This year’s Pen of the Year exclusive edition 2022 “The Aztecs” is limited to 375 fountain pens and 125 rollerball pens. Each one is presented in a black, highly polished wooden case. The individually numbered unique pieces come with a certificate signed by Count Charles von Faber-Castell to certify the limitation. The Pen of the Year 2022 is inspired by the culture, aesthetics and religious rites of the Aztecs. Their mighty empire was based on the Aztec alliance of three city states, created in 1428 in what is now Mexico. It produced impressive works of art, a modern political system and a creation myth full of legends that still fascinates people to this day. The metal barrel of the Pen of the Year 2022, with its anthracite grey Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) coating, showcases a skull pattern reminiscent of the walls made of rows of skulls in the Templo Mayor – a place where the Aztecs offered up human sacrifices to their gods in order to ensure the sun still rose. The writing instrument’s grip is made of dark, smooth obsidian. This volcanic rock, which was used to make arrowheads and swords, also had a spiritual meaning for the Aztecs and was used as protection against evil spirits. Turquoise adorns the end caps of the Pen of the Year – a gemstone honored by the Aztecs as one of their most valuable treasures. The engraved relief in the stone depicts the eagle, or possibly the feather-clad god of the underworld, and embodies the power and aesthetics associated with it.
The grooved cap, reminiscent of the shape of the cactus, also resurrects the spirit of the Aztecs: according to the prophecy, the Aztecs were to find their new home in the place where an eagle sitting on a cactus was eating a snake. Thus, the cap is evocative of the place where the people settled around 1320 in accordance with the prophecy: what is now Mexico City.
The 18 carat magnum gold nib of the fountain pen, coated with ruthenium and run in by hand, promises a unique writing experience.

This year’s Pen of the Year exclusive edition 2022 “The Aztecs” is limited to 375 fountain pens and 125 rollerball pens. Each one is presented in a black, highly polished wooden case. The individually numbered unique pieces come with a certificate signed by Count Charles von Faber-Castell to certify the limitation. The Pen of the Year 2022 is inspired by the culture, aesthetics and religious rites of the Aztecs. Their mighty empire was based on the Aztec alliance of three city states, created in 1428 in what is now Mexico. It produced impressive works of art, a modern political system and a creation myth full of legends that still fascinates people to this day. The metal barrel of the Pen of the Year 2022, with its anthracite grey Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) coating, showcases a skull pattern reminiscent of the walls made of rows of skulls in the Templo Mayor – a place where the Aztecs offered up human sacrifices to their gods in order to ensure the sun still rose. The writing instrument’s grip is made of dark, smooth obsidian. This volcanic rock, which was used to make arrowheads and swords, also had a spiritual meaning for the Aztecs and was used as protection against evil spirits. Turquoise adorns the end caps of the Pen of the Year – a gemstone honored by the Aztecs as one of their most valuable treasures. The engraved relief in the stone depicts the eagle, or possibly the feather-clad god of the underworld, and embodies the power and aesthetics associated with it.
The grooved cap, reminiscent of the shape of the cactus, also resurrects the spirit of the Aztecs: according to the prophecy, the Aztecs were to find their new home in the place where an eagle sitting on a cactus was eating a snake. Thus, the cap is evocative of the place where the people settled around 1320 in accordance with the prophecy: what is now Mexico City.
The 18 carat magnum gold nib of the fountain pen, coated with ruthenium and run in by hand, promises a unique writing experience.

260 years of Faber-Castell: Perfect Pencil anniversary edition

To mark its 260th anniversary, Graf von Faber-Castell presents an exclusive interpretation of the Perfect Pencil – the classic pencil that can write, sharpen and erase. With the eraser under the end cap and the integrated sharpener in the protective cap, the anniversary model has all the characteristic features of this all-rounder – and also comes with luxurious extras that are closely linked to the history of Faber-Castell.

The pencil itself is deep black and the metal parts have an anthracite-colored PVD coating. The decorative engraving of stylized pencils on the cap, which also doubles as an extender, just like on the historic model, is a delicate reference to the company’s roots. Finally, a real jewel gleams on the top of the cap: an artistically faceted jade stone. In Far Eastern mythology, the shimmering green gemstone represents both lived tradition and a promising future – ideal for an anniversary that pays tribute to the merits of the past as well as the exciting challenges of the present.

