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WatchProSite Moderator patrick_y, renowned for his horological insights, extends his discerning eye beyond timepieces to explore the world of luxury writing instruments. In this review, he delves into the Graf Von Faber Castell Perfect Pencil Magnum, presenting it as an exquisite item for those who appreciate the finer things in life. His detailed examination offers a unique perspective on the intersection of craftsmanship and everyday utility, inviting collectors to consider the 'ultimate pencil' alongside their cherished watches and fountain pens.
WatchProSite Moderator Patrick_y reviews the Graf Von Faber Castell Perfect Pencil Magnum – an incredibly decadent gift for the man or woman who has everything!
We have some of the top watch collectors in the world on WatchProSite and we have some of the most significant fountain pen collectors in the world on WatchProSite. We’ve seen some amazing pieces too – top models from both categories. The most decadent models of watches and fountain pens. But, what about the top wooden pencil in the world?
A LITTLE HISTORY...
Graf Von Faber-Castell is the luxury arm of Faber-Castell, the world renowned stationary supplier with a long history in pencils. Even today, Graf Von Faber-Castell is a family run business. The history in pencil manufacturing started 250+ years ago when the Faber family started a pencil factory.
Introducing The Faber family - the founder of a modern pencil factory in Stein, a town near Nuremberg, Germany. In 1761, Patriarch Caspar Faber starts a pencil factory, his wife Maria and his son Anton help run the pencil factory.
Since the founding of the company was over 250 years ago, photographs didn't exist yet and paintings of the founders were lost during the war before they could be digitally recorded. This is a painting of Anton's son, Georg Leonhard Faber and his wife Albertine Faber - the third generation involved in the business. Photo credit: Faber Castell website.
But how did the “Castell” become added into “Faber-Castell” – the brand we know today? In 1896, Lothar Von Faber passed away unexpectedly at the age of 42. Upon his last days, he instructed his wife, that his surname must be retained by their daughter when she married – as the family business had to remain with a Faber. His daughter, Tilly Von Faber, honoring her father’s last wish, asked her husband Count Alexander Castell-Rudenhausen to permit her to keep her maiden surname. Count Alexander agrees, and the two married in 1898. Their children are christened “Faber-Castell” as their surname. The couple love each other very much, but due to the many stresses of the Great War, they eventually separate and divorce. Photo credit: Faber Castell website.
Their son, Count Roland Faber-Castell, continued the work at the family business and eventually renamed the business as Faber-Castell. Count Roland Faber-Castell (wearing a dark coat and a white hat) is photographed with his mother, he was the youngest of three, his two sisters are in the left photograph. Photo credit: Faber Castell website.
Today, the family business is run by the 9th generation of Faber-Castells; Count Charles, Countess Katharina, Countess Victora, and Countess Sarah run the business with a board of directors. Photo credit: Faber Castell website.
The family-run-business story is somewhat similar to the watch brand Patek Philippe – and the top executives at each brand share a mutual respect for one another. Thierry Stern even gifted top Patek Philippe clients a Graf Von Faber-Castell pen several years ago. Count Charles Faber-Castell also enjoys fine timepieces and undoubtedly has a few nice timepieces - we should extend him an invitation to join us on WatchProSite!
These were the Patek Philippe pens from Graf von Faber Castell. If it's good enough for Patek Philippe.... Photo credit: eBay
While the brand Graf Von Faber Castell makes amazing products (I adore the Samurai Fountain Pen, see my review of that pen here... www.watchprosite.com 
, their most iconic model is their “Perfect Pencil” and today we look at the “Perfect Pencil Magnum” which is their thicker version of the Perfect Pencil that is intended for sketching.
This is the pencil in an exploded photograph. You've got the pencil cap which conceals a hidden sharpener! On the back of the pencil, you have an eraser (covered eraser, of course), and a platinum plated cap. You can post the cap at the end of the pencil to extend the pencil and to give it more weight!
And thank you so much for commenting that you enjoyed the article! Hey! Once you get yours, please share with us your sketches! Maybe you'll sketch some pictures of watches with your new pencil! I've known about these pencils for nearly 30 years - I remembered seeing them in a catalogue. But only got my first one somewhat recently!
Well-done, my friend. Now I want one, even though I don’t use pens much anymore, and I certainly don’t sketch anything. Btw: What’s the watch that is in sketch?
The sketches are my own sketches. Basically this is a "Raul Tena" notepad that I received at Dubai Watch Week 2021. Inside the notepad there's a Raul Tena template of a watch (this template was designed by Raul Tena) with a blank canvas printed on the paper. This allows you to design your own watch dial. And I just sketch in the void with a pencil. Some ideas I have area really awful, I debated long and hard before ultimately deciding to show some of my embarrassingly bad sketches. I'm imaging s
So much family history to be able to produce finally this decadent pencil, I read it with interest.
.. for my other half, an avid pencil collector albeit coloured ones. I bought her some Caran d’ Ache Swiss Wood pencils a few years back and that was well received. Thanks for sharing. Kurt.
Really great and informative read. Best, V.
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