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This year marks the centenary of the death of Jules Verne, and several pen companies have produced limited editions that celebrate this legendary author. To varying degrees of lavish decoration, but with a subject as rich and varied as the works of Jules Verne, it's easy to say no two have been alike! The latest to join in the celebration has been OMAS, with their Gaïa. Here OMAS have taken the narrow field of Jules Verne themed limited editions to a new level.
Spiders, elves, giant fish, you name it, it's all here, cast in solid 18K gold, and accented with precious stones set into the metal overlay. Reading the enclosed brochure brings some light to the design, they include a diagram pointing out the various features of the overlay. The overlay is rendered in a low relief fashion, with enough detail to bring out the features of each portion of the design.
At 3 1/4 ounces, it's imposing in terms of sheer weight as well. Of course, a solid gold OMAS, one of only 30 pieces, is just not likely to end up in pockets as a daily user, so the weight is much less of a concern than it might ordinarily be. I think that the Gaïa is far more likely to be considered as a "small sculpture" than a pen. In that regard, it succeeds admirably well!
Copyright 2005 William Riepl All images copyright 2005 William Riepl
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When
we first opened the impressive packaging, we'll have to admit to having
a few moments of confusion over the theme of the pen. This isn't an
immediately clear design. No doubt about it, it's a gorgeous (if a
bit flamboyant) combination of gold and jewels over a deep gray resin,
but as to just what the design is... You've got to look closely!
The
underlying pen is the basic OMAS ogiva shape pen, in their large size,
about the same size as a Montblanc 146. When you add the additional
size and heft of a solid gold overlay, you end up with a pen that
is more than large enough to be imposing. 