Waterman
Comments on the Waterman Line.
The Gentleman
I will start with this line as it was still in the stores when I started to buy Waterman pens. When introduced, it was considered a high-end pen.
The line came was introduced to the market in about 1974. It was considered a substantial pen in weight as the body was made from brass with a lacquer finish and in gold and silver models that were also proudced. Complete with gold-fill trim this was a pen a note.
The fountain pen held a 18k nib, and like most Waterman nibs, firm, so you could make carbon copies (remember those).
The ink filling mechanism would accept either standard Waterman cartridges or ink from a bottle using the convertor. I mention the standard cartridges as this pen was a departure from other that used the C/F syte cartridges.
Le Man 100
I was really taken with the Man 100 and purchsed a number of pens that were based on this classic line.
The Man 100 was introduced in 1983, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the original U.S. firm. Note to the original US firm as byt this time Waterman pens were being produced in France.
Quickly this became the flagship fountain pen for the company..
From my tours of the factory I am aware of the long design stage and testing that goes into a Waterman pen, this was all time well invested as the Man 100 model would be used as a base for a number of other pens.
The Man 100 first came out in a black resin over a brass interior.
Other models such as the Opera or the Patrician used this basic model and were just as dependable. .
In addition the the reguar production silver and gold Man 100, in 1993 Waterman issued a Limited Edition, L'Etoile. A stunning pen in silver. The only Limited Edition Waterman I own.
Fountainbeau
I debated and debated about buying this pen. It was mainly availalbe in Europe and I would see the pen in the stores in France on our trips. Wood, over a brass body. Subtle rich colours. The wood had problems in cracking as the wood dried and it was never introduced in a large way in the American market.
Man 200
Similar, but smaller than the Man 100, this was a popular line.
Rhapsody
I regret not picking up more of these pens when they were out. They had a stunning look, and were based on the Man 200 body. I think the smaller body is what prevented me from making a buying decision.
Lady Agathe, Lady Charlotte
There were lines that came out designed for a woman, in that there is no clip. The Agathe had a matching holder the pen slid into. What impressive. My view on pens with no clips, is that they are a pen waiting for a disaster. A roll from the desktop to the floor. Ouch.
Patrician
Based on the Man 100 body The Patrician is a beautiful pen with eighteen layers of lacquer and varish. An Art Deco look as it eas meant to reflect on the original Patrician from the 1930's - to the degree that they could, using the M100 body. The pen has a great writing 18K gold nib.
I purchased the pens in blue, green and cardinal red, the three colours that first came out. I was told at the time to get ready for a purple and others. But, pen stores told me that the response to the pen was not as strong as Waterman expected, and the additional colours were never produced.
l'Exclusive
Priced below the Man series, but with a 18th K gold nib, the pen was a smooth writer.
L'Expert
A good working pen with steel gold plated nib. The various lines are typically produced as a fountain pen, roller ball, ball point and also ball point and pen sets. Sanford markets the L'Expert as an line that is on-spot as corporate gifts.
Philéas
So when this line came out in 1998, I tried the pen and can remember how impressed with how the pen wrote. I just did not like the clip which I thought was too cheap.
The line came out in various colour tones of the plastic body. The basis of the design/model was inspired by the travels of Jules Verne's Philéas Fogg. The goal was to have contemporary lines with a retro look. The trims on the pen are 23.3 karat gold plated.
A brass liner gives the pen some weight. The pen uses a steel nib and despite that, I have found it to be a good writer. But, these are machine produced, so try a few out and then pick the one that writes the best for you.
