REVISED on June 16, 2014.
While the early production of this famous manufacturer is fairly well known, I have observed, when looking for information on the network, a lot of ignorance with regard to the French models and, in particular, concerning those introduced during the seventies. Such a situation has led me to prepare an illustrated, chronological listing of these latter. That listing is essentially based on advertising, being everything but comprehensive; in fact, there exist not a few models less known to the mass of Waterman collectors, mainly school pens, not even mentioned. Anyway, it shows the most relevant models of the whole decade.
Dates of introduction refer, unless otherwise indicated, to the oldest advertisements of the models under consideration I have been able to find and are, therefore, approximate. Nevertheless, one cannot expect errors larger than a year. Writing modes available are also included as well as related design patents (with application date and designer) whenever they exist.
I hope you find this listing helpful for your collecting interests or, at least, educational.
While the early production of this famous manufacturer is fairly well known, I have observed, when looking for information on the network, a lot of ignorance with regard to the French models and, in particular, concerning those introduced during the seventies. Such a situation has led me to prepare an illustrated, chronological listing of these latter. That listing is essentially based on advertising, being everything but comprehensive; in fact, there exist not a few models less known to the mass of Waterman collectors, mainly school pens, not even mentioned. Anyway, it shows the most relevant models of the whole decade.
Dates of introduction refer, unless otherwise indicated, to the oldest advertisements of the models under consideration I have been able to find and are, therefore, approximate. Nevertheless, one cannot expect errors larger than a year. Writing modes available are also included as well as related design patents (with application date and designer) whenever they exist.
I hope you find this listing helpful for your collecting interests or, at least, educational.
1971 – Concorde (fountain pen and ballpoint
pen) --- (reviewed on this blog)
Concorde ad (1971)
1971 – Graduate (fountain pen, felt-tip pen) [1]
US D 233,631 (marking pen) (Dec. 28, 1972) (Eugène Defores)
Oldest ad: 1973. (see Waterman's ads showing fountain pen and felt-tip pen ranges below)
There existed a matching version of the popular Flair ballpoint pen.
Oldest ad: 1973. (see Waterman's ads showing fountain pen and felt-tip pen ranges below)
There existed a matching version of the popular Flair ballpoint pen.
1973 Waterman's range of fountain pens:
Torsade, Man 21, CF, Graduate and Concorde
The Graduate model underwent several changes during its long life, concerning particularly
the pen's clip and section. In 1973 ads appear the original versions of both pens.
The 1975 ad shown below displays a fountain pen of the second generation.
It is really strange to me that Waterman did not protect the design of the fountain pen,
which proved to be extremely successful. So I have not been able to figure, up to now,
who its designer was.
1972 – Man 21 (fountain pen, ballpoint pen) --- [see Waterman Gentleman, old-style (below)]
Man (later Man 21) ad (1972)
Man (later Man 21) ad (1973)
Created by the moderately famous French designer Alain Carré.
Both designs (Man 21 and old-style Gentleman) shared the pen casing,
the only difference being the section-nib-feed ensemble, absolutely interchangeable
at any rate.
Both designs (Man 21 and old-style Gentleman) shared the pen casing,
the only difference being the section-nib-feed ensemble, absolutely interchangeable
at any rate.
Called “Man” at first, it was aimed at being
the successor to the mid-sixties Man model
as top-of-the-line man’s fountain pen (see article on this blog). On this occasion,
a ballpoint pen was also developed.
as top-of-the-line man’s fountain pen (see article on this blog). On this occasion,
a ballpoint pen was also developed.
The Man 21 fountain pen was equipped with the faceted
nib of the Concorde,
set on a similar but larger section. On the contrary, the old-style Gentleman exhibited
the more conventional SUPER 6 open nib, a heritage of the former Man model.
set on a similar but larger section. On the contrary, the old-style Gentleman exhibited
the more conventional SUPER 6 open nib, a heritage of the former Man model.
For some reason, Waterman did not introduce
the Gentleman until two years later.
Alain Carré also designed the (new) logo that Waterman used during this decade.
Alain Carré also designed the (new) logo that Waterman used during this decade.
1972 – Torsade (fountain pen, felt-tip pen,
ballpoint pen, mechanical pencil)
US D 229,636 (casing for pen) (May 25, 1971) (Eugène Defores)
US D 228,690 (marking pen) (Aug. 18, 1971) (Francine Gomez)
US D 229,357 (ballpoint pen) (Nov. 9, 1971) (Eugène Defores)
Torsade ad (1972)
A refined version of the Graduate line of writing instruments, whose cap and barrel exhibited
longitudinal stripes that twisted in spirals around the pen axis.
As with the Waterman Graduate, different versions appeared as time went by.
1972 – Facette (fountain pen, felt-tip pen, ballpoint pen, mechanical pencil) *
Oldest ad: 1977.
Facette ad (1977)
Another sequel of the Graduate model, this time with straight facets instead of twisted ones.
There existed different versions, which included, among other features,
open and hooded nibs (as seen on the network).
* Since I have seen Facette pens with the Graduate's old-style clip,
I have assumed that this model should be put into market simultaneously with the Torsade.
The new clip was introduced in 1973. (see Waterman Flair)
1973 – Watermina and Waterminum (felt-tip pen,
fountain pen, ballpoint pen)
US D 240,032 (marking pen) (June 19, 1974) (Francine Gomez).
