Press Release

Quality Pens Make A Comeback
And They're Coming Back To Miami

The Miami Pen & Watch Show
July 9-10, 2005, at the Biltmore Hotel
1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables, FL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jim Rouse, Bertram’s Inkwell: 443-790-3103 or 410 539-7367
jimrouse@bertramsinkwell.com

ELEGANT PENS AND WATCHES FIND A PERFECT SHOWPLACE IN THE BILTMORE

Today, computers dominate the way we write. Microchips help us keep time. But when the cold keyboard and flashing digits can be avoided, more and more of us enjoy the old-fashioned pleasure of writing with a fountain pen or wearing a fine mechanical watch. Like custom made suits and handcrafted jewelry, good pens and watches have become must-have accessories, objects to be proudly displayed…or quietly treasured and enjoyed.

Is it a throwback to the old days? Undoubtedly, yes. Status symbols? Sure. We like the way a good pen looks in our pocket or impresses when we brandish it and ceremoniously remove the cap (Isn’t the pen mightier, after all?). And if the watch on our wrist also draws admiring glances as we gesture or write…isn’t that part of the reason we chose it?

Of course there’s more. A distinctive fountain pen or watch is a very personal item that expresses our individuality. We love the way a carefully chosen pen fits our hand, glides across good paper and reacts as we write, leaving infinitely varied lines and shading that express not only our words, but our mood, our feelings, even our very personality. And a fine mechanical watch is more than jewelry. Its tiny, ticking movement is a wonder of precision and craftsmanship, and a constant reminder of the value of human ingenuity. It helps us keep up with the world…or just enjoy life in our own time.

More fine writing instruments and watches than you’ve ever seen in Miami

Enjoy an opportunity to see, try—and purchase—some of the most beautiful and expensive pens and watches ever made… or just find the inexpensive “user” that fits you perfectly

The weekend of July 9th, pen and watch enthusiasts, collectors, and dealers from across the country and around the world will gather at the historic Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables to display modern and vintage writing instruments, watches, accessories, and related items in all price ranges. It’s an opportunity to see, try—and purchase—some of the most beautiful and expensive pens and watches ever made. Enjoy the workmanship of the most expensive models. Or find affordable “user” pieces that just look and feel good. In fact, you’ll find more fine pens and watches than most people have ever seen in Miami at one time. As interest continues to grow, The 2005 Miami Pen and Watch Show promises to be bigger and more interesting than any time in its 12-year history.

If you’re one of the ever-increasing number of folks who enjoy fine pens, this weekend offers an opportunity to see and try thousands of vintage pens from every era and modern pens, ink and writing accessories from every major manufacturer. You can bring your own pens—or your parents’ and grandparents’ pens—for free appraisals, to sell or trade, or to have them repaired and restored. Many repairs can be done while you wait. And if you appreciate the exquisite workmanship and functionality of a fine watch, you’ll also find a terrific range of timepieces, including classic automatics, multi-function chronographs, elegant dress watches, simple vintage wind-ups and some of the most exquisite modern quartz-movement watches made today. Yet because of the informal and frankly competitive collectors show atmosphere, you can find real treasures at surprisingly favorable prices.

The historic Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, FL is the perfect showplace for thousands of elegant pens and watches

On Saturday from 10am to 5pm, and Sunday from 10 to 4, the public is invited to the elegant Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, where you’ll find approximately 100 tables featuring many of America’s most respected pen and watch dealers and collectors, and pen manufacturers from around the world. Admission is $8.00 at the door each day, or $25.00 for a full-weekend Platinum Pass that admits you to early trading and pre-show events on Friday plus dealer setup on Saturday and Sunday. Children under 12 will be admitted free with a paying adult.

2005 marks the 12th year of this growing show

The increasing popularity of this and other such shows that take place around the world, is largely the result of the surprising resurgence of interest in quality writing instruments, and elegant handcrafted timepieces. Since the early 1990s, older pen manufacturers and watch makers, both here and abroad, have been bringing out new lines in all styles and price ranges. Many have even resurrected some of their classic models using today’s technology. What’s more, a new generation of pen and watchmakers are introducing exciting new concepts and some captivating variations on the old ones. You’ll find many of them on display—and for sale—at the 2005 Miami Pen and Watch Show.

