(A bespoke Timegraph is estimated to take between two to six months to complete, depending upon the level of customization requested)
Late last year, Switzerland-based writing instrument maker Caran d’Ache introduced a new special-order pen/watch combo called Timegraph. And while “combo” pens are not new (several quartz-driven pen/watch models have been offered by various manufacturers over the years), this one has a mechanical movement to entice timepiece collectors.
Caran d’Ache employed Le Temps Manufacture SA, situated in Fleurier, Switzerland, to produce the new fountain pen’s miniature manually wound movement for the Timegraph. Visible through a roomy sapphire crystal on the pen’s barrel, the movement boasts eighteen jewels, rhodium-coated (and decorated) components and about forty hours of power reserve. An unobtrusive crown on the side of the pen powers it up.
Horological Inspiration
According to Caran d’Ache president Carole Hubscher, watchmakers have long inspired the company. “We share the same values around the pursuit of excellence, Swiss heritage, thirst for innovation and technical ingenuity,” she said.
Many collectors of writing instruments also appreciate fine watches. Given this long-recognized enthusiast overlap, Timegraph’s outward appearance was not given a second thought. Confirming the pen’s dual identity, a second sapphire crystal window on the cap supplies a view of the 18-karat gold writing point.
This symmetry adds a unique elegance to this standard-sized writing instrument, whose dimensions belie the 145 expertly fitted components that keep both the pen and the watch at peak performance. A unique system fills the miniature ink pump for the pen via an external mechanism.
The palladium-plated metal components and the full black PVD coating on the body of the pen shown here are simply invitations to dream, since the made-to-order pen may be customized at will. Enameling, glazing or miniature engraving—all skills available at the Caran d’Ache workshops—are available upon request. A bespoke Timegraph is estimated to take between two to six months to complete, depending upon the level of customization requested.
This is not the first time Caran d’Ache has celebrated its Swiss heritage of watchmaking alongside its own century-long history of crafting writing and drawing implements. Among other pens, the brand introduced the 1010 Timekeeper just last year, decorated with a watch dial motif.
What I like best about Timegraph is that both its writing and mechanical timekeeping capabilities are top notch, and neither is diminished by the instrument’s combo status. A fine writing instrument from a respected brand and a mechanical watch rolled into one sounds—and looks—good to me.
The Timegraph’s price depends on the level of customization requested.
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