TWSBI is Taiwanese (or perhaps Chinese), and have a certain reputation for structural failures particularly involving the section. Of course, I have a Vac700 because, hey, vacuum filler.

It's hard to beat a Pilot Metropolitan at ~$15 (which is a Japanese pen), although many higher-end pens are prettier (and I tend to prefer lighter pens). But the Parker Vacuumatic is the best looking pen ever made.