Heritage

• Famous for his confidence, Colibri’s founder Julius Lowenthal started out with a vision that would transform the world of cigars and launch an international brand. Today the Colibri renaissance brings you the same classic styling and engineering leadership alongside superb modern functionality. Colibri offers three series, each of which echoes the timeless moods of man: genuine, effortless confidence in all its forms.

  

• 1892

  Birth of an inventor

  Julius Lowenthal, founder of the Colibri empire, is born in Frankfurt. Julius dreams of innovation and international travel —
  a passion that would last a lifetime

  

• 1928

  The legendary “Original”

  Determined to improve the old-style lighter, Julius invents the world’s first working semi-automatic: the Swiss-made “Colibri Original”

  

• 1930

  Exotic design

  Colbri craftsmen employ exotic finishes and radical designs for their sought-after lighters, including sterling silver, solid gold, onyx inlays and mother of pearl

  

• 1935

  The Monopol

  The fully automatic Colibri Monopol becomes one of the best-loved lighters of all time. Its Swiss acceleration system guarantees ignition a 100 times in a row. Today Colibri lighters are tested on custom designed machines to run through 20,000 ignitions

  

• 1940

  London Blitz

  Colibri’s warehouses are destroyed in a bombing raid. In response Colibri launches the Stormgard lighter, designed for soldiers in the field

  

• 1952

  A New Era

  Julius Lowenthal’s son, Jack, joins Colibri full time. His innovative genius and eye for design project the Colibri business into a global luxury player

  

• 1958

  The Blue Period

  Technological advances mark the 1950s and 60s. Colibri invents the first visible multiple gas refill, and the hydraulic auto-flint system

  

• 1962

  Brave New World

  Colibri files the patent for the Piezo lighter mechanism. The world’s first non-battery, non-flint lighter uses microscopic charges from crystals, revolutionising the world of smoking.

  

• 1970s

  A Gift for Confidence

  Colibri becomes one of the most gifted men’s accessories in the world. A limited edition £1200 diamond encrusted Monopol sells out within weeks

  

• 1974

  Winning team

  Colibri sponsors the winning team in the legendary 1974 Lombard RAC rally driven by Henry Liddon and Finnish star Timo Makinen

  

• 1974

  The Man with the Golden Gun

  James Bond’s arch-enemy chooses Colibri to supply his legendary Golden Gun, constructed from a Molectric 88 lighter, cufflink, cigarette case and a gold Colibri pen

  

• 1977

  The racy 70s

  Dinner guests delight in the high tech mechanism of the Colibri Sensatron, igniting it with a single touch as they hold hands to create an electric current

  

• 1980s

  The Legend spreads

  Jack’s son David joins Colibri, expanding its business into the full range of lifestyle accessories — from classic Swiss watches to cufflinks and luxury pens

  

• 1986

  Fete Champetre

  The Duchess of Marchmont hosts a landmark charity event inviting Colibri to fly her guests in a sponsored hot air balloon

  

• 2001

  Innovation

  The Colibri Vortex and Colibri Trifecta introduce the world’s first pyramidal twin-flame and triple flame lighters

  

• Today

  Confidence defined

  Colibri relaunches with a new global identity and a range of lifestyle products, from refinishes of classic lighters to jewellery, accessories and leather goods.