With the emergence of new devices like smart phones and tablets, it's easy to assume that not as many people today use pens as much as back then. However, the beautiful thing about pens is that they have proven to be not only a reliable writing instrument but also a timeless piece that many of us have grown to love and even collect throughout the years.
Some little girls enjoy collecting colorful pens at a young age while others do not mind splurging a little more than necessary. The production of luxury pens with jaw-dropping tags is not at all a new concept. For decades, trusted brands have been patronized by fans that are willing to spend fortunes for the love of well-embellished, extravagant pens like the ones these luxury brands have been delighting connoisseurs with.
Montblanc
Even non-pen collectors sure are familiar of this brand. Montblanc has been around since 1906. It has evolved with more products today like watches, jewelry, fragrances, leather goods and eyewear, but it is still widely known for being one of the top makers of expensive pens.
Among its designs is the $174,000 Montblanc Boheme Royal Pen, which is encrusted with 1,430 brilliant-cut diamonds and comes with an 18 carat gold nib. There is also the Montblanc Prince Rainier III Limited Edition 81. Aptly named, it was created to honor Prince Rainier III of Monaco who passed away in 2005 at the age of 81. The pen's body is molded from 18-carat white gold and is encrusted with 996 facet-cut diamonds and 92 rubies, while 19 rubies are fashioned at on its clip ring. The nib is made of gold measuring 18 carats. It's priced at $260,200 and only 81 pieces were made.
Recently, Montblanc teamed up with Van Cleef & Arpels to come up with the Limited Edition Mystery Masterpiece. The brand's most pricey product yet, this $730,000 pen is studded with 840 diamonds. Three individual editions will be created at a client's request, with rubies, sapphires, or emeralds as options.
Moreover, Montblanc is not only a leader in producing premium fountain pens, it also takes pride foe having the most lucrative ballpoint pen at an estimated $730,000 price tag.
Caran d'Ache
Founded in 1924 in Geneva, Caran d'Ache is a Swiss manufacturer of art and luxury writing instruments. It continues to grace the industry with breathtaking creations delicately designed for the luxury pen collector.
For one, Caran d'Ache came up with the limited edition Caran d'Ache Gotica Pen in 2006, which is priced at $406,453. This tribute to Gothic art features six-sided rhodium-coated sterling silver with each of the sides portraying a gothic window of rosette and fleurs-de-lis in radiant colors. Lesser in price compared to the Gotica Pen but definitely still a notably expensive model is the Caran d'Ache La Modernista Diamond Pen. At $275,000, this pen features 5,072 Wesselton diamonds weighing 30 carats encrusted all over its body. It was made in 1999 but remains to be a noteworthy with its 96 rubies and with its nib made of gold weighing 18 carats and coated in rhodium. It was hand-made by master jeweler Robert Perron who took six months to finish the masterpiece.
On top of all this brand's luxury creations is the Caran d'Ache 1010 Diamonds Limited Edition Fountain Pen. It is encrusted with 850 diamonds and can be all yours at $1 million. It is not only made of white gold, it also features 26 lines that are studded with 22 baguette-cut diamonds on the cup.
Heaven Gold Pen by Anita Tan
A lot of women enjoy collecting pens, whether it's a customized pen from National Pen or one that holds a special place in one's heart because of its personalized engraving. For ladies who fancy luxury pens, Anita Tan is a name that has sure captured their attention. She is a renowned international designer who came up with Heaven Gold, one of the most expensive luxury pens today. It has captivated fans with 1,888 diamonds weighing 48 carats, including 161 brilliant color diamonds as well as 43-carat Tsavorite gemstones covering the pen. The Tsavorite gemstones embedded in it are said to be about two billion years old. Priced at $995,510 or close to a million, this masterpiece appeal to women as the body is molded in 24k pink gold. As if that's not elegantly girly enough, ladies will notice that the gems form diamond, heart and flower shapes in the middle of the pen.
Aurora
The list wouldn't be complete with the world's most expensive writing instrument to date, the Aurora Diamante. Aurora is the oldest and most prestigious fountain pen manufacturer in Italy. This coveted piece contains over 30 carats of De Beers diamonds on a solid platinum barrel and is adorned with a two-tone, rhodium-treated, and an18KT solid gold nib. It is also personalized with a coat of arms, signature or portrait. It is said to be the first and only 30-carat pen in the world so you wouldn't really be surprised that it comes with a price tag of $1,470,600. Because of the plethora of precious gems, only one lucky buyer can own this design each year as Aurora crafts only one such pen per year. How is that for exclusivity and luxury?
