I'd have expected it from medicines, but not from pens. The Bic Cristal large ball pen comes with a shelf life. Who'd have thought it? With the rate most stationery cupboards empty, I'm surprised any company thought that this was important, but Bic obviously does. Its Cristal Large pen has an estimated shelf life of two years. (Normally I'd say that 'estimated' is a weasel word, but in the case of pens, I'm not sure any Bic could lie around for fifteen minutes before someone picks it up.)
However, the Bic Cristal Large's selling point isn't the shelf life. Nor is it its 'EasyGlide patented ink technology for extremely smooth writing, or the fact that its compliant with ISO 12757 parts 1&2. Which, if my research is correct, cover ballpoint pens, refills and quality of inks, inkluding (ha ha) shelf life.
No, the Cristal Large's selling point is that – and perhaps this is betrayed by the name – it's a
large-point ball point. In a world where everything is getting smaller, Bic has bucked the trend and made a ballpoint pen with a larger point for 'highly legible vivid lines'. Need to write an important note? Got to tell a secret agent not to come to the rendezvous? Ditch those fine liners – you need a large point ballpoint pen! It's about emphasis and standing out! (I'm flicking my imaginary braces and thumping an invisible desk as I type this.)
You might have heard the name Cristal before, of course. It's an expensive champagne. Peculiarly, the Bic Cristal Large and Cristal champagne share some similarities: they're from well established companies with long histories in their product categories; they're made with care and attention; they both come in clear containers so you can see the contents and they both cost several hundred pounds.
Well, one does. Here's a video about why it's so expensive – hint, it's not the pen.
