In 1990, rOtring launched the 900 series of pens and pencils. The original version came in shiny chrome, like a premium metal-shod version of the plastic Altro from 1989, except instead of its point-push automatic mechanism, the 900 boasted a body-knock configuration.
I’d learned about the 900 as I was researching the 500 and 600 series and was intrigued with its decidedly ‘non-Mistral / non-Cross’ design. I managed to get a 900 ballpoint first, in matte chrome (from a later debut in 1992) for a fairly reasonable sum, well under $120.
I had reasoned that a ballpoint was simply more useful at work and would’ve been equally happy if it came in either finish. As luck would have it, it would be the matte chrome version. What I wasn’t so thrilled with was that despite its girth, the 900 still used a dinky little D1 refill like all the rest of the extended body-knock family. Ah well, let me get hold of a pencil and call it a day?
Easier said than done! As I would discover, sellers were now charging $250 or more for the 900 mechanical pencil, never mind which finish. I kept hoping for a lucky break but it never materialized… until this year when @Leonov offered to help me buy one in exchange for other pencils. I think we each got a lot out of this trade
I doubt I will ever seek out a shiny 900 ballpoint or a matte pencil, and the fountain pens are not even on my radar. The one exception is a unicorn of sorts: I swear I once saw a standard knock 900 ballpoint for auction but brushed it off as an inferior variant. I wouldn’t call it that if I saw one today… especially if it takes properly sized refills!