Fabulous door prizes and freebies

Aurora Pens of Italy, the show’s primary sponsor, will be giving away a spectacular new Aurora Asia Limited Edition Fountain Pen valued at $595 in a Grand Prize Drawing from among all paid attendants at 3 pm Sunday. Other fine prizes will be awarded in hourly drawings throughout both days of the show.

Aurora Pens of Italy, the show’s primary sponsor, will be displaying—and giving away— a new Aurora Asia fountain pen valued at $595. The latest of their extraordinary limited edition pens, and the show’s 2005 Theme Pen, the spectacular new Asia series consists of a fountain pen, ballpoint, rollerball pen, mechanical pencil, and sketch pencil. Each is crafted from a proprietary “Soil of the Orient” resin, an exquisite, swirling blend of deep reds and light greens. The pens are topped with a valuable jade green stone, and have an enameled cap ring adorned with symbols of the Asian culture.

The Asia Fountain Pen will be awarded in a Grand Prize Drawing from among all paid attendants at 3 pm Sunday. Other fine items from sponsors Aurora and Libelle Pens will be awarded in hourly drawings through both days of the show. Entrants must be present to win. Pen World International will be giving away free subscriptions and free single copies of their popular pen magazine and their watch aficionado magazine, In Sync.

Free Concert

To applaud the performance of their popular Opera series pens, Visconti USA will present a free concert of operatic favorites and Broadway hits following the close of the show on Saturday evening. The recital will feature noted New York singer—and Visconti USA’s National Sales Director—Mark Montague.

Exhibitors from around the world

Thousands of writing instruments and watches displayed in an elegant setting bring hundreds of dealers, collectors, and enthusiasts to see, try, buy, or just talk about the items they enjoy

Exhibitors at the show include some of the most recognized dealers of new and vintage pens and watches from across the globe. They include the show’s organizer, Bertram’s Inkwell of Baltimore; Susan Wirth & Associates of Milwaukee; PenstopOnline of Brooklyn, PowerPens of Hagerstown, MD; Penopoly Pens of San Leandro, CA; Pensite.com of Plainview, NY; Vintage Watches of Miami, Inc.; Pens Plus of Delray Beach, FL; Pendemonium of Ft. Madison, WI; Total Office Products of Smyrna, GA; and Bittner of Carmel, CA.

In addition to sponsors Aurora and Libelle, manufacturers of pens and accessories displaying or selling their merchandise and providing customer service include Italian manufacturers Stipula, Ferrari diVarese, Delta, Visconti, Taccia, and Monteverde. Additional pen companies exhibiting include Yaffa, Signum, David Oscarson Pens, Classic Pens of Los Angeles, Michael’s Pens, and Conway Stewart of England.

Repairs and restoration

Expert pen restorers, Roger Cromwell of Penopoly Pens will offer pen repairs at the show. They’ll be providing repairs and nib adjustments to your pens—many while you wait.

You’ll be able to meet and speak with authors of pen reference books, Andreas Lambro, Paul Erno, and Jonathan Steinberg, as well as the publishers of Pen World Magazine.
Many well-known and respected collectors will also be there, selling vintage, modern and limited edition pens, watches and accessories.

You’ll find limited edition and one-of-a-kind pens and watches you are unlikely to see anywhere else. Some of these spectacular and often highly collectible pieces, which are often designed on a commemorative theme, can be more jewelry than pen—and command prices in the tens-of-thousands of dollars. Plus you’ll find a surprising selection of other things pen-lovers and watch aficionados long for: advertising, display items and other ephemera, pen and watch cases, fine leather goods, parts and tools to do your own repairs lead and erasers for vintage pencils, optical equipment, and an incredible selection of inks to sample or buy.

It’s an event where you can see and try pens and watches you may have seen only in pictures…and many you’ve never seen at all. You can try pens, try on watches, and learn as much as you can absorb from experts and other enthusiasts who are more than happy to share their knowledge and preferences, or to help you find the items that best suit your taste, style and budget. Even if you only come to browse and learn, you’re sure to go home happy.

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For More Information About The Miami Pen Show

See the official Miami Pen Show advertisements here

See the official Miami Pen Show report here

For more information about the show, please go to www.miamipenshow.com. Or call Jim Rouse of Bertram’s Inkwell at 410 539-7367. For directions, call the Biltmore Hotel at 305 455-1926.