I'm excited this week to be writing about a company I've been intrigued by for many years: Caran d'Ache. They have always stood out to me as different and special because they are the only well-known Swiss writing instrument brand, and their designs are unique and unforgettable, especially the iconic 849 pens and pencils with their angular shapes, streamlined hexagonal aluminum bodies, and a thousand and one different fresh interpretations.
[Pictured: a few of my favorite stylish 849 ballpoints, alongside their elegant guilloche sibling (front), an Ecridor ballpoint in Alpine Frost.]
But Caran d'Ache doesn't just make colorful and eye-catching 849s. Their Haute Écriture division produces some of the most beautifully made fountain pens, rollerballs, and ballpoints we are proud to carry at Pen Boutique, taking the maison's artistry to exquisite heights with precious metals (including gold, silver, platinum, palladium, and rhodium), Chinese lacquer, and an incredible variety of intricate guilloche patterns.
This is a brand whose fine writing instruments are best appreciated when you can take a close look at the refined details, touch the textures, and feel the weight, balance, and shapes in your hands—and, of course, write with the fountain pens' buttery-smooth nibs. We keep most of our premium Caran d'Ache pens sealed, so that isn't very easy to do. But for this article, I had the amazing opportunity to borrow a complete selection of pens from one of our Caran d'Ache representatives, Joyce McBriarty.
She trusted me with the case full of pens that she brings to shows, filled with thirty-nine high-end Ecridor, Léman, and Varius models. I was finally able to try them all for myself and fully appreciate why this somewhat elusive side of Caran d'Ache is so exceptional.
[Pictured: Joyce's case of gorgeous Varius, Léman, and Ecridor pens to explore. Thank you again, Joyce!]
What Makes Caran d'Ache Special
Caran d'Ache was founded in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1915, making it a contemporary of many of the best-respected fountain pen brands that are still going strong today, including Montblanc, Sailor, Pilot, and Aurora. Although they began as a pencil factory known as Fabrique Genevoise de Crayons, new owner Arnold Schweitzer changed the company's name to Caran d'Ache when he took over in 1924. The memorable new name was suggested by his wife, who grew up in Russia. Caran d'Ache was the pseudonym of Russian-French political cartoonist Emmanuel Poiré, a contributor to the famous French newspaper Le Figaro, and was derived from the Russian word for pencil, карандаш (karandash). The word itself has roots in the Turkish kara-taş, meaning "black stone," a reference to graphite.
Caran d'Ache is still well known for its premium coloured pencils and wax pastels, used by artists including Pablo Picasso and designer Karl Lagerfeld. The company also introduced the world's first successful mechanical pencil with a clutch mechanism, the Fixpencil, designed by Carl Schmid in 1929 and still made today. It later served as the inspiration for the design of the 849 ballpoint, introduced in 1969.
[Pictured: some of the fascinating materials and techniques used by Caran d'Ache, from the vibrantly colored aluminum of the 849 to fine lacquer, guilloche, stainless steel mail, silver, rhodium, and real rubber.]
Today, Caran d'Ache remains a family company and has been led by Carole Hübscher since 2012. She took over from her father, representing the fourth generation of the family to manage the company since the 1930s. In their literature, Caran d'Ache stresses their commitment to protecting the environment and being socially responsible, and it's also easy to see how committed they are to nurturing and preserving the invaluable skills of the craftspeople who produce their Swiss-made Fine Arts products and writing instruments by hand at their workshops in Geneva. The Haute Écriture line showcases the skills of master guillochers, lacquerers, and polishers who use centuries-old techniques. They are one of the few companies to use traditional expertise learned from Chinese lacquering masters, and spent seven years developing their own Chinese lacquer formula, made from sap of the Rhus verniciflua tree.
The silver and gold they use are certified and controlled by the Federal Office of Metals, and many pieces feature rhodium, a silvery metal in the platinum family with a bright, mirror-like shine that will not change over time. It's often used to plate fine fountain pens' nibs and trim, but entirely rhodium-plated pens are more unusual because rhodium is exceptionally rare and considerably more expensive than gold or platinum, while also being highly valued for its durability. Rhodium is extremely strong and resistant to tarnishing, abrasion, and corrosion, making it perfect for timeless writing instruments.
