Image	Product	Features	Price
	Visconti Il Magnifico Lapis Lazuli Fountain Pen		Check Price
	Montblanc Great Characters Jimi Hendrix Fountain Pen		Check Price
	Montblanc Writer's Edition Brothers Grimm Fountain Pen		Check Price
	Montblanc Meisterstück Calligraphy Gold Leaf Fountain Pen		Check Price
	Caran D'Ache Leman V2 Grand Bleu Fountain Pen		Check Price
	ST Dupont Line D Large Black & Gold Fountain Pen		Check Price
	Montegrappa Ammiraglio Aquarius Fountain Pen		Check Price
	Caran D'Ache Varius Ivanhoe Silver Plated Fountain Pen		Check Price
	Aurora Ambienti Deserto Fountain Pen		Check Price
	Pineider Psycho Fountain Pen		Check Price

 

Luxury pens have always been a hot commodity for both collectors and calligraphy aficionados. The former collect them as tokens of prestige and status, while the latter purchase them for their superior writing qualities. Regardless of what your reasons for purchasing a luxury pen are, choosing the best luxury pen is no easy task.

Having been in the luxury pen market for almost a decade gives us a unique viewpoint that we’d like to share with you and help guide you through your purchases. Below, we’ll cover the best luxury pens in various categories that make for the perfect collectibles, gifts, or treats for yourself. 

Best Luxury Pens

Each of the following pens has unique features that make it appealing to both pen aficionados and luxury pen collectors, so let’s see what they are. 

Best Luxury Pen Overall - Visconti Il Magnifico Lapis Lazuli

Specifications

Manufacturer	Visconti
Color	deep blue and gold
Weight	84 g
Length	147 mm
Material	Lapis Lazuli
Series	Il Magnifico

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Limited-edition pen, only 188 made 
• Inspired by Lorenzo “Il Magnifico” de Medici
• Luxurious pen made of genuine lapis lazuli

Cons

• A delicate pen

Made of genuine semi-precious lapis lazuli stone combined with gold trim and cap, The Visconti Il Magnifico is inspired by the famous renaissance figure, "Lorenzo Il Magnifico," and the renaissance period in Florence.

The pen is faceted on eight sides as a reference to the Florence Baptistry and has an oversized 18k yellow gold nib. At the top of the cap, you’ll find the Medici family coat of arms, as a reference to the Medici’s court, where the most spectacular collection of lapis lazuli objects was showcased. 

This is a limited edition pen with only 188 pens made worldwide, and it was previously released in green and red marble versions.

Best Value Luxury Pen - Montblanc Jimi Hendrix Fountain Pen

Specifications

Manufacturer	Montblanc
Color	Black and white
Weight	81 g
Length	148 mm
Material	Resin
Series	Jimi Hendrix

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 14k rhodium-coated gold nib
• Engraved patterned texture on the barrel, inspired by Hendrix’s guitar straps
• Clip shaped like the reverb bar of a guitar

Cons

None to note :) 

The Montblanc Jimi Hendrix fountain pen is a tribute to one of the most well-known and influential musicians of the 20th century. 

Its barrel is made of black resin and has a WAH guitar pedal pattern, while the cap is made of white resin and has a pattern inspired by one of the guitar straps worn by Hendrix. 

The clip resembles the vibrato bar of an electric guitar, while the handcrafted nib is made of 14k gold coated with rhodium, and has Jimi Hendrix’s portrait located on top. Every Hendrix fan will be absolutely delighted to own this special pen that beautifully captures his essence.

Best Honorable Mention Luxury Pen - Montblanc Writer's Edition Brothers Grimm

Specifications

Manufacturer	Montblanc
Color	Black and silver
Weight	54.2 g
Length	147 mm
Material	Resin
Series	Writer’s edition

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Clip with a platinum coating
• Sophisticated design
• Solid gold nib with an engraved rhodium coating

Cons

• The inside of the cap is resin, not metal 

The Montblanc Writer’s Edition Brothers Grimm celebrates the work of Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, the creators of some of the most famous fairytales, such as Cinderella, Snow White, Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood, Rumpelstiltskin, and many others.

The pen’s design resembles an old hiking stick and the black color pays tribute to the darkness that can be found deep in the forest, which is often the main area of plot development in their stories. The pattern on the black sections resembles Rapunzel’s hair, while the tree roots reference back to their work being “research into roots”.

