Narwhal 365 Anniversary Plongeur Review: A Titanium Limited Edition Worth Hunting Down

Introduction

Narwhal has come a long way in a few short years. The brand first showed up at a pen show in DC with a single reasonably priced demonstrator that sold out before the show ended. Since then, the lineup has grown to include models across a range of price points, including some higher-end luxury offerings, though most Narwhal pens have remained fairly reasonably priced for what you receive.

The newest limited edition, the 365 Anniversary Plongeur, looks at first glance like a close cousin of the existing Nautilus models, but a closer look reveals a set of meaningful changes. It is built from titanium, it is the first Narwhal equipped with an Ebonite feed, and it arrives in a limited run of 365 pieces, each numbered on the pen itself.

A Different Look from the Nautilus Line

Set next to a standard Nautilus, such as the Hagia Nebula, the Plongeur reads slightly thinner. The cap sits more flush with the body, with no band and no external branding anywhere on the pen. The porthole windows have been smoothed out and no longer carry a ring around them, and the pen swaps the usual clip for a spring clip with a decent amount of tension that rocks just slightly when pressed.

The name itself is a curiosity. Plongeur is French for a person employed to wash dishes and carry out other menial tasks in a restaurant or hotel, a humble title for a pen this polished. The pen arrives in a metallic-looking box with the Narwhal logo on the back, along with a use and care guide and warranty information.

Parts and Features

The Plongeur keeps the torpedo shape Narwhal is known for, rounded at both ends, with a straight cap and no step down between cap and barrel. The three portholes serve as ink windows and do a good job of letting you know your ink situation, even when the pen is inked. The piston knob at the rear is comfortable to use, and the filling mechanism operates fairly smoothly.

Uncapping takes just under one and a half rotations. Under the cap you will find a number six steel nib, and the section begins with a slight angled flare before angling up slightly. While the section has the appearance of slick metal, there is a very tiny groove on it that you can feel, and it does a real job of helping maintain grip. It is a small touch worth wishing other manufacturers would copy.

Nib and Writing Performance

The steel nib is available in fine, medium, broad, double broad, and stub. A 14 karat gold nib option, made in-house by Narwhal, is available in fine and medium. The steel nib is a bit on the stiff side but not unpleasant: it is neither scratchy nor sharp, which is often the complaint with finer nibs.

Ink flow sits on the lower end with this particular pen. Reverse writing does not work particularly well with this specific nib, though the feed keeps up well during fast writing. Adjusting the tines slightly to open up the flow could be worthwhile for writers who want a wetter line. The Ebonite feed itself looks much like a plastic feed from a distance, but it is genuine Ebonite with tail grooves along its length.

Value and Availability

The Plongeur is priced at $199 for the steel nib version, not much different from other standard Narwhal models such as the Nautilus. The gold nib versions sell for $365. The titanium finish is a genuinely sharp-looking material, and the piston mechanism is smooth and pleasant in daily use.

As a limited edition, the Plongeur has become a little tough to find, but it may still be worth the search to track one down. Between the hinged clip, the flush ink windows, the nice-to-use piston knob, and the first Ebonite feed on a Narwhal, this anniversary pen shows a brand willing to do something a little different while keeping its pricing in familiar territory.

Conclusion

The Narwhal 365 Anniversary Plongeur is a thoughtful limited edition: a titanium body, refined Nautilus-style design with flush porthole windows, a smooth piston filler, and a first-ever Ebonite feed for the brand. At $199 with a steel nib, it is fairly priced for what it delivers, and the gold nib version at $365 adds an in-house option for those who want a premium upgrade. If you can find one, it is a limited edition worth the hunt.