Although I have owned a beautiful Varius fountain pen—one of the finest pens in my personal collection—for several years, I wasn't familiar with the Ecridor and Léman models until I started writing this article. It was a privilege to learn about them, as well as to get to know my own pen and its many variations better.
[Pictured: my own Varius Rubracer fountain pen, a gift from a dear friend.]
Ecridor, the Guilloched Flagship
Ecridor, Caran d'Ache's flagship collection, was launched as a luxury mechanical pencil in 1947 and a ballpoint pen in 1953. Rollerball and fountain pens joined in the 1990s. The model name honors an earlier chapter in the company's history, when it was known as Fabrique de Crayons Ecridor S.A., and appropriately, the sleek, elegant hexagonal design was inspired by the shape of a classic wooden pencil, transforming the humble writing tool into an object of beauty. The name is a wonderful portmanteau of the French words écrire (to write) and d'or (golden).
[Pictured: Ecridor fountain pens, ballpoints, and rollerball pens in various materials and guilloche patterns.]
The Ecridor's defining feature is its emblematic six-sided brass body finished with shiny platinum, yellow gold, rose gold, or matte black chrome. I love the way the faceted sides feel in my hands, especially the juxtaposition of its eye-catching angles with the rounded push-buttons and top and bottom finials. The tops of the pens and pencil are adorned either with the brand's older CdA logo or hexagon icon, and a jaunty, strong, and springy clip with a matching metal finish gives it a somewhat sporty look. The caps are quick to remove, with a satisfying snap to close.
[Pictured: top finials and buttons with both styles of logo.]
The Ecridor fountain pen is the only member of the Haute Écriture line with a steel nib (available in Extra Fine, Fine, Medium, and Broad), and I enjoyed the well-tuned smooth but precise feel of the Medium nib I tried. It's a compact nib visually proportional to the pen's narrow body and has a firm deliberateness and subtle feedback that made me feel very in control of my writing. The pen is well balanced and the hexagonal shape is comfortable, but the grip section diameter is small, so the metal dug into my finger a little because I use a tripod grip and have an unfortunate tendency to hold my pens tightly.
To me, the slim, tapered shape of the sleek ballpoints and pencils is very attractive. And although this applies to every Caran d'Ache model that uses them, their famously smooth push buttons are irresistible, moving with a soft, fluid motion rather than a sharp snap.
But what really makes the Ecridor special is its guilloche designs. With a pile of Ecridor ballpoints, rollerballs, and fountain pens on my desk next to my keyboard, I couldn't stop staring at the fascinating patterns of dark and light that stand out even in a dim room, gleaming up at me from the highly-polished metal. The collection in Joyce's case represented seven unique patterns: Heritage, Retro, Chevron, Damier, Avenue, Golf, and Cubrik.
[Pictured: Joyce's pens in (front to back) Heritage, Golf, Rose-Gilded Chevron, Avenue, Retro, Cubrik, Gilded Damier, and Chevron again (a rollerball and fountain pen).]
In the store, we also have the beautiful geometric Alpine Frost pattern (pictured at the beginning of this article), and the Ecridor Germanier from the Les Fulgureuses Special Edition by Kévin Germanier, featuring a beadwork-inspired texture and a push button topped with a holographic glass crystal. The closeup below was taken by our photographer, Shane, who also helps me film Laura's Loupe, our YouTube show based on my blog articles.
If you're not familiar with the term guilloche, it's pronounced "gee-oh-shay," with a hard g like the word "golf," and it has a few different meanings. In its narrowest sense, it describes an ornamental technique in which an intricate, repetitive pattern is mechanically engraved into a material using an engine-turning machine, which applies a single-point cutting tool in precise geometric movements to create a decorative surface.
