S.T. Dupont Guilloché Pattern Vermeil Cigar Cutter
Tobacco Accessory / Cigar Cutter · S.T. Dupont, founded in 1872 in Paris, France. Renowned for luxury lighters and accessories for high-end clientele including royalty and world leaders.
Pattern: Guilloché Pointes de Diamant (Diamond Head) pattern
Type
Tobacco Accessory / Cigar Cutter
Maker
S.T. Dupont, founded in 1872 in Paris, France. Renowned for luxury lighters and accessories for high-end clientele including royalty and world leaders.
Material
Vermeil (Sterling Silver with gold plating) or Gold-plated over brass/steel base. The blade is high-tempered stainless steel.
Dimensions
Approximately 9 cm in length when closed and 3.5 cm in width. Weight is roughly 60-85 grams depending on base metal composition.
Description
A sophisticated example of French luxury tobacciana, this S.T. Dupont cigar cutter features the iconic diamond-head guilloché pattern synonymous with the brand's mid-to-late 20th-century output. The gold finish provides an opulent contrast to the sterile, surgical-grade stainless steel blade, making it a functional piece of jewelry for the cigar connoisseur.
Key Features
Single guillotine blade, 'France Depose' stamp, engine-turned diamond pattern, and slim pocket-friendly profile.
Material & Composition
Vermeil (Sterling Silver with gold plating) or Gold-plated over brass/steel base. The blade is high-tempered stainless steel.
Finish & Decoration
Engine-turned guilloché finish featuring a diamond-point texture; gold gilded surface with high-polish steel elements. The design reflects Art Deco influences modernized for the late 20th century.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped 'FRANCE DEPÔSÉ' in a circular mark on the blade heel, indicating a registered French design. Secondary marks for S.T. Dupont and metal purity (typically a square maker's mark or 925 if sterling) would be located on the side edges or interior frame.
Construction Details
Precision-engineered mechanical assembly with riveted casing and a sliding single-guillotine blade. Machine-precision guilloché engraving.
Functional Features
Single-blade guillotine action with a circular aperture for the cigar cap; finger-pull top for blade retraction.
Handle & Grip Details
Tapered flat body with textured diamond points for enhanced grip; smooth curved top pull.
Craftsmanship Details
Superior mechanical tolerances; the blade slides with zero lateral wobble, a hallmark of French precision engineering from the Faverges factory.
Authentication Indicators
Alignment of the 'France Depose' stamp, the depth and regularity of the engine turning, and the specific rounded shoulder profile characteristic of Dupont cutters.
Origin & Manufacturing
Made in France, likely in the Faverges workshop known for S.T. Dupont's high-precision metalwork.
Era & Period
Late 20th Century (c. 1970s-1990s), following the luxury accessory revival known for using 'Diamond Head' patterns common in Dupont's Ligne 2 lighters.
Age Estimate
Circa 1980-1995.
Cultural Significance
Represents the height of 20th-century 'Cigar Culture' and the status associated with coordinated luxury accessories (matching lighters, pens, and cutters).
Condition Notes
Excellent condition. The gold plating appears intact with no visible 'brassing' at the edges. The blade shows minimal signs of use and the mechanical slide appears flush.
Value Estimate
$250 - $450 USD depending on whether the base is sterling silver (higher) or brass (mid-range).
Care & Maintenance
Clean the blade with high-percentage isopropyl alcohol to remove tobacco resin. Polish the gold exterior only with a soft jewelry cloth; avoid abrasive silver creams which can strip the thin gold plating.
Similar Pieces
Dunhill 'Unique' cutters, Cartier gold-plated cutters, or Davidoff Zino cutters. S.T. Dupont is generally more valued for its specific textured patterns.
Interesting Facts
S.T. Dupont originally produced luxury travel trunks; they only pivoted to lighters and metal accessories during WWII when materials for leather goods became scarce.