Caran d'Ache 849: The Swiss Hexagonal Ballpoint

The black 849 (849.009), drawn to scale from Pen Chalet's 127 mm length.

Product facts

Product: Caran d'Ache 849 Classic Line ballpoint pen, black (849.009)
Brand: Caran d'Ache
Brand origin: Switzerland
Made in: Switzerland^*
Material: Hexagonal aluminum body with powder-coated color, nickel-plated clip and push button
Released: 1969^*
Price range: $$$$20–75 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count)

Notes on these facts

Made by Caran d'Ache SA, Thônex-Geneva, Switzerland. Made in Switzerland: Caran d'Ache's Swiss product page says the 849 is 100% Swiss Made, developed and made in Switzerland; Pen Chalet and Dromgooles also list Switzerland. Source. Price: example listing. Released: Caran d'Ache's product pages say the 849 ballpoint has been made since 1969.
Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026. Conversions to US dollars are approximate, at October 2026 rates (US$1 = ¥158 = ₩1,330 = NT$32.5 = CN¥6.7 = SEK 9.9 = DKK 6.7 = ₺49.6 = C$1.41 = A$1.43; €1 = US$1.12; £1 = US$1.32; CHF 1 = US$1.21).

Key takeaways

Caran d'Ache says the 849 has been made since 1969 and is 100% Swiss Made in Geneva.
Pen Chalet lists the 849 Classic at 127 mm (5.0 in) long, 7.6 mm across and 14.17 g (0.5 oz).
The Goliath refill is rated for up to 600 pages; black and blue come in F, M and L tips.
Caran d'Ache's Swiss shop lists the black 849.009 at CHF 22.00 (about US$27); its German shop lists €24.00 (about US$27).
The body is aluminum, colored by electrostatic powder coating, with a flexible clip and a push button.

What is the Caran d’Ache 849?

The Caran d’Ache 849 is a click ballpoint with a slim hexagonal aluminum body, made in Geneva since 1969. Caran d’Ache’s Swiss site calls it the ideal everyday companion and says it is 100% Swiss Made. The same body is also sold as an 849 fountain pen, rollerball and mechanical pencil.

In the US it’s a classic gift pen from a Swiss art-supply maker. The Gentleman Stationer calls it something of an iconic writing instrument, and US pen shops such as Pen Chalet, Dromgooles and Blick carry it in many colors and special editions. A mirrored Amazon listing for the orange 849 shows 4.5 stars from 559 reviews.

Caran d’Ache 849 specs

Spec	Value
Maker	Caran d’Ache (Thônex-Geneva, Switzerland)
Model	849 Classic Line (black: 849.009)
Type	Click (push-button) ballpoint
Body	Hexagonal aluminum, electrostatic powder-coated color
Clip and button	Flexible clip, push button
Length	127 mm (5.0 in), per Pen Chalet
Width	7.6 mm across, per Pen Chalet
Weight	14.17 g (0.5 oz), per Pen Chalet
Refill	Goliath ballpoint, M blue installed (Caran d’Ache Switzerland)
Refill life	Up to 600 pages (Caran d’Ache)
Made in	Switzerland

Caran d’Ache doesn’t publish the pen’s own size in the pages we read. Dromgooles lists 5 1/16 in (about 129 mm) and 0.6 oz, and Digitec 13 cm, close to Pen Chalet’s figures.

To-scale drawing of the Caran d'Ache 849 at 127 mm long and 7.6 mm across next to the Parker Jotter at 128 mm long and 9.6 mm across — The 849 and the Parker Jotter are nearly the same length; the 849 is 2 mm slimmer.

What is the Goliath refill?

Goliath is Caran d’Ache’s own ballpoint refill, which the maker says writes up to 600 pages. Caran d’Ache’s Swiss page says the 849 comes loaded with a blue Goliath M and works with all standard Goliath refills.

Caran d’Ache lists black and blue Goliaths in F, M and L tips, red in F and M, and green, violet and turquoise in M only. Its Swiss shop sells a violet M (8421.111) at CHF 7.90 (about US$9.60), with a stainless steel point.

Is the 849 heavy or slim in the hand?

It’s a light, slim pen: Pen Chalet lists 14.17 g and 7.6 mm across the hexagon. That’s thinner than most click pens, so people with large hands may prefer a wider body. The flat sides keep it from rolling off a desk.

How does the 849 compare with other click pens?

The 849 is the slim aluminum hexagon; the Jotter is the round steel classic; the Cross Classic Century is the thin twist pen.

	Caran d’Ache 849	Parker Jotter	Cross Classic Century
Mechanism	Push button	Push button	Twist
Body	Hexagonal aluminum	Round stainless steel	Round chrome-plated brass
Length	127 mm	128 mm	133 mm
Width	7.6 mm	9.6 mm	About 8 mm
Refill	Goliath	Quinkflow	Cross 8513 / 8511
Made in	Switzerland	France (retailers)	China (our guide)

For an inexpensive hexagonal ballpoint, the BIC Cristal has a similar six-sided shape in clear plastic.

Where is the Caran d’Ache 849 made?

In Switzerland. Caran d’Ache’s Swiss page says the 849 is developed and made in Switzerland and 100% Swiss Made, and its German page repeats the claim. Pen Chalet and Dromgooles also list Switzerland.

How much does the 849 cost?

In the US it falls in our $$$ band ($20–75 per pen). Caran d’Ache’s Swiss shop lists the black 849.009 at CHF 22.00 (about US$27), and its German shop at €24.00 (about US$27), on October 20, 2026. Special editions and boxed versions cost more.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Caran d'Ache 849?

About 127 mm (5.0 in), per Pen Chalet; Dromgooles lists 5 1/16 in and Digitec 13 cm. Pen Chalet gives 7.6 mm across the hexagonal body and 14.17 g.

What refill does the Caran d'Ache 849 use?

The Goliath ballpoint refill. Caran d'Ache says the 849 works with all standard Goliath refills and that one Goliath writes up to 600 pages.

What tip sizes does the Goliath refill come in?

Caran d'Ache lists black and blue in F, M and L, red in F and M, and green, violet and turquoise in M only.

Is the Caran d'Ache 849 made of metal?

Yes. The body is hexagonal aluminum, colored by electrostatic powder coating, with a flexible metal clip and push button.

Where is the Caran d'Ache 849 made?

In Switzerland. Caran d'Ache says the 849 is 100% Swiss Made by its Geneva manufacture, and US retailers list Switzerland too.

How much does a Caran d'Ache 849 cost?

Caran d'Ache lists the black 849 at CHF 22.00 (about US$27) in Switzerland and €24.00 (about US$27) in Germany. In the US it falls in our $$$ band, $20–75.

Caran d'Ache 849 or Parker Jotter?

Both are about 127–128 mm click ballpoints with long-life refills. The 849 is a slimmer 7.6 mm hexagon in aluminum; the Jotter is a 9.6 mm round steel pen with an arrow clip.

Sources (11)

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