Imagine being able to buy a Ferrari, but instead you spend the same money on... a lighter.
It sounds crazy, but that's exactly what happened when Hong Kong billionaire Stephen Gang commissioned a unique cigar accessory from legendary brand ST Dupont.
The result of six months of work by 80 craftsmen was the Louis XIII Fleur de Parme, a tiny object that changed the idea of luxury.
Its cost? A whopping $500,000 – enough to buy a supercar or a mansion in Europe.
The inspiration for the creation of this masterpiece was the era of Louis XIII, whose spirit was embodied by Princess Tana de Bourbon Parme, a designer and direct heir to the royal dynasty.
The lighter, reminiscent of a miniature crown, is cast from 400 grams of pure gold and encrusted with 152 sapphires that shimmer like the night sky.
The total weight of the stones is 41 carats.
It is not surprising that the Guinness Book of Records immediately recognized it as the most expensive in the world.
But the story did not end there. The success of the Louis XIII Fleur de Parme created a new wave of demand among collectors.
The brand released 31 simplified copies, devoid of precious stones, but even these cost $15,900.
By the way, ST Dupont is no stranger to records: the Ligne 2 Champagne Lighter, which they created for $79,461 and decorated with 468 diamonds, was also once recognized as the most expensive in the world.
However, these models pale in comparison to Princess Tana's creation, which remains unrivaled.
