S.T.Dupont Adds Signature Ping to Le Grand Lighter

In 2017, S.T.Dupont showed off a new lighter design that was based on its iconic Ligne 2 lighter, though it had one major trick up its sleeve—the lighter had not only a soft flame but also a torch/jet flame. It’s called S.T.Dupont Le Grand and the company has been selling it in various designs for the last five years.

While the Le Grand has an extra flame, there was one notable feature it lacked: S.T.Dupont’s signature ping sound that occurs when you flip open the top of the lighter.

Now that’s changing.

In August, Coles of London—S.T.Dupont’s U.S. distributor—will begin shipping the Le Grand Perfect Ping, a new version of the Le Grand lighter that has the iconic ping. It will debut in four different colorways:

• S.T.Dupont Le Grand Perfect Ping Diamond Head Yellow Gold — $1,395
• S.T.Dupont Le Grand Perfect Ping Diamond Head Palladium — $1,395
• S.T.Dupont Le Grand Perfect Ping Black Lacquer / Palladium — $1,595
• S.T.Dupont Le Grand Perfect Ping Blue Sunburst / Palladium — $1,695

As for what’s changed, it’s believed to be some internal tweaks that allow for the resonance that can produce the pinging sound.

For those wondering how the lighter works, it begins like a regular Ligne 2: open the lid, place the lighter in your right hand and flick the roller to the left with your thumb. That strikes the flint and ignites the soft flames. With the soft flames ignited—technically there are two—push the roller upwards with your thumb and the torch flame is ignited. Letting go of the roller will put the lighter back into a soft flame though the torch can be reactivated by pushing the roller up again.

Coles of London will eventually phase out the non-pinging Le Grand lighter, though it’s unclear when those changes will take effect.