In 1761, Kaspar Faber started to produce pencils in Stein, near Nuremberg. When the fourth generation, Baron Lothar von Faber - took over the company in 1839 he turned the pencil into a true quality product and the world's first branded writing instrument. Over the centuries, he and his descendants created remarkable products, and it was a personal challenge for me to rediscover the past and to transfer it to the present with timeless design and modern technology. The result is the Graf von Faber-Castell Collection, a range of extraordinary writing instruments and accessories. To me, they embody "Luxury in Simplicity" by combining selected materials, functionality and superb aesthetics.

Once again, the Pen of the Year focuses on the core feature of the Graf von Faber-Castell Collection: wood in its noblest and most inspiring variations. The idea behind this year's pen comes from Countess Ottilie's private salon or drawing-room in the Faber-Castell castle, now over 100 years old, that is panelled in costly East Indies satinwood - also known as lemonwood on account of its fragrant scent. And so the name "Lemon Room" came about.

The fin de siècle designers were also interested in the possibilities offered by more abstract forms. One example is the herringbone pattern; it also graces the inlay work of choice pieces of furniture, among them Countess Ottilie's writing desk. The Pen of the Year 2008 makes clever use of this pattern.

No fewer than 84 Satinwood rectangles are individually hand-made for the filigree herringbone pattern of the Pen of the Year 2008. The numbered edition is crowned by a chessboard-faceted citrine gemstone, platinised fittings and an 18-carat bicolour gold nib, carefully run in by hand.