Do You Know My Name?

[Cordovian]

I won an auction for a Montegrappa Fortuna that the seller described as a "Fortuna Time". I'm pretty sure it's not a Time because all of them I've seen have had dark trim and were engraved with images of clock parts. This one has bright silver/chrome trim and is engraved with images of cut gems and something that looks more like a gemologist tool than a clock to me. This one is also studded with what I assume are clear and red crystals.

 

I spent several hours on line and couldn't find any clue to this pens actual "name". I was hoping someone here would know. Thanks in advance for your help!

 

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/U78AAOSwEK9Tsg7N/$_57.JPG

Edited January 12, 2015 by Cordovian

[ancreanchor]

Ooh should frequent this forum more often. Huge mechanical watch enthusiast checking in.

 

What you're seeing is a "balance wheel" which is indeed inside mechanical watches. The "gem" is a ruby, with most watches having 25-27 rubies to mitigate damage caused by friction. The rubies aren't particularly valuable. At one time watchmakers added more and more non-functional rubies to watches for the purpose of advertisement, similar to the competition for a higher kt nib.

[jar]

Drop the good folk at Montegrappa a line. Unfortunately it's one that newer than any I know about but the good folk at Montegrappa have always be great at answering my questions.

[Cordovian]

I heard back from Montegrappa last week but haven't had a chance to update this post yet.

 

The reason I couldn't find any information on this Fortuna online is because it was never intended for sale to the general public. A small number we produced for media gifts at Baselworld 2014.

 

I still need to take better pictures to show more of the details like the nibs engraved in the body. I'm supposed to get the cast off my hand tomorrow so I'll try to get some good shots soon.