Anybody a high-end pen collector here?

So, what name brand pens are considered high end, and where does Parker rate? I remember growing up in Japan back in the sixties - whenever my Mom's Japanese friends wanted a good fountain pen they would ask her if she could get them a Parker from the PX. They seemed to think Parker were the best.

@Mechans - Yes, I vaguely remember the letter "c" - it was included in the conversations when I would listen in on the ladies talking about certain Parker Fountain pens. What does "c" mean anyway?

I remember those pens looking very elegant and kind of feminine.. high tech with very small pointy tips. They were very attractive pens for sure.