Cross Peerless 125 Platinum Medalist Review: A Statement Fountain Pen with a Unique Sailor Nib

Introduction

The Cross Peerless 125 Platinum Medalist is a mouthful of a name for a pen, but it is a pen with real history behind it. This particular model celebrates two milestones: the 1889 debut of the original Peerless pen and the introduction of Cross’s Century line in 1935. Cross itself dates back to 1846, so the brand carries genuine legacy in the fountain pen world.

This model is now largely discontinued, which makes it a secondary-market purchase rather than a straightforward retail one. That matters for the value conversation later in this review, because at its original retail price the story is complicated. At the right secondhand price, it is a genuinely compelling pen.

Design and Finish

The “Platinum Medalist” name describes the finish: the silver parts of the pen are platinum plated, while the trim is gold, giving it a two-tone look that Cross calls Medalist. At the top of the cap sits a small Swarovski crystal set into the finial. It sounds like a gimmick, but in practice it works as a sort of crown jewel that sets the pen apart. This example has a dark crystal, which adds an interesting touch.

The silver body carries a fine geosh pattern that runs the full length of the pen. The pattern is smaller than some larger geosh finishes and has only slight texture under the fingers, so it reads more visual than tactile. The overall styling is bulbous and statement-making, which differs from Cross’s other lines that tend toward sleek and simple elegance. It looks handsome sitting in a journal or on a desk.

Practical details are handled well. The clip is spring-loaded, firm, and branded with the Cross logo in a bent-clip design. The cap band carries the Cross Peerless 125 branding, and the end cap is a solid piece of gold-toned metal that does nothing except look good. Uncapping takes about one and three-quarters turns, and the threads are smooth with no grinding. The one build detail worth flagging: the metal-to-plastic thread interface. It works smoothly, but it is worth knowing what you are buying.

Weight and Balance

The Peerless 125 is not the heavyweight pen its all-metal appearance suggests. The platinum-plated silver parts are literally a thin sheet of metal over a thick plastic insert inside the barrel, and most of the weight comes from the solid metal cap top and end cap. That solid gold-toned section back-weights the pen slightly in the hand.

For most grips this works in the pen’s favor. It feels secure and comfortable, and it is easy to write with for long sessions. Posting is possible and secure, but the cap is chunky and adds more rear weight, so most people will not want to post it. It is a larger pen anyway, so posting is not necessary.

The thin metal shell does raise a practical concern: this is not a pen to toss in a bag and forget about, because the outer coating feels like it could dent. It still seems solidly made overall, but the weight and construction were the biggest surprise and the main point of mild disappointment.

The Nib: A One-of-a-Kind 18k Sailor

Here is the headline feature: the Peerless 125 uses a nib made by Sailor. It is an 18k gold nib, which is unusual because Sailor’s own pens typically use 14k or 21k gold nibs. This is the only 18k gold nib Sailor is known to produce, which makes it genuinely unique on the market.

The nib is branded Cross Peerless 125, 18k gold, with the 750 gold content marking. It is the same size and profile as Sailor’s 21k nibs, so it matches a Pro Gear or 1911 Large nib rather than being anything larger. Nib sizes are limited: mostly fine and medium were commonly available, with broad appearing rarely, so there is no full size range.

Writing Experience

Inked up, the Sailor fine nib behaves exactly as you would hope. It is smooth but carries the audible feedback Sailor nibs are known for. The feed keeps up with no problems, the line width is normal for a Sailor fine, and the flow is on the wetter side, which is typical for Sailor nibs.

There is a slight line variation, though most of the width comes from the wet flow. The nib is firm rather than flexy, but it has just a little bit of bounce or give, giving it a pleasant feel. The 21k nibs may have slightly more bounce, but the difference is hard to detect.

The best part is how the pen disappears in the hand. There is no fighting the pen; you just focus on the nib and the paper. It feels like a Sailor nib in a big metal luxury package, which is a combination you cannot get anywhere else, and it makes for a pen you can happily use for long writing sessions.

Owning It: Filling, Converters, and Long-Term Value

The filling system takes Cross converters, and Cross makes two types: screw-in and push-in. They are not interchangeable, so you need the correct type. Standard retail units ship with two cartridges and a converter, but secondhand pens may come without one, as was the case here.

The screw-in Cross converter is well made with a smooth piston and no resistance, and it holds a good amount of ink. The problem is availability and price: it runs about sixteen dollars a piece, which is outrageous for a converter, and it is difficult to find a reliable source. Factor that into your purchase if buying secondhand.

On value, the numbers tell the story. This model retailed for over six hundred dollars, and it was last seen for around 480. Even at that price, the build quality makes it feel overpriced; a fair value starts approaching the four-hundred mark. But on the secondary market, examples can surface for much less. Around 350 and under, it becomes a genuinely good deal, sitting right in Sailor Pro Gear territory while offering arguably a better package: the same Sailor nib lineage in a larger, more luxurious pen. Below that, it becomes a steal.

Conclusion

The Cross Peerless 125 Platinum Medalist is not for everyone. The thin metal-over-plastic construction and light weight may disappoint if you expect a heavy luxury pen, and the original retail price was hard to justify. But it is a handsome, well-finished, comfortable pen with a truly unique 18k Sailor nib you cannot get anywhere else, and it is enjoyable enough that it earns regular rotation.

Since it is discontinued, you will need to seek it out on the secondary market in good condition. If you find one around 350 or under, it is worth snapping up. Cross’s other Peerless finishes, including blue, titanium gray, gold, and limited editions, all carry the same Sailor nibs, so there are several striking options if this colorway is not available.