Catalog Caran dAche 2025

Caran d'Ache is a Swiss company known for its high-quality writing and drawing instruments, founded in Geneva in 1915 by entrepreneur Arnold Schweitzer. Initially named Fabrique Genevoise de Crayons (Geneva Pencil Factory), the company specialized in producing pencils made from cedar wood. In 1924, the name was changed to Caran d'Ache, adopting the pseudonym of the French caricaturist Emmanuel Poiré. "Caran d'Ache" is a phonetic adaptation of the Turkish word "karadaş," meaning "black stone" or simply graphite. Schweitzer intended to emphasize the international significance of his company's products and their connection to art and creativity through this naming choice.

Throughout its history, Caran d'Ache has established itself as one of the few manufacturers of stationery in Switzerland, a country better known for watches and chocolate. A portion of the company's products is still handmade, with the production of one pencil taking up to 50 hours and involving approximately 35 stages. This meticulous process positively impacts the quality but also results in a significant increase in cost. It can be said that Caran d'Ache produces luxury items in the world of writing instruments. Many famous personalities, such as Pablo Picasso and Karl Lagerfeld, have enjoyed using their products.

Certainly, Caran d'Ache didn't limit itself to just ordinary pencils. In 1929, they introduced the Fixpencil mechanical pencils, and in 1953, the Ecridor ballpoint pens. These instruments quickly became symbols of elegance. Subsequently, other series and types of products were introduced. Some are quite affordable for the average consumer, while others are priced astronomically high. For instance, in 1994, the Private Collection series debuted, featuring pens coated with real gold and released in limited editions. The Caran d'Ache Madison model, launched in 1999 and adorned with diamonds and gold plating, was so expensive that it even made it into the Guinness World Records. Since then, the company has continued to break its own records with even more extravagant creations.

The company has remained a family business and has never moved production outside Geneva, emphasizing its commitment to quality and tradition. More than 52% of the company's materials come from Swiss suppliers, which increases costs but significantly enhances prestige. The range includes hundreds of items and continues to expand, while the Caran d'Ache brand strengthens its position in the segments of elite writing instruments and drawing tools.