Pens of Note - Waterman

Pens of Note are those pens of my collection that rank as something special.

From my first Waterman purchase, the Man 100, that I selected in in Bordeaux, the Waterman line of pens have held a special place in my collection and writing experience. It was the quality of the nibs, the balance of the pen, and the basic good styling of the Man 100 series that was impressive. The ease changing nib units accented the ease of different nibs for different writing experiences.

From the Man 100 series it was on to the Etoile in Sterling Silver, my first limited edition purchase and then to the Edson line.

• Exception
• Edson
• Patrician
• Etoile
• Man 100

EXCEPTION

Waterman launched its new Exception line in the last quarter of 2005. From the first time I saw the ad, this pen made it to my list of must have pens.

The Exception comes in two sizes of pen bodies and three different style versions. Night & Day Gold, and Night & Day Black, the Ideal Black - these are the large size pens. The Night & Day Gold has the gold trim down two sides, the Black has the grey pin-stripes down two sides and the Ideal Black is solid black. The Slim line comes in a blue lacquer, a black lacquer with gold trim and a black lacquer with silver trim.

Compared to some of the pens being released by other companies many would says this is a very conservative pen. Yes in overall looks, but the square with slightly rounded edges of the body sets is part as different. Waterman is flaunting this line as their new flag-ship line.

I used my pens everyday in business meetings. This is not a pen that I would be embarrassed to pull out. It looks great.

So the unique aspect is the square body. The nib section changes from square to a round shape with a gentle tapering in size. The nib section also differs in that rather than screw away from the pen body, it uses a bayonet mechanism - it twists and releases from the body.

I placed a special order for my pen so to have a broad nib (the standard shipment to the stores is with a fine or medium nib. It was worth the wait.

The nib of the Exception writes so smoothly on paper that a warning should come with the pen to wear a seat belt! It is just that fast. I was even impressed with the medium nib when I tried that one out in the store.

In my view, this one is a real winner for Waterman.

EDSON

Waterman debuted the Edson first in France and England and then introduced the Edson, in blue to the North American market in 1993. The pen was dedicated to the founder of the firm, Edson Waterman. First issued in the midnight blue in 1993, this was followed with the Edson in Emerald Green in 1995 and then the Ruby Red body colour as the last of the colours.

In 2004 or so the pen was re-issued in all metal. In 2008 the Diamond Black was issued. The Waterman Edson Limited Edition Fountain Pen is overlaid with palladium-coated sterling silver, featuring a distinctive elliptical form and precisely chiseled guilloche decoration. There were 4,000 produced.

The pen struck me when I first saw it, although it was years later that I finally purchased the pen for myself. Considered too pricey at first I later went back to the pen and it became one of my must haves!

I purchased the Emerald Green fountain pen and even ordered a Stub Nib. . I loved it. I continually receive comments when I use that pen. People often refer to it as my "funky pen" I think because of the almost deco styling. I was so taken with the pen, and for the next few years turned off by the style of many of the pens that seemed to come out over the next few years that I decided to stay with what I liked.

I ended up buying the fountain pen in blue, and then finally also in Ruby Red. I have also acquired the Roller Ball and the ball point pen to complete one of the sets. It is a pen that goes well in business meetings. It is a serious writer.

The pen is very modern, with a solid brass cap with a matte finish. Staff in one of my offices used to refer to it as my "big funky green pen". The clip is also made of solid brass, gold platted and then lacquer, There are actually three layers of varnish for wear and impact on the clip. You will find the serial number for the pen engraved on the side of the clip at the top.

The pen has a translucent appearance due to a very narrow space between the barrel and the inner lining. This allows light to pass through and give the body a transluscent appearance.

The pen has a solid 18 karat gold nib with an inlaid design. Firm but very smooth writing. You will find the serial number for the nib section on the inside along the top of the nib section where the converter inserts.

The cap snaps in place, held by three spring-loaded studs.

This is one classy pen; it has great style. The snap-on cap is secure. No fear of over-tightening the screw-on tops. The threaded brass body gives this pen a solid feel. The rubber gasket there, ahead of the threads, meals a good tight seal.

PATRICIAN

This pen represents the basic Waterman fountain pen, a pen with good construction and a great nib. It is one of those working pens that you just use.

The Patrician hold special value to me. When my mom died, I was given some money and the pen that I purchased was the Patrician fountain pen. To this day, when I use the pen I think our Nimes Frances where I bought the pen, and my mom. It is a nice keep sake.

The Patrician line, launched in 1992, was a remake of the original Patrician from 1929. The 1992 version was available in fountain and ball-point models and so were the 1992 versions.

The original 1929 pens were available in five colours: Jet, Onyx, Turquoise, Emerald and Nacre. In 1932 another colour was added, Mos Agate. The pens at the time were very popular as the body was of a good size and it had an oversized nib.

The clip of the 1992 version is different from the 1929 model. Waterman used their branc clip of the time that was used on the Man 100 and 200 lines -- the top lines of pens at the time. As I started buying Waterman pens in the 1990's I recognized this clip as one of their signature design points.

The pen for first available in Coral Red and Emerald Green. It was a few years later that the Sapphire Blue model appeared. Waterman had thought they would also issue the pen in turquoise and onyx but those colours were never produced.

The pens have a solid brass inner body which gives the pen weight and solid construction.

The lacquer coating to the body is the result of over 19 coats. Each pen took more than two weeks to complete.

When I was able to take a tour of the Waterman factory in Nantes, France; the rooms where the lacquers were applied were like going into high-tech vaults. Air pressure controls and special garments all are part of the process.

The 18-karat gold nib is made at the Waterman factory in Nantes, as is the 23.6-karat gold-plated cap and clip.

Each of the pens is numbered and the blue lacquered presentation box is very impressive.

I have purchased all three colours of the fountain pen and ball point pen. It is consistently one of my more used pens in my collection. They are well made and here, almost 15 years later, with regular use, they are still one of the pens that regularly finds itself on my desk inked and ready to go.