Image	Product	Features	Price
	Montblanc		Shop Now
	S.T. Dupont		Shop Now
	Caran d'Ache		Shop Now
	Visconti		Shop Now
	Montegrappa		Shop Now
	Cartier		Shop Now
	Graf von Faber Castell		Shop Now

The art of penmanship and calligraphy may have taken a back seat to the convenience of keyboards and touchscreens, but for those who appreciate the beauty of the written word, a luxurious pen is more than just a writing tool. It’s a statement of style, creativity, and refinement.

At Truphae, we’ve tried and tested the most exclusive pens that combine luxury and functionality and selected the best expensive pen brands that every pen enthusiast should know of. 

In the following paragraphs, we’ll cover the brands that produce writing equipment of the highest quality and tell you all about the milestones that each brand has passed on its road to success. So, if you’re still contemplating whether you should invest in an expensive pen brand, you’ll find your answers below.

Expensive Pen Brands

Every pen enthusiast has their go-to brand, many of which can be found at the Truphae store as we have a variety of over 80 pen brands that produce writing instruments at different price points. 

Below, you’ll find our favorite selection of the best expensive pen brands and their most exclusive pens, so let’s start with the well-known Montblanc.

Montblanc

No list of luxury pen brands is complete without Montblanc, one of the top brands in the realm of luxury writing tools and other high-end items, such as bags, watches, leather goods, accessories, etc.

The company was established back in 1906 in Hamburg, Germany, by Alfred Nehemias and August Eberstein. These two businessmen combined their expertise in banking and design and put their first line of fountain pens on the market, and the rest is history. Initially starting with economical fountain pens, they quickly moved into the luxury pen market after noticing a high demand for more refined pens. 

Using only the most premium materials, they created the first luxury pen in 1908, although their huge success came in 1924 with the launch of the first Meisterstück fountain pen, which made the company a sensation. 

Montblanc has been producing luxury writing equipment ever since, which is why they have become one of the best expensive pen brands out there. Let’s take a look at why their signature pen, the Meisterstück, has become so popular over the years.

Montblanc Meisterstück 149  

Specifications

Manufacturer	Montblanc
Color	Black with gold, Black with platinum
Weight	32 g
Length	147 mm
Series	Meisterstück 149
Material	Resin

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 18k gold nib that comes in a fine or medium size
• An executive pen with a timeless design
• The pen that’s behind the design of the pen emoji

Cons

• Highly-priced, considering it’s a resin-body pen

The Montblanc Meisterstück 149 is the pen that every pen aficionado has heard of due to its superior functionality, timeless design, and high-quality materials that are used in its construction.

Its best feature is the 18k gold nib. Handcrafted by the best Montblanc craftsmen, it provides an unforgettable smooth writing experience, which is the reason for Montblanc’s reputation. This is a pen that will last you for years and years, so if you’re looking for a timeless fountain pen with flawless construction, you’ve found it.

For other popular luxury pens, take a look at our $1,000 and $2,000 collection of pens. And if you’d like to purchase your first Montblanc but don’t want to pay the full price, we recommend going through our selection of preowned and new old stock Montblanc pens.

S.T. Dupont

S.T. Dupont is a well-known French company that’s been producing various types of luxury goods, like writing equipment, lighters, handbags, perfumes, and more, ever since it was established back in 1872 by Simon Tissot-Dupont.

While the company was initially known for their leather briefcases, they saw the huge potential that the luxury goods market offered and slowly expanded their range of products.

Nowadays, ST Dupont manufactures some of the best writing accessories and fountain pens and is among the top expensive pen brands in the world. Their pens are made of the finest materials, but they also pay a lot of attention to the quality, durability, and function of their pens.

ST Dupont’s most popular pens include the Defi Millennium, the Space Odyssey, and others, while their most well-known pen is the ST Dupont Line D Large, so let’s explore it.

ST Dupont Line D Large

Specifications

Manufacturer	ST Dupont
Color	Black
Weight	45 gr
Length	148 mm
Material	Palladium, natural lacquer
Series	Line D

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Made of high-quality materials
• Elegant design
• 14k gold nib that comes in extra fine, fine, medium, and broad sizes
• Uses a standard international cartridge
• The converter is included

Cons

• A bit heavy compared to other fountain point pens

For pen enthusiasts who want a sturdy and reliable pen that’s made of the highest quality materials, the ST Dupont Line D is a great option. This pen is suitable for both short and long writing sessions and fits perfectly in your hands.

Its best feature is the 14k gold nib that comes in extra fine, fine, medium, and broad sizes, so you can choose your preferred one and make the desired line variations. The Line D is also made of superior materials, such as palladium and premium natural urushi lacquer, which are commonly used in the best Japanese pens.