2021 Pen of the Year - Knights
The Pen of the Year 2021 is inspired by medieval knights, their heroes, myths and legends. In those days, the strongest prevailed, therefore skillful sword fighting and the nature of his weapons played a central role in a knight’s life. To forge the knightly swords, medieval smiths used Damascus steel, which was regarded as particularly hard while being flexible. Its extraordinary properties are achieved through repeated welding and folding of different types of steel, which also produces the typical iridescent surface. We are celebrating our 260th anniversary in 2021.One major milestone was in 1898, when Count Alexander linked his famed aristocratic name with that of the globally renowned company, giving it its unmistakable identity. The image of the two fighting knights, whose lances were replaced by pencils, became the symbol of this new self-image. Since then this image has illustrated our values, tradition and those knightly virtues that the Counts and Lords of Castell have embodied for centuries. With this in mind, we are looking forward to celebrating a successful anniversary year. So how have we revived the legend of knights today? First we drew inspiration from knightly arms and armor because high-quality weapons and skillful sword fighting played a central role in a knight’s life. The Pen of the Year’s brown grip zone recreates the leather strap on the sword’s hilt. The sword played a prominent role in Arthurian myth. According to legend, Merlin drove the other worldly sword Excalibur deep into a large stone and inscribed upon it: “The one who is able to pull the sword out of the stone is the rightful King of Britain”. And sure enough Arthur succeeded in freeing Excalibur from the stone with ease and was crowned ruler of the kingdom. But let’s take a closer look at the Pen of the Year. The writing instrument’s end piece is adorned with ared, faceted garnet with sunray cut which is particularly impressive. In the Middle Ages this precious stone embodied light and truth and was used for jewelry and weapons. It is thanks to this feature that every one of the 375 fountain pens and 125 rollerball pens in this limited Pen of the Year edition is truly unique. The fountain pen is enhanced with an 18kt gold nib. Piston Fill.

2021 Pen of the Year - Knights
The Pen of the Year 2021 is inspired by medieval knights, their heroes, myths and legends. In those days, the strongest prevailed, therefore skillful sword fighting and the nature of his weapons played a central role in a knight’s life. To forge the knightly swords, medieval smiths used Damascus steel, which was regarded as particularly hard while being flexible. Its extraordinary properties are achieved through repeated welding and folding of different types of steel, which also produces the typical iridescent surface. We are celebrating our 260th anniversary in 2021.One major milestone was in 1898, when Count Alexander linked his famed aristocratic name with that of the globally renowned company, giving it its unmistakable identity. The image of the two fighting knights, whose lances were replaced by pencils, became the symbol of this new self-image. Since then this image has illustrated our values, tradition and those knightly virtues that the Counts and Lords of Castell have embodied for centuries. With this in mind, we are looking forward to celebrating a successful anniversary year. So how have we revived the legend of knights today? First we drew inspiration from knightly arms and armor because high-quality weapons and skillful sword fighting played a central role in a knight’s life. The Pen of the Year’s brown grip zone recreates the leather strap on the sword’s hilt. The sword played a prominent role in Arthurian myth. According to legend, Merlin drove the other worldly sword Excalibur deep into a large stone and inscribed upon it: “The one who is able to pull the sword out of the stone is the rightful King of Britain”. And sure enough Arthur succeeded in freeing Excalibur from the stone with ease and was crowned ruler of the kingdom. But let’s take a closer look at the Pen of the Year. The writing instrument’s end piece is adorned with ared, faceted garnet with sunray cut which is particularly impressive. In the Middle Ages this precious stone embodied light and truth and was used for jewelry and weapons. It is thanks to this feature that every one of the 375 fountain pens and 125 rollerball pens in this limited Pen of the Year edition is truly unique.

Graf von Faber-Castell Bentley Barnato is inspired by Woolf Barnato, who in the 1920s and 30s caused a sensation on the race tracks of Europe as one of the legendary “Bentley Boys”. He became famous through the “Blue Train Race”, in which he competed in his Bentley limousine against a high-speed train and actually won the race from Cannes to Calais. To mark the 90th anniversary of this race, Graf von Faber-Castell presents the exclusive Bentley Limited Edition Barnato: writing instruments as exciting and luxurious as the design of the cars in which the gentleman sportsman raced. The metal barrel is lacquered in dark green and guilloched in the “Diamond Pattern” created by Bentley. The chrome-plated front and end sections also gleam dark green - as does the knurled cap, on which the Bentley “B” and the engraved signature of Barnato can be found. Limited to 1,930 pieces in honor of the year of the “Blue Train Race”, the edition includes fountain pen, rollerball and twist ball pen. The fountain pen is enhanced with a rhodium plated nib available in M, F, XF and B. Cartridge/Converter Fill.

