What You Will See at the 2007 Miami Pen & Watch Show

July 18-20, 2008, at the Biltmore Hotel
1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables, FL

ELEGANT PENS AND WATCHES FIND A PERFECT SHOWCASE
AT THE BILTMORE

The Cabana Pool at the Biltmore Hotel

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.

A table full of pens and watches

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, that’s 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.

An aerial view of the Biltmore Hotel complex

July 18-20: A full weekend of fine writing instruments and watches.

The weekend of July 18-20, 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 and accessories, watches, 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 2008 Miami Pen & Watch Show promises to be one of the most enjoyable in the show’s 15-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 writing instruments from every era and modern pens, ink, and 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. And if you appreciate the exquisite workmanship and functionality of a fine watch, you’ll also find a wide 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 Al Capone Suite at the Biltmore Hotel

Friday and Saturday from 10am to 5pm, and Sunday from 10 to 4, the public is invited to the elegant Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. You’ll find approximately 50 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 13 and under will be admitted free with a paying adult.

2008 marks the 15th year of this popular show.
The increasing popularity of pen and watch shows 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 2008 Miami Pen and Watch Show.

The crowd was heavy at the 2006 Miami Pen & Watch Show!

The elegance of the Biltmore provides a perfect setting.
The Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables is a big part of what makes the Miami Pen & Watch Show so special. It was built as a Grand Hotel during the Roaring Twenties, and was famed for its luxury even then. The Biltmore was a playground of the rich and a retreat for royalty of both Europe and Hollywood. We can only dream about the exceptional pens that must have come through the Biltmore’s marble columned lobby and frescoed ballrooms in the pockets and purses of such guests as the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, assorted Roosevelts and Vanderbilts, Ginger Rogers, Judy Garland, Bing Crosby, and even Al Capone. It’s still one of the most elegant historic hotels in the country, and an ideal setting for the luxurious items you’ll find on display at The Miami Pen & Watch Show.

OMAS Emotica fountain pen

Fabulous door prizes from Aurora, Omas, and more.
Aurora Pens and Omas, two of Italy’s most respected penmakers, and the show’s primary sponsors, along with their American distributor, Kenro of New York, are providing exceptional door prizes for Grand Prize drawings to take place around 3:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Prizes to be awarded on Saturday include the new blue Omas Emotica fountain pen, a unique and instantly popular model which exemplifies what’s exciting about modern pen design. This rich blue soft-touch pen, with its flexible-writing titanium-tip and unique dual-purpose pocket clip retails for $395. Sunday’s Grand Prize will be a classic Aurora Talentum fountain pen with a retail value of $350. Prizes will be awarded in drawings from among all paid attendants at approximately 3 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Entrants must be present at the time of the drawing to win.

Aurora Talentum fountain pen

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 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 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.

Sample a wide variety of pens, inks, and nib types. You can get help finding the point style that best suits your hand. Compare dozens of different ink colors and brands. Try pens, talk pens, and learn as much as you can absorb from experts, authors, enthusiasts and manufacturers who are more than happy to share their knowledge and preferences, or to help you find the pens that best suit your taste, writing style, and budget. Even if you only come to browse and learn, you’re sure to go home happy.

The Grand Prize Drawing at the 2006 Miami Pen & Watch Show

Exhibitors from around the world. Besides pen show sponsors Aurora and Libelle, manufacturers and distributors of the most prestigious writing instruments from around the world are expected to display their finest offerings. Plus you can enjoy the extraordinary and often unique work of a variety of custom penmakers. Exhibitors at the show also include some of the most recognized dealers of new and vintage pens and watches from across the globe.

You may find real treasure at the Miami Pen Show

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 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.

See and try pens and watches you may have seen only in pictures…and many you’ve never seen at all. You can “test drive” 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.

For a better idea of the fun, look at the pictures from the 2006 show. And check out www.biltmorehotel.com. where you can also reserve a room at a very special Pen Show rate.

You can pre-register for the show, or reserve a table on line. Or call Bertrams Inkwell at 410 539-7367 for details. Spaces are limited, so you’ll want to make your reservations early.

For more information about the show

Bert Oser
Bertram's Inkwell
11301 Rockville Pike
Kensington MD 20895
Telephone: 301-468-6939
email: bertoser@bertramsinkwell.com

Table space is limited and pre-registration is advised.
Should you need to cancel your pen show registration, it must be done no later than May 24, 2008.