Est. 2026 · Price: FreeEditor-at-large: The Hedgehog

Stationery Times

Brand: Tombow

Tombow ZOOM 707: Slim Brass Pen With Design Awards

Compiled from 1 sources; we haven't tested this product ourselves yet. How we research

Quick answer

The Tombow ZOOM 707 is a very slim Japanese pen with a barrel about 4 mm across, made of brass, and a rubber grip about 6.5 mm across. It has been sold since 1987 as a twist-action 0.7 mm ballpoint or a 0.5 mm knock pencil, in a paper gift case. Tombow lists it at 2,200 yen with tax (about US$14).

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Tombow ZOOM 707 pen: a very slim dark barrel with a red grip, a ball clip and a stretchy rubber knock
The ZOOM 707 in Black/Red, drawn by eye; circle: the 4 mm barrel and 6.5 mm grip at 1 mm = 11 px. Original illustration made for this guide. © Stationery Times.

Product facts

Product
Tombow ZOOM 707 (ballpoint BC-ZS1, BC-ZS2; pencil SH-ZS1, SH-ZS2; de Luxe BC-ZSDS, SH-ZSDS)
Brand
Tombow
Brand origin
Japan
Made in
Not stated*
Material
Brass barrel with a rubber grip; the de Luxe is chrome coated (Tombow)
Good for
Price range
$$$5–20 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count)
Colors

Gray/Black

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Notes on these facts
  • Made by Tombow Pencil Co., Ltd. (Tokyo). Country of manufacture not stated: Tombow's Japanese product page lists materials, models and prices but no country of manufacture, so check the label or case. Price: example listing.
  • Colors: names per Tombow (Japan), checked November 2, 2026. Tombow lists two color schemes for each type: Gray/Black (BC-ZS1, SH-ZS1) and Black/Red (BC-ZS2, SH-ZS2), plus the chrome-coated de Luxe (BC-ZSDS, SH-ZSDS). Tints were sampled from Tombow's product images and are representative, not measured. Tints are representative, not measured. Shops stock different colors.
  • How we test and disclose samples: How we test stationery.
  • Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026. Conversions to US dollars are approximate, at October 2026 rates (US$1 = ¥158 = ₩1,330 = NT$32.5 = CN¥6.7 = SEK 9.9 = DKK 6.7 = ₺49.6 = C$1.41 = A$1.43 = CZK 21.7; €1 = US$1.12; £1 = US$1.32; CHF 1 = US$1.21).

Key takeaways

  • The barrel is about 4 mm across and brass; the rubber grip is about 6.5 mm across, per Tombow.
  • Tombow has sold it since 1987 and lists three international design awards, from 1988, 1989 and 1990.
  • The ballpoint is twist-action with a 0.7 mm ball in oil ink; the pencil is a 0.5 mm knock model.
  • Standard models cost 2,200 yen with tax (about US$14) and the chrome-coated de Luxe costs 2,750 yen (about US$17).
  • Refills (BR-VS33, black) cost 88 yen with tax (about US$0.56) and each pen comes in a paper gift case.

What is the Tombow ZOOM 707?

It is a slim, design-award-winning pen from Tombow, sold since 1987. Tombow says it pursued “how thin can a writing instrument go in a shape that is easy to use” and arrived at a barrel of about 4 mm. A sturdy brass shaft supports that thin shape, and a rubber grip about 6.5 mm across keeps it comfortable. Tombow says its functional beauty won three international design awards. We read Tombow’s Japanese page on November 2, 2026.

What makes it different?

The form: thin brass, a rubber grip, a ball clip and a stretchy knock. Tombow lists these parts.

  • Ultra-slim barrel. About 4 mm across, in brass for strength.
  • Rubber grip. About 6.5 mm in diameter, to stay easy to hold.
  • Mixed shapes. The thin barrel, the stretchy rubber knock and the ball-shaped clip tip combine into one form Tombow calls beautiful and functional.
  • Gift case. Each pen comes in a paper case, so it can be given as a present.
  • de Luxe. The same pen with a chrome coat, which Tombow says looks at home in formal and business settings.

Which model should you pick?

Choose ballpoint or pencil, then the color scheme. Tombow lists these.

Version Models Details Price with tax
Ballpoint BC-ZS1 (Gray/Black), BC-ZS2 (Black/Red) 0.7 mm ball, oil ink, twist action 2,200 yen (about US$14)
Pencil SH-ZS1 (Gray/Black), SH-ZS2 (Black/Red) 0.5 mm lead, knock action 2,200 yen (about US$14)
de Luxe ballpoint BC-ZSDS chrome coat, 0.7 mm, twist 2,750 yen (about US$17)
de Luxe pencil SH-ZSDS chrome coat, 0.5 mm, knock 2,750 yen (about US$17)

The ballpoint refill BR-VS33 (black) is 88 yen with tax (about US$0.56).

Who is the ZOOM 707 for?

It suits people who want a slim, giftable pen with a long track record.

  • Gift: Tombow packs each pen in a paper gift case, and prices run from 2,200 to 2,750 yen with tax (about US$14 to US$17).

Skip it if you want a thick, cushioned barrel: Tombow stresses the slim 4 mm barrel and a grip of about 6.5 mm. For other slim and compact options see our best pocket pens; for Tombow’s other pens see the MONOgraph Lite.

What awards did it win?

Three, between 1988 and 1990. Tombow lists the 1990 Baden-Württemberg International Design Prize, the 1989 Design Plus Award and the 1988 Design Innovation award (now called Red Dot) at its Best of the Best level.

What should you watch out for?

Retract the tip and keep the pen below horizontal. For the ballpoint, Tombow says to avoid writing with the tip above horizontal, which can cause ink leaks, and to keep it out of direct sun and hot places. If you will not use it for a while, or when carrying it, retract the tip so ink does not stain your clothes. For the pencil, the tip is sharp. Keep both away from small children and use them only for writing.

Where is it made, and what does it cost?

Tombow’s page doesn’t state a country of manufacture. At 2,200 yen with tax (about US$14), the standard pen is in our $$ band ($5 to $20); the de Luxe at 2,750 yen (about US$17) is too.

Frequently asked questions

How thin is the ZOOM 707?

Tombow lists a barrel about 4 mm across, made of brass, and a rubber grip about 6.5 mm across.

When did it come out?

Tombow's page says since 1987.

Which design awards are listed?

Tombow lists the 1990 Baden-Württemberg International Design Prize, the 1989 Design Plus Award and the 1988 Design Innovation (now Red Dot) Best of the Best.

What versions are sold?

A twist-action 0.7 mm oil-ink ballpoint and a 0.5 mm knock mechanical pencil, each in Gray/Black or Black/Red, plus chrome-coated de Luxe versions.

What is the de Luxe?

Tombow says it is the ZOOM 707 with a chrome coat, a slim body with strong presence that suits formal and business use.

Can I refill the ballpoint?

Yes. The refill is BR-VS33, black, 0.7 mm oil ink, 88 yen with tax (about US$0.56).

How much does it cost?

2,200 yen with tax (about US$14) for the standard models and 2,750 yen (about US$17) for the de Luxe, in Japan.

Where is it made?

Tombow's page doesn't say; check the label or case.

Sources (1)

  1. Tombow (Japanese): ZOOM 707 product page (barrel and grip thickness, brass, 1987, gift case, de Luxe, models, prices, awards, cautions; read November 2, 2026)

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