Visconti Opera Demo Carousel Pen Review

In this pen review video, we explore the epitome of extravagance that is the Visconti Opera Demo Carousel collection. As one would expect of an Italian-made pen, there's romance in the artistic design of the Opera Demo Carousel. The collection is inspired by lavish parties hosted at the Palace of Versaille and consists of four, hand-swirled acrylic resins. Join Tom as he discusses all the finer points of this design, fills the pen, and provides a writing sample.

(0:00) Introduction
(0:33) Pen Design
(1:45) Size Comparison
(2:17) Grip Section
(2:39) Hook-Safe Lock Mechanism
(3:20) Filling Mechanism
(5:14) 14kt Gold Nib
(5:44) Writing Sample
(6:50) Ballpoint and Rollerball Modes
(7:31) Packaging
(8:23) Price and Conclusion

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[paulherman]

Great looking pens! Although they are well outside what I'm ever going to be able to pay, I enjoy seeing the "eye candy." Thanks for sharing this!

[ahsadi]

I bought a Visconti Homo Sapiens demo stone with a medium nib. It did not write. With pressure, it wrote a fine, excessively dry line. I asked the retailer to swap it for a broad nib, but the result was the same. It did not write; with pressure, it lay a thin medium, very dry line. I asked the seller about this problem, and she told me this is a well-known problem with these (house-made) nibs. Don't waste your money

[beanacomputer]

First, really nice editing. I loved the part where Tom was turning the pens around. The red one was a liiittle off, but the others I did a double-take. Great job!

Second, this looks *amazing*... like everything about it except the clip has me like infatuated with this pen. I'd hope to afford it one day but I'm not sure I would ever be able to justify it, sadly. Personally I'd use the little pillow as a wrist rest while in use, and a pretty little display that helps ensure it won't roll away, I imagine. I feel like they probably included it mostly to cushion the pen in the box from the top, but designed it such that owners could come up with their own uses for it.

Third, LOL at the travel pillow joke. And Dionysian indulgence hahaha.

[frankbruno]

Well you warned us Tom.. but I got to see the green in person last week.. it is a beauty! I hope Visconti going in house with nibs makes a difference.. I have a 7 year Old Homo Sapiens.. with fine 23kt Palladium nib.. it was so broad and wet that it was not usable.. I had Gena Salorino do her magic and she ground it into an EF.. now it is a beloved EDC.. but as you point out, for $600+ the nib should write.. Love your videos Tom.. nicely done!
Frank in Colorado

[cmac]

I think Tom and I are o the same page when it comes to Viscontis prices 😂

[paulmchugh]

There was a pillow with certain Sensa pens. It was meant to cradle the pen on your desk.

[linevariation]

Are these Opera Masters or the smaller Opera model?

[Johan-vkyd]

Haha! Lucky for my tendency for envy, the pen does not bear the signs of esquisite taste, just over the top ”originality”. Mixing materials structures colors and shapes in an almost chaotic manner makes it different for sure, but definitely not attractive to my eye. These grapes are really sour! Thank you for the super nice presentation!

[xerxiusmaximus]

There are far too, too many other Italian fountain pens, and just fountain pens all-around, made in-house that offer greater value/comparable value at much less retail (Leonardo, Santini, Stipula are perfect examples). Visconti is liking itself to, say, Apple, or Lamborghini… mostly just branding with not much else at such exorbitant prices… I, for this reason alone, will never purchase a Visconti retail. In America, there are just too many things that 700 USD empowers consumers’ purchasing selection. Besides, it is only 14kt… no. six nib…. and “resin” that is just the same as finishes offered by PenBBS and the likes (of which are usually under 100 USD)… I am so disappointed that too many enable these “manufacturers” to be so audacious as to even make a thing, but actually offer very little at prices that have long been held by much more that actually went into its creation (I.e. celluloid, ebonite, palladium (speaking to you Visconti), and other such raw materials worthy of breaking the bank). I love me some Goldspot and am a devout fan of your YouTube channel… but it is truly a travesty that we are corralled to pay far too much without manufacturers actually giving something that actually says that respect our pockets. Because this latest offering from Visconti clearly says they have no damns in theirs to give for how much they take out of ours…