Vauen White Dot vs Non White Dot?

[crazyhog]

Hi,

I have a 10% coupon from SP for being a Newbie. I really want my next pipe puchase to be a Vauen Sandblasted straight stem. I have come down to two. Either the Vauen Royal White Dot 569 or the Vauen Classic 4486. There is almost an $80 difference for the Royal white dot. I have had Vauens in the past, that smoked well. I never had a straight stem Vauen, which is what I now prefer all my pipes to be. I am just wondering if the $80 difference is worth it for a white dot. Anyone have any experience with a White Dot? Is the only difference the quality of briar? They are both sandbasted, so I really can't see much difference. The Royal white dot is the smaller pipe, but I prefer the lovat shape. Thanks

 

[BingBong]

Royalty payable to Dunhill?

 

[Olkofri]

Make sure you're really getting a white dot and not a grey dot. AFAIK, only in Europe can you get the former.

 

[crazyhog]

Royalty payable to Dunhill?

Royalty payable to Dunhill?

Per Pipedia: In the 1920s, VAUEN had taken out a trademark on a white dot on the mouthpiece for Germany and Austria, at the same time that Dunhill had done the same for the international market. The companies ended up in court with the result that Dunhill may use the white dot internationally, whereas VAUEN may use it only in Germany and Austria and has to use a differently-coloured dot for all other markets. They have used light blue and grey dots internationally since then. The white or coloured dot denotes the higher quality pipes of VAUEN; the lower-end pipes are only marked by the VAUEN imprint on the stem.

 

[crazyhog]

Make sure you're really getting a white dot and not a grey dot. AFAIK, only in Europe can you get the former.

Thanks, I emailed SP customer service to confirm. The white dot does hold a slightly better value, if you are a collector. I am not and I doubt it would smoke better. I would prefer the white dot though. The band is sterling silver on the Royal line.

 

[crazyhog]

Here is their response. I'm going to sleep on it, but this is good.


Hi Al,

Thank you for contacting Smokingpipes. The dot on the Vauen Royal Sandblasted 569 with Product Number: 002-457-11333 is white. This pipe was manufactured in Germany.

Thank you Al,

Todd
Customer Service
Smokingpipes.com
(888) 366-0345

 

[Sigmund]

Is a dot..nothing more.

 

[Olkofri]

Is a dot..nothing more.

Well, it helps with alignment.

 

[crazyhog]

Well, it helps with alignment.

Funny, but true.

 

[Alejo R.]

Hi,

I have a 10% coupon from SP for being a Newbie. I really want my next pipe puchase to be a Vauen Sandblasted straight stem. I have come down to two. Either the Vauen Royal White Dot 569 or the Vauen Classic 4486. There is almost an $80 difference for the Royal white dot. I have had Vauens in the past, that smoked well. I never had a straight stem Vauen, which is what I now prefer all my pipes to be. I am just wondering if the $80 difference is worth it for a white dot. Anyone have any experience with a White Dot? Is the only difference the quality of briar? They are both sandbasted, so I really can't see much difference. The Royal white dot is the smaller pipe, but I prefer the lovat shape. ThanksView attachment 398800View attachment 398802

Between those two I would choose the Lovat, not because of the dot, but because it has a nicer shape and I don't like the billiard's raised ring.

 

[anotherbob]

Thanks, I emailed SP customer service to confirm. The white dot does hold a slightly better value, if you are a collector. I am not and I doubt it would smoke better. I would prefer the white dot though. The band is sterling silver on the Royal line.

From my understanding it does sorta signify a higher grade pipe. I've heard they let the German vendors get first pick and so they're more likely to have the ones with less fill and supposedly more desirable grain (I personally find all the grain types desirable and interesting.)

 

[rosand]

Per Pipedia: In the 1920s, VAUEN had taken out a trademark on a white dot on the mouthpiece for Germany and Austria, at the same time that Dunhill had done the same for the international market. The companies ended up in court with the result that Dunhill may use the white dot internationally, whereas VAUEN may use it only in Germany and Austria and has to use a differently-coloured dot for all other markets. They have used light blue and grey dots internationally since then. The white or coloured dot denotes the higher quality pipes of VAUEN; the lower-end pipes are only marked by the VAUEN imprint on the stem.

...and Savinelli uses a golden dot (punto oro).
I have both a Vauen with and without white dot. Yes, the white dot has a more beautiful grain and only one tiny fill, but smoking wise both are fine without any difference ... except the different shape.
Imo it's a question of looks and prestige ...

 

[crazyhog]

Well, I placed my order for the Vauen Royal white dot and a couple of other things. I never tried RLP-6 before. Hopefully, I will have it by Thursday using UPS Surepost.