The Graf von Faber-Castell Pen of the Year 2020 draws its inspiration from the Greek heroes of Sparta and their king Leonidas. For centuries, the small city state of Sparta was the greatest military power of ancient Greece. Discipline and the legendary invincibility of the Spartans were the fruit of a strict training from an early age, the agogé. The Spartan society was very militarized and its fate lay in the hands of the gods: alongside Apollo and Artemis, the valiant Athena was one of the most important deities. Goddess of wisdom of strategy and war, she was considered the Guardian of the city . The education to which every Spartan man was subjected from his childhood was hard and physically trying. Based on courage, endurance, fearlessness and self-sacrifice, it trained the best warriors of this era. These infantrymen, heavily armed with shield, cuirass, helmet and leggings, had to acquire their own tailor-made equipment, which was very expensive.
The Pen of the Year 2020 also takes inspiration to the qualities of this equipment: strength, solidity and aesthetics. Seven rough 0.35 carat diamonds are placed on a matt sandblasted body, coated with a layer ruthenium symbolizing robustness, strength and uniqueness, like the valiant Spartans. The milled decoration on the body reminds us of the shape of the skirt with fringes of their armor.
Essential element to their defense, their bronze helmet was made in one piece. At that time the Corinthian helmet was the most widespread. It protected the head, and its narrow and elegant slot for the eyes as well as the horsehair ridge intimidated their opponents. The spring-loaded clip of the pen of the Year 2020 resembles the shape of the helmet and thus imitates the neck of a horse. The bright cap is mirror polished.
The Spartans were, in the middle of the 6th century, precious allies for the Hellenic and foreign states. The Battle of Thermopylae is known worldwide. Leonidas there opposed to the supremacy of the Persian king Xerxes and managed to contain his army in a narrow parade with only 300 Spartans. A courageous strategy that cost him his life, but allowed most Greeks to withdraw in time to defend their lands. The large round shields, which protected the whole upper body, were indispensable to the protection of the warriors. They have inspired the lacquered inlay of the top of the Pen of the Year 2020, marked with the lambda letter, the 11th of the Greek alphabet. The letter Lambda also served as an abbreviation for the name Lacedaemonians - the historical name of the Spartan state - and the letter adorned the shield of the warriors.
The milled and matt gripping section of the instrument of the pen refers to the warriors' cuirass, which was made to measure. It was composed of two bronze plates for the front and the back, which were welded at the shoulders. Details like the decor on the body of the writing instrument recall the archaic motif on the protective armor.
The nib in 18-carat gold of the piston fountain pen, in F, M, or B promises an exceptional writing pleasure. The pens are limited to 90 rollerball pens and 310 fountain pens.

In its special edition Black Edition Anthracite over Titanium, the Pen of the Year 2020 is limited to 80 ink rollers and 270 fountain pens.

