Montegrappa 007 Goldfinger Review: A James Bond Fountain Pen With Subtle Firepower

Introduction

The Montegrappa 007 Goldfinger is the latest addition to Montegrappa’s lineup of pens celebrating the world of James Bond. Named after the 1964 film Goldfinger, the third installment of the series starring Sean Connery and based on the Ian Fleming novel, this limited edition fountain pen leans into a pistol-inspired design language while stopping short of being obvious about it. It sells for around $1,150, with a rollerball version of the same design available for about $600. Only 707 units of each are being produced.

Packaging and Presentation

The pen arrives in a large outer box featuring the current Montegrappa logo, which is thoughtfully designed to read correctly in either orientation. Inside, the 007-branded box holds a leatherette case debossed with the James Bond 007 logo. The case unzips to reveal a warranty card, a Goldfinger themed dotted notebook, and a slot holding the pen in a felt sleeve.

One small missed opportunity: the packaging includes little information about the inspiration behind the pen itself. A short note on the film’s place in Bond history would have rounded out the unboxing experience nicely.

Design and Build

The pen is made from brass and anodized aluminum, with trim in brass and stainless steel. Most of its features are inspired by the Walther PPK, the compact pistol closely associated with James Bond. Fleming reportedly chose it for its small, sleek appearance combined with a reputation for accuracy and precision.

The most creative element sits at the top of the cap: a rifled alloy insert visible through a small hole, a tribute to the gun barrel sequence that opens nearly every Bond film. Looking into it genuinely resembles peering down the sights of a gun. It is one of the more unique and inventive features we have seen incorporated into a fountain pen.

The rest of the pen follows the pistol theme faithfully. The cap resembles a pistol barrel, with rounded top and bottom and squared-off sides. A hinged, grooved clip looks sharp but has rather strong tension, making it a bit difficult to use without pinching it open manually. Near the end of the cap, an area of knurling serves a practical purpose: it is exactly where most people naturally grip when uncapping, and it adds a pleasant tactile element without feeling sharp. The cap end is engraved with the Montegrappa name, and the back of the cap carries the limited edition number.

The barrel is straight and mostly covered in knurling, debossed with the 007 logo just below the medium-sized step from the cap. At the very end it tapers slightly and carries the Montegrappa logo. If you enjoy knurling on metal pens, this barrel will work for you.

The Gold Nib and Writing Performance

The cap twists off with one and a half rotations to reveal a number six 14 karat gold nib, engraved with both the 007 logo and the Montegrappa name. It is available in extra fine, fine, medium, and broad, plus a 1.1 stub, paired with a plastic feed. This is a cartridge converter pen that ships with two standard international cartridges and a converter.

In use, the gold nib is very pleasant. It has a slight give if you push gently, writes fairly smooth with a decent amount of feedback, and keeps ink flow on the medium side. Reverse writing lays down an extra extra fine line, and the feed keeps up well even during fast writing.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The section angles up with only a minimal curve and no flare at the end, but it is on the short side. Grips tend to spill over onto the metal threads, which are not sharp but would be better positioned slightly further back so they are less of an active participant in the grip. The knurling rubbing against the hand is not unpleasant, which is fortunate.

The pen is plenty long enough to use unposted, which is the recommended way to use it. Posting the cap is technically possible, but the pen clearly was not designed for it.

Buying Advice

At around $1,150, this is a collector’s piece first and a writer’s pen second, though the gold nib more than holds its own on the page. What makes it appealing is restraint: the pen carries a theme with many elements, yet none of it is overt or in-your-face. Even for someone who is not a gun enthusiast, the subtlety of the firearm references makes the design easier to live with day to day.

If you are a fan of James Bond or the 007 world in general, this is a worthwhile addition to a collection, especially with only 707 fountain pens produced. If short sections or threads in your grip are dealbreakers, try before you buy where possible.

Conclusion

The Montegrappa 007 Goldfinger succeeds because it commits fully to its theme without shouting about it. The rifled cap insert is genuinely clever, the knurled barrel is satisfying to hold, and the 14k gold nib delivers a pleasant, versatile writing experience. For Bond fans, it is an easy recommendation; for everyone else, it remains a well-executed limited edition with real charm.