One definition of luxury that fits the bill perfectly is the sum of all the things you don’t need, but want: a fine distinction that can be made only when you know that the joy of possession far outweighs that of an object’s usefulness. And there can be no better example of this than the classic ink pen.

Once an indispensable part of a man’s wardrobe, the subtle gold pen peeking out of waistcoat pockets soon evolved into a status symbol.

Even until the early eighties, a pen clipped to a shirt pocket was a common sight. But now, with a cell phone replacing everything from a watch to a pen and a paper, the ink pen too has been rendered superfluous, but not irrelevant.

Brand recall But they can no longer be called just pens — ‘writing instruments’ is the only acceptable term for these creations, considering the amount of craftsmanship that goes into creating these pieces.

One look at the major luxury pen brands, and it looks like each of the European countries has a brand it is proud to call its own. One of the oldest names in the business is Mont Blanc, the German manufacturer of pens since 1906, now part of the Richemont group. Named after the highest mountain in the Alps, their trademark logo, too, is inspired by the snow-capped peak, represented as a six-pointed star. Despite the brand’s foray into other luxury goods like jewellery, watches, cufflinks and more, it is still best known for its high quality pens.

The famed Meisterstück collection (translates to “Masterpiece” in English) that was first introduced in 1924, was a fountain pen with an 18k gold nib and a black resin barrel that soon attained iconic status. The line proved to be timeless as it celebrated its 90th year this year with a special Meisterstück 90 years 149 edition, with special red gold plating and a “90” inscribed on the nib.

Intricately designed Branded as the first Italian pen manufacturer, Montegrappa started off in 1912 and flourished despite WWI, creating fine pens that even soldiers used to write letters back home.

The brand is best known for its inspired artistic limited edition pens, the inspiration for which comes from sources as varied as icons such as Nelson Mandela and Ayrton Senna to books ( The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho) and fictional characters (Batman). Montegrappa has come a long way from their USP of “gold nibs and fountain pens;” today their creations are marked by intricate inlays and craftwork, along with gem settings. A prime example of this is the limited edition Chaos pens promoted by brand ambassador Sylvester Stallone.

A black celluloid body with overlays in 18k gold and accents in shining enamel, the pens are a sight to behold.

While the Swiss can lay claim to making the best watches and cheese, another feather in their cap is the Geneva-based luxury writing instrument maker Caran d’Ache. Started as a pencil factory in 1915, the brand today manufactures an entire range of writing products, and most notable, fine fountain pens.

Art of pen-making For 2014, it created a pen to mark the Year of the Horse, made of layers of Chinese lacquer in black and ivory, with the silhouette of the horse in gold. In October, the brand released a Crystal series, made in collaboration with French crystal brand Lalique. Art Deco inspired and featuring the iconic Coutard motif, the pen is sprinkled with diamonds set in white gold, and available in a limited edition of 18 pieces.

The classic British luxury brand Dunhill, famous for creating luxury men’s goods, did not originally start off as a pen maker but added writing instruments to its repertoire in the 1920s.

Although the brand is better known as manufacturers of the pocket cigarette lighter, its fountain pens gained acclaim for their 18 carat gold nibs that were each cut, ground and finished by hand.

French brand ST Dupont too started off making travel trunks and cigarette lighters in 1872, foraying into pen-making only after Jackie Kennedy-Onassis ordered a pen to match her favourite gold lighter. Thus, the iconic “Classique” gold pen was created.

But it’s not just the boutique pen brands; luxury houses have dabbled in the art of pen-making, and notably so.

Hermés launched their Nautilius series of pens a few months ago, an unusual break from the brand’s classics. Made of brushed aluminium and stainless steel, the fountain pen comes with an iridium point and 18-carat white gold nib.

Louis Vuitton started their writing instruments range about two years ago, and are going strong with their ‘Spirit of Louis Vuitton’ range.

Whether collected as objects of art or bought to be shown off, peeking out of coat pockets, the fountain pen is a piece of history that no technological advancement can render redundant.

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