The nib is made of solid gold and has a rhodium coating that’s engraved with flames. Finally, a key feature of this pen is the platinum-coated clip that from one side looks like a piece of wood, however, when turned, it reveals the profile of the Brothers Grimm.

Best Luxury Pen for Marketing - Montblanc Meisterstück Calligraphy Gold Leaf 

Specifications

Manufacturer	Montblanc
Color	Black
Weight	52 g
Length	145 mm
Material	Black lacquer
Series	Meisterstück

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Smooth writing
• Good nib flexibility
• Simple and elegant design
• Line variation

 Cons

• Semi-flex nib, not full-flex
• High price

The Montblanc Meisterstück Solitaire Calligraphy Gold Leaf fountain pen is ideal for those looking for a calligraphy pen that offers decent line variations. It has an 18k gold semi-flex nib that’s in its own league of Montblanc pens and comes in medium, broad, and flex sizes.

However, what mostly catches your eye when it comes to this pen is its special design. It’s made of a black base topped with a layer of real gold leaves and a final coating of lacquer to seal the deal. As you can see, the Calligraphy Gold Leaf fountain pen combines the best of both worlds when it comes to practicality and a superior design, which is why it’s a favorite to many pen aficionados.

Best Caran D’Ache Fountain Pen - Caran D'Ache Leman

Specifications

Manufacturer	Caran d’Ache
Color	Bleu
Weight	54 gr
Length	141 mm
Material	Metal
Series	Leman

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Fine-tuned nib
• Solid balance
• Beautiful finish

Cons

• High price
• The grab section is a bit thin

The Caran D’Ache Leman is a beautiful pen that every Caran D’Ache fan wants to get their hands on. 

One of the most striking things is how when the light hits the pen, you get the illusion of waves rippling across the water’s surface. The blue finish is topped with a translucent lacquer that makes the pen even more visually appealing but also more durable.

It’s well-balanced, lightweight, and fits perfectly in your hand, which makes it a staple for fountain pen lovers. 

Best Luxury Pen for Writing - 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

• Beautiful design
• Quality materials
• Broad nib

Cons

• A bit heavy for people with smaller hands

The ST Dupont Line D is a pen unlike no other. Hand-assembled in France, this pen is held to the highest standards when it comes to the production of fountain pens. Proof of that is the pen’s finish, made from natural urushi lacquer, a Japenese technique with a long tradition.

It’s a pen with timeless elegance and design that gives you great comfort during long writing sessions. The nib is made from 14k gold and is available in extra fine, fine, medium, and broad, each of which is perfectly made. It’s a pen that will last for generations to come.

Best Luxury Pen for Gifts - 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

• Limited edition, only 25 pieces of each color numbered (01-25)
• 18k gold nib

Cons

• None we could think of :) 

Montegrappa pens are a combination of craftsmanship and heritage, and this is what’s made this brand one of the leaders in the fountain pen market during the past century. The Montegrappa Ammiraglio Limited Edition fountain pens come in a limited edition of only 25 pens for each color, and each pen has its own number. 

The pen has a high-quality 18k gold nib and is perfectly balanced to fit seamlessly in your hand.  The ebonite feed makes the ink glide on paper, while the piston-fill mechanism provides a good ink flow, which gives you the ultimate writing experience.

Best Luxury Pen for Doctors - 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

• 18k gold, rhodium-coated nib
• Jaw-dropping design
• Can be refilled with small chromatic cartridges
• Available in 6 different writing widths

Cons

• The chain mail is very hard to clean
• There’s a rough edge between the ring and the end of the cap

The Caran D’Ache Varius Ivanhoe is a pen in a league of its own. It has an unforgettable design made of stainless steel covered with a unique coating of mail, with an 18k gold, rhodium-coated nib that’s available in 6 different widths. One of the most amazing features is the chain mail that stays in place no matter what and ensures a great writing experience.

The nib is extremely smooth and small, which adds to the pen’s elegance. It’s really a wonderfully made pen that writes smoothly, making it the perfect luxurious EDC pen as a result of its small size.

