DESIGN /
PRODUCT
March 13, 2015
PEN ITALIA | The Italian Pen You Should Own
PEN ITALIA
The Italian Pen You Should Own
We fill our smartphone calendars with schedules, send internal messages via email, and even make credit card payments with password entry instead of a signature. In our work and daily lives, the use of writing instruments is steadily declining, and so is the number of pens we own. That's precisely why we believe it's worth considering owning just one, slightly luxurious pen. Here, we introduce some made-in-Italy pens that are worthy of being cherished for years to come.
Text by OPENERS
Italian Colors and Forms
Italy, alongside Germany, is a kingdom of fountain pens. Its bold color palettes and playful designs reflect a uniquely Italian sensibility that prioritizes more than just luxury and function. From the multitude of brands available, we've selected three pens across different price points.
OMAS
Founded in Bologna in 1925, founder Armando Simoni, also a scholar of classical Greek studies, infused his pens with an intellectual brand philosophy, incorporating designs reminiscent of ancient Greek architecture. The Emotica collection, launched in 2006 based on four concepts—Emotion, Movement, Titanium, and Caoutchouc Effect—features a resilient titanium nib and the world's first movable clip, blending luxury with modern elements. In addition to fountain pens, ballpoint pens are also available, each in two color variations.
Fountain pen "Emotica" (Blue Venice) ¥49,350 Intercontinental Trading Co., Ltd. Tel. 03-6230-2577
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Campo Marzio
This is a relatively new brand from Rome, established in 1992. After producing pens as commemorative items for the Vatican Museums in 2000, their unique designs crafted by artisans became widely known globally. The brand releases new products in line with current trends each year, and most are handmade by veteran artisans, despite their reasonable prices. Currently popular is the MINNY ballpoint pen. It's shorter than a standard ballpoint, making it a convenient size to carry in a pocket. The brand logo is engraved on the gold-plated trim. Available in a rich palette of 16 colors. Features a replaceable cartridge. Comes in a box.
Ballpoint pen "MINNY" ¥2,940 NIPP International http://www.nip-international.com/shop.html (Retailers)
AURORA
Aurora was founded in 1919 in Turin, a city in northwestern Italy, as the country's first fountain pen manufacturer. Its "Astil" and "Tessie" series have received exceptionally high design accolades, being the first writing instruments to be permanently preserved in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. Aurora is one of the few manufacturers that produces every part, from nib to body, in its own factory and exports to over 55 countries worldwide. Despite its rich history, Aurora also offers fountain pens with pop-like color schemes, such as the Ipsilon. While affordably priced for a fountain pen, it is reputed to offer an outstanding writing experience. The design of the bottle ink is also beautiful.
Fountain pen "Ipsilon B11" ¥12,600 http://www.aurorapen.jp/index.html