Pen Review – Leonardo Momento Zero Brooks Bohemian Twilight (Pen Chalet x Leonardo, 2022)

This pen (Bohemian Twilight Jonathan Brooks resin paired with glossy black resin and gold trim) has been part of the collection for almost nine months, and I never got around to really using it until now. Even though I knew I wanted to try this pen, I kept putting it off.

I bought this pen from Kimberly as part of a three-pen purchase cthat cost me about $550. At the time, I was looking for all the pens from the 2019 collaboration between Pen Chalet and Leonardo Pens.

The cheerful yet sober colors matched my mood well, and I’m glad this was the first pen to launch my journal journey — a very auspicious start.

First, let’s talk about the nib, and what I did to customize the pen to suit my needs. This model came with a golden steel broad nib. I don’t like factory Leonardo nibs. Don’t ask me why! I just don’t. So, I swapped it for a 14k gold nib that had been ground to OB by Kirk Speer. That nib originally belonged to a Leonardo Mosaico pen that I later sold off for about $160.

This nib feels like a natural fit — both in looks and performance — on this specific pen. The resin complements it beautifully. It is a combination that manages to be subtle yet flamboyant at the same time. Kirk did such a great job on the nib; it makes writing effortless. These nibs have been tuned to the point where they simply disappear in the hand.

The Writing Experience

How was my week with this pen? Seamless.

The MZ is my favorite Leonardo model, so I had no trouble at all adapting to it. I was happy journaling with this pen. Inking it with Bungubox Piano Mahogany felt like pure serendipity — they are meant to be together.

This pairing made sure I really got the combo right, and I found myself reaching for it day after day.

Design

From a design perspective, this pen deserves an 8/10.

The combination of black section, finials, and cap with the classic Italian profile first popularized by Omas makes this a standout. The gold rings in the section, finial, and cap add a touch of class.

From a craft standpoint, it also earns 8/10. The nib gets 8/10 as well. The cartridge/converter filling system is simple, practical, and suits daily use. It’s easy to clean, maintain, and feels well made. Because of the unique combination, it is not an easy pen to replace.

Final Thoughts

If I had to pick only one Momento Zero model, it would be a tough toss-up between this and the Arctic Blast. My suspicion is that Arctic Blast would win — mostly because of the emotional resonance and its colors. Still, I see no reason why this pen shouldn’t remain in my collection.