LEICA Barnack Berek Blog: LEICA ADDING TO THEIR PRODUCT PORTFOLIO

Today we received information that, based on the interest in the Leica watches, the company decided to add another, non-camera product to their portfolio. They decided to enter the market of high end writing instruments.

Initially two will be offered, a mechanical pencil and a fountain pen.

The mechanical pencil harks back to the early days of Oskar Barnack who at one time became interested in the design of mechanical pencils (OSKAR BARNACK AND THE EARALY HISTORY OFTHE LEICA).

This is a marvelously styled mechanical pencil of an intricate design. It is made of richly ornamented silver, yet maintains an understated simplicity.

The same is the case with the Leica fountain pen. It is a sleekly styled, simple unit. Unlike many fountain pens from other manufacturers, this pen is very slim and with a relatively small gold nib with a titanium tip. Instead of using ink cartridges, it uses a piston to draw ink from an ink supply. This is activated by turning the end of the pen which in turn is moving the piston up or down.

The simple design of both pens is further enhanced by the understated Leica logo at just one end. It is purposely done in white on black, rather than white on red.

We find it commendable that in these days of the internet and electronic devices, Leica allows us to write and make notes the old fashioned way.