Talk about a Renaissance Man…Nikola Tesla was nothing if not multi-dimensional. He was a writer, inventor, scientist and engineer, earning more than 700 patents for his inventions. And David Oscarson is paying homage to this notable individual in the latest of his pen collections.
Nikola Tesla Limited Edition pen collection
“Nikola Tesla’s popularity has resurged in recent years,” says David Oscarson, founder and CEO of the eponymous luxury goods company. “He was an eccentric genius wrapped in mystery and mystique.”
And thus he has become the focus of Oscarson’s 35th collection of limited edition writing instruments.
Each pen is handcrafted in sterling silver, incorporating elements of the inventor’s spirit in its design. Among them, Tesla’s signature is displayed in high relief on the barrel, along with the symbol for alternating current. The Tesla Coil is seen in the background, engraved in low relief.
The pen’s gripping section is engraved with Tesla’s AC generator and induction motor drawings, while the pen’s crown features a Tesla unit of measure for magnetic induction or magnetic flux density, in high relief.
Produced in a choice of colors, each writing instrument is limited to an aggregate production of 86 pieces (fountain pens and rollerballs) with either silver or gold vermeil appointments. The fountain pens feature an 18-karat gold nib in fine, medium or broad sizes.
Hard Enamel
The Nikola Tesla Collection keeps Old World craftsmanship alive, combining guilloché and hard enamel to create the stunning décor that is the hallmark of these pens.
Using a mortar and pestle, a composition of glass, water and metal oxides is ground by hand, and when settled, the water is removed, leaving the fine paste that is the basis for hard enamel.
A quill is then used to apply each coat of the mixture to the surface of the engraved silver, ensuring that the entire area is completely covered. The components are then fired in a furnace at temperatures exceeding 1,000° F, fusing the enamel to the metal and forming a layer of glass.
After cooling, the fragile pieces are manually ground with a diamond file to restore their shape and surface. This process is repeated at length until the level of enamel reaches the depth required to cover the peaks and fill the valleys of each intricate guilloché design. When the final stages of firing are completed, the pieces are polished and buffed.
The Man
“[Tesla] lived in isolation and had quirky habits, but was also one of the most celebrated personalities in the American Press in the last century,” explains Oscarson of his latest focus. “He could fully construct, develop and perfect his inventions completely in his mind before committing them to paper – never mind computers. He was one of the great men who have impacted human history.”
As for the brand’s next coveted milestone? Oscarson will only hint at what 2022 will bring.
He shares, “This year will be our opportunity to work on new design concepts, including a ‘non-pen’ collection that we have been working on for several years. Details to follow…
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