Pelikan M800 Green Demonstrator Now (2023) vs. Then (1992)

A pen that will surely brighten your days, the Pelikan M800 Green Demonstrator, was released earlier this spring by the beloved German manufacturer as a Special Edition.

Yet, there is something rather familiar about this pen. 

As a matter of fact, the M800 pen is very nearly identical to the M800 Green Demonstrator released back in 1992, a pen considered by many the first in the series of Pelikan's Limited Editions and Special Editions that we are still experiencing today.

But how close do the two come?

Let us examine them one step at a time.

Comparing the two concepts, the 2023 Special Edition falls into a very clear position, while things are more foggy around the 1992 model.

The 2023 issue is a special edition that will only be available for a limited time period.

The total number of pens produced is unclear, but we would not expect these to remain available in the market for a long time.

On the other hand, the 1992 issue did not appear either as a special or a limited edition - a concept that was yet to become popular, so there are even more questions as to the number of pens produced at the time.

It was, however, immediately recognized as an important pen, and that was probably the reason why the U.S. distributors of Pelikan decided to turn the pen into a Limited Edition.

A total of 3000 M800 Green Demonstrator fountain pens were released in the United States, and each of them came with a numbered guarantee.

 

Both pens are of course based on the M800 model, so gross dimensions are effectively identical.

Both pens also have the exact same color scheme, the same hue of apple green resin on barrel and cap, matched to gold coated trims.

So one could really mistake the older for the newer version or vice versa.

The most easily spotted difference between the two models can be seen on the style of the rings on the cap and near the knob.

While the older versions of the M800, even the M800 Black Red released last year, appeared to have a sort of sandwich ring composed of 2 gold coated rings and a slim section of resin between them, the 2023 edition offers us a single gold coated ring, that has its central part slightly lower than the two side parts, and sandblasted in contrast to the polished raised parts.

We would argue that the newer version seems more precious, and wonder if this change signals a new decoration style that will be applied in other Souverän models as well.

Naturally, the engravings on the rings also different, bigger, crisper letters on the new edition, and of course "Germany" instead of "W. Germany".

The cap top, and the back of the knob also differ matching in each case the contemporary design language of Pelikan. 

The 2023 M800 Green Demonstrator is missing (and we are missing) the beautiful gold dot that was to be found on the M800 Souveräns of the 1990s.

The 1992 edition has the older (2 chicks) logo, which is imprinted on a resin coin.

The 2023 edition, naturally has the full metal cap top with the laser engraved 1-chick logo.

But, and in terms of aesthetics this is to us a major improvement, the 2023 edition offers us a much clearer view of the nib when the cap is closed.

Older editions had a secondary cone inside the cap, that was meant to seal and protect the nib.

Unfortunately this cone created some "fogginess" in the area, obstructing the view of this glorious 18kt gold nib.

The 2023 version has done away with the secondary cone, and we are much happier for it!

Considering other details, the pens remain almost identical, both have the classic Souverän piston filling system, both have screw caps, and similar nibs - with the exception of decorative details.

Of course, the 2023 edition has the contemporary 18kt nib, which is in our humble opinion a top performing nib, while the 1992 model has the period nib marked "PF" which many a user are lusting after.

To reach a semblance of conclusion, both editions are stunners.

The 1992 edition may be winning some points (PF nib, gold dot on the knob), but the improved nib view alone turns the conversation for us in favor of the new version. 

Both editions are currently listed on our website, 1992 Green Demonstrator, 2023 Green Demonstrator Special Edition.

Thank you for reading! 

Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section.