Cross2014 Year Of The Horse Special Edition Collection, Imperial White Lacquer, Fountain Pen with Medium 18 Karat Gold Nib (AT0316-15MD)

Update: Help me get my copy of this pen back!My office was burglarized in June 2014 and this pen, among many others, was stolen. I've tracked down the fence who has/had this pen in his possession, but the police are too busy solving "real crime" to bother with writing a warrant and arresting the Oakland, CA resident. He continues to sell off my collection, while the police sit by and watch it happen. If you should come into possession of a copy of this pen already pre-loaded with red ink (Diamine Red Dragon to be precise), please contact me.Original Review:Cross gets little respect in the fountain pen community. Perhaps it's because its products are available in big box retailers, perhaps it is the association with ballpoints, or perhaps because its styles are considered mostly staid, but compared to players like Parker and Pelikan, Cross is a distinct afterthought. The year of the dragon is the first of Cross's Chinese zodiacal special edition pens Cross released. (They subsequently released the years of the snake and horse). Modeled on the Sauvage line, the Dragon, in Chinese red, is a handsome pen. It features a brass body with red translucent lacquer and inscribed images plated in gold. Despite being brass, the weight is very good. The eon is not especially heavy and well balanced whether the cap is posted or not.The nib is solid 18kt gold with a simple, classic double wave pattern inscribed on it. My fine nib writes smoothly and easily with no scratching skipping or any of the other problems sometimes afflicting fountain pens. The display box is also extremely nice, a red and black box with a special inlay for displaying the pen with a little stand. This is a wonderful touch that I've not seen elsewhere.Far from being staid, the shape of the pen is unusual, with a flaired back end and flowing convex arcs in front and back. It is a somewhat unusual design and definitely a departure from the ubiquitous cigar form factor featured on so many fountain pens (especially ones with snowflakes on the crown).Perhaps the best part in all of this is the value of the item. I paid only around $150 for this pen, an amazing prize for a special edition with a solid gold nib. The combination of design, style, function, and price makes this pen an exceptional value. Cross's lagging reputation in fountain pens apparently offers great opportunities for open minded buyers.

This is by far the most beautiful pen I have ever owned, and I do own a Montblanc from the 1990s (when they were made better) and several Cross and Waterman pens.I'm a year of the dragon baby and when I found out Cross was offering this special pen, I knew I had to have one. I saved my pennies and finally pulled the trigger. I'm so glad I did.First of all, the presentation box is gorgeous and a keepsake in and of itself.The pen is heavy - quite heavy. It took some getting used to writing with it, but now that I'm accustomed to the heft, I love how it feels in my hand.The gold etching is detailed and intricate. You can feel the texture of the engraving. The red lacquer is translucent and underneath you can faintly see a scale pattern, I suppose in keeping with the dragon theme. When the lid is screwed on, the etched dragon's body aligns perfectly.And of course, the roller bal nib writes smoothly and effortlessly, but I suppose that's more a review of the refill than the pen itself.In short, I have no complaints. If this is the sort of thing that appeals to you, go for it now while this special edition is still available.

I own three other Cross Sauvage pens and they fit the hand like a glove, but could be too small for a large, muscular hand. The lacquer is the most beautiful teal-blue and the gold enamel really offers a fancy effect. The selectip pens allow the user to choose the pen refill (rollerball, porous point, etc.). The refills can be pricey, but they are smooth and impeccable. I write with Cross pens more than any other pen made. They are like pieces of jewelry for writers. I love these pens. You probably will, too.

I have a modest, yet somewhat amazing pen collection that goes from the modest Crosses to the top Monteblanc solid two-tone gold pen. Sadly, some are just not that practical, but this Cross is. It is not that expensive to keep at home, but it is still a beautiful clean writing pen that one can proudly carry around.Just be careful that no one steals it away. This pen series often may come with the presentation box, which while cool, decays with age...so it is not worth the extra price premium. Some of the ones in this series I bought either from the Amazon Warehouse or on Ebay. They are all nice. I do stick with the Ballpoints and some Roller Balls. The standard Cross pen refills fit fine. Do not get cheap generic refills that can leak and damage these pens. If one knows someone who likes getting gifts that go by the year of the Chinese Horoscope &/or are Asian, these can be treasured for sure. You really cannot go wrong for these pens which typically can run from $100 to $200. While not collectable, they are fun and practical pens. Enjoy!

The Cross made this pen to celebrate year 2012 Year of The Dragon. It is a beautiful black lacquer "special edition" ballpoint pen. It is kind of on the expensive side and I think it is a bit over priced, and it is made in China. There are a few Chinese Writing Instrument companies made similar "dragon style" pens at a fraction of its price. Overall it is a nice pen, medium weigh and looks beautiful.

This pen is truly a beautiful work of art. I've wanted to buy a nice pen for myself for a while and wanted to strike the balance between professionalism, femininity and quality. This rollerball pen writes very smoothly and the pen is just a perfect weight. It won't tire you out too much writing with it but it does have substance. The intricate engraving on the barrel of the pen is extremely beautiful and the color is stunning. I'm waiting for the other zodiacs to come up so I can buy them for members of my family. The vendor is also great. I had an issue with the ink that came with the pen and emailed the vendor. They immediately responded and sent me a new ink refill, which has worked perfectly.

The ballpoint pen and packaging from the Cross 2014 Year Of The Horse Special Edition Collection was absolutely stunning. I can't get enough of writing with it.

I ordered the Cross pen as a gift as the pen should be in special gift box, including a pedestal and romance book. When I received the pen I was very surprise to have a pen alone in not Cross gifting box. The pen looks beautiful; however, I cannot use the pen for the present / gift as it should be a special gift, in fact, as the luxury gifted box, romance book and acrylic pedestal were not a part of this pen version; the Pen Box is a just no-named black box that cannot be associated with Cross Company. In general pen looks as used as it has scratches. The pen does not have any Cross Manual, Warranty card, buckled. As it is a Cross pen, I expected the smooth writing experience, the pen should be well-balanced, the design should be elegant: for some reason, I got the different experience - the pen's weights is very light, with disbalance into the cup, the color is different that on the picture, it was not engraved - the ornament was done as painting, machine painting. As the pen is not returnable, I kept it. Finally, I ordered the different version of pen that I got in luxury box with Chinese Zodiac Gold Ornament, with a pedestal and with romance book.

Après un premier déboire lors de ma livraison où l'on m'a envoyé le stylo sans la boîte de collection, le vendeur s est excusé pour la gêne occasionnée. En fait cross ne lui a pas fourni chaque stylo avec sa boîte de collection. Ils leur restait une boîte d'une autre version cross touthend de l'année du rat, ils m'ont donc envoyé cette boîte sans problème. Je dit bravo. C'est pourquoi je change ma note et je mets donc 4 étoiles.La qualité cross n'est vraiment plus ce qu'elle était. Malheureusement. Et ce n'est pas la faute du vendeur mais de cross eux mêmes.Je tenais à rectifier ma note pour celà. Merci au revendeur qui m'a envoyé une boite qui lui restait dans son stock.Merci.

Superbly made, a good weight, although expensive I think it was worth it as long as the quality lasts.writes beautifully. I usually use blue ink but decided to keep with the black ink so it goes with the pen

Magnificent Pen and wonderful customer service!

Have loved these fountain pens for years.....guaranteed for life