Century II Ballpoint Pen
Last verified by the Lifetime Picks Editorial Team
Why we picked it
Solid brass body — feels like a real tool, not a marketing pen
The Cross Century II is the long, slim ballpoint pen American executives have used in boardrooms since 1982 — same shape, same balance, same lifetime mechanical warranty. The body is solid brass with chrome / gold / lacquer finishes; the click is a smooth twist (not a button click), and the pen sits on a desk in the iconic Cross silhouette: long, slim, with a single-claw clip. Cross's lifetime warranty is the BIFL story — they'll repair or replace any Century II for the life of the original owner, no questions asked, no proof of purchase required. r/PenAddict and r/EDC threads frequently surface Cross Century II as the upgrade from disposable pens that's still serviceable 40 years later. Refills are widely available from any office supply.
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Community & Review Summary
1,011 Amazon reviews
Reddit satisfaction score
Total mentions (0 positive)
Amazon sales rank
Price History
Current price: $103.14
We'll plot the curve here once we've captured a few weekly snapshots. For the full multi-year history, check CamelCamelCamel below.
Pros & Cons from Reviews
Pros
- +Solid brass body — feels like a real tool, not a marketing pen
- +Cross's full lifetime mechanical warranty (rare in the industry)
- +Cross-standard refill is widely available everywhere
- +Twist-click is quieter than button mechanisms
- +Slim profile fits in shirt pockets without bulk
- +1982-era pens still serviced by Cross — proven 40+ year service life
Cons
- -Slim grip is too thin for users with arthritis or hand fatigue
- -Premium price vs other refillable executive pens
- -Cross-standard refill is proprietary (not Parker-compatible)
- -Lacquered finishes can chip if dropped on tile
Warranty & Returns
Warranty
Lifetime mechanical warranty from Cross
Return Policy
Most items are returnable within 30 days of receipt for a full refund. Some categories have shorter return windows.
Read full return policy