Manufacturing Luxury Fountain Pens?

[RobertM]

I guys,

Since I am pretty good at industrial design myself, as well as found some jewelers who also got interested with the idea of designing and manufacturing luxury fountain pens.

 

For example, such pens sell from 2’500$ to 25’000$ while manufacturing a similar quality and maybe even better design pen, as we estimated, might cost us about 250-500$ per unit.

 

Grayson Tighe

http://www.worldlux.com/products/graysontighe/_pens/victorianroyaltygold/fullsize4.jpg

 

So what do you think, if a new company would emerge with a collection of beautiful luxury pens, would there be any much demand? Would anybody be interested in buying them at that prices?

 

Thanks,

Robert

[yachtsilverswan]

...So what do you think, if a new company would emerge with a collection of beautiful luxury pens, would there be any much demand? Would anybody be interested in buying them at that prices?...

 

If you can produce and sell a Grayson Tighe-ish fountain pen in Rose Gold with a big wet smooth Bock nib for $500 - then I'll take one (or two).

 

[fatehbajwa]

Count me in too for a few.

[Joe in Seattle]

Just my two cents, but I don't think so.

 

For example: Several watch companies produce watches that have nice designs, but they don't command the price that Patek Phillipe or Vacheron Constantine do because they have no history or reputation.

 

The luxury market is buying name and bragging rights along with the gold, silver, and platinum.

 

 

[lapis]

I'm not trying to be too critical, but I think you would have to at least start off with an excellent writer, having a fantastic nib, perfect flow and smoothness (yes, in part all subjective) before you get into designing something with amazing optics.

Just look at Mont Blanc. They make some really beautiful and individual finishes like their Writer Series etc etc but they still pull it off making poor quality nibs and other things losing out in quality assurance.

 

Mike

[Titivillus]

Unless you have name recognition or can find a niche you are not going to sell many. The price range you are talking about is going to be more about a name than the quality.

 

 

sorry but that might be the case.

 

Kurt

[RobertM]

I'm not trying to be too critical, but I think you would have to at least start off with an excellent writer, having a fantastic nib, perfect flow and smoothness (yes, in part all subjective) before you get into designing something with amazing optics.

About the nib, we plan to use high-quality nibs make by other companies, so the writing quality should we pretty fine!

 

If you can produce and sell a Grayson Tighe-ish fountain pen in Rose Gold with a big wet smooth Bock nib for $500 - then I'll take one (or two).

The estimated $500 / unit was not considering the pen made fully of gold, more like something like this Mb’s

http://www.worldlux.com/products/montblanc/_pens/alexandervonhumboldt4810le/fullsize5.jpg

[Titivillus]

I'm not trying to be too critical, but I think you would have to at least start off with an excellent writer, having a fantastic nib, perfect flow and smoothness (yes, in part all subjective) before you get into designing something with amazing optics.

About the nib, we plan to use high-quality nibs make by other companies, so the writing quality should we pretty fine!

 

If you can produce and sell a Grayson Tighe-ish fountain pen in Rose Gold with a big wet smooth Bock nib for $500 - then I'll take one (or two).

The estimated $500 / unit was not considering the pen made fully of gold, more like something like this Mb’s

http://www.worldlux.com/products/montblanc/_pens/alexandervonhumboldt4810le/fullsize5.jpg

 

 

Why not make a few then send them out for testing? I'd volunteer to put one or two through their paces and give a honest and true opinion of the pen.

 

PM for address to send them to.

 

Kurt

[HDoug]

If your pens were the result of inspiration and passion, I think most of us would be willing to take a look. No telling how they would be accepted without seeing them.

 

Doug

[GeeTee]

For some reason the "we can make $2500 pens for $500" story doesn't appeal to me. Its about the pen, not the money, tell us about the pens you want to make. Your story doesn't sound very inspired, no real passion. If thats true it will probably show up in your pens who will look like copies or "kitch". Making a real good pen is more then just an industrial design trick. If you have a really good and really beautiful pen for the right price probably most of us here are interested.

