Omas Arco or Visconti Divina; which one to buy?

[tomoarranmore]

I am considering buying either a Omas Arte Ialiana Arco Celluloid or a Visconti Divina Deser Springs and would like to hear from the experts on which one may be preferable.

 

Thanks for any help in the decision.

[greencobra]

I am considering buying either a Omas Arte Ialiana Arco Celluloid or a Visconti Divina Deser Springs and would like to hear from the experts on which one may be preferable.

 

Thanks for any help in the decision.

For me, the Omas Arte Ialiana Arco Celluloid. This is another pen I just saw in person and handled recently, the celluloid is stunning. I'd have no problem with either manufacturer, but this pen rocks. No photographs I've seen can do justice to the Arco celluloid. I would buy the large size though, not the Milord. I haven't written with an Arco but my "new" Paragon is basicly the same pen with different clothes and it's typical of what I expected from Omas.

[handlebar]

Omas,Omas,Omas. Although i admit to liking the Visconti,i still think of the Arco as one of the most stunningly and aesthetically pleasing pens ever made.

And it even writes well :P

 

As for the size:I have the Milord.It is the newer model and is the same size the older Paragon was.The new Paragon is way too large for my smaller hands.And it has a metal lower section,which i don't like.To much gold or bling takes detracts from the celluloid.IMHO of course.

 

Jim

[DrPJM1]

I love my Omas Arco, not only because its stunning celluloid which shows a depth and glow that is impossible to show on pictures but also because of its wonderful soft fine nib.

[handlebar]

Also look at resale value.An Omas will usually garner more attention for sale than a Visconti.

 

Jim

[JimCouch]

OMAS Arco all the way! The pen has to be seen to be believed. I have an older Paragon (about the same size as the current Milord) and it is a wonderful pen.

 

Jim Couch

[girlieg33k]

I have both of these pens, but my Omas Arco is the old style version (i.e., not current production).

 

Omas Arco (old-style) v. Visconti Divina LE in Desert Springs: Hands down, get the Omas Arco old style. The Divina LE is larger and feels bulkier to me. Though the celluloid on the Divina LE is striking, the Omas Bronze Arco is a classic (and classy), and frankly it's much more stunning than the celluloid in Desert Springs.

 

Omas Arco (new style) v. Visconti Divina LE in Desert Springs: It would be a toss-up... I handled the new version of the Omas Arco -- both in the medium (Milord) and large size -- at the NY/NJ pen show last September. No offense to anyone, but after handling both of them, it spurred me on even more to find the Omas Arco old style version. The Milord is definitely closer to the old style in size, but I didn't particularly like the ring around the nib collar nor the overall fit/finish. Then again, I was comparing it to the old style versions of the Omas Celluloids. Also, the step down from the body to the section seemed not as graceful.

 

I don't mean to hijack your thread by turning it into an Omas old style v. new style discussion -- but it's my way of stating that if you're going to get the Omas Arco, try to find the old style version. If you only have the new version to choose from, it truly would be a toss-up in that case -- with possibly a slight edge to the Omas because it has, I think, a better nib, has gold trim and of course, the classic celluloid pattern. I think both celluloids patterns in this case are enhanced by gold trim. That said, I know several members who would vehemently disagree with me on that statement. The Divina LE only comes with silver trim. The contrast with the Dessert Springs (with gold trim) would have looked more classy in my opinion.

 

I do like my Visconti Divina LE by the way -- but if we're comparing it to the Omas Arco, then the Omas would get my vote. I took quick photos of the Divina LE Desert Springs here, if you're interested. The photo also shows a size-comparison between an old style Omas (the one in the photo is the Cinema LE -- same size as the Bronze Arco) against the Divina LE Desert Springs.

Edited February 6, 2008 by girlieg33k

[CharlieB]

Get the Omas because it is a piston filler. I always choose a piston filler over any pen with an alternative filling mechanism.

