Waterman Man: the businessman pen (le WATERMAN de l'homme d'affaires).

Sometimes it happens that you come across something you did not keep in mind. Something seldom seen -- being, thus, rare -- and attractive enough to make you depart from your own way and succumb to the temptation. This time the temptation took the form of a sober, yet handsome mid-sixties French-made fountain pen: the Waterman Man. 

Waterman Man -- below -- (1965)

Waterman Man (uncapped)

Close-up of the pen

Called mistakenly "Strong" by some of the scarce on-line sources of information, this pen is unanimously considered to be the "ancestor" of the world-renowned Man 100 series, Waterman's top-of-the-line product for many years and, in the opinion of several collectors, one of the best lines of modern writing instruments ever made. It was introduced into the market during the mid sixties.

"The Man's Ancestors" according to Waterman

From top to bottom:

vintage safety pen, "old style" Gentleman, Man and Man 100

(picture from internet)

The Waterman Man is a quite large (5.55 in long, 0.43 in wide), totally black, golden trimmed pen. Injection moulded plastic abounds in its construction. Cap and barrel are entirely made of it, while the pen section shows sturdy metal -- probably brass -- innards. This pen has a tappered, cylindrical shape with an appealing bevel at the cap top. It was offered, as it seems, in smooth and -- faintly -- grooved surface versions [1].

The pen clip, which gently penetrates the cap bevel, looks, because of this, an articulated clip, but instead it turns out to be of the conventional, fixed type. There exist, at least, two different versions: one exhibiting an enamelled, v-shaped black groove at the center that runs along the clip to the top and the other with the plain groove -- without enamel -- running up to the second third of the clip's lenght only, the Waterman logo-- a W letter surrounded by a circle -- engraved on the upper part of it [2]. This later design obviously comes from that patented by the American Waterman Pen Company (inventor John Bruce) on May 26, 1959 and found in US patent No. D185,263 -- filed on April 9, 1958. And it was also used in other Waterman's writing instruments, such as the Flash and Concord lines -- US patent D212,866, filed on January 23, 1967 and granted on December 3, 1968 (inventor Roger Perraud; assignor Société le Foyer et Cie).

Cap

Detail of the top

Clip design presented in US patent No. D185,263

The second version of the Man's clip was similar to this one

The cap band is made of gold-plated metal, very thin, and exhibits two distinct parts, the lower one, closer to the cap lip, being smooth whereas the upper one has short, narrow vertical grooves. As with the pen clip, there exist at least two different versions: one shorter, leaving a gap in between it and the cap lip and the other larger but with shorter grooves, which extends to the end of the cap [3].

Cap band

The pen bottom wears a jewel-like gold-plated ring with an enamelled black circle at the center. The middle part of the barrel exhibits the imprint "Waterman's".

Between cap and barrel there exists a gold-plated, metal ring which is in fact a coupling bearing element, i.e. the main part of the pen's close mechanism. It shows two faces with an edge or ridge therebetween. The lower, shortest one deforms the restricted end portion of the -- presumably plastic made -- cap and subsequently, when this portion passes over the ridge the end of the cap resumes its initial shape and thus remains clipped over the ring and therefore attached to the pen. This close mechanism was patented by Waterman on March 2, 1965 -- US patent No. 3,171,196, filed on May 23, 1961 (inventor Robert Helitas; assignor A. J. Fagard & Cie).

Close mechanism

Locking ring

Uncapping the pen reveals the best, with no doubt, of it: a large two-tone gold, very like to -- if not the same as -- the Man 100 first edition one, as well as to the feed. This nib has a certain amount of flexibility. On its visible part one can read "WATERMAN SUPER 6 18 Carats". The nib/pen size ratio is very generous. Indeed, we are just dealing with a truly impressive, powerful man's pen when uncapped. According to some advertisements [4], it was offered with fifteen different point types! Most Man's nibs were made of 18K gold, but there exist, interestingly, a few exemplars with lower gold content -- 14K [5]. An export version?

