Graf von Faber-Castell Pen of the Year 2024: Ottoman Culture

The Pinnacle of Writing Instruments Inspired by Ottoman Grandeur

Graf von Faber-Castell Pen of the Year 2024: Ottoman Culture is a limited-edition masterpiece that pays homage to the splendor, culture, and enduring legacy of the Ottoman Culture –i.e. the “Turquerie” movement, the era between the 16th and 18th Centuries in which the aesthetics and culture of the Ottoman Empire reached Europe.

Design Elements

Every Pen of the Year is a celebration of the finest materials and artistry and the 2024 Ottoman edition elevates this tradition to new heights.

• Blue and Guilloche Barrel:  The blue-and-white striped tents adorned with tassels and arrow patterns during the Ottoman period were the inspiration for the design scheme of the pen.  These Ottoman designs are expressed in the form of guilloche chevron ornaments under blue translucent lacquer inlays between platinum-plated metal strips.
• Cap Finial: The top of the cap is adorned with a crown design reminiscent of the ornate dome of an Ottoman tent.
• Cap Facets:  Each of the cap facets is adorned with a crescent moon linked to a ruby and tassel.  In Ottoman culture, crescent moon is considered a good omen, whereas tassels were a symbol of power and embellished clothing as status symbols.
• Ruby Adornments: The Ottoman used generous amounts of sparkling gemstones as a symbol of wealth and status.  This pen is studded with 18 bright red rubies, each is measured 2.2mm in diameters, to recall magnificent aesthetics of the Ottomans.
• Tortoise on the End Cap:  The symbol on the domed end piece not only represents luck but also recalls an event from the Tulip Era.  Ottoman sultans fastened candles to the shells of live tortoises and watched the animals wander leisurely through their magnificent tulip gardens at night, casting a mystical light on the flowers – in homage to contemplation and taking things slow – just like writing with a fountain pen.

Unique Features as a Fountain Pen

The Pen of the Year 2024 is also a remarkable writing instrument with the following features:

• Duo-tone 18kt gold nib (we have one piece available in M nib)
• Piston-filler ink refilling mechanism with a transparent ink window
• Platinum-plated inner tube with a twisting knob at the end, is encased with an embellished outer barrel
• Each pen is individually numbered (our allocation: number 80 out of 315 pieces for fountain pen) and each is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.
• The pen arrives in a lacquered wooden collector case adorned with Ottoman-inspired motifs, making it a worthy display as well as a cherished writing instrument.

The Design Philosophy of Serdar Gülgün

At the heart of the Pen of the Year 2024 Ottoman lies the singular vision of Serdar Gülgün, a designer celebrated for his mastery in bridging tradition and innovation. Gülgün’s design ideology is rooted in the belief that an object must be more than a tool—it should be a vessel of cultural memory and a trigger for artistic contemplation. For the Pen of the Year 2024 Ottoman, he drew on Ottoman motifs and materials to evoke historical splendor and function in contemporary settings. Gülgün believes a writing instrument should connect past and present, combining beauty, utility, and harmony in every detail.

The Legacy of the Pen of the Year Collection

Graf von Faber-Castell’s Pen of the Year Collection stands as one of the most prestigious collections in the world of fine writing. Since its inception in 2003, the collection has paid tribute to humankind’s greatest achievements in art, culture, and engineering.

Each year, a new theme is chosen—whether it be the Roman Empire, Samurai, or the Medieval Knights—and realized through unparalleled craftsmanship, unique intricate design and limited-edition exclusivity.

Over the years, the Pen of the Year has become a symbol of both tradition and innovation. Each pen is produced in limited numbers, using only the world’s most precious materials and the skills of master artisans. Many models have become sought-after collector’s items, admired not only for their beauty but also for their technical ingenuity.