mbandf-astrograph-2

Imagination incarnate. That’s the modus operandi of MB&F, who manages to make the unexpected something of a routine with every wild new release. As though set in some alternate universe from an H. G. Wells novel, MB&F brings a distinct science fiction twist to everyday objects, like a sentient robot clock, a music box built like an intergalactic starfighter, and a watch that… well, just look at this crazy thing. But the latest genre-defying release – the MB&F Astrograph pen made in collaboration with pen maker Caran d’Ache comes some four years in the making, and while a truly unique piece, the design restraint may leave some people desiring something a little bit more elaborate. However, it is delivered as an appropriately out-there set and will fit in perfectly on the desk of an MB&F collector.

Richard Mille released their $105,000 RMS05 pen earlier this year, and while MB&F went in a different direction with this piece, they also decided to keep it well below the six-figure mark at about a fifth the price.

Advertising Message

mbandf-astrograph-5

Despite the wild categorical expanses between each release (clocks, music boxes… now pens?), there’s a distinct pattern to the madness – a re-occurring theme wherein MB&F collaborates with the most capable Swiss manufacturers and artisans across various fields to bring founder Maximilian Büsser’s ideas to life. Similarly to the past instances where MB&F partnered with renowned clockmaker L’Epée for various robot clocks, the vision of the Astrograph and Büsser’s childhood dream of space travel is realized by Caran d’Ache – and was one that would be the luxury writing instrument workshop’s most complex project ever undertaken.

mbandf-astrograph-13 mbandf-astrograph-6

An ordinary fountain pen could have as few as five individual components, or as many as twenty for those on the more technical end of the spectrum. But MB&F looks down on the “technical end of the spectrum” from a telescope in the stratosphere – as the MB&F Astrograph is an *ahem* “working” rocket ship comprised of nearly 100 expertly machined, lacquered, and hand-finished components, complete with thruster engines, and landing fins that can be lowered at the flip of a switch.

mbandf-astrograph-4

Granted, not all of those components are part of the pen itself – which deploys from the fuselage along with the nose of the ship, as a perfectly proportioned, ultra high-precision writing instrument. Oh, and lest we forget, the whole package also includes a rhodium-plated, magnetized astronaut figurine that can hitch a ride anywhere on the rocket where the physics of space travel would permit.

Advertising Message

mbandf-astrograph-12 mbf-astrograph-set

When not joyriding across the cosmos, the MB&F Astrograph can be stored vertically atop, or safely inside its launch pad-inspired display, which comes fitted with its own three articulated legs for launch day. The MB&F Astrograph will be available as either a fountain pen or a roller pen in three distinct finishes: high gloss rhodium (fountain only), sandblasted matte rhodium (fountain or roller), or ruthenium anthracite (fountain only), with each finish limited to 99 pieces only.

mbandf-astrograph-11

Collectors looking to blast off with the MB&F and Caran d’Ache Astrograph may do so for a price of $19,900. Not inexpensive by any means, but for the collector with a sense of whimsy who might still be a child at heart? It can certainly add a sense of fun on the desk that’s likely already populated by the various clocks and other creations dreamed up by MB&F. mbandf.com


Advertising Message

Subscribe to our Newsletter