Nib

Feed

SUPER 6 nib (1970)

The advertising reads:

<"I love you" If you can say this aloud, give him a Waterman Man.

If not, replace your man by another.>

The Waterman Man was provided with a cartridge/converter filling mechanism, the cartridges having a large ink capacity Waterman claimed. In this regard I must say that such cartridges were similar to those of the American C/F model, except for the pearcing hole, being a little bit larger. Converters were of the squeeze type -- probably similar to the C/F converters too.

This is a high-quality pen with an attractive design and, above all, a terrific writer! However, the massive use of thermoplastics results in a striking -- or not -- low weight (only 13 g empty) and, in short, the feeling of a cheap product. Although one should consider the Waterman Man in its own age and context, in which small, light fountain pens with smallish nibs made of injection moulded plastic were all the rage. In such conditions the Waterman Man should be one of the best pens of its time.

Waterman advertising dates the production of this model between the mid sixties and the early seventies. As a matter of fact, the new [6] Alain Carré's [7] "old-style" Waterman Gentleman [8], presumable Man's successor, was introduced into the market in 1974. Both facts suggest for a short-lived pen.

The model's price was 99 francs in 1966.

Waterman Man -- left -- being sold at 99.00 francs (1966)

All in all, this is a pen of its time and niche, conveniently made of thermoplastic and provided with a practical filling system, that shows a relatively bold, yet still conservative, classy look. A showy modern design especially aimed at wealthy men. And doubtlessly a high-quality pen with superb balance -- in spite of its low heft and regardless it is used uncapped or posted -- as well as writing performance.

My exemplar is equipped with a wonderful wet EF -- extra fine -- nib with a tad of flex.

Technical specifications:

• Manufacturer:   WATERMAN (France)
• Model's name:   Man
• Period of production:   mid sixties-early seventies (personal estimation)
• Target public:   men, flagship model
• Main construction material:   injection moulded plastic
• Filling-system:   cartridge/converter; large ink capacity cartridges
• Trim:   gold-plated
• Lenght:   5.55 in (14,1 cm) capped; 4.92 in (12,5 cm) uncapped;                                                        6.26 in (15,9 cm) posted
• Girth:   0.43 in (1,1 cm)
• Weight:   13 g (empty, i.e. without cartridge/converter)
• Nib:   two-tone 18K solid gold; offered with fifteen different point types

[1]   For the faintly grooved version take a look, for instance, on the following link.

[2]   For the second type of clip take a look, for instance, on the following link.

[3]   For a comparison between the two kinds of cap bands take a look, for instance, on this link.

[4]   For instance, the first one shown in this article.

[5]   For the 14K nib take a look, for instance, on the following link.

[6]   Not entirely, for this fointain pen exhibited, at first, a section-nib unit very similar to that

       of the Waterman Man.

[7]   Alain Carré was a relatively famed French industrial designer who worked by Waterman.

       He was responsible for, among others, the "old style" Gentleman, Directeur Général (DG)

       and Goutte models.

[8]   Waterman advertisement showing the "old style" Gentleman (seventies).

Platinum #3776 Century Bourgogne: as good as a Grand Reserve wine!

"Experience deep, transparent red which we, at Platinum Co., experimented with for a long time.
We believe the appearance of the deep red transparent color will deliver many years
of writing pleasure for you."

For a long time many pen friends suggested that I should try a Japanese nib in order to broaden my writing experience and enjoy new sensations. Being a "serious" collector for more than ten years and a fountain pen user throughout a whole life, I had never written with a true Japanese fountain pen till a couple of months ago, when I managed to get a Pilot Capless at a reasonable price -- my Danitrio Screen-Temaki, a very first entry to the Maki-e art on writing instruments, is equipped with a German nib. But that's another story!

"A fountain pen could be said that it is the only writing instrument that improves one's writing habits over time. This is also common in the manufacture of wine."