ST Dupont pens are hand-assembled in France, so each pen is held to the highest standards in terms of the production of fountain pens. It’s a reliable pen that you will use for years, and it makes for a great gift that the recipient will surely appreciate.

Caran d'Ache

Caran d’'Ache is a renowned Swiss company that has produced writing equipment since 1915. The company is located in Geneva and was first named Fabrique Genevoise de Crayons, however, when Arnold Schweitzer took over in 1924, he changed the name to Caran d’Ache, which means pencil in Russian.

The company produces a wide range of luxury products, such as colored, graphite, and mechanical pencils, pastels, markers, gouache paints, as well as ballpoints, rollerballs, fountain pens, and ink cartridges.

The company is now an international symbol of high-quality luxury equipment and the go-to brand for some of its most well-known pens, such as the 849 Black Code Ballpoint Pen, Metal Matte Black Rollerball Pen, 849 Original Ballpoint Pen, and others, all available in the Truphae store. Another popular choice is the Varius Ivanhoe, so let’s see why this pen is so iconic.

Caran d'Ache Varius Ivanhoe  

Specifications

Manufacturer	Caran D’Ache
Color	Silver, Black
Weight	45 g
Length	136.3 mm
Material	Stainless steel with a silver-plated, rhodium-coated finish
Series	Varius

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 7 different writing widths to suit individual preferences
• Exquisite 18k gold nib with a lustrous rhodium coating
• Convenient refill option with small chromatic cartridges

Cons

• The intricate chain mail is a bit difficult to clean
• A rough edge at the junction of the cap’s end and the ring 

A standout in the world of Caran d'Ache, the Varius truly sets itself apart from all other pens. 

Its unforgettable design is inspired by the legendary tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. It features a stainless steel finely body covered with a finely woven stainless steel mesh that resembles the armor worn by knights in medieval times. It’s truly every collector’s dream, but there’s more!

The Varius Ivanhoe is also very functional and effortlessly glides across paper thanks to the 18k gold rhodium-coated nib. Available in 7 different sizes, including extra fine, fine, medium, broad, double broad, oblique medium, and oblique broad, it will perfectly fit any writing style.

Visconti

Founded back in 1988 by Luigi Poli and Dante del Vecchio, two avid fountain pen enthusiasts from Florence, Visconti is now one of the best Italian manufacturers of luxury goods. This brand became recognizable in the pen community for their use of celluloid as well as other expensive materials, such as titanium, ivory, gold, diamonds, ebonite, and others, which is why their pens are of superior quality. Another impressive aspect is that they mostly focus on making handmade fountain pens that are finely crafted and durable.

Among their most noteworthy collections are “Opera”, which features a pen made from celluloid and uniquely twirled designs, their “Urushi” series made of ebonite that features the Japanese urushi lacquer technique, and others that have made Visconti a gold standard in the luxury brand community.

One of our favorite Visconti pens is the Visconti Homo Sapiens, so let’s take a look at its unique features below.

Visconti Homo Sapiens

Specifications

Manufacturer	Visconti
Color	Black
Weight	43 gr
Length	145.7 mm
Material	Volcanic Lava and Steel
Series	Homo Sapiens

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Distinctive aesthetic appeal
• Smooth nib that provides a flawless writing experience
• Uses an exceptional choice of materials

Cons

• Occasionally requires a brief moment to start writing 

If you’re looking for a pen that looks just as unique as the material it’s made of, you should look no further than the Visconti Homo Sapiens fountain pen. By combining genuine volcanic lava with stainless steel, the Homo Sapiens pen changed the way pen enthusiasts look at this legendary brand.

It’s an exceptionally well made pen with unparalleled durability, rendering it virtually unbreakable, thus allowing you to pass it on from generation to generation. However, the exquisite 18k gold nib is where this pen truly shines, especially if we consider that the quality of the nib is what fountain pen aficionados first look at when choosing a new pen.

Moreover, the pen fits really comfortably in your hand, allowing you to write for multiple hours without your hand getting tired, which paired with the reservoir that has an impressive ink capacity, makes for the ultimate writing experience. 

Montegrappa

Montegrappa is another well-known manufacturer of luxury pens and writing tools made by Italian craftsmen. The company was founded in 1912 in the picturesque town of Bassano del Grappa, which is known for its long tradition of craftsmanship. The factory is located on the river Brenta and they still make their products there.  

During the Second World War, the company produced writing instruments for soldiers, and their pens were also used by famous 20th-century artists, among which are John Dos Passos and Ernest Hemingway. 

They’re well-known for their production of a variety of writing instruments, such as rollerballs, ballpoint pens, and fountain pens, in various materials and colors.

Let’s explore the Ammiraglio, one of their most sought-after pens.

