October 2017 Page 2

The famous Italian sculptor, Antonio Canova was commissioned to sculpt a statue of George Washington for the State Capitol.  The Canova statue, with Washington wearing a Roman toga and portrayed as a military hero from ancient times, is the centerpiece of the Capitol lobby.

Some had asked Nathaniel Macon to recommend a sculptor, but the U.S. Senator forwarded their requests to one he considered more knowledgeable regarding art: Thomas Jefferson.  It was Jefferson who recommended Antonio Canova.

In 1815, the General Assembly appropriated $10,000 for the sculpture.  Five years later he Italian sculptor completed the white-marbled statue, and the U.S. Navy transported it across the Atlantic.  Once stationed in the Capitol, the Canova statue, writes historian William S. Powell, attracted many travelers to Raleigh to see what many claimed to be “the most precious work of art in America.”

Canova was one of the most acclaimed artists in Europe.  His work was respected in London, Paris, and Rome.  He sculpted monuments for various Popes and he was commissioned by Napoleon.

In 2018, Montegrappa will be releasing a pen dedicated to the great Antonio Canova. More information will be released soon, stay tuned.

Team Kenro, including Bryan Hulser and Ryan Sirignano, traveled to Italy for the Montegrappa sales meeting and an experience that only Bassano could provide.

Unfortunately, we are not at liberty to share the amazing introductions planned for 2018, but we invite you to see some of the photos taken from their time at the factory, their tours of Bassano and their social activities.

It’s safe to say that time at Montegrappa is very much a family practice.

September was a big month for the Kenro Team. Their trip to Tuscany, home to U-Boat, wasn’t all fun and games. In between the drag races, hot air balloon rides, and authentic Italian meals, a lot was discussed about how the brand will continue to innovate its line of watches and expand their other line of accessories.

With the advent of smartphones and smartwatches, the watch industry is at a crossroads: continue the status quo or evolve to stay relevant. Italo Fontana’s designs are anything but the status quo. His designs skate a fine line between daring and fashionable. In this “do or die” world of watchmaking, U-Boat is not only surviving – it’s thriving!

In the coming months, Kenro and U-Boat will begin to introduce new and updated line of watches to the North American market. Stay tuned for more!