(From left to right) 1 Shri Ganesh by Sailor 2 Aventador Automobili Lamborghini by Omas 3 Three Bridges Tourbillon by Girard-Perregaux 4 Premier Graduated Chiselling Deluxe by Parker 5 Stars of Egypt by Sheaffer 6 La Modernista Diamonds by Caran d’Ache

It’s a prediction that’s often made: pens and penmanship are following the rough road to extinction. But the dire forecast isn’t backed by facts. When it comes to luxury writing, sales are booming even for spectacularly expensive writing instruments — in an age of instant emails and text messaging.

“Since India is one of the big markets in the world today, a lot of luxury pen brands are coming in to tap its potential,” says Anup Rana, managing director, A.W. Faber-Castell (India).

The Race to the Pole by Curtis Australia;

You could have pens that are studded with diamonds or other precious stones, or pens with amazingly innovative design and exquisite craftsmanship. Add to that classy accessories to pair them with.

How about the La Modernista Diamonds from Swiss pen makers Caran d’Ache that costs a whopping Rs 1.4 crore? It comes with 5,072 diamonds totalling 20 carats, and if that wasn’t enough, there are 96 half-cut rubies arranged on top of its cap. Then there’s Cartier’s Russian Décor pen (from its Initiated collection), launched in September, which will wipe approximately Rs 8 lakh off your account. Here’s a sneak peek.

Luxe line

The limited edition pen is all about exclusivity — be it in terms of materials used, elaborate detailing or inspiration — and caters to a niche market.

“Our limited edition pens have stirred the greatest interest in India,” says Trevor Brown, product development manager, Curtis Australia, that was launched in India last year. He believes this stems from the country’s “inherent love of craftsmanship” as well as the “story telling” characteristics of these pens.

You’d be amazed at the precious metals and gems you can embellish a pen with. Italian brand Aurora’s masterpiece Diamante from its Diamond collection is studded with over 30 carats of diamonds. Add to that a rhodium plated 18-carat gold nib and you’re looking at an heirloom. It’s available at Zynna, Gurgaon.

For romance, there’s S.T. Dupont, the French company. Their latest offering, 1001 Nights, is inspired by the Arabian Nights and sports an 18-carat gold nib and eight semi-precious citrines. Robed in midnight blue and gold, it would make quite a statement on your office table.

Moving further on in Europe, the German brand Graf von Faber-Castell’s (GvFC) Pen of the Year 2011 features jade, encased in a platinum-plated frame and costs nearly Rs 2 lakh. “It has been highly appreciated in India,” says Neha Saxena Bhattacharya, premium category manager, Faber-Castell (India).

These pens also double up as gifts. In fact, during Diwali, Bhattacharya had a client buy three or four of them as presents for politicians.

“Discerning clients look for something that reflects their individuality,” says Brown. So if stories are what you’re looking for, The Race to the Pole by Curtis is a definite buy. The edition in sterling silver tells the story of explorers Robert Peary and Matthew Henson’s North Pole expedition — through miniature-sculpted scenes on the body.

Omas’ latest offering has for its muse the adrenaline-pumping luxury toy, the Lamborghini Aventador. From the two colours it was launched in — sporty orange and gleaming black — to the streamlined body and the engravings of the Omas and Automobili Lamborghini logos on the cap, the Aventador Automobili Lamborghini flaunts its inspiration.

Ever thought of meteorite on your writing instrument? The Alfred Dunhill Sentryman Meteorite pens feature a black lacquer finish containing crushed black diamonds and meteorite stone. It’s tagged at around Rs 69,000. Another brilliant piece is Sheaffer’s Stars of Egypt. It has fascinating engravings of ancient Egyptian gods and symbols on its sterling silver barrel and cap.

(From top) 1001 Nights by S.T.Dupont; Anello by GvFC; John Lennon Special Edition by Montblanc

For Lennon’s fans, there’s a treat in store. Montblanc’s John Lennon Special Edition has a platinum-plated plaque on its barrel, engraved with Lennon’s self-portrait. Its clip has finely etched guitar strings and tuning pegs. Even the rhodium-plated 18-carat gold nib bears a Lennon stamp — the peace sign. The prices of most of these limited edition pens are available on request.

With India as one of the bigger markets today, luxury watchmakers Hublot and Girard-Perregaux have also jumped into the scribe’s bandwagon. Hublot has launched a limited edition All Black fountain pen. It has a matte-brushed black ceramic and titanium body and an 18-carat nib in white gold and ruthenium. It’s tagged at Rs 1.3 lakh; Hublot plans to launch three more models by 2013.