It was during last summer when I fell in love with the Platinum #3776 Century fountain pen and, especially, with the red translucent version so-called "Bourgogne" after the famed French wine. Why this particular model? Probably because it has a classic look -- don't forget I'm fourty six so that I have a preference for such a look, an eye-catching colour, a generous size, a graceful -- in my honest opinion -- and relatively large nib, an appealing feed and, overall, all the quality standards that Japanese manufactured products offer. But, most importantly, I was looking for a modern and affordable Japanese fountain pen which, provided with an open solid gold nib, had a deserved reputation of being a terrific writer! In this respect, I paid special attention to user's reviews, reading as many as I was able to come across on the net. And I found everything except negative reports concerning this fountain pen. On the contrary, all those reviews reported on a wonderful nib and outstanding writing performances, especially regarding the ink flow. So I made the decision to spend a handful of dollars and bought it (you can get yours for around $100 or less, shipping costs included, on the bay).

I tried the pen as soon as it arrived home. And I can assure that all the good things I had read about it are absolutely true. Particularly, despite being aware of its great writing performance, I have been largely impressed by them. This pen always starts with no hesitation, never skips and provides a consistent wet line no matter the kind of paper used. And its balance, either uncapped or posted, is excellent. One feels comfortable with the pen in his hands. The nib gives me, while writing, pleasant sensations, and substantially different from those provided by any other I have tried. I can say, honestly, that this pen is well worth its price. It became, in a few hours, one of my favourite ones. And now, after some days, I am even more satisfied.

I have inked the pen using the Platinum 500 converter supplied -- this is a cartridge/converter pen -- once only so that I cannot judge whether its excellent writing performances may depend on the filling method (cartridge or converter), ink or even the type of cartridge. Regarding this point it is interesting to say that there exists an adapter for standard international cartridges to be used, in the Century at least. This is something I had never seen before and that I really appreciate -- despite I do not use standard international cartridges ordinarily. It seems to me that such an adapter is not factory supplied -- even produced, but a special detail from the ebay seller to whom I bought the pen instead -- as with the converter. Anyway, I can figure that this is good to know for the Platinum users.

Platinum cartridges -- pigment ink

Platinum 500 converter

"Nearing its full first century since establishment, Platinum Pens has always been dedicated

to the idea of producing the ideal fountain pen." "The #3776 "Century" celebrates

this approaching anniversary and continues Platinum Pens' tradition of technological innovation."

The Century is the last member of the long-lived and large #3776 family -- designed by the Japanese writing expert Haruo Humeda -- which, introduced by Platinum in 1978, has become one of its most popular models to date. As popular as the number in its name, 3776, the height, expressed in meters, of Mt. Fuji, the highest, most universally renowned and honored mountain in Japan. The Century is provided with an innovative sealing mechanism inside the cap, called "Slip & Seal", as well as newly redesigned nib and feed in order to prevent ink from drying out in the pen and regulate the ink flow respectively. Up to now four versions have been produced, Black in Black -- solid colour -- (launched in 2011), Bourgogne -- translucent red -- (2012), Chartres Blue -- translucent blue -- (2012) and a transparent demonstrator (2012), all of them manufactured from AS resin, a kind of injection moulded plastic. The first three versions are provided with gold-plated trim and gold nib whereas the transparent demonstrator has chrome accents and a rhodium-plated gold nib. By the way, Platinum has recently developed a new gold plating method for an enhanced trim colour, having achieved delightful results. Nibs are all made of 14K solid gold.

The "Slip & Seal" sealing mechanism, currently being patented, consists basically of a moving inner cap made of soft plastic, set in place by means of a spring, which is allowed to move along the pen axis. In this way, when the pen is being closed, the front part of its section comprises the spring by pushing the inner cap so that the pen remains firmly sealed, the ink in an airtight state. This mechanism, Platinum claims, suppresses volatilization of the ink, persisting it fresh even when a cartrige or the converter has been inserted in the pen up to a year. It also prevents formation of annoying ink bubbles. Obviously, at this day, I cannot say anything, either positive or negative, about the effectiveness of this invent. Let's wait for a whole year and then we shall get to the truth! Fortunately, other fountain pen lovers will be on time sooner and will report, surely, about it.

