Happy new year

Happy new year dear friends !!

I wish all a great new year, a better year

full of achievements, full of joy and happiness

Enjoy every minute of the new year along the loved ones

 Pilot 2020 shaking mechanical pencil

still shaking in 2020

OEM Caran D'ache

I have spotted on the internet writing instruments branded with watch manufacturer names before. In a previous post, I have shown an OEM Kaweco. Now I came across a Caran D'ache 849 ballpoint branded with Patek. I have also seen Audemars Piguet branding on the 849 Caran D'ache.
I really like the fact that the OEM does not come from China in the form of a cheap ballpoint, but then again if you look at the prices of the watches produced by Patek Philippe ...

Trip to Prague, Koh-I-Noor shop hunt

I went on a trip to Prague and of course, I had to go hunting for Koh-I-Noor shops. 

As beautiful as Prague is, the weather was not the best, not even close. Around 1 - 3 degrees Celsius and constant rain. I wondered on the streets, but because of the weather and the limited time available, I only got to visit 2 Koh-I-Noor shops. One of the shops I had visited on a previous trip in Prague (link).

What I really like is that Koh-I-Noor knows how to promote themselves and associate the stationary brand to Czech and to Prague. I would say they are very proud of their tradition and that is great. Going to a Koh-I-Noor shop in Prague should be on everyone's tour. In the end, these shops are landmarks just like a church, a bridge...

  The first Koh-I-Noor shop visited was in the old town, in center. I was a mix of of pencils and souvenirs, so I don't think it's owned by Koh-I-Noor. Also, it was kind of a tourist trap as everything inside seemed a bit overpriced. On Google maps you will find this shop under the name Koh-I-Noor Pencils.

 

The second shop was the one I have visited on my previous trip. A very large shop dedicated exclusively to the Koh-I-Noor products (Koh-I-Noor Hardmuth as). It is located in the vicinity of Prague Castle. This shop had a smaller selection of clutch and mechanical pencils and it was more oriented to the artists. But I still managed to find some very interesting products, and not to mention the prices were better.

I really like the decor Koh-I-Noor uses in the shops. It has a feeling of traditional, classy, and very friendly. Also, they address a very wide range of customers. From kids to artists and everything in between.

Preview Koh-I-Noor hunt

This little bag contains the souvenirs which I brought back from my visit to Prague. This and a bag with a few boxes of chocolate that I forgot at the airport. 

The good part about the times we live in is, when someone spots an unattended bag in an airport, the security gets alerted immediately.

The story in a few lines: I went through the security check, just to realize that I am one bag short. I went back to see if I can find it on the bench I waited before. Of course, the bag wasn't there anymore I so I just went through security a second time. While going through the second security check I heard my name through the airport's loudspeakers. The bag was waiting for me at the gate. I got the chocolate back and a nice story to go with it.
If the bag would have been full of beer instead of chocolate I don't think I would've been so lucky :)