compared to the Platinum.

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Platinum%20Vs%20Pilot/IMG_0701.jpg

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Platinum%20Vs%20Pilot/IMG_0702.jpg

 

The Celemo has flat ends, the PTL-5000A has rounded ends which I like very much.

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Platinum%20Vs%20Pilot/IMG_0703.jpg

 

Writing Performance:

 

Both the pens have proved to be reliable performers. I have carried both the pens through conferences and the Platinum was my sole carry through a 14 day outdoors trip. I have not included writing samples since the nibs do vary from piece to piece and the line made by my pen has little value to others who may buy their own pen.

 

Cost:

 

Both the pens have the same mrp: 5000JPY plus tax. I have seen the PTL-5000A go for as low as 32USD shipped on the auction site.

 

Conclusion:

Over all, based on my use, I found that I liked the build quality of the Platinum slightly better, the nib slightly better and ink flow slightly more to my liking on the PTL-5000A to the Celemo, but YMMV.

 

I hope this comparison was useful to the reader who can then arrive at their own conclusion.

 

Best

Hari

Sir....Amazing comparison...

faadu pics...

[Broxi]

Great review thanks!

[hari317]

Sir....Amazing comparison...

faadu pics...

 

Great review thanks!

Thanks! I hope it was useful.

[mehandiratta]

 

 

 

Thanks! I hope it was useful.

it surely is....

i will buy only platinum... this really helped....to the point

[rahulg]

Thanks, Hari, for posting this curious set of twins. I am thinking of ordering the Pilot from Rakuten Global soon.

 

Best wishes,

Rahul

[hari317]

Thanks, Hari, for posting this curious set of twins. I am thinking of ordering the Pilot from Rakuten Global soon.

 

Best wishes,

Rahul

Hi Rahul, you cannot go wrong on this. Both the pens are good. But the Platinum might have a slight edge.

 

Good Luck,

Hari

[Alma]

I got the Pilot Celemo and it really annoys me. The ink is running out in front of it (it's just dripping from the nib, not a wet ink flow, real drops of ink).

All my other Pilot pens work great.