The S.t. Dupont Néoclassique Line, An Introduction

[olivier78860]

Hello fellow FPNers,

I am taking the excuse of perfect natural light conditions to write a short overview of S.T. Dupont's top range, the Néoclassique line.
(I am willingly forgetting about the Tournaire pieces, that are, in my opinion, just expensive sculpture which mistakenly got given a nib for unknown reasons).

 

This line is available in two sizes: the normal, Néoclassique size, and the oversize Néoclassique Président size.

http://i.imgur.com/qeMVbZt.jpg

From Left to right:

Néoclassique Président : Magnétisme, Samouraï, Second Empire, and Shanghaï.
Néoclassique : Dragon and Samouraï

http://i.imgur.com/YPupHa3.jpg

Here is a view of the sections, and the nibs.

These pens have the biggest and most responsive nibs offered by the brand.
The Magnétisme model, which is the only one not to be numbered (albeit being limited), is available in all the regular line widths: EF, F, M, B. I have an EF nib on this one, and it simply is the smoothest extra fine nib I have ever written with. It is comparable to my early 1990's Montblanc 149 EF nib, as it also has a particular grounding, which gives a vertical stroke that is finer than the horizontal one, and the nib is flexible enough to give a B line. It is just closer to a average EF (the Montblanc one providing with a larger line).
The limited editions are only available in the M size, which is a pity, if you ask me). They come in sets (with a pen stand and an inkwell) or as standalone pens.

Of course, these pens aren't cheap, but are not unaffordable either, and they offer everything a pen collector may ask (except for a piston filling system, but this isn't one of my priorities). There are even more exclusive pens for each of the Président limited editions - a limited edition inside the limited edition, if you like - made of solid gold, and limited to two or three dozens, but there, we are reaching the 50k€+ range, so I don't think I would ever be interested, even if I had that kind of money).

 

I hope you enjoyed this short introduction to an undeservingly underrated line of pens.

[jar]

They also come in the relatively basic style, just plain Lacque du Chine.

 

http://www.fototime.com/0BEE23C66840591/xlarge.jpg

Of the two sizes I prefer the standard but only because it does not have the pronounced step between section and body.

Edited July 10, 2013 by jar

[georges zaslavsky]

Very nice selection of Duponts Unfortunately they are too expensive and ostentatious for my tastes, I also prefer piston fillers to converters

[olivier78860]

Jar, thanks for the nice addition. I never got a chance to get a regular edition of that pen, but I might look for one indeed.

 

Georges, I agree about the ostentatious factor, so these pens never leave my place, except for the Magnétisme one.

The main problem is that the Président ones are too big to be considered anything else than desk pens.

But, as I know you like excellent nibs, I warmly recommend you to try an EF nib from that Président series, no doubt you will be very pleased.

[da vinci]

Thank you for your interesting and educational post. I have a Dupont - not exactly sure which model - an Olympio possibly - and the quality is superb.

[shuuemura]

Very nice Duponts, also just a bit too ornate for my taste. Thanks for sharing!

[georges zaslavsky]

Jar, thanks for the nice addition. I never got a chance to get a regular edition of that pen, but I might look for one indeed.

 

Georges, I agree about the ostentatious factor, so these pens never leave my place, except for the Magnétisme one.

The main problem is that the Président ones are too big to be considered anything else than desk pens.

But, as I know you like excellent nibs, I warmly recommend you to try an EF nib from that Président series, no doubt you will be very pleased.

I know that the Dupont nibs now beat modern Waterman in terms of quality and Flexibility. I want their big pen with the USB key, that might be the only Dupont I might be looking for. I also like Cartier which is as good as Dupont.

[olivier78860]

Thanks Da Vinci & Shuuemura. Except for the Magnétisme, all are limited editions, which explains the "out of the norm" design.

The Néoclassique Jar showed us is the classic design, and it's a terrific pen, with excellent balance and the nib is fantastic.

 

Georges, the pen you are looking for is available in two models, but it is slowly being removed from the catalog. One is the plain black and palladium one, the other one is the Magnétisme.

[Bo Bo Olson]

I'd had a beautiful counterfeit. Well..I'd figured it was...but there was a 2% chance it wasn't.

Jar told me...nope, no cigar.

 

I do want a real one. It wasn't high up my list...first it is rather heavy and has a nail.

Pure beauty and Purdey level workmanship has it's place...but I have a nail....my M nail is a Cross Townsend, my B nail is a Lamy CPM-1. my F nails...two at least one is the P-51 don't remember what the other one is(bound to have two...a Tropen?)...My EF nail is a MB 320 EF..

My thought was why do I need another heavy nail M.

 

Now I find out they make other than nail nibs...I really want one.

 

It is possible to get a 'semi-flex' or better nib.

The question is if I beg hard enough can i get one on a more affordable pen?

Now, I know it is possible.

Like begging Aurora for one of the left over semi-flex nibs from their warehouse.

[olivier78860]

My latest addition, the Phoenix, Nr 2/888 (so close!!!)

 

http://i.imgur.com/SMCP9wB.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/TprUKyI.jpg

[Soer]

Are dupont superieur to MB??????

[jar]

Are dupont superieur to MB??????

 

I'm not sure there really is a correct answer for that. They are both very high quality marques. I just checked and found I have about a half dozen more ST Duponts than Montblancs if that is any indicator.

[jar]

I'd had a beautiful counterfeit. Well..I'd figured it was...but there was a 2% chance it wasn't.

Jar told me...nope, no cigar.

 

I do want a real one. It wasn't high up my list...first it is rather heavy and has a nail.

 

When it comes to weight, if you want a light ST Dupont look for one of the plain black resin Ellipsis models (second from left).

 

http://www.fototime.com/379D0E014D2D68F/medium800.jpg

[olivier78860]

Soer, I only have 2 recent Montblanc fountain pens, and quite a few S.T. Dupont, so my view is highly biased, replying YES !

Haha.

Well it's a matter of taste. I prefer lacquer to resin, so S.T. Dupont does it better for me. Also weight and dimensions.

 

Jar, has Schrödinger's cat finally found a way out of the box ?

[jar]

Soer, I only have 2 recent Montblanc fountain pens, and quite a few S.T. Dupont, so my view is highly biased, replying YES !

Haha.

Well it's a matter of taste. I prefer lacquer to resin, so S.T. Dupont does it better for me. Also weight and dimensions.

 

Jar, has Schrödinger's cat finally found a way out of the box ?

 

 

It's possible but if so it is in Russell's teapot.