Thoughts On Cartier?

[truphae_inc]

What are everyone's thoughts on Cartier? I feel like they don't get mentioned enough or get enough love, when really they are one of the most luxurious brands around! Do you think they still have a ways to go to be recognized by pen enthusiasts, compared to other categories like jewelry that they are more well known for? Below are a few photos taken of some favorites!

 

 

 

 

 

[MHBru]

Cartier make beautifully unique products.. especially jewelry and apparently womens purses. The issue is how stinking expensive they are as the name brand carries substantial pricing in and of itself. As a result I can't imagine they could make a very effective splash in this market. As an example, (IMHO of course) there is nothing special about the pens in the photographs but I suspect they are pretty pricey. Given that other premier brands like Pelikan, Mont Blanc, and others are more dedicated to the pen market I just don't see Cartier competing the same way. Again... personal opinion and if this forum has over 10,000 members then there are at least 10,000 opinions.

[Uncial]

Cartier pens are not new to the market. They've been around a long time and many find them a very good, high quality product. As the OP says, for some reason they don't get the recognition they probably deserve. I think it might be due to the French styling and somewhat 'old fashioned" appearance, but just not quite vintage enough to be desirable. The designs to me always feel a little bit 60's which I'm sure in 20 to 30 years will be much more appealing than now....perhaps.

[praxim]

I do not need Cartier. I have S T Dupont.

[Chrissy]

I have a Cartier Diabolo BP (GP trim) and if I ever saw the matching FP at a reasonable price I would be tempted to buy one. So far I've never seen one at a price I'm prepared to pay.

[truphae_inc]

Cartier make beautifully unique products.. especially jewelry and apparently womens purses. The issue is how stinking expensive they are as the name brand carries substantial pricing in and of itself. As a result I can't imagine they could make a very effective splash in this market. As an example, (IMHO of course) there is nothing special about the pens in the photographs but I suspect they are pretty pricey. Given that other premier brands like Pelikan, Mont Blanc, and others are more dedicated to the pen market I just don't see Cartier competing the same way. Again... personal opinion and if this forum has over 10,000 members then there are at least 10,000 opinions.

 

Not a bad point of view! Actually they seem to range in price like the other brands - you can still find some for a few hundred dollars, even though many go up to several thousand!

[truphae_inc]

Cartier pens are not new to the market. They've been around a long time and many find them a very good, high quality product. As the OP says, for some reason they don't get the recognition they probably deserve. I think it might be due to the French styling and somewhat 'old fashioned" appearance, but just not quite vintage enough to be desirable. The designs to me always feel a little bit 60's which I'm sure in 20 to 30 years will be much more appealing than now....perhaps.

 

That is actually a really good point - they do have a more classic/standard feel compared to some of the more modern styles...

[truphae_inc]

I do not need Cartier. I have S T Dupont.

 

ST Dupont is great as well haha! Why not both

[truphae_inc]

I have a Cartier Diabolo BP (GP trim) and if I ever saw the matching FP at a reasonable price I would be tempted to buy one. So far I've never seen one at a price I'm prepared to pay.

 

That is a gorgeous pen!

[jar]

While the Cartier pens I've tried over the years have always been really well made and superb writers the looks have so far always turned me off; they simply seem ostentatious. I feel the same way about some pens from the other Richemont and European makers like the Montblanc Skeletons and Snakes or the Fred Force Targas but with other makers it is the outlier I find too showy while with Cartier it seems the norm.

[Chrissy]

 

That is a gorgeous pen!

 

Yes, but it seems that everyone but me is happy with platinised trim, as GP trim seems less available. I'm not.

[jchch1950]

Cartier has a reputation for fine jewellery to maintain. Their fountain pens are designed to fit in an ambience of exclusivity. Quality is very good.

[truphae_inc]

While the Cartier pens I've tried over the years have always been really well made and superb writers the looks have so far always turned me off; they simply seem ostentatious. I feel the same way about some pens from the other Richemont and European makers like the Montblanc Skeletons and Snakes or the Fred Force Targas but with other makers it is the outlier I find too showy while with Cartier it seems the norm.

 

Not a bad opinion by any means - gotta keep an eye on them in the future to see if they continue down the same path or try anything new!

[truphae_inc]

Cartier has a reputation for fine jewellery to maintain. Their fountain pens are designed to fit in an ambience of exclusivity. Quality is very good.

 

Very true!

[zaddick]

I have as much interest in Cartier pens as I have in Montblanc's belts.

[sidthecat]

I have an old one with Mr. Zorn...it was a great pen with compromised internals.

[fountainbel]

Cartier pens are surely well made and feature excellent nibs.

But on a pen of this price range I would expect an integrated filling system , not cartridge convertor ….

Francis

[bmillicent]

My Diabolo FP writes well and I like the look. The best part - it cost me no money. At work, we had a brochure of products to redeem our sales points. Naturally, I went for any writing instruments

 

The Parker Duofold was an option in the retirement brochure, but I had not reached the 35 year milestone to qualify ;(

 

IMO, either one beats the heck out of the jewelry, grandfather clocks, and other such items available.

[jar]

Cartier pens are surely well made and feature excellent nibs.

But on a pen of this price range I would expect an integrated filling system , not cartridge convertor ….

Francis

There are many that feel that way but also many like myself who much prefer a cartridge/converter system over most any other type of filling system. In fact, my preferred filling system is by cartridge.

[truphae_inc]

My Diabolo FP writes well and I like the look. The best part - it cost me no money. At work, we had a brochure of products to redeem our sales points. Naturally, I went for any writing instruments

 

The Parker Duofold was an option in the retirement brochure, but I had not reached the 35 year milestone to qualify ;(

 

IMO, either one beats the heck out of the jewelry, grandfather clocks, and other such items available.

 

Ohhh, lucky you! That's awesome!