Manufacture En Suisse

[tutelman]

I recently acquired a pen branded as a Roberge Orbite. Roberge is a high-end Swiss watchmaker who sold pens in the late 90's and early 2000's.

 

It is obviously a well-made pen, probably meant to compete with the likes of S.T. Dupont and Cartier. (It sold for 516 Swiss Francs.)

 

I am trying to determine who made these pens for Roberge. The section is prominently stamped "Manufacture En Suisse" which, if I understand correctly, means the entire pen was manufactured in Switzerland. Does this mean it was made by Caran D'Ache? Are there any other high-end pen manufacturers in Switzerland?

 

Here's a photo:

 

[humsin]

No, not necessarily. Dunhills are made in Switzerland too, and I don't think they're made by Caran d'Ache

[tutelman]

No, not necessarily. Dunhills are made in Switzerland too, and I don't think they're made by Caran d'Ache

 

 

Hi Humsin.

 

Are you sure about Dunhill being made in Switzerland? They are listed as Dunhill (U.K.) by Paul Erano and the cap band on my Gemline indicates it is of German manufacture. I don't see any country of origin on my Sidecar.

Edited August 22, 2012 by tutelman

[humsin]

No, not necessarily. Dunhills are made in Switzerland too, and I don't think they're made by Caran d'Ache

 

 

Hi Humsin.

 

Are you sure about Dunhill being made in Switzerland? They are listed as Dunhill (U.K.) by Paul Erano and the cap band on my Gemline indicates it is of German manufacture. I don't see any country of origin on my Sidecar.

 

Yes. My Sentryman says that under the clip.

[Uncle Red]

Dunhill probably gets their pens from several sources.

[tutelman]

No, not necessarily. Dunhills are made in Switzerland too, and I don't think they're made by Caran d'Ache

 

 

Hi Humsin.

 

Are you sure about Dunhill being made in Switzerland? They are listed as Dunhill (U.K.) by Paul Erano and the cap band on my Gemline indicates it is of German manufacture. I don't see any country of origin on my Sidecar.

 

Yes. My Sentryman says that under the clip.

 

I guess that makes sense, they are owned by the Richemont group in Geneva, Switzerland (which also owns Cartier and Montblanc). Of course, if Uncle Red is correct and they outsource the manufacturing, I might have the same question for Dunhill as I do for Roberge; What Swiss company actually manufactures them?

Edited August 23, 2012 by tutelman

[acies]

Dunhill worked with different companies - depending on the model of the pen and the date of manufacture. The Gemline was made by Montblanc when Dunhill owned the company (in the 70ies/80ies?). The AD 2000 uses nib and feed from Namiki.

 

As for pen manufacturers in Switzerland: There have to be more of them than just Caran d'Ache. Some high end watch makers offer pens made in Switzerland (which means: at least 50% of the pen is swiss made). But I never even found the slightest hint where they get their pens from.

 

Same goes for high end lighters: You find Dunhill, Caran d'Ache, Rothschild, Davidoff lighters all made in Switzerland, so there has to be at least one manufacturer except Caran d'Ache, but it seems to be a very "discreet" business.

[Kaweco]

Hello Pen Friends

Mutschler made nibs for CdA and Dunhill. Most surely they produced the feed and possibly the complete front part. Why not? They had been extra good experts in fp- nib- and feed production. The rest of the fountainpen are 3 metal tubes, a clic- closing mechanism, cap-tops and a clip. I think it is a cardridge filler, so you don`t need more parts. Believe me, there are many many cheaper countries than Switzerland to produce this. And when e.g. the nib tip only comes from Germany (and these devices mostly come from Germany)you are allowed to make the fp- imprint: Made in Germany.

T.

[cuanmaccu]

I have been trying to get information as to the manufacturer of several look alike pens from Germany but it seems to be easier to steal state secrets than it is to find out who made a pen. I'm trying to find out about pens that were made less than ten years ago but can't seem to crack the barrier of silence. It makes you appreciate how hard it is to find out things about vintage pens that were made by now defunct manufacturers.

[humsin]

I really don't appreciate the fact that Dunhill keeps switching suppliers for making pens. It really doesn't feel like it's truly "Dunhill"

[acies]

I really don't appreciate the fact that Dunhill keeps switching suppliers for making pens. It really doesn't feel like it's truly "Dunhill"

 

Dunhill has a tradition in doing so. Dunhill started as a supplier of leather goods and riding stuff, very much like Hermes. Alfred Dunhill then wisely switched to automobile gear as he assumed that cars - a novelty at that time - addressed the same target group as horses: young gentlemen with too much time and money.

 

Later on came pipes, tobacco, lighters and he expanded his business to luxury goods in general. Dunhill did some things on their own, but lighters, watches and of course their famous Urushi pens always have been made by specialists.

 

I personally don't see anything bad in this. They do not simply "rebrand" other people's stuff, they have it made by the best manufacturers to their specifications. And they do some pretty unique stuff.

 

(OK, and if you look at their suits, shirts etc. some pretty boring stuff, too ... )

[Kaweco]

I have been trying to get information as to the manufacturer of several look alike pens from Germany but it seems to be easier to steal state secrets than it is to find out who made a pen. I'm trying to find out about pens that were made less than ten years ago but can't seem to crack the barrier of silence. It makes you appreciate how hard it is to find out things about vintage pens that were made by now defunct manufacturers.

Hello cuanmaccu, which similar looking German pens do you mean? Are these pens brand products? Did you send a message to the factory owner or did you consult foreign producers? Yes, it is not easy to find out historic facts when you have no access to an archieve but do you really think that people build up "barriers of silence"?

Kind Regards, Thomas

[humsin]

I really don't appreciate the fact that Dunhill keeps switching suppliers for making pens. It really doesn't feel like it's truly "Dunhill"

 

Dunhill has a tradition in doing so. Dunhill started as a supplier of leather goods and riding stuff, very much like Hermes. Alfred Dunhill then wisely switched to automobile gear as he assumed that cars - a novelty at that time - addressed the same target group as horses: young gentlemen with too much time and money.

 

Later on came pipes, tobacco, lighters and he expanded his business to luxury goods in general. Dunhill did some things on their own, but lighters, watches and of course their famous Urushi pens always have been made by specialists.

 

I personally don't see anything bad in this. They do not simply "rebrand" other people's stuff, they have it made by the best manufacturers to their specifications. And they do some pretty unique stuff.

 

(OK, and if you look at their suits, shirts etc. some pretty boring stuff, too ... )

 

I am slightly irritated by nibs not made in house (Bock), let alone a manufacturer that has a range of sources for pens! I own a Sentryman and although it writes beautifully, I think I would've chosen a different pen if I had known it was outsourced.

[jar]

 

I am slightly irritated by nibs not made in house (Bock), let alone a manufacturer that has a range of sources for pens! I own a Sentryman and although it writes beautifully, I think I would've chosen a different pen if I had known it was outsourced.

 

Why?

[humsin]

 

I am slightly irritated by nibs not made in house (Bock), let alone a manufacturer that has a range of sources for pens! I own a Sentryman and although it writes beautifully, I think I would've chosen a different pen if I had known it was outsourced.

 

Why?

 

I feel like when I am not buying in-house, I am simply buying a name brand.

[Kaweco]

 

I am slightly irritated by nibs not made in house (Bock), let alone a manufacturer that has a range of sources for pens! I own a Sentryman and although it writes beautifully, I think I would've chosen a different pen if I had known it was outsourced.

 

Why?

 

I feel like when I am not buying in-house, I am simply buying a name brand.

gotcha