Colorful fountain pen collection

The Quest For My Ultimate Fountain Pen Part 1: The All-Over-The-Place Period

My personal quest for the ultimate fountain pen began unexpectedly and over the following decades I learned many things, including: nothing compares to writing with a gold nib! Join me on part 1 of my personal fountain pen journey, which includes an inherited piece, a demonstrator, over-the-top colors, and cloisonné enamel.

Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Elegance Sartoriale

Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Elegance Sartoriale Collection: I See A Pattern Here

In the Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Elegance Sartoriale collection the patterns are truly the stars of this collection, not just because they are taken right from the folds of fashion, but because they are all incredibly difficult to engrave due to their complex designs. Every single line is engraved by hand on a rose engine lathe using guilloché.

What Watch Is The “Duck” Wearing? Caption Competition #29

This week is easy, because today I’m giving you the caption: “Nice watch, duck!” What watch was “duck” wearing and why? I’ll give extra points for the best suggestion for his favorite watch and why in in the comments below.

2016 Mercedes-Maybach

Mercedes-Maybach S-Class: Surprisingly, Its IWC Dashboard Clock Is Its Least Luxurious Element

It must have been a horror for Mercedes to see its position as the ultimate German luxury automobile brand challenged by BMW, Audi, and Volkswagen. Its reaction was to bring the Maybach back as the ultimate version of an already ultimate car, the Mercedes S600 powered by the same twin-turbo as the S600, a 6-liter V12 that provides 523 HP.

Engraved gold nib of the Montblanc Meisterstück Ultra Black Special Edition

Montblanc Meisterstück Ultra Black Special Edition

The past few years have seen the steady rise of the all-black watch, but this color trend is also in fashion and home décor . . . and at least one exceptional pen. Leave it to Montblanc to shake things up a bit with the latest introduction reaching Montblanc boutiques this month: the Meisterstück Ultra Black Special Edition.

Can You Lend A Hand? Caption Competition #28

Prosthetic limbs have come a long way since wooden peg legs and pirate hooks. Which explains why I was surprised by the fact that this arm below looks so evidently non-lifelike. What do you think this robotic arm might be for? Not what the arm is for per se, but the fictional story this photo might reveal in your mind.

Riddle Me This: When Is A Watch Not A Watch? Caption Competition #27

In 2010 I had the pleasure of visiting a Swiss artist, whose talents spread across a broad spectrum of artistic domains. However, he would be much better known to anyone reading Quill & Pad as the designer of some of the most revolutionary wristwatches of the last century. Can you guess who he is and the watches he has designed from the clues provided?

Bugatti Super Sport

Parmigiani Bugatti & Bugatti Chiron: Pushing The Limits

Michel Parmigiani does not dwell in the past. Instead, he has utilized his considerable expertise to create a brand that is more focused on the future of watchmaking. The partnership between Bugatti and Parmigiani has led to some extraordinary timepieces, which not only embody the essence of Parmigiani but that of Bugatti as well.

6 Reasons You Would Have To Be An Idiot To Steal A Fine Watch

Seriously, let’s face it, criminals are flippin’ stupid! Here are 6 reasons why stealing watches is a really bad idea (aside from the obvious) and those who try probably won’t get away with it anyway.

RGM Reference 151BE on the wrist at Half Dome in Yosemite

Heartbeat: Stunning American Natural Beauty And The RGM Reference 151BE

Too little is usually written about the few great watchmakers located in the United States. And, admittedly, they are few and far between. Here is a glimpse into the work of Roland Murphy of RGM by way of my own watch, the RGM Reference 151BE, shot against the backdrops of the Grand Canyon and Yosemite National Park.