Platinum has been one of the most beloved brands for fountain pen enthusiasts and is definitely one of my recommendation to users looking to purchase their first gold nib fountain pen.

The Nice is the first in Platinum’s South of France series, and even though it does not resemble the french school of pen-making, it does remind me of a good glass of rosé.

This example has the exact size and silhouette of a common 3776, but as you first touch it, the difference really shows.

The pen has a frosty demonstrator finish that shows the inner workings of the instrument. It also has grooves on the surface that is said to invoke the sense of shimmering water along the shores of France. I am not entirely sure how well it represents the french inspiration, but somehow to me they give off the “doric columns” vibe that you might find in ancient greek temples. What do you think they look like, please let me know in the comment section.

As for the parts of the pen, it is the same as a typical 3776, a well adjusted nib and feed, plus the extra for the rose gold plating.

It’s light in the hand with the weight being evenly distributed, so that you can comfortably use it with or without the cap. However it still has the same flaw similar to other 3776s I’ve handled: if you decide to use a converter, the metal piece inside still has some play and will create some rattling sound that might be uncomfortable to some users.

The broad nib performs wonderfully as expected, with a blunt pencil feel to the writing experience. It lays down a good amount of ink and provides a consistent ink flow.

All of that does not really affect the superb writing quality that this line of pens offers, but it does come with the question relate to the real value of the pen: is it worth the retail?

One might argue because of all the add on and extras, it is definitely worth the price; however for others, they see that there’s no more tangible increase in the writing quality, the more reasons not to pay for thin air. This is truly subjective, and the saying “whatever floats your boat” really rings true.

However, I cannot help but recognizing a trend in the tactics of limited editions and special finishing to raise their pricing, similar to a certain Japanese watch brand. It does play in the psychology of the buyers and create fear of missing out, but by the end of the day, certain finishings or colors appeal to different people, and the choice is up to us, to spend our hard earned cash in good places, by recognizing the strategies of brands, and to go for the instruments that we truly like.

For me personally, the 3776 is definitely a step up if you would like to commit to the brand, a writing instrument that would last a very long time if well cared for and maintained.

The whole line up offer great value and make them the gateway for those who would like to experience their first gold nib fountain pen, but their more exotic finishing and limited quantity might not bring the same bargain into the equation.

This is also the reason why I parted way with my black 3776 a few months ago, feeling that I’ve experienced enough of it and I felt like it should move on into the hands of someone who also appreciate this wonderful pen like I did.

It is not bad, it just doesn’t feel the same anymore.