After selling pens and pen-parts for years Mario Ferrari took the next logical step and founded his own company. These days Ferrari da Varese proudly presents Bugatti Type A pen with a price tag of a decent car.
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In the idyllic area between Lago Maggiore and Lago di Como, just a few miles away from the Swiss border, a picturesque Italian city is the home of Ferrari da Varese. Now in the second generation, with son Ivan in charge of the distribution and the marketing of the brand, Ferrari da Varese has kept its human-size, its independence and the entrepreneurial spirit.[break]
The administrative headquarters, the after-sales service and part of the end-montage are all located in the lofty Varese neighbourhood. The production itself is partly made in Germany, where the Ferraris are owners of a production facility, partly made in Italy.[break]
The German manufacture is not far from Pforzheim, in the very heart of the traditional production area for jewellery and luxury accessories in German Schwarzwald. The equipment and machinery available are state-of-the-art. But when it comes to hand-operated crafts, like the hand-engraving or the laying of glass-enamel on the pens, Italian craftsmen and specialists are taking over.[break]
Because no machines can replace humans for this kind of fine works so far. A chance that in the North of Italy down to Firenze, dozens of small ateliers managed to survive, even if they are often the last representatives from their disappearing crafts or guild. And Ferrari da Varese is working with the very best of them.[break]
The production facilities and close contacts to unique craftsmen also enable Ferrari da Varese to produce exclusive writing instruments for other famous brands worldwide. Besides Ferrari da Varese discretion, those branded names enjoy Ferrari's know-how and the great care dedicated to any of the products leaving the manufacture.[break]
The newest time piece is one of a kind: a limited edition of the Bugatti Type A pen worth 15,000 dollar. It is made of aluminium and plated in nickel, then sterling silver, then palladium and finally platinum. It also has a rhodium-coated 18kt gold tip, a sapphire glass window and a black embossed Bugatti logo. Do you have Veyron or not, it doesn't matter, this pen is something you should have in your collection. ■