January 2018

Forged In Fire – The Montegrappa Blazer

See the brochure for the Montegrappa Blue Blazer here.

Inspiration comes to us at Montegrappa from a variety of sources and places and events and objects. All celebrate some aspect of life, and what enriches it. In the wake of the great success of the Mule line, inspired by a famous cocktail, we looked again at another favourite tipple, the Blue Blazer. 

An enticing mix of scotch, boiling water and powdered sugar, the Blue Blazer earns its incendiary name from the theatre that accompanies it: the drink is set alight. Celebrating its 155th birthday this year, the Blue Blazer is said to be the first cocktail to undergo the touch of the flame. Most distinctively, the drink is prepared with two large tankards, between which the stream of flame travels. 

Our Montegrappa Blazer is based on the Fortuna shape, but with its cap and body made, appropriately, of fire-burnished stainless steel with a vintage-looking brushed silver trim. The polished steel surface of the pen barrel and cap basks in bluish, iridescent shades, just as a heated metal would do. 

Available as fountain, rollerball and ballpoint pens, the fountain pen’s nib will be made in steel and will carry Montegrappa’s filigree etching. It will be offered in the writing grades of Fine, Medium and Broad, and is converter or cartridge-fed. 

As a companion to the Mule, the Montegrappa Blazer will appeal to those who value authenticity, craft and a good, stiff drink. To assist in this pursuit, every Blazer pen will be delivered with a special Blazer tankard as a gift, as is traditionally used to prepare the drink and customized with the new logo. Celebrating even further the joys of the Blazer is our new, Italian spin on the classic, made with grappa, sugar, cinnamon and orange essential oils!  

See the product details and retail pricing here.

Isaac Jewelers

Join us at the Isaac Jewelers live event in Scottsdale Arizona where we will be showcasing the best of U-Boat and Montegrappa!

March 24th, 2018

15044 N.Scottsdale Road
#130
Scottsdale, AZ 85241
www.isaacjewelers.com
480-941-9090

Isaac Jewelers Event

Doppiotempo, from U-BOAT A Watch Marking Simultaneously Two Different Time Zones.

Life is a continuous journey and today our dynamic life communicates it in every moment. You wake up in New York, but tomorrow you’re in Moscow, and then you fly to Milan, and fall asleep in London for an upcoming trip to Dubai or Singapore. It would be nice to stop the time but it is impossible. You can keep it under control, mark the different time slots separating you from home time. A time that marks your life on the road and one that brings you back to home and relax, like two lives lived side by side, like a double time. Italo Fontana extends the Classico line with the Doppiotempo model. Featuring a 46mm bronze case and a bi-directional bezel, the watch boasts an additional hand that allows you to read the time in two different time zones. The rotating bezel with numbers from 1 to 12, can be locked through a lever on the right hand side. This innovative system offers the opportunity to have two different times at the same time with no need of a proper GMT movement. Waterproof to 100 meters depth, Doppiotempo is available in two versions, respectively with green and brown dial,  with brushed bronze numbers and spheres in relief filled with superluminova. Both versions feature a sapphire glass on the front, thick and anti-reflective, and a fumè one cut with a U shape allowing the movement to be seen. Last but not least, the patented crown release system for easy adjustment of data and time together with a small plaque on one side of the case engraved with the serial number.

For more technical details click here.

O’ Sole Mio

Aurora has much to celebrate these days. The fountain pen community continues to grow and with more transparency, people are embracing this fine Italian brand who is quickly approaching 100 years in 2019. Their company has experienced double turnover in 2017, as informed Fountain Pen enthusiasts look to invest their hard earned dollars in quality instruments with lasting value.
The famous song O’ Sole Mio, we’ve come to learn,  is a celebration of the sun and that special sunny day. As Aurora enjoys this sunny period, they have introduced a pen with a familiar color and pattern. The crackled orange material was first introduced in the late 90s with their successful limit production Optima Sole. The Sole revolutionized the collectors market, as the color was quite striking for a more conservative industry most known for blue and black pens. The sole color and material was later launched in a mini Optima series and most recently found quick success with the popular 888 Sole, which is the first 88 style in a color different than black. All models have been completely sold out!
The Aurora Sole Mio is different than the previous models, as it’s two tone and features a black cap with the signature Sole body. The series is available in ballpoint, roller ball and fountain pen. The fountain pen is piston filled and comes equipped with the proprietary 14k nib that is available is standard extra fine, fine, medium and broad. Special sizes like stub, BB and italic are available, but are often backordered for a month or so.
The Sole is a standard series and comes with moderate pricing, particularly for a piston fountain pen with a 14k nib and ebonite feed that is 100% made in Italy.
Check out some more technical information here.

The LA International Pen Show

As in years past, the 2018 Los Angeles International Pen Show will be held in Manhattan Beach, CA, on President’s Day weekend 2018 at the same hotel as in past years. However, the hotel will soon change its name as a result of the multi-million dollar renovation it is undergoing and be known as Westdrift Manhattan Beach.  Dealers and traders will be attending February 15-18, and the show will be open to the public from 10AM-5PM on Sunday, February 18.

Click here for more details on the show.

Philadelphia Pen Show

Join us this weekend for the first pen show of the season, in historic Philadelphia.

Check out the details here.

Something Grande from Montegrappa

The Ducale Grande fountain pen is now available in the popular marble brown acrylic, that many know from the traditional Ducale series. The first Grande introduction from 2017 was made in black resin and was limited to 100 units worldwide. The black model sold out rather quick and its clear that the brown will follow trend. We did increase the production by 100 to 200 units, as the combination of marble brown and rose gold trim is quite alluring. We have captured a few photos, but seeing the pen on screen is no match for viewing the pen in person.

