News Page 12

“Freedom in Creation” has always been Italo Fontana’s motto since the early steps in the watch industry.

As he often states in interviews: “I like the identity and originality of my creations, I do not have an obligation to create the same things that I have always designed, or to continue to do oversized timepieces. When an inspiration comes to me, I see it through. I plan it strategically and I do what I like.”

Italo unveils two versions of Classico, named Stratos, in sizes 45mm and size 40mm but scaled down to an unusual thickness respectively of 11,70mm or 18,0mm and 9,50mm.

This new design gives an extremely flat and lightweight watch, perfect to be worn under a nice tuxedo or a man suit. Gentleman’s elegance that perfectly matches the strong and bold character, identity  of the U-BOAT brand.

Discover more about STRATOS 40 and STRATOS 45

Its time to spread some love, appreciation, and, of course ink! Give a Montegrappa pen with your client’s name, your logo or even create a one of a kind special edition that’s designed with your brand colors and identity. A fine pen can make a lasting impression that your clients or employees will treasure for years to come. Choose from many colors, materials and price points, including the new Armonia collection, starting at $125 MSRP. In addition to a great price-point, the packaging is upscale and makes a wonderful first impression!

To learn more about our corporate possibilities, please speak with our Kenro team and learn how we can help you with your company’s custom pens. We will make the process smooth and provide you with first class customer service. Please call 516-741-0011 or email all@kenroindustries.com

Several years ago, the Montegrappa Skull pen hit the shelves like a storm, becoming one of the best selling regular edition pens from the fine Italian manufacturer. The pen spawned a full line of accessories that rapidly disappeared as fast as the pen. Now, Montegrappa follows up with one of two new bold styles for this line; Red Skull.

Skull is classic, and with this new addition, the line grows more robust. Collectors and enthusiasts both love this pen because it is designed to be a daily writer, but decorated to complete any collection as well.

You may also be interested in the Merry Skull, also known as the Silver Skull. Click here to learn more!

To honour the world’s greatest artists, writers and thinkers, Montegrappa created the Genio Creativo series of pens. Each represents the achievements of an intellectual or artistic giant in a writing instrument that embodies the spirit of a specific work, as interpreted by Montegrappa’s artisans. Joining writer and philosopher Kahlil Gibran and the artist Vecellio Tiziano, known as Titian, is the sculptor ANTONIO CANOVA.

ANTONIO CANOVA (1 November 1757 – 13 October 1822) was an Italian sculptor famous for his work in marble. Often regarded as the greatest of the neoclassical artists, his work was inspired by the Baroque and the classical revival, but made more contemporary by dispensing with the melodrama of the former and adding a human element to the latter.

A limited edition of 260 fountain pens and 260 rollerball pens, the exact number of years since Canova’s birth will be offered with polished bronze trim, black resin and a pen barrel made in a special marble composite, depicting in miniature his famous sculpture The Graces, or “Le Grazie”. A further 12 fountain and 12 rollerball pens will be produced with solid 18k gold trim, representing the number of collaborators who worked with Canova.

Recalling the visual presence of Canova’s sculptures, the marble element is naturally grey. According to legend, Canova would pass over the freshly-chiselled, once-white stone with a cloth soaked with water, the same one used to wash the sculpting tools. The stone would absorb the dirt and acquire a more natural look.

Further details paying homage to Canova are the signature clip in the form of a pleated drape with which the artist used to clad his models, while the bronze or gold trim enriched with decorative motifs often crowning antique amphorae. The Genio Creativo Canova Fountain pen is piston-fed, and the nib is in 18k gold, engraved with the same symbol as the cap top, signifying the heraldic coat of arms of the family.

The Montegrappa Genio Creativo ANTONIO CANOVA limited edition has been developed in collaboration with Fondazione Canova ONLUS. www.museocanova.it

This week we introduce the second color to the vibrant Aurora Minerali collection. This is the second of five colors in the series, as the blue was first delivered in September. There’s a total of five colors in the collection and each will be limited to 388 fountain pens.

The Minerali is a Demonstrator concept, which is not foreign to Aurora’s production history. You may be familiar with past collections like the Optima Demo, 88 Demo and the most popular Demo Black! The Minerali is the most limited, as past editions were produced in larger quantities and are still available upon special request.

Aurora Demonstrator pens are a bit more labor intensive than your typical black or multi color pens. You see the clear and transparent components must be hand polished on both the inside and out. This process require a lot of time and close attention to detail. You should also note that Aurora did not cut any corners when determining which components would be clear. Not only have they produced the barrel and cap in clear acrylic, but the grip section and nib block that holds the ebonite feed and 18kt nib are also made from clear materials.

Additionally, you will find other details that add to the overall appeal of this attractive fountain pen, like the small ink window, the slim colored ring toward the bottom of the barrel and the engraved numerals at the crown that identifies the owner’s edition number.

While there is certainly something engaging about one’s ability to see the ink move through the inside of this strinking 88, there is also a high level of quality that should not go unnoticed. Each 88 Minerali is made with the same integrity that the fountain pen community has regarding for close to 100 years. Some important components include a piston filling system, a proprietary 18kt gold nib (available in EF, F, M, Broad and other specialty sizes), an ebonite feed and a firm posting of the cap for true balance when writing.

All in all it’s a clear decision!

What a fitting time in history to focus on the concept of world peace. And that’s exactly what Montegrappa did with its new Pen of Peace limited edition, whose creation was itself a harmonious intention of diverse people with a common goal. [Click here to continue reading]