Colibri Group
Encyclopedia
Colibri is a company that specialises in men’s accessories. Now established for over 83 years, Colibri is traditionally known as a lighter
manufacturer. Since its inception, Colibri has developed its existing lighter a variety of products including: lighters, jewelry, smoking accessories, small leather goods and writing instruments.
. In 1952, Julius Lowenthal’s son Jack, joins Colibri. Technological advances in 1958 led Colibri to produce a lighter with a visible multiple gas refill and a hydraulic auto-flint system. Colibri released the electric lighter in 1967 and named it the ‘Molectric.’
In 1974, the James Bond film ‘The Man with the Golden Gun
’ Colibri supplied the golden gun; constructed from a Molectric 88 lighter, cufflinks, cigarette case
and fountain pen
. Later in 1974, Colibri sponsors the RAC rally team driven by Henry Liddon and Timo Makinen
.
In the 1980s, Jack’s son David joins Colibri which led to the expansion into lifestyle accessories from Swiss watches to cufflinks and pens. In 2001, the Vortex and Trifecta collections were introduced with pyramidal twin-flame and triple flame lighters.
In February 2009 Colibri changed ownership with its head office changed from Providence
to New York
, USA. They proceeded to relaunch the brand which included three new series to distinguish between products; The Classic (C Series), Design (D Series) and Technical (T Series)
featured simple, bold typeface
and later incorporated flames to dot each ‘I’ in the word Colibri. The logo later included an emblem of a lion breathing fire and a simple hummingbird
outline. The logo symbolised ‘Lowethal’ (the founder of Colibri) and literally translates in to Lion.
To signify the re-launch of the brand, in 2011 the Colibri logo was re-branded and incorporated a monochrome humming bird symbol (as ‘Colibri’ is also a breed of hummingbird.) Similarly to the small and detailed nature of the hummingbird, this aesthetic is reflected in Colibri’s products. The design of the logo coincided with the brand re-launch and has a sharper design to reflect the 2011 collection.
and semi-precious stone inlays including: malachite
, black onyx
, black pearl
, mother-of-pearl and peridot
. T Series cufflinks included genuine Alligator
leather centers in a variety of colors and finishes.
C Series
Diamond – Metallic finishes
D Series
Zephyr – Faceted in a variety of metals
T Series
Monza – Pachmayr texture
Enterprise I – Similar to Enterprise III but with a single flame
Enterprise II - Similar to Enterprise III but with a double flame.
s and are available in black lacquer and carbon fiber
.
Lighter
A lighter is a portable device used to generate a flame. It consists of a metal or plastic container filled with a flammable fluid or pressurized liquid gas, a means of ignition, and some provision for extinguishing the flame.- History :...
manufacturer. Since its inception, Colibri has developed its existing lighter a variety of products including: lighters, jewelry, smoking accessories, small leather goods and writing instruments.
History and background
Colibri was founded in 1928 by Julius Lowenthal. His primary aim was to re-invent the lighter market and to produce an automatic lighter. He succeeded by inventing the semi-automatic lighter. In 1935, Colibri launched the fully automatic ‘Monopol’ lighter; engineered with a Swiss acceleration system. From 1940 and until 1945 Colibri launched the ‘Stormgard’ lighter designed for soldiers fighting in World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. In 1952, Julius Lowenthal’s son Jack, joins Colibri. Technological advances in 1958 led Colibri to produce a lighter with a visible multiple gas refill and a hydraulic auto-flint system. Colibri released the electric lighter in 1967 and named it the ‘Molectric.’
In 1974, the James Bond film ‘The Man with the Golden Gun
The Man with the Golden Gun (film)
The Man with the Golden Gun is the ninth spy film in the James Bond series and the second to star Roger Moore as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond...
’ Colibri supplied the golden gun; constructed from a Molectric 88 lighter, cufflinks, cigarette case
Cigarette case
A cigarette case or cigarette box is a sturdy, most commonly metal container to store small numbers of cigarettes safely from crushing. In modern times they are also made of plastic....
and fountain pen
Fountain pen
A fountain pen is a nib pen that, unlike its predecessor the dip pen, contains an internal reservoir of water-based liquid ink. The pen draws ink from the reservoir through a feed to the nib and deposits it on paper via a combination of gravity and capillary action...
. Later in 1974, Colibri sponsors the RAC rally team driven by Henry Liddon and Timo Makinen
Timo Mäkinen
Timo Mäkinen was one of the original "Flying Finns" of motor rallying. He is most famous for his hat-tricks of wins in the RAC Rally and the 1000 Lakes Rally-Career:...
.
In the 1980s, Jack’s son David joins Colibri which led to the expansion into lifestyle accessories from Swiss watches to cufflinks and pens. In 2001, the Vortex and Trifecta collections were introduced with pyramidal twin-flame and triple flame lighters.
In February 2009 Colibri changed ownership with its head office changed from Providence
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, USA. They proceeded to relaunch the brand which included three new series to distinguish between products; The Classic (C Series), Design (D Series) and Technical (T Series)
Branding
The original 1928 Colibri logoLogo
A logo is a graphic mark or emblem commonly used by commercial enterprises, organizations and even individuals to aid and promote instant public recognition...
featured simple, bold typeface
Typeface
In typography, a typeface is the artistic representation or interpretation of characters; it is the way the type looks. Each type is designed and there are thousands of different typefaces in existence, with new ones being developed constantly....
and later incorporated flames to dot each ‘I’ in the word Colibri. The logo later included an emblem of a lion breathing fire and a simple hummingbird
Hummingbird
Hummingbirds are birds that comprise the family Trochilidae. They are among the smallest of birds, most species measuring in the 7.5–13 cm range. Indeed, the smallest extant bird species is a hummingbird, the 5-cm Bee Hummingbird. They can hover in mid-air by rapidly flapping their wings...
outline. The logo symbolised ‘Lowethal’ (the founder of Colibri) and literally translates in to Lion.