The original engine-turned style guilloche work is traditionally engraved onto metal, especially sterling silver, and you'll find it on fine timepieces, writing instruments, jewelry, vintage perfume bottles and other accessories, and the famous Fabergé eggs. The end result is harmonious and lovely. The surface of a guilloche-engraved writing instrument is often finished with lacquer, or, in the case of David Oscarson's pens, hot enamel. You can see beautiful guilloche work in writing instruments from a number of different companies, including S.T. Dupont, Montblanc, Otto Hutt, Waldmann, and Graf von Faber-Castell. Some are immersed in lacquer, as with the guillochage Caran d'Ache uses to create some of its Léman writing instruments, but others, like those on the Ecridor, are left as a more accessible pattern you can directly touch and feel with your fingertips.
I think my favorite classic design is Heritage, a kaleidoscopic hexagonal pattern that appears to transform into three-dimensional cubes when you turn the pen in your hand. This motif is an expression of Caran d'Ache's history and identity. Another very special design, Retro, was inspired by the lozenge decoration on the 1930s mechanical pencils and was the first to be produced by Caran d'Ache with precious metals.
[Pictured, front to back: Heritage, Retro, and Avenue guilloche designs.]
The popular classic Chevron features a reversed V-shape design, and is engraved with the help of a diamond. The Damier pattern, which is also used in fashion—most notably by Louis Vuitton—refers to a board game surface divided into squares, such as a checkerboard, and Caran d'Ache describes it as an homage to strategy and sophistication. This checkered pattern, also diamond-engraved, is very reflective and is another particular favorite of mine. I love how it constantly seems to change, depending on the angle you view it from.
Avenue, a series of squares separated by indented lines like sidewalk squares, is a tribute to the carefully aligned paving of Geneva's cobblestone streets, and also references one of Switzerland's most famous fields of expertise: watchmaking. The squares feel similar to the links of a watch strap, and give this design a bold and contemporary look that is quite different from the more traditional and subtle guilloche patterns. Milanese Mesh, or Maille Milanaise, is another pattern that pays tribute to watches, as it's very popular in the fine watchmaking industry. It was created in the 17th century by goldsmiths in Milan, Italy and originated as a type of chainmail used in medieval times.
The Caran d'Ache catalog includes still more fascinating guilloche designs, each with its own interesting story and charms. As I watch each pen in Joyce's collection catch the light, I notice new shapes emerging at even the smallest turn in my hand. They are so captivating, it's easy to take a break from writing and let your eyes relax for a few moments, lingering on the beauty of the ever-changing reflections.
Léman, Lake-Inspired Luxury
The bold and colorful Léman collection was inspired by the French name for Lake Geneva, the huge, deep, and famously beautiful body of water directly northeast of the city of Geneva, Caran d'Ache's home. Each Léman writing instrument (fountain pen, rollerball, ballpoint, or pencil) pays homage in some way to nature's many shades seen in and around the lake. This model's soft curves and peaceful grandeur are very different from the angular 849, Ecridor, and Varius. Rather than having slender, geometric dimensions, the standard Léman is substantial in the hand, and stately, with a gently sloping cap and body, clip, and end finials. Only the hexagonal crown embedded within its rounded top button finial retains the familiar six-sided Caran d'Ache motif. Its finishes include both matte and high-gloss traditional Chinese lacquer, as well as guilloche coated with glossy translucent lacquer, unlacquered rhodium-coated guilloche, and textured lacquered guilloche. All Léman writing instruments feature a body and cap made of thick gauge brass, and a strong articulated spring clip.
[Pictured: Léman in gorgeous Rouge Carmin and Grand Bleu guilloche.]
For those with smaller hands, or who prefer a lighter pen, Léman is available in a slim version as well, but the classic Léman is far more popular. (We don't normally carry the slim version, but we can order it for you on request.) The slim Léman fountain pen weighs about 38 grams, compared to about 54-56 grams for the classic model. They are the same length, but the Slim has a 10.6 mm diameter and the Classic is 14.8 mm (similar to a Pelikan M800, but much heavier than even a Toledo).
[Pictured: Léman Slim White in polished lacquer, with rose gold-plated nib and accents, and classic Léman in Rouge Carmin guilloche with rhodium-plated nib and accents.]
