How are St. Dupont Lighters made? Watch this video!

What is the most expensive table lighter in the world? St. Dupont

If your are looking for the most expensive modern table lighter in the world than you should go visit St. Dupont which is known for its luxury creations. This St. Dupont Second Empire Diamonds Line 2 (model 016026) is a limited edition lighter – only 28 pieces were released worldwide in 2012. Each lighter is individually numbered.

The lighter is covered with white solid gold (27 grams) added parts and 222 white diamonds. It has a black & gray lacquer finish and is packaged in a custom second empire lacquer box.

The price tag? Modest $38,000. One is available at eBay right now.

Advert: S. T. Dupont Briquets, 1959

A French black&white full-page magazine advertisement published on June 1959. It depicts a pocket butane lighter made by S. T. Dupont.

S.T. Dupont Cylinder Table Lighter, 1971

The S.T. Dupont Cylinder Table Lighter model is a modern example of a luxury gas cigarette lighter made in France. It was marketed since 1971 around the world and discontinued probably in 1997. It had a three year guarantee and came in a red giftbox. 

The lighter is electroplated in 18 karat gold and covered in black Chinese lack. It was also available only in gold or silver plate finish. 

Turn the gold plated hand wheel to the left and the flame appears. You migh also change the shape of the flame when the top is open. On the bottom there is the gas filler and the height controler.

This Dupont butane table lighter is marked on the bottom as well on the front of the hand wheel: 

Type: gas (butane) lighter

Scarcity: rare

Value for mint condition: $300-500

Weight: 515 grams (1.35 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 10.9 cm (4.3")
• diameter: 4.4 cm (1.73")

S.T. Dupont, Diamond Head Table Lighter, 1995

The S.T. Dupont Diamond Head Table Lighter model (catalogue no. 27211) is a modern example of a luxury gas cigarette lighter made in France. It was marketed since 1995 around the world and discontinued in 1999. It had a three year guarantee and was something between a pocket lighter and table lighter. 

The lighter is heavily electroplated in 18 karat gold and was also available in silver plate finish. Both had the iconic Diamond Head pattern. Not many of them were actualy manufactured and sold which might be explained taking into account the very high price. The quality of this lighter is high though it does not fully justify the price which was above $1250. The construction as well the size does remind on the 1975 S.T. Dupont "Line I" model which was available also in gold plate and additionally in tortoise enamel.

This Dupont has a typical rollalite mechanism used since the 1940s in different brands. It is a tall and slim lighter marked on the bottom: 

S.T. Dupont

PARIS

MADE IN FRANCE

Type: gas (butane) lighter

Scarcity: rare

Value for mint condition: $700.00 (approx €500.-)

Weight: 215 grams (0.47 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 12.4 cm (4.88")
• width: 3.7 cm (1.46")
• depth: 1.1 cm (0.43")

Speculation and long-term investment in vintage cigarette lighters

Lighters collectors are usually both buyers and sellers. Some of them collect lighters because of self-actualization, some of them think about their grandchildren and others perceive it as an investment or just as a alternative for paper money. Investing as well as speculation requires knowledge, luck and taste. It refers also to vintage cigarette lighters. You probably won't be a millionaire though you can benefit on your unique knowledge on lighters. How? What kind of profit do we talk about?

Let's consider you have bought a Dunhill ‘Aquarium’ lighter on a garage sale for $20 in excellent condition five years ago. The previous owners did not know that this table lighter was something special - they even did not know where to find any information about it. It would help to know that this lighter was manufactured in relatively small amounts in England in the 1950's and that it was hand-painted by Ben Shillingford.


So you have made a fantastic deal from todays perspective. Such bargains happen also today though the future will change it. The main reason for it is the wide-spreading Internet and easy accessible sources on vintage lighters. Additionally there number of people who find collecting lighters amusing rises. The limited supply and rising demand causes that the prices of particular examples of lighters will go up.

Going back to our story, three years ago you decided to sell it on ebay as the prices for it was astonishing high - average price for it (excellent condition) was at $1700-1900. You sold it though you still have monitored the market for the Aquarium Dunhills just for curiosity. You are not happy anymore, because since than the dissonance of your decision rose. Why? Because the price you could get was also rising and now you would get for it more than $3300. There are more examples of lighters that experienced such astonishing value appreciation.

The highest increase of value can be registered particularly in some luxury niche brands like Dunhill or DuPont. The time will probably also come to some lighters from more popular brands like Evans, like the Phinney Walker Evans lighter alarm clock. To a higher demand for particular lighters do contribute museums, galleries, antique guides, cigarette lighter books, movies etc. The more a lighter is showed, described, admired the higher value might can expect...