F1 Speed Montegrappa fountain pen

IMAGE SOURCES: TUDOR, BELL & ROSS, NOMOS GLASHÜTTE, MONTEGRAPPA

Heading back to school in September once meant the simple joy of a new pencil case packed with freshly sharpened pencils. We will admit that the pleasure of spanking new stationery has never quite left us and we still like to mark the start of an ‘academic’ year with a new quill. If you’re more serious than popping down to the local stationery shop to buy a pack of Biros, then this luxurious statement pen from Italian pen brand Montegrappa should do very nicely. Based in the Bassanese Ca’ Erizzo estate, Montegrappa has been crafting quality fountain pens since 1912 and the company prides itself on balancing tradition with innovation. For this top-of-the-range, limited-edition product, Montegrappa turned to motorsport for inspiration, collaborating with Formula One to produce 372-pieces in honour of the highest speed ever recorded in F1 (Juan Pablo Montoya/McLaren-Mercedes, 2005). This pen is where, says Montegrappa, “exhilarating optics meet dynamic writing performance”. A flared brass barrel ensures precision control, its carbonfibre grip section offers the ultimate in stability while high-gloss lacquer, metal plating and enamel add glamour. Choose from black and gold or red and black ruthenium plated, and there’s a rollerball version too.