S. T. Dupont Starburst and Sunburst collection.
S. T. Dupont has been around since the mid-1800s, when it was founded in France as a purveyor of leather goods. Since that time, the company has grown to include all manner of luxury products, including handbags, lighters, watches and writing instruments—such as the brand-new Starburst and Sunburst collection.
The company is revered for its use of Urushi lacquer on its lighters, dials and pens, which is derived from resinous tree sap and first introduced in Asia as a decorative art form thousands of years ago. Its application requires highly trained craftsmen to properly employ the somewhat temperamental substance, making it labor-intensive and that much more precious. Urushi art may take many months to complete, since each layer of lacquer must be carefully applied then allowed to dry at high humidity before the next application.
According to the brand, each writing instrument is crafted entirely at the S.T. Dupont factory in Faverges, France, utilizing ancient Japanese and Chinese decorative techniques.
The new Starburst and Sunburst pen collection is crafted using the same processes that make each S. T. Dupont writing instrument a cherished accessory, here using a two-stage production process. First, up to nine layers of natural lacquer are hand-applied on the brass barrel of each pen. Once this base lacquer is polished and prepared, the second stage involves spraying an additional pearlescent lacquer in small bursts to give the pens a unique effect. The result is a luxurious finish that is resistant to shocks, scratches and even fire, though I wouldn’t try this at home.
The Starburst is crafted using blue natural lacquer finished with a silver pearlescent spray, which reminds me of a wintry mix of colors and perceived textures. The Sunburst is crafted using black natural lacquer finished with gold pearlescent spray. The resultant effect on the Sunburst is elegant and celestial, with bursts of gold emanating from the dark backdrop. The former features palladium-plated trim, while the latter has gold-plated trim; a fluted gripping section adds comfort and visual appeal. And much like an S. T. Dupont lighter, the pen caps snap shut with a familiar “cling.”
Both Line D writing instruments come in two writing modes: fountain pen and rollerball pen. The Starburst fountain pen has a 14-karat white gold nib, while the Sunburst has a 14-karat yellow gold nib. Both are available in four sizes: EF, F, M and B. The well-known Line D has been recently remodeled with a new insignia on the articulated clip and an enhanced Dupont 'D' decorating the crown of the cap.
The fountain pens—both the Starburst and the Sunburst—are priced at $895, while the rollerball pens are priced at $750.
The Starburst and Sunburst comes on the heels of last fall’s Wave collection, which also cites nature as its theme. The collection includes a Slim 7 lighter and three writing instruments: a fountain pen with a 14-karat gold nib, a rollerball and a ballpoint.
The Wave derives its name from the wave-like rose gold accents on the lighter’s pearlescent white body and the similar wave décor on the pens’ rose gold-plated caps. The fountain pen fills via an ink converter or cartridge.