The Slim version has a snap cap, while the Classic's cap screws on. Both fountain pens feature a luxurious 18 karat gold nib, available in Extra Fine, Fine, Medium, and Broad, but the Slim models have a substantially smaller one, proportional to the pens.
At the time of writing, Léman is available with over ten different finish and trim variations. One of my favorites is the calm and restful Vert de Gris, in a soothing satin-finish green lacquer with subtle bluish-grey nuances, pictured here alongside the cool Black Matt model and glossy Grand Bleu guilloche. Other lovely versions include the elegant Ebony Black with gold trim, and De Nuit, which celebrates twenty years of the Léman collection and features the sparkling “Clous de Paris” hobnail pattern, coated with a transparent black lacquered outer layer, highlighting the intricate skill involved in creating this type of guillochage. For lovers of stylish black pens, there is also the two-tone Damier, featuring the Damier checkerboard pattern on the metal cap, paired with a lustrous black barrel.
As a fish fanatic, I also especially love the striking Caviar model, which has a guilloche pattern reminiscent of fish scales underneath translucent grey lacquer!
I have to admit, I really fell for one of the most unusual Léman variations when I was working on this article. The Bleu Marin was inspired by the color and texture of Lake Geneva, with an abstract ripple pattern that I can't stop staring at and touching. I've spent so many of the most special hours of my life surrounded by the rippling waters of a pond, lake, river, or ocean, so it's a pen that calls to me in the most visceral way. I've always been fascinated by the patterns formed by sunlight and moonlight striking the ever-changing surfaces of my favorite bodies of water, and this pen has captured nature's mesmerizing beauty in a totally unexpected way, with a geometric pattern that seems to shift depending on the angle you view it from. It's a brilliant and surprising use of a modern guilloche that appeals to me on so many different levels.
[Pictured: Bleu Marin Léman in ballpoint, rollerball, and fountain pen. The Léman ballpoint is twist-activated.]
[Pictured: Bleu Marin Léman in my hand.]
Although the Léman model is heavy, much of the weight is in the cap, and it's very well balanced, so it doesn't feel overly heavy to me. I love Caran d'Ache's large 18 karat gold nib with nice broad shoulders, which feels so luxurious to write with. It's buttery smooth, but not slippery, and the Broad nib I tried had a somewhat blunt tip and interesting line variation, with a wider downstroke and narrow cross stroke, like a very smooth Stub. I love the way it makes my handwriting look! The softness of the gold and the shape of the nib give it a nice bounce, too, adding a little natural line variation if you have a heavier hand. What a great nib! My Varius has the same nib (except mine is a Medium), and it's definitely one of the nicest and most special nibs in my collection. The line variation is much more subtle with the Medium nib, but you have more precision, while still feeling the luxury. If you would like to order any variations in nib or model that we don't currently have in stock, just reach out. We would be happy to help you!
Varius, an Exploration of Materials
The Varius collection, like the Léman, was introduced in the late 1990s, but represents a different avenue for creative exploration of luxury finishing techniques and materials. In addition to Caran d'Ache's beautiful and refined Chinese lacquer covering its brass core, the Varius gets a little more wild, with chain mail, carbon fiber, ceramic, genuine rubber, ebony wood, and more. The name is taken from the Latin word varius, which means "diverse," "various," "variegated," or "different." How appropriate!
[Pictured: black and silver chain mail, genuine rubber, ebony wood, and palladium-plated silver guilloche finishes on Varius pens.]
The shape of the Varius is classic Caran d'Ache, with prominent use of hexagons, but it's more than just an 849 or Ecridor made with intriguing materials. Unlike those two pens, Varius has a screw-cap, and its facets always align perfectly when the cap screws into place. Like the Léman, it also has an upgraded articulated spring clip with its own unique shape. I think it looks more elegant and mature than Ecridor, while Ecridor is more sporty and youthful. Although the Ecridor and Varius are very similar in length when capped (a little over 136 mm), the Varius has a longer body (128.2 mm vs. 120 mm for Ecridor), longer grip section, and larger nib, with a slightly shorter cap. Varius is also a few grams heavier, at 41 grams, rather than 39. As I mentioned in the previous section, modern Varius models have the same large and springy 18 karat gold nib used in the Léman (older ones feature a slightly smaller 18 karat gold nib and Ecridor-style clip design), so it's a great writer, but has a very different feel in the hand than the Léman does. The Varius also offers a few more nib widths, available upon request. Like the Léman, the Varius' trim is silver-plated with a rhodium-coated finish, gold-plated, or rose gold-plated.