Of course it’s the size that is most distinguishing. The original Ducale is substantial, but the Grande is a beast, well a beauty of a beast. The pen is 6 ½” long and boasts an impressive gold plated crown and clip. At the center of the crown, you will find the iconic Montegrappa logo and the end of the clip features the signature rolling ball. You will also find the limited number beautifully engraved on the crown opposite the logo.

Montegrappa Ducale Grande Brown

The Grande is oversized and although posting may not be necessary for most, it does indeed post. And its well balanced and comfortable. The front grip section is made in rose gold plated brass and has been designed with a curvature for proper grip comfort. The grip section will unscrew from the barrel to reveal the ink filling system, which provides the option of cartridge or converter.

If you’re still reading, then I’m sure you’re curious about that “monster” size 8 nib. It’s a beauty not only for the size but also the detailed Greek key and the Montegrappa 1912 logo. Yes the nib is a a size 8 and is available in extra fine, fine, medium and broad. There is even some speculation that stubs will be available in March, but we wont know for sure until then. The nib has a nice touch and the feed is made from ebonite which delivers a consistent flow.

Montegrappa Ducale Grande Brown

The Ducale Grande has a suggested retail of $750, which we believe is a good value for a pen with so many wonderful qualities.

For more information, please feel free to email contactus@kenroindustries.com

Presenting the U-Boat Classico 45 Bronzo

The Classico 45 Bronzo features a rugged, military ­inspired style that draws upon U-Boat’s design heritage more than any of UBoat’s other watches. You  could easily imagine this watch on the wrist of a naval aviator or at the helm of a ship ­- the use of naturally aged bronze calls to mind vintage sextants,  compasses, and the like. The bronze case definitely has a vintage look that will develop a patina ­ and additional character ­ as it wears, ages, and even corrodes. As a result, no two watches are identical, and eventually each will reflect how it was used and worn throughout it’s life, creating a one-­of-­a­-kind  heirloom piece.

The bronze case is complemented by a dark matte ­brown face, appearing almost black, consisting of three superimposed dials and highlighted by a visible ruby  just above the 6 o’clock position. The dial sports large Arabic numerals at the 12, 4, and 8 o’clock positions, with luminous beige hands and beige hour markers for maximum visibility. The Classico 45 Bronzo features minimal complications on the face, just a date window (on the left side, as per UBoat’s standard design) and a 24­hr indicator.

A handmade and hand ­finished calf leather strap enhances the vintage look of the Classico 45 Bronzo, with a matching bronze tongue buckle that will also age  and patina alongside the watch. The lug width is a standard 20mm, making it easy to swap out the strap if you so desire, including with one of the various U-Boat straps available here.

The Classico collection reflects the essence of U­Boat’s style and serves as the perfect entry point for someone interested in the brand. A no nonsense watch,  the Classico 45 Bronzo can be your primary timepiece, and will pair just as well with a suit as it would with casual attire. Properly maintained, this watch could  last a lifetime, as the bronze case is designed to take a beating while only becoming more attractive as a result.

See all technical details of this watch here.

Montegrappa Makes Play for the Iron Throne with New Line of Game of Thrones ® Pens

With its epic storylines of treachery and nobility, family and honor, ambition and love, and death and survival the hit HBO ® series Game of Thrones has captured the imagination of fans globally
and made it one of the most popular shows on television. Montegrappa is proud to announce a series of writing instruments that convey the grandeur of this most remarkable saga.

Montegrappa’s collection of writing instruments represents of each of the four key families: Stark, Baratheon, Lannister and Targaryen. Each is available as a fountain pen, rollerball and a ballpoint pen. The desirability of the pens is enhanced by a collective style, each pen individualised for the family it represents through sigils and emblems representative of the clan.

All barrels and caps are made with colourful lacquered surfaces, while the trims are fashioned of palladium, 18k gold or bronze plate, with “Game of Thrones” engraved on the cap ring. All of the fountain pens’ nibs are formed in stainless steel, decorated with a sword, and are available in the four writing grades: Extra Fine, Fine, Medium and Broad. The fountain pen is both cartridge and converter-fed.

Montegrappa’s Game of Thrones pens arrive in a double box consisting of a rich, black outer carton bearing each family’s symbol. The inner box is covered in material evoking the styles of the historical period that inspired Game of Thrones, with sigils and patterns relevant to the four families.

Baratheon: Coloured a sombre charcoal, but accented in contrasting yellow gold, the House Baratheon pen features a stag’s head for its pocket clip, with a stag rampant on the cap’s top, above the motto, “Our Is The Fury”. A fleur-de- lis pattern decorates the cap.

Lannister: For House Lannister, a regal red accented in contrasting yellow gold is the dominant colour. The House Lannister pen features a lion’s head for its pocket clip, and a lion rampant on the cap’s top, above the motto, “Hear Me Roar”. A floral pattern, reminiscent of the Tudor Rose, decorates the cap.

Stark: With House Stark’s northern origins, the colour chosen for the family’s pen is a silvery-white, accented in palladium, conveying winter. The cap is patterned with a runic symbol reminiscent of Norse artistry. A direwolf’s head forms the pocket clip, while the top of the cap shows the direwolf’s profile, above the motto, “Winter Is Coming.”

Targaryen: Only a fiery, metallic red against a coal-black background could represent House Targaryen. Naturally, a dragon’s head forms the pocket clip, while a dragon coils above the legend, “Fire and Blood”, on the cap’s top. A filigree pattern graces the cap.