Once upon a time, MB&F founder Maximilian Büsser dreamed of conquering space. As an adult, Büsser in fact made his mark on time, something we’ve celebrated here very often over the years. Now, if you know anything about Relativity at all, you’ll recognize that space-time is a singular concept, not ‘space’ and ‘time’ so although Büsser is neither an astrophysicist nor an astronaut, he would absolutely need to conquer space too.

Büsser’s elusive childhood dream finally came true in the form of the Astrograph, a project that came to life via a collaboration between MB&F and Swiss writing instrument experts Caran d’Ache. The writing instrument imagined as a rocket is now ready for take off. The journey took four years to realize and each Astrograph comprises 99 components, making it the most complex writing instrument to come out of Caran d’Ache.

The Astrograph has a slim and curved body reminiscent of a rocket but that is not as far as this goes. The design prioritizes comfort when you hold it in your hand and write with it so it is not just pretty. With a chequered pattern adorning the body, the Astrograph is available in three finishes: high-gloss rhodium, sandblasted matt rhodium or anthracite ruthenium.

Ninety-nine components may seem like a lot for a single fountain pen but then again this is MB&F and Caran d’Ache so this is no ordinary writing instrument. Inspired by penknives, the structure hides a miniature lever that activates the three stabilizer legs you see above. The fuselage contains a fountain pen with a rhodium plated, 18k gold nib. To truly embrace Büsser’s childhood wonder, a rhodium-plated, magnetized miniature astronaut is ready to enter the ‘rocketship’. The Astrograph also comes with its own launchpad box. Only 99 pieces for each finish is available, so don’t let the rocketship blast-off without you.