The ultimate version of Pilot's Capless fountain pen is brought to you by Namiki, whose pens are made with the most extraordinary attention to detail. They are created by highly-skilled craftsmen using ancient techniques, and result in truly beautiful pieces of work. And because they are pens, they make an everyday act - in this case, writing - a real pleasure.

The designs are created using the traditional Japanese raden technique whereby hundreds of tiny multi-coloured fragments of shell from creatures such as abalone, horseshoe and newt crabs are applied to the barrel, covered with 10 layers of hand-applied lacquer and then polished to perfection.

The designers form an exclusive group of artists - the Kokkokai, or 'Group of the Nation's Light' - who spend many years perfecting their particular technique - and they concentrate on only one technique in their lifetime. Each design is incredibly detailed.

18 carat gold retractable nib. Supplied in a luxury wooden gift box with a box of ink cartridges and a converter for use with bottled ink.