Detail of the "Slip & Seal" sealing mechanism

Soft plastic inner cap

Comparison of drying out between the #3776 Century and other Platinum models

The Century is a light (20.5 g), medium-sized pen (5.51 in long, 0.61 in wide) with a classic cigar shape. It exhibits an aesthetic raised cap band with the inscription "PLATINUM #3776 MADE IN JAPAN", the Platinum's logo and two identical arabesque motifs. A thin ring situated above the cap band leaves another thin red ring therebetween. There are three more rings in the pen, one -- which holds the clip in place-- between the cap derby and the upper portion of the cap , the second at the bottom of the barrel and the third and last in between the section and the barrel. The innards of the pen section are made of metal, while the nib seems to be embebded in a plastic support.


Finally, the nib is imprinted "#3776 14K 585", showing the Platinum's logo and the point size as well. The Bourgogne version is particularly offered with EF (extra fine), F (fine), M (medium) and B (broad) point sizes.

Different steps in the nib manufacturing process at Platinum Pen Co.

The retail price of this translucent red version is $220.00, but it can be currently purchased by only a half that price or even less.


Platinum issued a "serial number card" for the first run -- 600 units -- of the Bourgogne in the form of a numbered blotter paper so that those pens could be considered a special edition.

Serial number card issued for the first 600 units

My exemplar is equipped with a delightful, wet M -- a sort of medium-fine in Europe or the USA -- nib.

Trying the pen

Technical specifications:

• Manufacturer:   PLATINUM (Japan)
• Model's name:   #3776 Century
• Version:   Bourgogne
• Period of production:   2012 - ...
• Target public:   men, women
• Main construction material:   injection moulded plastic (AS)
• Filling-system:   cartridge/converter; there exists an adapter                                                                         for standard international cartridges to be used
• Trim:   gold plated
• Lenght:   5.51 in (14,0 cm) capped; 4.72 in (12,0 cm) uncapped;                                                        6.26 in (15,9 cm) posted
• Girth:   0.61 in (1,54 cm)
• Weight:   20.5 g (empty, i.e. without cartridge/converter)
• Nib:   14K solid gold; offered in EF (extra fine), F (fine), M (medium) and B (broad)                     point sizes

* Pictures from the Platinum Pen Co. and seller "engeika" web sites.

The set that started it all !!!

I was around 8, I think. So that sould happen in 1975, I cannot remember well. Around 38 years ago! An uncle of mine invited my parents and me to celebrate the New Year's Eve at the circus. So we all went there, enjoyed the show -- I am still able to see it when I close my eyes and think about, had the typical "grapes" at the end and, finally, we went back to my uncle's home. There, before going to bed, he gave me a gift that was, according to him, very special. And indeed it was! The gift turned out to be a Waterman set made up of a Graduate fountain pen and a Flair ballpoint in a modern and fine stainless steel finish. How much I liked it!

Waterman advertisement showing
a Graduate fountain pen / Flair ballpoint set
(1975)

I used them very much from thereon, especially the ballpoint, for the fountain pen nib was too broad to me. Furthermore, some time later it rolled over the table and fell down to the ground, the nib resulting ruined. As time went by, the type of refill the ballpoint needs was no longer in production so that the set ended its days inside a drawer -- what a common and, yet, terrible story!

Recently I made contact with a Spanish restorer (Teodoro Rodríguez) who worked for Waterman during nearly a whole lifetime. Not only he adapted a current refill for the ballpoint to work properly, but also he put a new old stock nib -- and fine, as my handwriting demands -- into the fountain pen. And so, after almost an eon of inactivity, my first serious writing instruments write again! I feel in a very special way with these humble -- but, in spite of it, superb -- pens in my hands. For they have the power to remind me my childhood, that glorious age!