The Graf von Faber-Castell Pen of the Year 2020 draws its inspiration from the Greek heroes of Sparta and their king Leonidas. For centuries, the small city state of Sparta was the greatest military power of ancient Greece. Discipline and the legendary invincibility of the Spartans were the fruit of a strict training from an early age, the agogé. The Spartan society was very militarized and its fate lay in the hands of the gods: alongside Apollo and Artemis, the valiant Athena was one of the most important deities. Goddess of wisdom of strategy and war, she was considered the Guardian of the city . The education to which every Spartan man was subjected from his childhood was hard and physically trying. Based on courage, endurance, fearlessness and self-sacrifice, it trained the best warriors of this era. These infantrymen, heavily armed with shield, cuirass, helmet and leggings, had to acquire their own tailor-made equipment, which was very expensive.
The Pen of the Year 2020 also takes inspiration to the qualities of this equipment: strength, solidity and aesthetics. Seven rough 0.35 carat diamonds are placed on a matt sandblasted body, coated with a layer ruthenium symbolizing robustness, strength and uniqueness, like the valiant Spartans. The milled decoration on the body reminds us of the shape of the skirt with fringes of their armor.
Essential element to their defense, their bronze helmet was made in one piece. At that time the Corinthian helmet was the most widespread. It protected the head, and its narrow and elegant slot for the eyes as well as the horsehair ridge intimidated their opponents. The spring-loaded clip of the pen of the Year 2020 resembles the shape of the helmet and thus imitates the neck of a horse. The bright cap is mirror polished.
The Spartans were, in the middle of the 6th century, precious allies for the Hellenic and foreign states. The Battle of Thermopylae is known worldwide. Leonidas there opposed to the supremacy of the Persian king Xerxes and managed to contain his army in a narrow parade with only 300 Spartans. A courageous strategy that cost him his life, but allowed most Greeks to withdraw in time to defend their lands. The large round shields, which protected the whole upper body, were indispensable to the protection of the warriors. They have inspired the lacquered inlay of the top of the Pen of the Year 2020, marked with the lambda letter, the 11th of the Greek alphabet. The letter Lambda also served as an abbreviation for the name Lacedaemonians - the historical name of the Spartan state - and the letter adorned the shield of the warriors.
The milled and matt gripping section of the instrument of the pen refers to the warriors' cuirass, which was made to measure. It was composed of two bronze plates for the front and the back, which were welded at the shoulders. Details like the decor on the body of the writing instrument recall the archaic motif on the protective armor.
The nib in 18-carat gold of the piston fountain pen, in F, M, or B promises an exceptional writing pleasure. The pens are limited to 90 rollerball pens and 310 fountain pens.

In its special edition Black Edition Anthracite over Titanium, the Pen of the Year 2020 is limited to 80 ink rollers and 270 fountain pens.

The Graf von Faber-Castell Pen of the Year 2020 draws its inspiration from the Greek heroes of Sparta and their king Leonidas. For centuries, the small city state of Sparta was the greatest military power of ancient Greece. Discipline and the legendary invincibility of the Spartans were the fruit of a strict training from an early age, the agogé. The Spartan society was very militarized and its fate lay in the hands of the gods: alongside Apollo and Artemis, the valiant Athena was one of the most important deities. Goddess of wisdom of strategy and war, she was considered the Guardian of the city . The education to which every Spartan man was subjected from his childhood was hard and physically trying. Based on courage, endurance, fearlessness and self-sacrifice, it trained the best warriors of this era. These infantrymen, heavily armed with shield, cuirass, helmet and leggings, had to acquire their own tailor-made equipment, which was very expensive.
The Pen of the Year 2020 also takes inspiration to the qualities of this equipment: strength, solidity and aesthetics. Seven rough 0.35 carat diamonds are placed on a matt sandblasted body, coated with a layer ruthenium symbolizing robustness, strength and uniqueness, like the valiant Spartans. The milled decoration on the body reminds us of the shape of the skirt with fringes of their armor.
Essential element to their defense, their bronze helmet was made in one piece. At that time the Corinthian helmet was the most widespread. It protected the head, and its narrow and elegant slot for the eyes as well as the horsehair ridge intimidated their opponents. The spring-loaded clip of the pen of the Year 2020 resembles the shape of the helmet and thus imitates the neck of a horse. The bright cap is mirror polished.
The Spartans were, in the middle of the 6th century, precious allies for the Hellenic and foreign states. The Battle of Thermopylae is known worldwide. Leonidas there opposed to the supremacy of the Persian king Xerxes and managed to contain his army in a narrow parade with only 300 Spartans. A courageous strategy that cost him his life, but allowed most Greeks to withdraw in time to defend their lands. The large round shields, which protected the whole upper body, were indispensable to the protection of the warriors. They have inspired the lacquered inlay of the top of the Pen of the Year 2020, marked with the lambda letter, the 11th of the Greek alphabet. The letter Lambda also served as an abbreviation for the name Lacedaemonians - the historical name of the Spartan state - and the letter adorned the shield of the warriors.
The milled and matt gripping section of the instrument of the pen refers to the warriors' cuirass, which was made to measure. It was composed of two bronze plates for the front and the back, which were welded at the shoulders. Details like the decor on the body of the writing instrument recall the archaic motif on the protective armor.
The nib in 18-carat gold of the piston fountain pen, in F, M, or B promises an exceptional writing pleasure. The pens are limited to 90 rollerball pens and 310 fountain pens.

In its special edition Black Edition Anthracite over Titanium, the Pen of the Year 2020 is limited to 80 ink rollers and 270 fountain pens.