As Retro 51 puts it, 'Life is too short to carry an ugly pen'. And we agree. Their bright colours and cool designs have more than a hint of nostalgia about them, and all their pencils are made with good old-fashioned values in mind.

The Metropolitan range is inspired by works from the Metropolitan Museum of Art with each item featuring a barrel design inspired by a famous work of art. Each instrument is presented in a commemorative tube that includes a leaflet that provides some useful information on each design, the artwork itself and of course, the artist. They're not limited editions so they're here to stay (yay), but they still come with an engraved serial number on the top ring for each writing instrument.

With a regal appeal, the Tudor Armour pen pays tribute to the suit of armour housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It was made in 1586 in the royal workshops of Greenwich under the master armourer, Jacob Halder, and designed for George Clifford, third Earl of Cumberland and a Knight of the Garter, for tournament use. The pen replicates the decorative work of the armour displaying the family emblem of Queen Elizabeth I, a Tudor rose, the French fleur-de-lis and two Es back to back, which was the cipher of Queen Elizabeth I.

The body for this model is made from brass and comes complete with a polished brass trim. Steel 1.5mm stub nib.

Refill using international standard sized ink cartridges or use a converter for use with bottled ink.