To signify the re-launch of the brand, in 2011 the Colibri logo was re-branded and incorporated a monochrome humming bird symbol (as ‘Colibri’ is also a breed of hummingbird.) Similarly to the small and detailed nature of the hummingbird, this aesthetic is reflected in Colibri’s products. The design of the logo coincided with the brand re-launch and has a sharper design to reflect the 2011 collection.
History of Products
- 1928 –The ‘Colibri Original’ was launched.
- 1935 – Colibri launches the fully automatic ‘Monopol’ lighter.
- 1940 – Colibri developed the ‘Stormgard’ lighter for soldiers during WWII.
- 1958 – Colibri invents the first visible multi-gas refill and the hydraulic auto flint system.
- 1958 – The Swiss made Monopol watchWatchA watch is a small timepiece, typically worn either on the wrist or attached on a chain and carried in a pocket, with wristwatches being the most common type of watch used today. They evolved in the 17th century from spring powered clocks, which appeared in the 15th century. The first watches were...
was launched. - 1960 – Launch of the Monopol cigarette case.
- 1961 – Colibri invented the Piezo Electric lighter.
- 1967 – Molectric 88 Silver lighter.
- 1970 - Colibri produces 6 jewel encrusted gold lighters.
- 1977 – The ‘Sensatron’ Battery operated touch lighter was launched.
- 1980 – Launch of Colibri Pens and Cufflinks.
- 1982 – Power flame plus lighter launched; a 3 way wind resistant lighter.
- 1985 – Launch of Pipe lighter with adjustable flame.
- 1987 – Quantum, the first windproof lighter was released.
- 1998 – Double guillotine cutterCigar cutterA cigar cutter is a mechanical device designed to cut one end off a cigar so that it may be properly smoked. Although some cigars are cut on both ends, or twirled at both ends, the vast majority come with one straight cut end and one end in a "cap" which must be cut off for the cigar to be smoked...
and cigar punch cutter accessories launched. - 2001 – Colibri produced the first pyramidal dual-flame lighter.
- 2001 – The Trifecta – the world’s first triple flame lighter.
- 2002 – The Summit - a high altitude ignition system lighter.
- 2011 – The 2011 collection; new lighter models, cufflinks, money clipMoney clipA money clip is a device typically used to store cash and credit cards in a very compact fashion for those who do not wish to carry a wallet.-Metal :...
s, pens, and small leather goods. - 2011 – Colibri logo re-branding.
Colibri Jewelry
In 2011, Colibri launched its jewelry range using the C, D and T series for a range of accessories that complement the lighter range. Cufflinks, money clips, pens and leather goods all feature in the range. The Cufflinks consisted of a variety of materials including polished steelSteel
Steel is an alloy that consists mostly of iron and has a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade. Carbon is the most common alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used, such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten...
and semi-precious stone inlays including: malachite
Malachite
Malachite is a copper carbonate mineral, with the formula Cu2CO32. This green-colored mineral crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system, and most often forms botryoidal, fibrous, or stalagmitic masses. Individual crystals are rare but do occur as slender to acicular prisms...
, black onyx
Onyx
Onyx is a banded variety of chalcedony. The colors of its bands range from white to almost every color . Commonly, specimens of onyx contain bands of black and/or white.-Etymology:...
, black pearl
Pearl
A pearl is a hard object produced within the soft tissue of a living shelled mollusk. Just like the shell of a mollusk, a pearl is made up of calcium carbonate in minute crystalline form, which has been deposited in concentric layers. The ideal pearl is perfectly round and smooth, but many other...
, mother-of-pearl and peridot
Peridot
-Chemistry:The chemical composition of peridot is 2SiO4, with Mg in greater quantities than Fe.-Etymology:The origin of the name "peridot" is uncertain...
. T Series cufflinks included genuine Alligator
Alligator
An alligator is a crocodilian in the genus Alligator of the family Alligatoridae. There are two extant alligator species: the American alligator and the Chinese alligator ....
leather centers in a variety of colors and finishes.
2011 Lighter Range
Five new lighter models were launched in the 2011 Las Vegas IPCPR to the C, D and T series collections:C Series
Diamond – Metallic finishes
D Series
Zephyr – Faceted in a variety of metals
T Series
Monza – Pachmayr texture
Enterprise I – Similar to Enterprise III but with a single flame
Enterprise II - Similar to Enterprise III but with a double flame.
Colibri Pens
Colibri launched two pens to its 2011 range. Both are refillable rollerball penRollerball pen
Rollerball pens are pens which use ball point writing mechanisms with water-based liquid or gelled ink, as opposed to the oil-based viscous inks found in ballpoint pens...
s and are available in black lacquer and carbon fiber
Carbon fiber
Carbon fiber, alternatively graphite fiber, carbon graphite or CF, is a material consisting of fibers about 5–10 μm in diameter and composed mostly of carbon atoms. The carbon atoms are bonded together in crystals that are more or less aligned parallel to the long axis of the fiber...
.