Aurora - Kona 1980 (Italdesign Giugiaro), lega di titanio con rivestimento nero opaco. Rarissima - No reserve price - Fountain pen

1980 Aurora Kona, a rare version made of titanium alloy with a matte black coating. Designed by Aurora in collaboration with Giorgetto Giugiaro (Italdesign), the Kona was one of the most revolutionary—and at the same time most misunderstood—pens ever made by the company.

Crafted using an innovative process involving a titanium alloy, it combines exceptional lightness with remarkable strength. Its design draws inspiration from the proportions and elegance of Greek columns with Doric capitals, like those that adorned the temples of the most revered deities. The nib is also truly innovative: shaped like a drop of water, its refined lines enhance both its elegance and strength.

Condition

The pen is in excellent condition. The cap and barrel are free of dents, scratches, cracks, crazing, and any other imperfections. The matte black coating is in perfect condition, with no signs of wear. The gold-plated trim is impeccable, with no marks whatsoever. It is fitted with the original Aurora Kona feed and original solid 14K gold Aurora Kona nib, M (medium) point. Cartridge/converter filling system. Ready to write; please see the detailed images.

The nib

In the 1980s, Aurora made this remarkable solid-gold nib, available in both 18K and 14K versions. The aim was clear and ambitious: to create the benchmark nib of the 1980s and 1990s for smoothness, capable of replacing a ballpoint pen in any situation without sacrificing the writing quality of a fountain pen.

This goal gave rise to its two most distinctive features: its unusual drop-shaped design and extreme rigidity. Although made of solid gold, it has no give whatsoever, because any flexibility or springiness would have compromised the smoothness Aurora was striving for. No flex, no compromises; just a pure glide across the paper, like the blade of a speed skate cutting through the ice effortlessly.

Its rigidity was therefore neither a mistake nor a limitation: it was a deliberate choice to set a new standard. Its manufacture was incredibly complex and costly, yet Aurora made it anyway, because that was the standard (another masterpiece of Italian engineering).

Specifications

- Size: oversize
- Working condition: ready to use
- Brassing: none
- Cap lip: perfect
- Trim: gold-plated
- Material: titanium alloy with black coating
- Shape: Kona model
- Clip: original
- Nib: original Aurora Kona
- Nib material: solid 14K gold
- Nib marking: Aurora 14
- Point width: M (medium)
- Engraving: Aurora
- Engraving location: cap band
- Engraving condition: excellent (like new)
- Ink window: none
- Filling system: cartridge/converter
- Build quality: exceptionally high

Measurements

- Length capped: approx. 13.9 cm
- Barrel length: approx. 12.6 cm
- Length with cap posted: approx. 15.5 cm
- Cap length: approx. 5.7 cm
- Diameter: approx. 10.3 mm