Edited September 21, 2008 by GeeTee

[Fernan]

 

 

There is another thread in this Forum that ran a few days ago asking for advice : which to consider, buying a pen for 1000 $ from a well-known pen manufacturer with proven credentials or spending the same amount on a trip to Europe. Most of us said they would rather spend the money on a trip to Europe.

 

Fernan

[FrankB]

GeeTee wrote:

 

"For some reason the "we can make $2500 pens for $500" story doesn't appeal to me. Its about the pen, not the money, tell us about the pens you want to make. Your story doesn't sound very inspired, no real passion. If thats true it will probably show up in your pens who will look like copies or "kitch". Making a real good pen is more then just an industrial design trick. If you have a really good and really beautiful pen for the right price probably most of us here are interested."

 

GeeTee said it better than I could. I agree.

[simonrob]

If they look like the pen whose photo you posted, I wouldn't pay $1 for one, no matter how well it wrote (beauty being in the eye of the beholder, and all that...).

 

Simon

[PigRatAndGoat]

Your company would, unfortunately, probably never get past FPN. Its all about brand recognition. Lineage is especially important in luxury goods, and as a start up, I don't think you'll get very far unless you have some big name attached to you. Maybe if you check how Oscar Davidson did it, you might stand a chance, but I'm not optimistic. Getting this off the ground mean you must have original and good design. No one wants a copy or a product that takes heavy inspiration from from another inspiration. Most importantly, you need three elements to gain mainstream acceptance: heritage, class, and taste. Missing anyone one of these elements is almost certain doom for your venture.

Personally, I would buy one. Sorry, but it is a matter of personal preference.

Best of luck, however, if you decide to give it a go.

 

PRAG

[Titivillus]

If they look like the pen whose photo you posted, I wouldn't pay $1 for one, no matter how well it wrote (beauty being in the eye of the beholder, and all that...).

 

Simon

 

But that's one of those super duper ultra fantasitic grayson tighe creations hand carved and sold for 4 digits plus.

 

So it has to be a good pen

 

 

:ltcapd: :roflmho: :roflmho: :ltcapd:

 

[Glenn-SC]

Most importantly, you need three elements to gain mainstream acceptance: heritage, class, and taste. Missing anyone one of these elements is almost certain doom for your venture.

I would say that the Main element would be Performance!

If it doesn't write right then I wouldn't even consider buying it.

 

I would put Design second, then Class, and Heritage.

 

[Titivillus]

Most importantly, you need three elements to gain mainstream acceptance: heritage, class, and taste. Missing anyone one of these elements is almost certain doom for your venture.

I would say that the Main element would be Performance!

If it doesn't write right then I wouldn't even consider buying it.

 

I would put Design second, then Class, and Heritage.

 

Yes but unfortunately with pens in that price range you need the heritage, class and taste to get your foot in the door.

 

K

 

[HerosNSuch]

Just my two cents, but I don't think so.

 

For example: Several watch companies produce watches that have nice designs, but they don't command the price that Patek Phillipe or Vacheron Constantine do because they have no history or reputation.

 

The luxury market is buying name and bragging rights along with the gold, silver, and platinum.

 

There's a reason that most celebrities in America buy their jewelry from Jacob's, and Eddy's. These two stores may not have THE best stuff(not a slam, just saying that there may be nicer stuff somewhere out there). They do, however, have the name.

[jmanou]

Every esteemed company in the world has started with no history. As time wore on, their reputation for putting out a good product became the "name".

 

If you want people to buy a product, a quality "name" will help, but not having it won't be a dealbreaker. Make the product, set it at a good price point and you'll find your audience and buyers.

 

That's my 2 cents worth

[JayKay]

I think if you make great pens people will buy them. I think you need to start off with some simple pens that aren't jewel encrusted and covered in gold and platinum and let people see how they write first. Once you get your foot in the door with less expensive pens than you can start making more expensive and elaborate ones. I just wouldn't be into buying a kit pen that was done up with some jewels and whatnot. I want something that truly unique.