Omas Factory Visit (Picture Heavy)

[stevesurf]

My taxi stopped at the gate of the Omas headquarters which I believe they had occupied since 1970’s; I was then shown upstairs to their reception room and greeted by Francesco Carano, one of their managers. On the table laid a group of faceted Arte Italiana and the innovative 360 pens that should be well known to all pen lovers. There were also some recent limited and special edition pens such as (from left to right) Cohiba, William Shakespeare, Solaia, Montecristo and Michelangelo, the first three with wooden barrels and the elaborate Michelangelo in real marble and sterling silver. It is obvious that Omas is trying to please not just users of the fountain pen, but also a niche market where a writing instrument is a collectible and precious item.

 

http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae33/mchenart/DSCF8265_zps7hpfiiya.jpg

 

http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae33/mchenart/DSCF8250_zpsefopvygn.jpg

 

http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae33/mchenart/DSCF8248ab_zpsfjyxf4bs.jpg

 

Mr. Carano then showed me a film that they had made for their 90^th anniversary. The short film was aired since June this year, and it immediately reminded me of the emotive feature film 'Cinema Paradiso':

http://www.omas.com/news-en/omas_90th_anniversary/

 

 

 

Mr Carano is a wonderful gentleman; he got me my Omas Solaterre with a 90th anniversay EF nib, complete with wrapping, box and all the trimmings, always communicating via email as to status. I pray to the pen Gods that these nice people stay in this wonderful business!

[graystranger]

Your report on the visit to Omas is just wonderful! I bought an Omas Ogiva Alba about a year ago and love it. I saw the Omas video that Brian Goulet shared on his blog, and decided I had to have one. It is a wonderful pen, and I love to write with it. Your report makes me even prouder to own an Omas. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful visit with us.

[basterma]

It is sad to hear they are having problems. I hope someday to find the pens somewhere where I can hold them before buying them... I can't spend that kind of money on something unseen.

[markiv]

Wonderful read - thanks for sharing it with the community

[fountainbel]

Thanks for shearing your your excellent report, much appreciated !

I'm very sorry reading Omas seems to be in financial problems…..

They make beautiful and technically well made pens;

It surely would be a great loss for the fountain pen community.

Lets keep our fingers crossed…….

Francis

[freakman]

I think OMAS improved a lot in design for their newer LEs.

I really hope they could go through this.

Just ordered an OMAS cohiba from their website, will post a review after receiving it.

The price on their OMAS website is really good if you don't have to pay the VAT.

[Calabria]

I've stopped collecting OMAS because quite a few collectible celluloid models deformed and lost their color over the years. Now I read somewhere that the problem may not be in the materials they use, but with the off-gassing of the boxes I kept them in. Strange world.

 

I once travelled to Bologna in August to see the factory but it was closed for the summer. I did get a peek at the machinery from the gate through the open doors. Your report brought back these memories. Perhaps I'll take a second look at OMAS now, if it's not too late already.

[jmccarty3]

What a wonderful post. I have quite a few OMAS pens, the most beautiful of which is an Ogiva Arco. It would be a terrible shame if the company goes under.

[youstruckgold]

Thankyou for this report. I'm currently on a "ONLY OMAS" campaign; using only my Omas pens until I hear news that they survive - they are too good to fail.

[arkiemark]

Youstruckgold, that's quite a fantastic pen! What kind of celluloid is that?

[youstruckgold]

It's Arco platinum

[mmg122]

MChenart...fantastic report and very informative photos. Omas is one of my top 3 favorite pen companies and I have many of their beautiful pens which I treasure. Thanks so much for sharing your tour with us.

 

Mary

[chemguyethan]

Just stumbled across this and it's a great post, thank you for posting pictures!

 

I just picked up a Milord Arco and it is just wonderful to use and stare at. I too hope Omas can stick around for years to come.

[mchenart]

Thank you everyone for taking the time to read my post. And thank you youstruckgold for posting your beautiful Arco Platinum. It's simply fantastic.

 

Here is my small collection of Omas pens. I know, it will take me decades before I reach whichwatch's magic number of 49, but I like all 7 of my children.

 

http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae33/mchenart/DSCF9999_zpsycbey5tk.jpg

Edited December 17, 2015 by mchenart

[freakman]

Thank you everyone for taking the time to read my post. And thank you youstruckgold for posting your beautiful Arco Platinum. It's simply fantastic.

 

Here is my small collection of Omas pens. I know, it will take me decades before I reach whichwatch's magic number of 49, but I like all 7 of my children.

 

http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae33/mchenart/DSCF9999_zpsycbey5tk.jpg

 

You've got some really nice OMAS paragons!

I would like to translate your visit to Chinese and post in the forums, could I use your picture?

And I've bought a Cohiba pen from OMAS, they have just shipped it to me this Wednesday, will post a review as soon as I receive it!

Hope someone will buy the brand and carry on...

 

[youstruckgold]

Thank you everyone for taking the time to read my post. And thank you youstruckgold for posting your beautiful Arco Platinum. It's simply fantastic.

 

Here is my small collection of Omas pens. I know, it will take me decades before I reach whichwatch's magic number of 49, but I like all 7 of my children.

 

http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae33/mchenart/DSCF9999_zpsycbey5tk.jpg

Beautiful photo of fabulous pens. I have too many OMAS to mention; but there are none I don't love - keep using them!!

[mchenart]

 

I would like to translate your visit to Chinese and post in the forums, could I use your picture?

And I've bought a Cohiba pen from OMAS, they have just shipped it to me this Wednesday, will post a review as soon as I receive it!

 

Hi freakman, I look forward to reading your review on the Omas Cohiba.

 

Of course you can traslate my article and use my photos as illustrations, as long as you post it on a fountain pen discussion (not sales) page of the forums, and acknowledge the author. Please also acknowledge FPN as the source where it first appeared.

 

 

Beautiful photo of fabulous pens. I have too many OMAS to mention; but there are none I don't love - keep using them!!

 

Youstruckgold, what a formidable lineup of Paragons!

[Vpen]

Great report. Thanks for taking time and sharing with us.

[inkandseeds]

Thanks for the report and the photos.

[Joban]

Thanks for sharing. I love the Omas Soleterre that I received for the holidays.