Best Luxury Pen for School - Aurora Ambienti

Specifications

Manufacturer	Aurora
Color	Deserto, Jungle
Weight	42 g
Length	130 mm
Material	Resin
Series	Ambienti

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 18k gold nib
• Hidden reservoir piston system
• Comes with a bottle of green ink
• Only 580 pens were produced

Cons

• High price due to how rare it is

The Aurora Ambienti is a limited collection of only 580 pieces, each one individually numbered. It’s a pen that has a hidden reservoir piston fill system and a built-in ink reserve that enable you to write for long hours without needing to refill it. 

The pens in this collection are made with a 28k gold nib, while the sterling silver grip has a different engraving on each pen, making them completely unique. 

The two available pens in the Truphae store include Deserto, made of orange Auroloide with a silver trim, and Jungle, made of dark green Auroloide. Both pens come in a gift box which includes a unique scent created through the collaboration between Aurora and the oldest Italian perfumery Maison for the Deserto, and green ink for the Jungle version.

Best Luxury Pen for Women - Pineider Psycho

Specifications

Manufacturer	Pineider
Color	Palladium, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Weight	61 g
Length	139.7 mm
Material	Metal
Series	Psycho

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Three pens in one box set
• An affordable price considering the high quality of the products
• 5 nib sizes available
• Only 88 pens of each color were produced

Cons

• None to note

The Psycho collection by Pineider is a three pen set that brings together intricate design with cutting-edge functionality, making each pen a work of art. 

The Hyperflex nib is made of 14k gold and features a magnetic lock system. The set is available in 5 different nib sizes (soft extra fine, soft fine, soft medium, soft broad, and soft 1.3 mm stub), so each person can find their ideal size. 

This collection uses materials commonly used in jewelry making, such as semi-precious metals, and the pens are handmade with a particular focus on details. What’s most appealing about the Psycho is the use of nano fusion, a high-pressure casting technique that creates a semi-transparent barrel with numerous interweaving connections. 

For serious fountain pen collectors, we’d suggest the more expensive counterpart to this pen, the Pineider Psycho 18k solid gold fountain set, which is one of the most expensive pens in Truphae’s store.

How to Recognise Different Pens

In the realm of luxury pens, there are a few main players, and depending on personal preferences, everyone has a favorite one. Pens, in general, are divided into the following four categories:

• Ballpoint pens
• Rollerball pens
• Fountain pens
• Gel pens

Let’s go over the main features of each one.

Ballpoint Pens

Ballpoint pens are one of the most commonly used pens today. These pens use thick oil-based ink, which has the ability to dry really fast and doesn’t smudge, making ballpoints perfect for lefties.

Rollerball Pens

Rollerball pens are quite similar to ballpoint pens, with some key differences. For example, they use the same mechanism as ballpoint pens, but a different type of ink. While ballpoint pens use oil-based ink, rollerball pens use water-based ink. This type of ink needs more time to dry, but as a result, you need to apply much less pressure when writing in order to leave a line. 

Fountain Pens

Fountain pens are considered the classiest and most luxurious pens in the world. Compared to the others, these writing tools either use dye-based or pigment-based ink, which is much more liquid compared to the others because it’s essentially water-based. 

The specifically designed nib paired with these types of ink enables you to create wonderful calligraphy without straining your hand from applying too much pressure. Once you start pressing down on the page, the two tines start spreading out, which causes the ink to flow between them. Therefore, the harder you press, the more ink comes out of the pen. Another interesting feature of some nibs is the possibility of making them more flexible, which enables the user to create different types of lines with only one pen. 

The only downside to using these pens is the increased amount of ink you’d need to use compared to what you would use when writing with a ballpoint pen with oil-based ink.

Gel Pens

Last but not least, we have gel pens that use water-based ink, however, they have a higher pigment-to-water ratio. These types of pens have good ink flow that’s comparable to the flow of fountain pens and rollerballs, but the colors have much more pigmentation. Although the ink takes a bit longer to dry, it won’t bleed through the pages, even if you apply a bit more pressure.

Conclusion

Luxury pens aren’t just writing tools, but valuable possessions that are built to last a lifetime. They come in a variety of materials and designs to fit the specific needs of each user and offer а smooth and effortless writing experience.

Even though they come with a hefty price tag, they’re also a great investment both in terms of how durable they are and how long you’ll use them, as well as how valuable they are as collector's items.

If you’ve tried one or more of the pens on our list, we’d love to hear your thoughts about them. Share your experience and leave us any questions you might have in the comment section below.