The Anatomy of the Historic and Iconic Dunhill Rolagas, the Only Premium Lighter You Ever Need

I’m a bit of an obsessive when it comes to finding the right product that eschews trends. From fountain pens to trench coats, I’d prefer to buy once and buy well, having pieces that last for decades and end up paying for themselves in the long run (or so I tell my husband when he sees our credit card statement). In fact, I’ve so embraced this philosophy that I’ve welcomed the idea of an “old money aesthetic,” as the TikTok crowd says, as it has put a renewed focus on pieces that simply never go out of style.

One such item is the Dunhill Rollagas lighter. Sleek with minimal decoration, this slim lighter has been a favorite for politicians, celebrities, and one particular MI6 spy. And for those who are looking to invest in an item that won’t just light a candle but will start a conversation at your next dinner party, then the Rollagas might be for you.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Dunhill hasn’t been on your radar. It’s a brand that has been quiety gaining traction over the years, positioning itself as an inconspicuous contender in the luxury landscape against larger names. But with a track record going back 130 years, they must be doing something right.

Dunhill began as a saddle-making company that was inherited by its founder, Alfred Dunhill, from his father. Taking a look around at the growing market of automotives, Dunhill used his business sense to put the horses away, so to speak, and focus on providing leather accessories for the nascent auto industry. By evolving with the times, Dunhill was not only able to stay afloat, but to actually succeed in an emerging industry. This, more than a century later, appears to be a trait ingrained into the DNA of the brand.

By promising “Everything for the car but the motor” to its customers, Dunhill supplied wealthy Londoners who were interested in automobiles with a variety of products, from leather overcoats to goggles to car horn covers. The Dunhill brand’s history in saddle-making came in handy: they were already familiar with high-quality leathers that could adapt to various elements and produce bespoke products as-needed. By the 1920s, Dunhill was known within the London area and by the 1950s, it had broadened its appeal to the continent and the United States to be a veritable luxury brand.

Over the years, Dunhill has remained understated within the designer market, but still there remains a following that understands that well-made products will wait to be appreciated and don’t have to announce themselves. It’s this brand identity that had been crafted for more than a century that attracted Richemont, the owners of Cartier and Montblanc (to name a few), to acquire the brand in 1998.

It was in the 1950s when Dunhill began to really experiment with elevating products to further attract more customers. Instead of just using more expensive materials on the same ol’ model that everyone else was doing, Dunhill instead began to build a better performing lighter, as well as a better looking one. Thus, the Rollagas was born.

First developed in 1953, the Rollagas was at the time a limited-edition model (it would become part of the main line, as it is still today, for the brand in 1956 when the patent was granted). What set the Rollagas apart was that it did not rely on a flint or wick lighting mechanism, but butane. At the time, it was considered a “cleaner” way to light, as well as more reliable. Soon, butane lighters began to take over the market.

Not only was it a better performing lighter for the time, it’s also simply a gorgeous objet d’art. Coming in both silver and gold tones, the body has been enhanced with various patterns–lines, diamonds, barley-cut, to name a few–over the years to keep things interesting. Combine that with the well-recognized thumbwheel to ignite the lighter and the concealed hinge at the top and you have, and I’m not trying to be hyperbolic here, one of the most iconic objects of the 20th Century.

I know what you’re thinking: the price tag for a Dunhill is steep. These lighters often creep toward the $1,200 price point, and that, of course, is prohibitive for many. But for those of us who are collectors–whether it be Japanese denim or watches or pens–we understand that it’s not just about the functionality of the object, but how it makes us feel when using it.

I’m sure you’ve probably heard in your life where someone will say “You paid how much? My X works just as well!” and while this may be true, oftentimes we’re not buying for what the object can do, necessarily, but what it can do for us. For me, when I use a cheap gas station lighter, I’m transported to when I was 16 and trying my first cigarette. But when I use a Rollagas, I feel like a proper adult. I like who I am when a Rollagas is tucked into my pocket.