Montegrappa Ammiraglio

Specifications

Manufacturer	Montegrappa
Color	Red, Brown-Black, Green, Mint, Pink, Black,
Weight	44 g
Length	144.4 mm
Material	Resin
Series	Ammiraglio

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Piston-filling fountain pen
• Limited edition with only 25 pieces of each color created, all individually numbered 
• 18k gold nib with an ebonite feed
• Available in a few captivating colors

Cons

• None 

Throughout its long years of producing exceptional writing tools, Montegrappa has become a frontrunner in the fountain pen community. By combining heritage and artistry, the Ammiraglio is a true testament to the exclusivity of the Montegrappa pens.

The Ammiraglio is a meticulously crafted limited edition pen. Only 25 pens have been made, each with a distinctive color, making them really rare and unique. 

It boasts a flawless balance and precision when placed in your hand, ensuring a really comfortable writing experience.

This striking writing instrument also features an 18k gold nib with impeccable quality and refinement, as well as an ebonite feed that provides a smooth ink flow that’s enhanced by the piston-fill mechanism. All of these features elevate your writing journey to new heights, which is why the Ammiraglio is a true gem in the fountain pen market.

Cartier

Cartier is another French brand that’s well-known in the luxury goods market due to their commitment to exceptional craftsmanship, timeless design, and unmatched quality. The brand was established in Paris back in 1847 when Louis-Francois Cartier decided to start this company that’s now one of the most respected ones in the luxury market. 

This world-renowned brand is known for producing luxury goods that span from watches and jewelry to pens and pencils, aimed at those who appreciate the finer things in life.

Cartier pens come in rollerball, ballpoint, and fountain pen varieties, and each pen is made to last. The attention to detail during the production of each pen is what has established Cartier as one of the best luxury pens in the world. Check out our Cartier collection of pens in the Truphae store to see what they offer.

Graf von Faber Castell

Graf von Faber Castell is a German brand that’s the luxury counterpart of the German stationary manufacturer Faber Castell. It was established in 1993 and has since created some of the most exquisite fountain pens.

They produce luxury pencils, mechanical pencils, fountain pens, and rollerballs, as well as high-end writing equipment that’s made with premium materials such as resin, ebony, and ivory. Their writing tools are pleasing to the eye, exceptionally crafted, and extremely durable, which is what we all look for in a high-end pen.

Take a look at the selection of Graf Von Faber Castell pens we offer in our store. And if you’re interested in checking out the most expensive pens in the world, check out our blog post on the Truphae site.

Types of Luxury Pens 

In the realm of luxury pens, these are the most popular types of pens that pen enthusiasts can choose from:

• Fountain pens - the most high-quality and expensive pens on this list that use stainless steel or gold nibs that are known for producing smooth and fine lines.
• Ballpoint pens - another great and reliable option for those who want to just turn their pen on and start writing. Ballpoint pens come with a small ball at the tip of the pen that disperses the viscous ink on the paper.

• Rollerball pens - are the in-between option for pen enthusiasts who enjoy the writing mechanism of a ballpoint pen and the smoother ink that’s used in fountain pens. 

Things to Consider When Purchasing Pens From Expensive Pen Brands

Once you decide to invest in an expensive high-end pen, you should consider the following criteria:

• Premium materials – a high-quality pen should be made of high-quality materials, such as resin, ebonite, celluloid, gold, ivory, diamonds, etc.
• Finish and trim – the pen must be crafted to perfection and the finish must be smooth. A perk of buying a high-end pen is the opportunity to have it engraved.
• Quality and price – your luxury pen should last you a lifetime and you should be able to pass it on to future generations. The price will certainly reflect its quality which is why most of these pens cost thousands of dollars.

Conclusion

Throughout this article, we’ve explored the marvelous world of expensive pen brands and given you our thoughts on some of the best options available. We delved into the rich history of each brand and the craftsmanship behind some of the most popular expensive pen brands, such as Montblanc, Cartier, Caran d’Ache, Visconti, ST Dupont, Montegrappa, and Graf von Faber Castell. We also discussed the unique features and characteristics of some of the most coveted pens from each manufacturer.

After reviewing all the brands and their products, we’ve concluded that Montblanc is one of the best options as an expensive pen brand that crafts pens with a timeless design, use high-quality materials, have a good price when taking into account their quality, and give you an impeccable writing experience. Montblanc’s dedication to innovation and the production of exceptionally well-made writing tools is the reason why they’re the gold standard among collectors and everyday users alike.

We encourage you to share your thoughts about these or other expensive pen brands that you enjoy in the comment section below. Let us know which brands are your favorites and why, so we can have a fruitful discussion about all that these expensive brands offer to the luxury pen market. We look forward to hearing your valuable perspectives.