Not only is Pineider an Italian company; it also managed to snatch designer Dante Del Vecchio from Visconti, their fellow Italian competitor, in 2016. Dante’s design is very much apparent in the Pineider Avatar UR, which looks quite similar—albeit longer and thinner—to Visconti’s Rembrandt, most notably the shiny, textured centre-band with the manufacturer’s name. Unlike the Rembrandt, however, the Avatar UR’s centre-band features the skyline of Florence, where the manufacturer is based. This metal carving gives the pen a noble touch, certainly reflected in its price. Depending on colour and availability, the Avatar UR starts at € 85.- and goes up all the way to € 135.-.
Features and Writing Performance
Reviewers pointed out that earlier models of the Avatar with a medium nib put down a finer line than expected. This has not only been resolved with more recent models—Pineider might have overshot in the other direction. Both Pineider Avatar UR pens I own, both with M-nibs, put down an incredibly wet line. Waterman’s Tender Purple, a medium purple ink with some brightness to it, comes out almost entirely black due to the Avatar’s incredible wetness. Tuning the nib to be somewhat drier resulted in a green sheen to Tender Purple. Diamine’s Hope Pink performs more accurately to expectations in the Avatar.
This pen features a magnetic snap cap that seals with a satisfying click. The magnet might be a bit weak for a shirt pocket carry, and it requires some maintenance. Too much condensate in the cap for too long opens the magnet up for rusting. Drying the inside of the cap regularly is recommended. Even though the metal section is smooth and somewhat slippery, its flared shape towards the nib provides some resistance to slipping and prevents inadvertently touching the nib.
Should I buy the Pineider Avatar UR?
Whether the Pineider Avatar UR is worth its substantial price tag depends on your priorities. Its writing performance and design are comparable to some of Visconti’s steel-nib models in a similar price range. On the upper end, however, you’re almost in gold-nib territory in terms of price. If you can snatch a deal at the € 85.- end of the range and you like the design, go for it. At the € 135.- end, what the pen offers does not seem to warrant the asking price.
Suggested ink: Diamine Hope Pink