SUPER RARE VINTAGE FOUNTAIN PEN : THE ORIGINAL

1971 Pilot MYU 701 Silver MUREX

Integral Nib - One with Grip 

ORIGINAL & AUTHENTIC 

BID WITH CONFIDENCE

HISTORY OF PILOT 1977 MUREX MYU LINE

This was no ordinary pen. This was the ultimate modern fountain pen. You could carry it everywhere, travel with it, sit on it, toss it in your bag, knock it around, and it would never fail you. This was the pen you'd want to grab as you went out the door. And this was the pen most likely to grab everyone's attention when you whipped it out to jot a note. This was the Pilot Murex, the famous stainless steel pen with the integral nib produced by Pilot during the 70's and early 80s. It is pronounced in Japanese, as "MYU-REX".The first two short models were actually named "MYU" by Pilot. The later model's full-size models were called Murex. These were two distinct pen lines, although related. While western pen collectors lump both of these together under the Murex banner, most Japanese collectors do just the opposite and refer to both groups as "MYU" pens, short MYUs, and long MYUs.

Pilot MYUs and Murexes were only sold here in Japan, intended for the Japanese market, which explains why they are so highly valued in the west. Even in Japan, they are impossible to find since Pilot no longer makes them. But they are such tough pens, the ones that do turn up are usually still in great condition. These are workhorse pens.

Seeing their popularity today, it's an amazing fact that Pilot stopped making these pens so long ago. The pilot did finally produce a new limited edition MYU in 2008 called the M90. The design of the M90 differs in a few places from the original MYU 701. On the new version, there's the name M90 on the clip and a blue artificial stone at the end of the cap. It reminds me of the Parker T-1 which had a ruby "stone" in the same place. The clip design is also a bit different from the original which shared a clip design with the Capless pens of that era. Unfortunately, in a matter of months, the M90 sold out and became as impossible to find as the original MYU 701!

They are often compared to the titanium Parker T-1 pen which was introduced in 1970 just before the Pilot MYU came out, and was produced for only one year. The design of the Pilot MYU was inspired by the original quill pens of a former age. The unbroken contour from the fingers to the tip of the nib on the MYUs -- and the subtle contour on the Murexes -- do make for a more natural, more intuitive experience in writing and drawing.\

About this pen - The Original Pilot 1971 MYU 701 Murex Fountain pen

The initial Murex made its debut in 1971, known as the "MYU 701" in Japanese and distinguished by the Greek letter "m" in Pilot's advertisements. Designated with the model number M-350SS, this pen is showcased at the Pilot Pen Museum (now named "Pen Station") in Tokyo. It belongs to the category of cleverly designed Japanese short-style pens, featuring a lengthy cap and a short barrel, resulting in a compact size when capped and a full-sized pen when the cap is posted. The design is remarkably streamlined, devoid of any markings except for the discreet Pilot name engraved on the cap. Additionally, a small date stamp with the month and year is located on the barrel.

Regarded as the quintessential MYU/Murex model, it is widely recognized as the most renowned model today. Often referred to as the "ultimate travel pen," it gained popularity for its compact size, durability, and reliability. Initially priced at 3,500 yen in the 1970s, an original MYU with an identical price sticker as seen in the photo was auctioned on the internet for over 500 dollars, 30 years later. The market value of all MYU/Murex models experienced a significant surge as collectors increasingly expressed interest in them.

PILOT MUREX NIB: INTEGRAL NIB

The Murex fountain pen features an Integral nib (ONE WITH THE GRIP) section that provides a secure grip, preventing it from slipping out of one's hand. The flat-topped nib and the spring-loaded clip on the pen's cap, which can accommodate any paper thickness, add to its ease of use. Additionally, the cap has a groove on the inside that enhances the grip on the section spring, ensuring that the pen stays securely capped.

Specifications

Year of manufacture 1971

Brand: Pilot

Material (cap/barrel) Stainless steel

Filling mechanism: Pilot standard cartridge/ converter

Nib: St / F

Color (cap/barrel) Silver

Dimensions Close: Approximately 117mm,  Posted 141mm 

Weight (g) Approximately 17.91g

Condition

The pen is in EXCELLENT condition, there are almost no visible scratches and slight damages that could be found on the body of the pen. Only Micro Scratches all over the pen body due to wear, but there are no big dents that is visible

Overall S Tier!

The body is in great condition.

The nib has been cleaned 

The pen is obtained from a second-hand collectors market and the nib will be cleaned before shipment.