Omas

Armando Simoni was often heard to repeat “A pen must make writing pleasurable”. If writing is the key to a man’s soul then OMAS designs speak about their creator. Simoni was an admirer of Greek culture and exalted his passion for classical studies in the creation of objects with a balanced design. Is not the famous twelve-sided Arte Italiana model reminiscent of a Doric column?

This model is still produced today and has become a classic in the luxury pen market. As well as aesthetic considerations, Armando Simoni had been interested in mechanics since he was a child. By the age of 34 he had accumulated sufficient knowledge of the sector to found OMAS (Officina Meccanica Armando Simoni).

During the 1930s he designed the twelve-sided model and the other great success story of the pre-war years, the Doctor’s Pen fitted with a tiny clinical thermometer in the body of the pen. Simoni’s love of technical challenges resulted in the endless creation of surprising models; from the Fountain Pen with two nibs to the series with the transparent ink holder to emphasize lucent beauty.

These exclusive items demonstrate the creative force of their designer. He was nominated Cavaliere della Corona d’Italia – Knight of the Italian Crown- and thereafter acquired the moniker “il Cavaliere”. The new noble status of Simoni was extended to the firm as the small Bologna-based workshop was transformed into a world famous company. Following the death of Armando Simoni in 1958, his daughter Raffaella and son-in-law Angelo Malaguti preserved the spirit and philosophy of the business. The reins were then taken up in 1983 by Gianluca Malaguti, initially working alongside his mother, and then as a worthy heir to the family tradition.

The harmony and perfection that had always distinguished the OMAS trademark was in secure hands. The excellent quality and extraordinary inventiveness of OMAS pens sparked the interest of the world-renowned producer of luxury goods LVMH (Moët Hennessy – Louis Vuitton) and in May 2000 OMAS became part of this group. Today the pens are still manufactured according to the highest standards that have distinguished them since 1925 and with the distinctive OMAS “O” still adorning the cap.

VALUES
HANDCRAFTED SINCE 1925
Even when latest generation technology is used, such as during the processing of titanium, a human touch is still required. The numerous delicate operations involved in the production process mean that all OMAS pens are handmade. More than 100 stages are required for each design, from initial cutting of the 18 carat gold leaf to rolling, blanking and bending to give the nib maximum elasticity. A total of seven operations are needed to create the ebonite and vulcanised rubber conduit used to regulate the flow of ink. The 12 sides on the celluloid models are shaped individually and then polished by hand using cork, a technique requiring two years of training.

The solution adopted by OMAS during each manufacturing stage is always one where the highest quality is paramount.

Approximately 100 working days are required to produce a celluloid pen. Each individual item is the result of attention to the tiniest detail. Specifically the clip on each model is unique. The highly specialized workforce needed means that each pen is a goldsmith’s masterpiece.

For this reason OMAS special editions, designed to celebrate exclusive events in conjunction with famous international partners, and OMAS limited editions aimed at Fountain Pen enthusiasts, are highly appreciated. These exclusive, limited edition and numbered models commemorate significant historical and cultural events and are highly prized thanks to the elegance of their design.

DESIGN
First and foremost a pen is a creative tool, a means of expression. The design and creation of these tools requires a deep understanding of emotion and a passion for beautiful objects.

This is the spirit with which OMAS has manufactured pens since 1925 and acts as a seal of guarantee. OMAS pens have always been distinguished by their essential, elegant and timeless design and, as such, are synonymous with creative excellence in the Fountain Pen sector and Italian style in general. These prestigious writing jewels perfectly combine aesthetic aspects with extreme ease of use thanks to the blend of sophisticated image and writing pleasure. It is thanks to this tradition and savoir faire without compromise that OMAS Fountain Pen designs are able to interpret the spirit of the times to ensure ever more modern and creative inspiration.

In this context the Arte Italiana collection with the unique 12-sided shape, the 360 with its three 60 degree angles to ensure perfect ergonomics, the classic linear form of the Bologna and the style of the Emotica range represent the jewels in the new design crown for luxury pens.

INNOVATION
Armando Simoni, the founder of OMAS and one of the world’s leading experts on Fountain Pens, was not just a designer with an inspired imagination but also a man possessing profound technical and mechanical knowledge. Thanks to his genius innovation became one of the benchmarks of company philosophy. From small discoveries to constantly improve the production process and products, to the famous patents, the result of innovation was nearly always a milestone in the history of the Fountain Pens.

wbearer of current piston filling systems. The much-copied but never bettered OMAS 361 enables three different types of writing with a single nib ranging from flexible and calligraphic to hard and also able to write as a Ball-point.

The dedication to modern design and technology is best summed up by the OMAS 360, the most revolutionary pen ever produced. Thanks to the special triangular shape the user’s fingers naturally move to the optimum position to ensure correct nib inclination for better, customised and more comfortable writing.
Innovation has also concerned production materials as well as functioning and use. Wood has been manipulated to produce oval pens and molded into small facets. Titanium has been transformed into velvet-like surfaces and gold has been engraved to recall the travels of Christopher Columbus and Marco Polo, the moon landings and the legend of Atlantis. Gold has also been combined with motherof-pearl on the Gian Lorenzo Bernini model to confound even the experts and ensure a unique combination of technology and a goldsmith’s handiwork.

OMAS is responsible for an extraordinary cultural legacy where each product is the fruit of research and always conceals something new or complicated and where creative and aesthetic talent are combined easily with technical innovation and function.

NOBLE MATERIALS
OMAS pens are renowned for their extraordinary balance, refined elegance and surprising tactility. These features are possible thanks to the use of natural materials which are difficult to process such as cotton resin, celluloid, wood, titanium, gold and silver. Processing of these materials ensures high quality products aimed at genuine collectors and enthusiasts.

Cotton resin, a vegetal substance, is warm, soft and pleasing to the touch. The surface is immensely shiny enabling very high definition of the colours used. The shades of colour selected are researched, created and tested in OMAS workshops.

Produced from cellulose treated with camphor in an ether solution, celluloid is a material encompassing all the qualities needed to make a perfect Fountain Pen: light, resilient, sturdy, shiny and pleasing to the touch. These features are then combined with the extraordinary colour combinations offered by celluloid. The processing stages are long and complicated meaning that the production cycle for an OMAS celluloid pen is longer than 100 days.

After years of research and development OMAS unveiled its first titanium models in 2000, having created a perfect union between tradition and modern technology. The intense grey colour and soft velvet-like feel are the most striking features of OMAS titanium pens, the very latest novelty in the manufacture of Fountain Pens. Produced using a single block of titanium, the pens are available in the Arte Italiana and 360 models.
Gold and silver, symbols of wealth and power since time immemorial, are ideal for complex and sophisticated processing thanks to their intrinsic features. Both of these metals are widely used by OMAS to create pens that are unique pieces of jewelry as much as writing instruments.

OMAS also manufactures pens adorned with diamonds and precious stones to enhance the glint of gold, silver and platinum. Rhodium, vermeil and prestigious woods such as ebony, snakewood and Indian palm are also used to further complement these precious metals.

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