Leonardo Momento Zero Grande 2.0 Dutch Pen Show 2024 Sugar Rush Review

Introduction

The Leonardo Momento Zero Grande 2.0 Dutch Pen Show 2024 Sugar Rush is a limited edition fountain pen built around a very specific idea: recreating the look of a classic Dutch candy in acrylic. The material comes from Jonathan Brooks, a maker well known for his swirling resins, and the result is one of the more striking pens to come out of the show exclusives circuit.

Leonardo pens are made in Italy, and the Grande 2.0 platform brings some practical upgrades to a familiar favorite, including an ink window and a 1.5ml piston filling system. This particular version pairs that hardware with a genuinely beautiful material and a 14k gold nib. It is not cheap, though, so the question is whether the writing experience justifies the limited edition pricing.

Unboxing and Presentation

Leonardo clearly treats this as a special release. The pen arrives in an outer cardboard sleeve with an optical, almost moving pattern, and inside that sits a substantial, thick black box. The presentation is thoughtful rather than flashy.

Inside the box you get a colorful international warranty booklet, a soft pen sleeve with shark-tooth style edges, a small medallion mounted on the clip, and a bottle of Leonardo’s black ink in an octagonal 14ml bottle. The logo printed inside the box lid is a nice touch, and the included ink means you can fill and write immediately.

Material and Design

The material is the headline. Jonathan Brooks created this acrylic to echo the original Dutch candy theme shared by the pens launched at the show, and it succeeds. The pink and rose resin has real depth, with gold-toned swirls that recall old-fashioned hard candies. Even people who normally avoid pink pens tend to make an exception for this one.

The design details hold up too. The cap has a conical finial, chrome-colored trim on this version, a small wheel-style clip that works well in practice, and an Art Deco center band with alternating slim and wide rings. The barrel tapers down to a piston turning knob, and the blind engraving on the barrel notes the edition details, including this example being number 35 out of 100, without shouting about it.

Filling System and Practicality

This is a true piston filler with a 1.5ml capacity, so you will not run out of ink quickly. The 2.0 generation also adds an ink window, which makes checking remaining ink genuinely easy, and that is one of the most practical improvements over earlier versions.

The threads are not sharp, and while there is a slight step down from the barrel to the section, the section is large enough that most writers will not notice it. The pen is on the larger side, longer and girthier than a standard entry-level metal pen, but not obscenely so. Posted, the proportions work well: big enough to feel substantial, not so big that it becomes unwieldy.

Nib and Writing Performance

The pen uses a number six 14k gold nib with the Dutch Pen Show logo engraved on it, paired with an ebonite feed that delivers excellent flow properties. Nib options at purchase included extra fine, fine, medium, broad, and stub in steel, plus 14k fine or extra fine gold options; this example carries a 14k broad.

In use, the broad nib is smooth and wet with no pressure needed, and the flow is a genuine highlight. Broad nibs can sometimes feel stubby, but this one keeps a very round line. There is slight line variation if you push, though this is not a flex pen, and those who care about flex should opt for the elastic nib instead. Reverse writing is possible in such a wet pen, tightening the broad line down to roughly an extra fine without becoming scratchy. Paired with a ruby red ink to match the candy theme, the writing sample was simply a delight.

What We Like

There is a lot to like here. The three trim options, rose gold, silver, and yellow gold, let buyers pick their flavor. The Jonathan Brooks material is a genuine standout, the 2.0’s ink window adds everyday practicality, and the 14k gold nib with ebonite feed goes a long way toward justifying the price. The piston filler, the engraved edition details, and Leonardo’s comfortable new grip section all add up.

Most importantly, it is a joy to write with. Leonardo has a track record of pens that write well, and this one ticks every box: comfort, flow, looks, and capacity. It is the kind of loaner that is hard to send back.

Things to Consider Before Buying

Two points worth weighing. First, at $574 this is not pocket change, and the limited edition status means it will not suit every budget. Second, Leonardo now offers number eight nibs on its Grande models, and a larger nib would arguably suit this pen’s proportions even better. The number six is still excellent, so this is more of a wish than a flaw.

If pink resin is not your thing, no material will change your mind. But if the candy theme appeals even slightly, this is one of the strongest executions of it.

Buying Advice

Buy this pen if you want a limited edition Italian piston filler with a gold nib and you are drawn to the material above all else. It is a large, comfortable writer with real ink capacity, so it works as a daily driver as well as a collector piece. Skip it if you prefer smaller pens, dislike pink resins, or want to stay in budget territory. A 10% discount was available through a website banner at the time, which softens the price somewhat for those who find it.

Conclusion

The Momento Zero Grande 2.0 Sugar Rush is a beautiful object that also happens to be a fantastic writer. The Jonathan Brooks acrylic is arguably the star, but the ink window, 1.5ml piston, and wet, smooth 14k gold nib make it more than just a pretty face. The price and the nib size are the only real reservations. For collectors and fans of show exclusives, it is an easy pen to love.