Here's that photo of my Varius in my hand again, for reference.
The Varius collection also has a very different ballpoint and mechanical pencil, which have a much more muscular shape than the Ecridor and 849 ballpoints' and pencils' shapes. It features the same wonderfully smooth push button, but has a thicker barrel and more substantial weight.
[Pictured, front to back: fountain pen, rollerball, and ballpoint Varius pens, in ebony wood.]
If you're looking for an especially elegant Varius, the China Black with panels of deep black lacquer offset by the shining silver-plated, rhodium-coated or gold-plated trim is stunningly simple and lovely, and I also especially love the Ebony models, where the subtle grain of fine ebony wood adds warmth and beauty.
As I said earlier, I own a Varius Rubracer fountain pen, and it's one of my nicest. Along with the wonderful nib, it has a very special handfeel. I love turning the facets in my fingers, the secure feeling of the metal cap screwing into place, the weight and shape of the barrel against the crook of my hand, running my fingers and fingernails over the guilloche engraving on the cap, and, best of all, touching the soft matte rubber on the barrel, further textured with fine grippy guilloche lines that echo the guilloche pattern on the cap. The Rubracer model also has an exposed screw on the body of the pen, a sporty and modern detail I love. Caran d'Ache says, "While rubber has long been associated with the world of motor racing, its noble qualities have made it a favourite material in Fine Watchmaking. Supple and waterproof, it also offers valuable strength and elasticity." I wouldn't have thought of the watchmaking connection, but I love it!
The Ivanhoe, pictured in closeup alongside Rubracer in the photo above, is another especially cool Varius. Instead of the hexagonal barrel of the other Varius writing instruments, its steel core is covered with a coat of finely woven stainless steel mail, which matches the silver-plated, rhodium-coated finish and has an indescribably wonderful rough texture, almost like a fine metalworking file. I absolutely love running my fingers over it. There is also a black version of the Ivanhoe.
The Ivanhoe fountain pen in Joyce's set is an older one, with the smaller nib and older clip used on earlier models, but the set of three very handsome pens in her collection is still marvelous, and I do love the pretty scrollwork on the nib. This model is, of course, inspired by the Saxon knight hero in Sir Walter Scott's famous novel.
The updated Varius nibs with their wide shoulders and modern, elegant design are just lovely.
Last Thoughts
When I started this article, I knew Caran d'Ache mostly through the colorful, instantly recognizable 849, so I was excited to finally spend some serious time with the company's higher-end writing instruments. After exploring Joyce's case, I have a much better understanding of what makes Caran d'Ache so special.
The Ecridor, Léman, and Varius are very different from one another, but they share the same unmistakable Caran d'Ache identity. You can see it in the hexagonal shapes, the attention to proportion and balance, the beautifully engineered clips and push buttons, and, of course, the extraordinary variety of finishes and guilloche patterns. But each collection takes those familiar ideas in a different direction.
The Ecridor feels like the purest expression of the classic Caran d'Ache design language. Its slim hexagonal body is elegant and precise, and the guilloche patterns add another dimension without overwhelming the simplicity of the shape. The Léman takes a bolder approach, with its substantial curves, beautiful colors, lacquered finishes, and luxurious gold nib. And the Varius is where Caran d'Ache seems to let its imagination wander, experimenting with materials that completely change the way the pen looks and feels in your hand.
I'm incredibly grateful to Joyce for trusting me with her collection and giving me the opportunity to explore this side of Caran d'Ache. There are so many interesting details I wanted to discover and share, it was difficult to know when to stop. I hope you enjoyed learning more about Caran d'Ache along with me.
-Laura P.
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