Opus 88 2024 Pink

[Laurene]

First impressions

The pen came in the newer Opus 88 packaging, which is smaller than the older box, blue instead of black, doesn't have an extra sleeve around it, comes with a smaller eyedropper and a spare O-ring. It still includes a small explanatory leaflet and feels just as sturdy as the older box. 
I do appreciate this new smaller packaging, especially the addition of the extra O-ring. The smaller eyedropper is however not as good as the older ones, but honestly if you don't have a blunt syringe it will still do the job.

 

Appearance & Design

The pen is exactly the same shape as previous Opus 88 Demo models, but the colour combination is quite flashy. Where previous "pen of the year" editions consisted of two colours, namely transparent yellow and opaque grey for the 2021, and transparent purple resin plus opaque red ebonite for the 2022, this one has a transparent pink body and cap, transparent purple grip section and shut-off valve, and transparent blue finial. The resin has a shiny finish.

 

Construction & Quality

The pen is very well made, it feels solid, and there are no rough or sharp edges anywhere. To me it is a high quality pen.
Please be aware though that unlike other Opus 88 Demo models, you can't unscrew the finial to remove the clip. 
I personally don't mind the clip because its glossy black colour matches the nib, but I did enjoy the possibility of easily disassembling the caps in other Demos, if only to give them a good rinse.

 

Weight & Dimensions

This is a somewhat larger pen but its light weight makes it a very comfortable writer. I personally never post the cap when writing, so I don't mind that the cap doesn't post.

Specs (from gouletpens.com):
Diameter - Body
14.9mm (0.59in)
Diameter - Grip (mm) 
11.0mm
Length - Body 
136.5mm (5.37in)
Length - Overall (Closed)
147.6mm (5.81in)
Weight - Body 
17g (0.60oz)
Weight - Cap
10g (0.35oz)
Weight - Overall (g)
27.0g

I'm including some pictures of the 2024 next to other Opus 88 pens (Jazz and Omar), two Lamys, and a TWSBI Diamond 580 plus a Pilot Heritage '92.

 

Nib & Performance

I chose the <M> nib, which is my preferred nib size on pens from this brand, but it also comes in extra-fine, fine, broad, and 1.5 mm stub.
It is a black PVD-coated Jowo #6 steel nib. I was concerned that the PVD coating might make it a bit too stiff or make it write too thin to my liking (not sure why), but I was relieved to see that it wrote just as well as my other Opus / Jowo nibs. It is moderate to wet.
Of course one of the benefits of having a Jowo nib unit is that it can be swapped out very easily. Just make sure to be extra careful about the O-ring though!

 

Filling System & Maintenance

It's an eyedropper pen with a maximum ink capacity of 3.56ml (according to gouletpens.com). I never fill the barrel completely though.
What I really enjoy about this filling system is mainly how user-friendly it is, and how easy it is to clean these pens. Again, a syringe works great if you're not a fan of actual eyedroppers. They're also great if filling your pen from a sample / tiny bottle or if your ink bottle's almost empty or oddly shaped.

 

Cost & Value

I bought the pen from Casa della Stilografica at stilografica.it. This was my second order from this store (they've actually got a physical store in Firenze), so I was confident buying from them. If you live in Europe I would definitely recommend checking them out. The pen sells for €137 but I use a 10% discount code (code FLORENCE). 
It's a bit more expensive than previous editions but given the manufacturing quality and lovely writing experience, I still think it's good value for money. 

 

Conclusion

I'm a big Opus 88 fan, and this is my eleventh pen from the brand, so I can't really claim to be unbiased, but I'm very happy indeed with my purchase. I mean I knew or rather I expected I would, and it didn't disappoint, apart from the finial that can't be unscrewed. 
I won't be getting the green version of the 2024 edition, but the Sapphire will be number 12 😅

[Janeite]

Thank you, Laurene, for your review!  I see that you are quite fond of demonstrators, and the ink you chose works so well with the grip!  If I ever have any questions about Opus pens (Opi?), I will definitely reach out to you!

[Laurene]

Thanks @Janeite! I do enjoy demonstrators 😅

[Mark from Yorkshire]

My one and only demonstrator is the TWSBI 580 ALR Prussian blue with broad nib for use with my favourite shimmer ink Diamine Dragon Blood a nice gold and red ink

[Laurene]

6 hours ago, Mark from Yorkshire said:

My one and only demonstrator is the TWSBI 580 ALR Prussian blue with broad nib

Lovely! I've got the exact same pen, except mike's inked with émeraude de Chivor. Thanks for putting Dragon Blood on my radar 😄

[Mark from Yorkshire]

Just now, Laurene said:

Lovely! I've got the exact same pen, except mike's inked with émeraude de Chivor. Thanks for putting Dragon Blood on my radar 😄

You’re welcome it is a really nice ink, what are you going to replace the Iroshizuku with once your stash runs out? It looks like Pilot has discontinued it. I can’t find that lovely shade of golden brown anywhere. The closest match so far is a couple of the Diamine Les Paul Range.

[Laurene]

15 hours ago, Mark from Yorkshire said:

what are you going to replace the Iroshizuku with once your stash runs out?

My bottle's running pretty low actually haha. I had only seen Diamine's Tobacco Sunburst in a YouTube video, and didn't realise it was part of a collection, so thanks for pointing that out! I really need to start trying more Diamine inks, I do have 2, but there are just so many it's a bit overwhelming.

I've recently come across a new launch by Colorverse that's apparently inspired by ears of rice, as Ina-ho was, but there aren't many pictures available. It's called Horizon and is part of their volume 9 Korea series. 

I might give that a try when I run out!

[Mark from Yorkshire]

@Laurene I went with Diamine Dessert Burst. It is part of the Les Pau Range That Diamine do

[Mark from Yorkshire]

On 12/28/2023 at 4:43 PM, Mark from Yorkshire said:

You’re welcome it is a really nice ink, what are you going to replace the Iroshizuku with once your stash runs out? It looks like Pilot has discontinued it. I can’t find that lovely shade of golden brown anywhere. The closest match so far is a couple of the Diamine Les Paul Range.

I was meaning the Diamine Dragon Blood just for the avoidance of doubt and any misunderstanding 

[Laurene]

On 3/1/2024 at 6:52 PM, Mark from Yorkshire said:

 I went with Diamine Dessert Burst. It is part of the Les Pau Range That Diamine do

Thanks, I really need to try more Diamine inks!