There are still a few Colibri Originals in use today! Growing the Colibri Company The Colibri Original, made in Switzerland, was considered a luxury lighter and preferred by men of high standards. The company manufactured, marketed and sold the Colibri Original, the world’s first semi-automatic lighter.Ī new and highly-prized lighter, Lowenthal’s flagship product did away with some of the issues that plagued the “flint-wheel” lighter of the day, making it easier to create a flame that stayed lit.

In 1928 Julius Lowenthal, along with his brother, Benno, launched J&B Lowenthal, which later became the Colibri company. As Lowenthal honed his craft, he began to see there was a need for something more reliable (and less painful!) than the early version which relied on a flint-like substance and substantial thumb-power to create a spark and light the fuel-fed flame. Julius was assigned the task of working on lighters, a life-changing undertaking indeed. In 1910, at the age of 18, Julius Lowenthal joined a German firm that created “smoker’s requisites”. Read on to discover the colorful and inspiring history of the Colibri company, see it unfold over the last nearly-100 years, and find out why Colibri products are considered the pinnacle of sophistication and yet are highly affordable. Over the decades Colibri has grown to become one of the most recognizable names among cigar aficionados and those of refined tastes.

In 1928, when Julius Lowenthal started the company it was with a single product, the semi-automatic lighter.

Colibri also extends its brand to high-end writing instruments, watches, jewelry and many other accessories for the discerning gentleman. For nearly a century the brand Colibri has been the first name in quality, sophistication and innovation when it comes to lighters and smoking accessories like cigar cutters, carrying cases, ashtrays and fine humidors.

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