Opus 88 Coloro Pink and White Review: A Sparkly Eyedropper With Real Character

Introduction

The Opus 88 Coloro Pink and White is part of a three-pen series that also includes blue and white and gold and white versions. Where earlier Coloro models used ebonite, this release swaps those parts for opaque white resin, accented with translucent and sparkly pink resin. It is a traditional Japanese-style eyedropper pen with a number 5 JoWo nib, available in extra fine, fine, medium, and broad. At $93, it aims to deliver a distinctive look and a generous ink capacity without crossing the $100 mark.

This pen was provided on loan for review purposes, which has not shaped the assessment below. Here is what works, what does not, and who this pen is most likely to suit.

Design and Materials

The pink resin sits on the opaque side of translucency, so you can just make out the shadow of the nib inside the barrel but not much else. The sparkle is unevenly distributed in a way that works in the pen’s favor: some areas carry a lighter amount of glitter, while other bands show concentrated shimmer. Turning the pen in the light changes the look noticeably, which gives the material a sense of life without tipping into over-the-top flash.

Transitions between materials are impressively smooth, with barely any detectable step between the white and pink sections. That points to solid build precision. The cap ends slightly rounded, transitions into a thin clip band, and features a clip with a small beaded pattern down each side for a slightly non-traditional look. The clip works well and flexes enough to accommodate pockets and materials of varying thickness.

One minor gripe: the yellow company name printed on the white cap is genuinely hard to read with the naked eye, even though it looks fine in close-up photos. A subtle outline would have helped the text stand out.

Nib, Section, and Handling

Unscrewing the cap takes two and a half rotations to reveal a number 5 JoWo nib in a choice of extra fine, fine, medium, or broad, fed by a plastic feed. The section is a bit on the thinner side, starting with a small flare and angling up to the threads before a small step to the barrel. When gripping the pen, your fingers may rest lightly on the threads, but they do not feel sharp or uncomfortable.

The pink section is a nice touch, looking better than plain white would have. The pen is comfortable in hand and well balanced, long enough to use unposted without any strain. The cap does post, and because it is light, posting does not back-weight the pen or throw off the balance.

The Japanese-Style Eyedropper Filling System

This is the feature that sets the pen apart. Filling requires unscrewing the section and using the included glass eyedropper to fill the barrel directly. The box includes helpful instructions, the glass eyedropper itself, and a spare o-ring, which is a thoughtful package.

A piston at the back of the barrel controls ink flow: twisted down, it seals ink in the barrel away from the forward chamber. Extending the piston slightly before filling gives you a wider opening to work with. One important habit: seal the two chambers with the nib facing down. If the pen is nib-up when you seal it, ink drains out of the section and leaves nothing to write with.

When the section runs dry, you simply crack the seal to let ink flow between the chambers and twist it shut again. It is the same system found in pens like the Namiki Emperor. Is it something you would want in every pen? Probably not, but variety is welcome, and the mechanism is easy to live with once you understand it.

Writing Performance

The writing sample was done with a broad stainless steel nib, inked with Monteverde Strawberry Shortcake, a vibrant red leaning toward the orange side. The nib has a bit of feedback and feels slightly bouncy, with a touch of line variation available.

Ink flow is decent for a broad nib. Reverse writing is a little spotty, but during fast writing the feed keeps up well. The broad nib paired with a vivid pinkish-red ink suits the personality of the pen nicely.

Size, Balance, and Everyday Comfort

Side-by-side comparisons with other Opus 88 models, including the ebonite Coloro and several demonstrators, show this pen sits in familiar company. It also stacks up reasonably next to mainstream pens like the Lamy Al-Star, Pilot Metropolitan, and TWSBI Eco.

Unposted, the pen is plenty long for most hands, and posting the light cap does not upset the balance. The thin section will not suit everyone, but the smooth threads and well-distributed weight make extended writing sessions comfortable.

Buying Advice

At $93, the Coloro Pink and White feels reasonably priced for what you get: a distinctive shimmering material, a reliable JoWo nib in several widths, and a high-capacity eyedropper system with a complete accessory kit. If you prefer classic, understated pens, the sparkle may be too much. If you enjoy pens with personality and want big ink capacity without a piston-filler price, it is an easy recommendation. The blue and white and gold and white versions offer the same formula in different palettes.

Conclusion

The Opus 88 Coloro Pink and White blends playful material design with a genuinely useful filling system. The hard-to-read yellow text and the slightly thin section are small trade-offs against smooth construction, a pleasant bouncy nib, and strong value under $100. For anyone curious about Japanese-style eyedroppers or simply after a pen with a bit of sparkle, it deserves a spot on the shortlist.