In the world of fountain pens, OMAS is a familiar name. Handcrafted in Italy since 1925 and originally named after founder Armando Simoni, OMAS is a historic legacy brand that has stood the test of time as a staple in the fountain pen landscape and beyond for the last 100 years. Known for its innovative designs and use of quality materials, OMAS was one of the first manufacturers to introduce vibrant colors into the writing instrument space through its use of celluloid, which allowed the brand to create colorful and innovative models.
With such a rich history behind OMAS and its far-reaching impact in the world of writing instruments, it’s no wonder that the current OMAS president, Frank Zhang, is actively working to make fountain pens cool once more. Since stepping into the role of OMAS president in late 2023, Zhang has reimagined the brand’s legacy by combining decades-old ideas with modern techniques to produce one-of-a-kind writing instruments.
“Our tradition is a habit of inquiry: curiosity, experimentation, and the steady courage to lead,” said Zhang. “We honor the craft, materials, and artistic integrity that shaped us, while continuing to explore forms and ideas that keep writing alive, relevant, and inviting for the generations ahead.”
Zhang’s love for pens starts at a very personal level. As an avid fountain pen collector, he has long admired the artistry of writing instruments. That admiration has further led him to a passion for fostering both inclusivity and legitimacy within the world of high-end writing instruments.
For Zhang, the opportunity to take on the Italian manufacturer’s revival was an honor he couldn’t turn down. His own career path aligned extremely well with taking on such a large task, with concurrent experience as CEO of Nahvalur, a contemporary fountain pen and stationery brand. Zhang has since been working to guide OMAS through its revitalization with the intent to innovate the industry and look to the future, all while honoring tradition.
Since 2023, that revitalization has taken shape through Zhang’s efforts to ensure that OMAS balances a respect for its heritage while embracing a forward-thinking vision. Early on in the relaunch, Zhang and his team leaned into honoring OMAS’s past by bringing classic fountain pen designs back from the archives. While the artisanal design elements that have defined OMAS struck a chord with collectors, there was also an expectation for something new. Zhang realized quickly that the revival of OMAS wasn’t just about preservation, but also about evolution.
“For OMAS, tradition and innovation are not opposites; they are partners that work in harmony. Each generation interprets enduring values through a new perspective—much like how the 360 model transformed the balance and feel of writing instruments, while early limited editions elevated pens to the status of art,” explained Zhang. “The aim is not replication but continuity of spirit: pens that feel deeply rooted and refreshingly new.”
To lead OMAS into the future with this mindset, Zhang is taking a disruptive approach to the company’s revival and the industry as a whole to renew interest in writing culture and introduce new voices into this community. “Handwriting remains one of the most human acts in a digital age—unhurried, deliberate, intimate. Writing instruments are as relevant as ever, holding what no screen can: the human touch behind every word,” says Zhang.
Zhang’s commitment to a balanced but disruptive revival is helping the greater writing instrument industry innovate as a whole. He’s underwritten two shows where seasoned collectors and curious newcomers can explore, trade, and celebrate the art of writing — the California Pen Show, which launched in 2023, and the Empire Pen Show, which occurred this month in New York City.
As Zhang continues his work with OMAS, he hopes that reestablishing the company’s foothold within the writing instrument space will help spark change. “In Italian, there is a musical term, ‘tempo giusto,’ meaning ‘in correct time’. This term refers to the musician using their intuition to find the correct tempo to play the piece,” said Zhang. “We hope that OMAS encourages individuals to discover their own tempo, a rhythm that allows their creativity to flow effortlessly.”