[penhound]

Omas Arco! By all means. The beauty is unsurpassed by any other. I love mine!

[handlebar]

Omas seems to be leading in votes :clap1: :clap1:

 

Jim

[lecorbusier]

Having only seen the Divina before--and not used one--my suggestion can only be biased . Even so, I recommend Arco. The nib is fantastic and new or old (I have the new model), I think it is one classic pen.

 

A photo to sway the votes ).

 

 

[tomoarranmore]

Thanks everyone for your insights. The Omas is the clear winner of this opinion poll. When I make the plunge I will let you know.

[tomoarranmore]

Thanks very much for your thoughts. I appreciate your comments and don't consider it a hijacking at all.

 

 

 

 

 

I have both of these pens, but my Omas Arco is the old style version (i.e., not current production).

 

Omas Arco (old-style) v. Visconti Divina LE in Desert Springs: Hands down, get the Omas Arco old style. The Divina LE is larger and feels bulkier to me. Though the celluloid on the Divina LE is striking, the Omas Bronze Arco is a classic (and classy), and frankly it's much more stunning than the celluloid in Desert Springs.

 

Omas Arco (new style) v. Visconti Divina LE in Desert Springs: It would be a toss-up... I handled the new version of the Omas Arco -- both in the medium (Milord) and large size -- at the NY/NJ pen show last September. No offense to anyone, but after handling both of them, it spurred me on even more to find the Omas Arco old style version. The Milord is definitely closer to the old style in size, but I didn't particularly like the ring around the nib collar nor the overall fit/finish. Then again, I was comparing it to the old style versions of the Omas Celluloids. Also, the step down from the body to the section seemed not as graceful.

 

I don't mean to hijack your thread by turning it into an Omas old style v. new style discussion -- but it's my way of stating that if you're going to get the Omas Arco, try to find the old style version. If you only have the new version to choose from, it truly would be a toss-up in that case -- with possibly a slight edge to the Omas because it has, I think, a better nib, has gold trim and of course, the classic celluloid pattern. I think both celluloids patterns in this case are enhanced by gold trim. That said, I know several members who would vehemently disagree with me on that statement. The Divina LE only comes with silver trim. The contrast with the Dessert Springs (with gold trim) would have looked more classy in my opinion.

 

I do like my Visconti Divina LE by the way -- but if we're comparing it to the Omas Arco, then the Omas would get my vote. I took quick photos of the Divina LE Desert Springs here, if you're interested. The photo also shows a size-comparison between an old style Omas (the one in the photo is the Cinema LE -- same size as the Bronze Arco) against the Divina LE Desert Springs.

 

[girlieg33k]

Yay! Now, take down the names of those who posted in this thread... If you're unhappy with the new purchase (highly unlikely) you can be insufferable and will know where to direct your disappointment. I nominate Jim to the front of the line! I will be the back of the line, angling for greencobra's Stipula Etruria collection.

 

Enjoy the plunge because it's a going to be a happy one...

 

[Nikolaos]

My vote also goes for the OMAS. I have an old style arco paragon and love it! The design, quality and performance of this pen is just amazing. I don't care much for Visconti pens in general so my vote is somewhat biased

nikolaos

 

[georges zaslavsky]

Omas Arco Arte Italiana because it has a delightful smooth nib, piston filling and classic lines.

[thomasg]

Omas. Period. Peace.

[tomoarranmore]

After talking to Pam at Oscar Braun, I am going to get the Omas Milord. My preferred size is about the Pelikan M800, and Pam said the Milord is slightly larger. Plus it has the celuloid section, which I like. By the way, I have a Visconti Manhattan, and it is one of my favorites. I cannot fault Visconti as a pen manufacturer. Since I don't already have an Omas, it makes sense to get the Milord. Again, I would like to thank everyone for their opinions.

[handlebar]

Wise choice.

 

Jim

[CharlieB]

You will enjoy your Omas pen!