Armando Simoni Club Gladiator Medio Review: An Homage to a Classic

Introduction

Some pens exist because a certain style of writing instrument never really went out of demand. The Armando Simoni Club Gladiator Medio is one of them. It takes proportions closely modeled on the regular-size Omas Paragon and the Omas Milord, two classic faceted pens that are no longer in production, and rebuilds that idea with its own touches. It is not an exact reproduction, but if you know the originals, the family resemblance is immediate.

The Gladiator Medio is also a serious purchase. With an MSRP of $1,195 and street prices around $950, it sits firmly in premium territory, and Armando Simoni Club tends to produce pens in limited runs, so finding one usually means checking retailers that still have stock or hunting the aftermarket.

Who This Pen Is For

This is a pen for someone who loves the classic Italian faceted silhouette and especially the Arco celluloid material that enthusiasts tend to obsess over. It suits collectors who appreciate vintage-inspired designs but want a modern build, and writers who prioritize a smooth, wet, comfortable writing experience over modern minimalism.

If you have always wanted an original-size Omas Paragon or Milord but find them hard to source or worry about fragile vintage components, the Gladiator Medio is a thoughtful alternative that captures much of the same character.

Design and Materials

The Gladiator Medio is roughly the size of a Pilot Metropolitan, which matches the original regular-size Paragon and the Milord. It is important not to confuse this with the larger Grand Paragon, which is a different pen entirely. The faceted body is cut from Arco celluloid, a brown-bronze material with golden streaks that is famously desirable and, as a result, expensive. The facets do a lot of work here, making the material pop in a way round pens simply cannot.

The cap carries a Greek key band, a motif Armando Simoni Club uses across much of its range, plus an additional metal ring near the cap lip. On the original pens, the cap lip was left exposed and could crack over time, so this extra ring reads as a sensible protective improvement rather than a design compromise. The finial is engraved with the ASC logo, and the Omas-style clip with its little wheel is fun and works well. The piston knob and another gold-toned ring round out the trim. Beyond the finial, there is no branding on the barrel or cap, which keeps the look clean.

The Nib and Writing Experience

Uncapped, the Gladiator Medio shows a long tapering section with another Greek key ring. One thoughtful detail: unlike many pens, there is no metal ring where your fingers rest, so there is nothing to corrode from repeated ink exposure. The cap threads are numerous but very fine, so they are barely visible and barely felt. There is a step down from the barrel, as on the original Paragon and Milord, but the section is long enough that most fingers never really notice it. Note that this is not a pen meant for posting the cap; the balance does not work well that way.

The nib is 18K yellow gold with a nice Art Deco style ASC logo and an ebonite feed. Ebonite feeds are prized for their flow characteristics, and this pen delivers a deliciously wet, pleasant line. The specific nib was reportedly tuned by a nibmeister before purchase, and it writes very smoothly. Interestingly, the nib feels surprisingly springy. It is not advertised or labeled as a flex nib, and you should not push it hard, but careful pressure produces noticeable line variation without harm. Reverse writing is scratchier but thinner, and the pen keeps up with ink demand reasonably well in that mode.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The price is the obvious hurdle. At $1,195 MSRP, or around $950 at street price, this is a lot of money, and Arco celluloid’s desirability is a big part of why. That premium is not going away, so you need to genuinely want the material and the design.

Availability is the second consideration. Armando Simoni Club tends to produce pens in limited runs, and these are not really being made anymore as far as is known, so you will likely need to look at remaining retailer stock or the aftermarket. They do turn up from time to time, but patience and searching are required.

There is also the philosophical question: it is an Omas-style pen but not actually an Omas. With Omas no longer in business, recreating successful designs they once made seems reasonable, and the Gladiator Medio adds its own improvements, like the protective cap ring and, hopefully, a sturdier piston than the fragile ones Omas was known for. The original Omas piston mechanisms were known to be fragile, so whether this one improves on that is worth verifying if that matters to you.

Buying Advice

If the Gladiator Medio appeals to you, decide what you are actually paying for: an Arco celluloid body with beautiful faceting, a pleasant 18K gold nib with an ebonite feed, a piston filling system, and classic proportions with a few practical upgrades. If that combination excites you, it is easy to recommend, provided the price fits your budget and you can actually find one.

Since supply is limited, check retailers that may still have stock before turning to the aftermarket, and compare prices, as street pricing tends to run below MSRP. If you can, try to compare it side by side with an original Paragon or Milord before buying; the similarities and small differences are part of what makes this pen interesting.

Conclusion

The Armando Simoni Club Gladiator Medio is a premium piston filler that successfully channels the regular-size Omas Paragon and Milord, wrapped in the Arco celluloid material enthusiasts love, with sensible improvements like a protected cap lip, fine threads, a metal-free grip area, and an 18K gold nib with an ebonite feed. It is expensive and not easy to find, but for the right buyer, it delivers a writing experience and aesthetic that justify the hunt.