Classic Pens ZJ2 Iliad Diamond Spirale Prototype c. 2009

by Jim Mamoulides, September 6, 2024

Classic Pens ZJ2 Iliad diamond spirale prototype c. 2009

A Hero’s Pen

Nearly ten years after the first ZJ2 prototypes were made Lambrou Pens was still looking at a precious metal follow up to the ZJ1 Mozaique. This is one of several Classic Pens ZJ2 prototypes, the ZJ2 Iliad Diamond Spirale. I’m not clear on when this particular prototype was made, but I first saw and photographed it in 2018. The cap band engraving and the nib stamping is the same as the ZJ2 Parisienne, Classic Pens markings, so I’m going to date it c. 2009.

This Classic Pens ZJ2 Iliad silver plated prototype fountain pen gets the Iliad name because it is engraved with the same diamond spirale pattern as on the 1995 Classic Pens CP3 Iliad. The CP3 Iliad, along with the CP3 Odyssey, was a limited edition double set of guilloche engraved fountain pens based on the sterling silver Aurora 88. The ZJ2 Iliad, however, is much larger pen in every measurement: length, girth, and weight.

Classic Pens CP3 Homer Pens Iliad & Odyssey brochure

The ZJ2 Iliad is a 5 3/4 inch long cartridge/converter fountain pen based on the large size Lambrou Pens Mythos model 878. The diamond spirale design is intended to represent the strength, justice, and courage virtues of Achilles, the great Greek hero of the Trojan War and Homer’s Iliad.

Classic Pens ZJ2 Iliad diamond spirale prototype c. 2009

As with the CP3 Odyssey, the ZJ2 Iliad guilloche was created on a special engraving machine by the R. Murelli Company, an independent, specialty guillocheur workshop located in Domont, France, using brass blanks for each of the cap and barrel parts. The design is done in two passes. First, the engraver cuts each pen piece at 45 degrees to the right, and then to the left. Where the cuts meet, they form perfect diamonds. The engraving extends past the clip to the edge of the cap and also to the edge of the barrel. The brass parts were silver plated to a minimum of 5 microns so the assembled pen would represent the look of finished sterling silver. The clip was hand crafted in sterling silver by Paul Rossi. It was fitted with a rhodium plated Peter Bock G-370 18-karat gold nib unit with ebonite feed, so that the silver color would complement the sterling clip and trim. The rhodium plated 18 karat gold nib has the Classic Pens logo.

Classic Pens ZJ2 Iliad diamond spirale prototype c. 2009

This prototype is complete with laser engravings on the cap band. Prototypes for new models are usually first made of brass and then plated in silver or palladium and usually have unmarked cap bands and no hallmarks. The time from the initial design discussions to creation of a complete final pre-production prototype like this one can take several months, as each step in the process will involve corrections and changes in order to finalize the production design. This prototype is very close to the look of a complete and finished pen, except it lacks hallmarks.

Classic Pens ZJ2 Iliad diamond spirale prototype c. 2009

At 5 3/4 inches long with the cap on and a really long 7 3/8 inches long with the cap posted on the end of the barrel, the ZJ2 Iliad is too long and bulky to use posted with any sense of comfort. It’s going to be used with the cap off. It is really heavy at 2.8 ounces, more than double the weight of most large pens on the market today. The nib is slightly soft and springy and writes very smoothly. The writing quality is excellent.

I thought this would be a great addition to a proposed ZJ2 sterling silver fountain pen collection, but I don’t think any sterling silver pens were ever made. Even as a silver plated brass prototype, it's an impressive pen that would add to any collection.

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References

R. Murelli

What is "guilloché"?, Laguiole Fontenille Pataud, Thiers, France