The festive season is upon us and we’re approaching the end of 2023. However, there’s still much going on in the pen industry. Here’s a quick recap of what’s been happening lately: Faber-Castell acquired Otto Hutt and Robert E. Huber, Visconti launched the Medici collection, Kaweco introduced the Art Sport series in four new colors, and Montegrappa added a new design to the Elmo02 series inspired by the magical scenery of the Dolomites.
In all the fuss, a new design07 is born. Unusual, but definitely cooler than ever. Before we move on to the new design07, I feel like you’re still questioning what you read above. If you haven’t learned about the acquisition of the year and want to know what’s going on, read the article published just a few hours after the news became official here. And no, this move hasn’t affected the German brand yet, but I’ll keep you posted on this matter. Hopefully, Faber-Castell will soon reveal a clear strategy for next year for Otto Hutt. Now let’s move on to perhaps the last model launched by Otto Hutt before its management takeover.
Just in time before Christmas, emulating a chocolate ganache look, the new design07 matte brown blends into the wintery scenery giving a cozy vibe.
“We’re ending the year on a high note with our last launch of 2023! Just in time for the festive season, we present to you our exclusive design07 PVD stripes in a special Brown Edition” states the German brand in its latest post on Instagram.
This latest addition brings with it more variety and consolidates the series’ position in the brand’s portfolio. I also think this might be a stepping stone to new design options in the future. I have to admit I was waiting for this release.
I’ve been a big fan of this series since the beginning but at one point I found it a bit too understated. You can ask any Otto Hutt fan to describe design07 in a few words and they would probably say: classic, sterling silver, thread guilloche, and black PVD (if we were to consider the latest release in matte black). And I’m not saying it’s wrong, on the contrary, I think Otto Hutt has managed to make this collection iconic by keeping a consistent design and color palette. For me, however, it was too much silver. I was expecting something new, a bit more provocative and when I least expected it, they hit.
When the brand announced on social media a new design I started getting excited. I thought it was a new series, but in fact, it was a new color: a classic design07 in matte brown. I was a bit skeptical at first as I couldn’t imagine design07 in any other color combination than those shades of grey and black.
This release is a sign that the brand is making strides to understand market demands by offering diversity. That’s what I call evolution and a customer-oriented spirit. It gives me hope that I might see design07 in other (hopefully not so crazy) colors in the future. So far there are 5 versions in the series, this being the 6th.
„design07 is one of our best-known designs. Highly appreciated for its balance between a comfortable typing feel, timeless design, and quality. In this category, design07 has many fans. Nowadays, consumers are increasingly interested in different surfaces and colours. In order to meet this demand and also to show the design07 in a different alternative, we have launched this special version in one of the best materials, the brown PVD coating.“ – Otto Hutt Team
Who is this pen for?
Well, I’d love to say this version is for everyone, but I’d be lying. If you’re used to the classic design07 in silver, this brown shade might seem a little odd at first because you probably never imagined it any other way. You may need some time to get used to it, it’s like getting a new car in a different shade than the one you’ve driven for years. If you already love brown, the new design07 is probably in your cart. Collectors are also likely to find this version interesting, as it harmoniously complements the other current models.
Design, features & availability
In terms of design, the new edition is exactly as you know it: imposing, with a robust silhouette and some serious weight to it. Otto Hutt hasn’t touched the DNA of the famous series – you’ll notice the same finely carved guilloché throughout the brass body and cap which are coated this time with a smooth, velvety brown matte lacquer coating.
I like that Otto Hutt chose to keep the contrast subtle by opting for brown PVD for the trim. The same goes for the size-6 18k nib that is coated in brown PVD. I have to admit that although I’m not a big fan of pens in one shade, this pen looks great in the two shades of brown, however, the nib is my favorite part.
Now on to the part most of you are interested in: availability. If you thought this edition would be part of the current range, I’m afraid I may have disappointed you: this is a time-limited collection. What that period is, we don’t know yet, but you can already start adding the edition to your cart, just in case.
“Trends are constantly changing and consumers are becoming more demanding. To meet their needs, we believe that time-limited editions meet consumers’ desires perfectly.” – Otto Hutt Team
Is this pen worth buying or collecting?
If you want to invest in a reliable pen, the new design07 is a workhorse that is great for everyday use while looking incredibly stylish and giving the feel of a well-built writing instrument. At the same time, I think this piece will add value to any collection due to its uniqueness. Then I would also mention the quite reasonable price which makes the purchase even more tempting. If you already own the other editions, this one would nicely complement your current collection.
“I love that design07 now comes in so many different colors and versions and gives you a chance to collect them, put them side by side, and see how cool they are. This new edition in golden brown is out of the ordinary as there are only a few pens in this finish. I think it will give a nice touch to the series” – Samuel Naldi, boutique owner and pen expert
Conclusion
I love to see the design07 series expanding and I think the new matte brown shade will find its way into many enthusiasts’ collections. The color combination is well put together and perfect for the winter season, it gives me a warm feeling. I’ve already mentioned the price, which makes this edition a very good deal. You pay the price of a regular edition and get a limited edition. However, if there are two things this pen excels at, it’s the sturdy construction and the size-6 18k gold nib, which delivers outstanding performance on paper.
Specifications:
design07 Fountain Pen Thread guilloché Brown PVD brown
Body & cap material: brass
Coating: lacquer
Nib: XL 18k gold
Nib sizes: extra-fine, fine, broad
Trim & nib: brown PVD
Filling system: cartridge/converter
Weight: ca. 65.5 gr
Length: 14 cm
Price: 770,00 EUR
design07 Rollerball Pen Thread guilloché Brown PVD brown
Body & cap material: brass
Coating: lacquer
Trim: brown PVD
Weight: ca. 66.4 gr
Length: 14 cm
Price: 670,00 EUR
design07 Ballpoint Pen Thread guilloché Brown PVD brown
Body & cap material: brass
Coating: lacquer
Trim: brown PVD
Weight: ca. 48.2 gr
Length: 14 cm
Price: 420,00 EUR
For more information visit ottohutt.com