Swiss watchmaker Girard-Perregaux (GP), on the other hand, has recently come out with the Three Bridges Tourbillon pen. It boasts of a silver and resin barrel and cap, and a rhodium plated clip. With just 999 pieces up for sale, it is priced at nearly Rs 1.5 lakh. “The premium writing instrument market in India is worth nearly $20 million.

With an annual growth rate of 25 per cent, India is an important market for us,” says Frederic Micheli, area sales manager, GP. Sheaffer, Caran d’Ache, S.T. Dupont, GvFC and Omas pens are available at William Penn stores across India.

India as inspiration

Those looking for that special Indian touch needn’t be disheartened. For, they can pick from the India-inspired range of pens recently launched by several brands. Motifs of Indian deities have been the top choice to create a vivid impression.

Taking the divinity cue, Sailor, from Japan, has introduced its Shri Ganesh fountain pen, limited to only 36 pieces. It has an image of Lord Ganesh on it, hand-drawn by famous Japanese artist Kosen Oshita.

There’s more. Caran d’Ache has launched the first limited edition pen in the world that pays tribute to Lord Balaji. Created by Swiss jeweller Edouard Jud, it’s available in gold and diamond. The range comprises of 108 fountain pens and 108 roller pens (representing 108 names of Lord Balaji) in solid silver. “This edition reveals the creativity and expertise of our company,” says Silvio Laurenti, CEO, Caran d’Ache.

The finest materials go into creating these exquisite pieces. The Balaji Diamond edition has diamond-encrusted gold detailing featuring the deity on its black lacquer body. Then there’s Curtis’ ‘Harmony’ Dream Writer, inspired by traditional henna designs (applied in sterling silver over its resin body). “Our Indian clients appreciate the mix of fine craftsmanship and design in our pens,” says Brown.

Classy picks

International brands also have a range of premium pens that exude class — some with nibs, trims and detailing in gold and platinum. But they are more accessible than the limited editions and won’t burn a gaping hole in your pocket.

Both the Parker Premier Graduated Chiselling Deluxe — Gold Trims and Deep Black Lacquer — Gold Trims flaunt solid gold nibs and 23-carat gold plated trims. But while the gold touch in the Deep Black Lacquer (tagged at Rs 16,500) is limited to the trims and nib, the Chiselling Deluxe is enrobed in 23-carat gold plating and costs Rs 21,000.

Then take a look at Omas’ Caramel Resin Fountain Pen, part of Arte Italiana’s Cruise collection that has a gold-plated clip and trims and costs about Rs 23,000. But if you’re looking for something that’s kinder on the pocket, check out the Valor 9350 fountain pen from Sheaffer that boasts of 22-carat gold-plated clip and trims, and a 14-carat gold nib.

With a glossy black acrylic body, the pen is priced at around Rs 17,500. There’s also Waterman’s Black Lacquer Gold Trim fountain pen, from its Perspective collection, that spells elegance and is available at a pocket-friendly Rs 7,000 (approximately).

It isn’t just the material but also the design that counts. Who would run after a Plain Jane pen after all? So then, the barrels of Graf von Faber-Castell’s Anello (Italian for ‘ring’) series are fitted with fine platinum rings and these pens cost between Rs 18,000 and Rs 38,000. Similarly, Caran d’Ache RNX 316 steel ball pen is engraved with a spiral pattern on its stainless steel body. Tagged at almost Rs 10,000, it comes with the trademark Caran d’Ache Goliath giant cartridge that has a writing capacity of 600 A4 pages.

Premium pairings

If you own one of these super stylish pens, why not marry them with the right accessories?

Pencils Diabolo de Cartier lead-refill pencil available at Cartier boutique, DLF Emporio, has a palladium-finish body in black and a blue resin cabochon. It will set you back by Rs 16,500. Graf von Faber-Castell’s (GvFC) Perfect Pencil that comes with silver-plated (Rs 22,500) and platinum-plated (Rs 12,900) parts, sports a detachable eraser and a sharpener that’s built into its cap.

Pen cases S. T. Dupont’s Case Caprice is a single-pen case made of goatskin and priced at approximately Rs 7,000. Chamois pen pouches in Italian Napa leather, are tagged from Rs 575 to Rs 960. Sheaffer’s leather zip-around pen case for two pens costs Rs 645.

Pen plinth Dalvey’s pen plinth made of leather and stainless steel is tagged at a cool Rs 6,400.