One Pen

Everyone owns a pen of some type. Many of us have more than one. We have them stashed in drawers, bags, or scattered across desks and tables. Yet, with smartphones, tablets, and laptops, pens have become less central to our daily lives.

But there’s still something special about having a good pen. It’s useful for jotting down notes, hatching plans, writing lists, or adding a personal touch to a card. Given how rarely we use them, it makes sense to have a pen that makes these moments special.

Ballpoint pens fit the bill perfectly. They’re reliable, easy to use, and offer smooth writing with quick-drying, smudge-free ink. These qualities make them particularly useful for left-handed users or tasks that need neat, clean lines. We’re not considering fountain pens here—as beautiful as they are, they can be impractical for everyday needs like filling in a form at the bank or completing an arrival card on a flight.

We believe that craftsmanship, durability, and material quality matter. However, we’re not considering overly ornate pens like Namiki, Montegrappa, Aurora and Visconti. Montblanc, while iconic, has become somewhat of a passé choice in luxury writing instruments. Instead, we sought something elegant but understated.

The one pen we think you should own is the Caran d’Ache Ecridor Retro Ballpoint Pen.

The Ecridor combines Swiss precision with timeless design, reminiscent of the brand’s original creations from 1947.

The pen features Caran d’Ache’s signature hexagonal body, made from solid brass and coated in platinum for both luxury and durability. The shape is well-balanced, providing a comfortable grip for extended writing sessions.

Its defining feature is the intricate diamond guilloche pattern—a classic lattice motif, reminiscent of the brand’s original creations from 1947. The mirror-polished clip and button add practical elegance.

The Ecridor Retro isn’t just attractive; it’s reliable. Caran d’Ache backs it with a lifetime guarantee against manufacturing defects, and it’s fitted with the Goliath cartridge, providing up to 600 pages of smooth, consistent writing.

Best of all, the Ecridor Retro is relatively affordable for a luxury pen. It blends classic design and modern functionality, making it a great choice for anyone seeking a timeless, well-crafted writing instrument.

The Ecridor Retro also comes in a roller, fountain and mechanical pencil variants.

Also Consider

If you are willing to spend a little more, a nice upgrade would be the Caran d’Ache Silver-Plated and Rhodium-Coated Varius Ebony Ballpoint Pen.

We also like the Graf Von Faber-Castell Propelling ball pen Classic platinum-plated.

If you want a more traditionally styled pen, consider the Kaweco Dia2 ballpoint pen in black and chrome. This pen is a modern version that contains the stylings of a 1930s-era model, with the knurled end caps and the distinctive bowed clip. It consists of more than 15 individual parts. The pen lining is made of deep black acrylic (PMMA) and polished and assembled by hand. This pen also comes in a multi-function version, the Kaweco DIA2 Kawecomat Multifunction Chrome.

If you absolutely have to have a Montegrappa pen, consider the Montegrappa QUATTRO.