Forgive me such dreadful pictures -- they were taken with my wife's cellular phone. I promise to upload better ones soon.

Waterman Lady Elsa fountain pen

In 1987 Waterman introduced into the market a new women's model: the Lady Elsa. It was a small, clipless fountain pen -- no other writing modes are known to exist, with a ring on top, which embodied the style of the ladies' fountain pens Waterman had manufactured during the twenties -- flat-top type with more or less decoration aimed at the female population. But more interesting yet this model was fashioned from an old stock of galalith -- a sort of casein -- made in those years that Waterman managed to acquire in the mid-eighties.

The name Lady Elsa comes from the targeted public as well as the given names of two prominent women in Waterman’s history, Elsa Fagard and Elsa Le Foyer, grandmother and mother, respectively, of Francine Gomez, at the time chief executive of Waterman. Elsa Fagard was Jules Isidore Fagard’s wife -- Mr. Fagard being the founder of JIF-Waterman, French brand of the American parent company -- and managing director after her husband's death. Elsa Le Foyer succeeded Mrs. Fagard at business. In this way, the name Lady Elsa is a homage to women as much as the fountain pen itself was intended to be.

Throughout a recent advertising campaign, in a summary of its history, Waterman mentioned the Lady Elsa as "a luxurious and refined ladies model" result of "the team's know-how and precision".

The pen's cap was brass lined, with a sleeve of galalith covering the piece of brass. It had a gold-plated top -- which included the ring -- and a gold-plated band on the lip. The barrel was entirely made of galalith, having inner threads at both ends. The section was made of black plastic and had grooves for a better writing comfort. This pen exhibited a gold-plated ring in between barrel and section, whereas the later one ended in a gold-plated nozzle. A solid jewel of galalith was attached to the end of the barrel by means of a threaded piece of brass that remained partially visible as a gold-plated ring.

The nib was, in this model, gold-plated stainless steel and had a heart-shaped vent hole. It was of good quality, as Waterman nibs use to be. I do not know the available range of point types at that time. Nevertheless, I must say that all the exemplars I have ever seen showed medium or fine nibs. The feed seems to be made of plastic and had no serrations, but flat surfaces instead.

The filling system was of the cartridge type. It accepts Waterman mini cartridges, which show the same length than the universal ones, but a smaller piercing hole.

On the pen cap band reads "WATERMAN - MADE IN FRANCE" whereas the nib is imprinted  "WATERMAN FRANCE", showing a capital letter indicating the point type as well.

There is very little information about this pen, with a lot of confusion in most of the internet sites where it is mentioned -- the Lady Elsa is often mistaken for other later Waterman women´s models such as the Lady Agathe. In particular, its price, the range of finishes Waterman produced, even the period of production seem to be a complete mystery.

The Lady Elsa should have a great success, for Waterman introduced right afterwards a variety of women's models which flooded the market during the nineties -- Lady Agathe, Alice, Anastasia, Charlotte, Patricia and Reve Latin. Today, however, the Lady Elsa is hard to find.

Seldom seen as they are I have come across, nevertheless, five of these true beauties. And I could have had another one had it not arrived home cracked. A friend of mine says I "seem to have captured the market on the Waterman Lady Elsa ..." These small pens have become an exciting part of my collection -- not only for me, but also for my wife; I should put her aside from them continuously! The reason why is evident. Of course, I still look for more.

Using my own pictures and some images that can be found on internet I have been able to make a first, incomplete approach to the range of finishes Waterman produced during the lifetime of this model. Out there another two have been described: Grey and black marble -- similar to the third one on the image, but with grey instead of burgundy -- and jade green. And more finishes, not subtle variations of those described here, are perhaps expected to be found!

As to the number of pens produced, I have found no data out there. Yet the production run should be somehow short -- till the end of the limited stock of galalith.

Universal (left) and Waterman mini (right) cartridges

Notice the smaller piercing hole of the later one

It is clear that more work has to be done about this nearly unknown, interesting and beaufitul fountain pen!