US D 244,529 (fountain pen) (Mar.
21, 1975) (Francine Gomez).
1973 Waterman's range of felt-tip pens:
Graduate, Torsade, Watermina and Waterminum
Watermina ad (1973)
Initially, this was the most luxurious line of felt-tip pens ever developed by Waterman.
At first there existed two different versions: a thin, clipless one called Watermina,
aimed at women, and a larger man's one marketed under the name Waterminum.
Later on, both of them were equally known as Watermina.
The fountain pen was designed a year later and also advertised as Watermina.
Nevertheless, it appears as Waterminum (larger felp-tip's matching fountain pen)
in salesman's brochures.
A matching ballpoint was introduced too.
At first there existed two different versions: a thin, clipless one called Watermina,
aimed at women, and a larger man's one marketed under the name Waterminum.
Later on, both of them were equally known as Watermina.
The fountain pen was designed a year later and also advertised as Watermina.
Nevertheless, it appears as Waterminum (larger felp-tip's matching fountain pen)
in salesman's brochures.
A matching ballpoint was introduced too.
1973 - Flair (ballpoint pen, mechanical pencil)
1973 Waterman's range of ballpoint pens:
Torsade, Man 21, CF, Flair and Concorde
Graduate ad (1975)
Graduate's matching version of this long-lived model. Top actuated retracting mechanism.
1974 – Gentleman, old-style (fountain pen,
ballpoint pen)
Waterman's "state of the art" in pen manufacturing (1974)
From left to right: CF ballpoint pen, Watermina felt-tip pen, Gentleman fountain pen
Waterman Gentleman ad (1975)
With the same casing as the Man 21 fountain pen, the Gentleman had a SUPER 6 open nib
instead of the Concorde's one as well as a rounded section.
This model has nothing to do with the more popular one introduced in 1982,
which displayed an entirely new design and construction.
1976 – Directeur General (fountain pen,
ballpoint pen, felt-tip pen)
US D 245,852 (ballpoint pen) (Oct. 9, 1975) (Alain Carré)
US D 246,723 (fountain pen) (Oct. 9, 1975) (Alain Carré)
Directeur General ad (1976)
Basically a re-design of the so popular CF with a lacquered, long articulated clip
which embraced the top of the cap in a way similar to that of
the Man 21 and old-style Gentleman models. The Directeur General also displayed
matching lacquered stripes on both barrel and section.
A second, rather different version with fluted body and no insets was introduced
at some point later.
1978 – Goutte (fountain pen, ballpoint pen)
[2]
USD 253,660 (ballpoint pen) (Apr. 7, 1977) (Alain Carré)
Goutte ad (1979)
A new line of slim writing instruments characterized by its rounded forms.
This concept had influence over other contemporary and future models.
1979 – Master (fountain pen, ballpoint pen, felt-tip pen, mechanical pencil) [1]
Oldest ad: 1981.
Essentially, a lacquered version of the Graduate model with gold-plated trim aimed
at the mid-range market.
Equipped with a 18K gold nib at first, later offered with a gold-plated one.
Oldest ad: 1981.
Waterman ad promoting the Master (left) and Laureat (right) models (1981)
Essentially, a lacquered version of the Graduate model with gold-plated trim aimed
at the mid-range market.
Equipped with a 18K gold nib at first, later offered with a gold-plated one.
1980 - Slim Goutte (fountain pen, ballpoint
pen) [3]
US D 261,009 (fountain pen) (Sep. 11, 1979) (Francine Gomez)
Luxirious version of the Goette model aimed at women. Shorter and slimmer than
its predecessor, it displayed a semi-precious stone in cabochon cut at the end of the clip
as well as a metal-plated section.
1980 – Pierre Dure (fountain pen, ballpoint pen) [1]
US D 259,642 (ballpoint pen) (Jun. 5, 1979) (Francine Gomez)
US D 260,101 (fountain pen) (Jun. 5, 1979) (Francine Gomez)A strange hybrid between the Directeur General and Goutte lines, combining straight
(essentialy the clip of the first one) and rounded forms. It displayed a semi-precious stone
in cabochon cut set on top of the cap and, in the case of the fountain pen,
another one on the barrel's bottom. Unlike the Directeur General pens,
the clip is not articulated, being of the washer type. The pen's section is metal-plated.
1982 – Gentleman, new-style (fountain pen,
ballpoint pen, felt-tip pen, mechanical pencil) [1]
Oldest ad: 1987.
Oldest ad: 1987.
Gentleman ad (1988)
This is the model most of us know under the
name Gentleman.
It was an absolutely new design, not connected with the old-style model. The pen was
entirely made of lacquered heavy brass, displaying a tubular shape. Its distinctive clip,
of the washer type, was a re-design of Harley Earl's CF one; it became
one of the Waterman's hallmarks. This new-style Gentleman meant for Waterman
the return of the flat-top era. It could be considered as the precursor of the Man 100 model.
It was an absolutely new design, not connected with the old-style model. The pen was
entirely made of lacquered heavy brass, displaying a tubular shape. Its distinctive clip,
of the washer type, was a re-design of Harley Earl's CF one; it became
one of the Waterman's hallmarks. This new-style Gentleman meant for Waterman
the return of the flat-top era. It could be considered as the precursor of the Man 100 model.
1983 – Man 100 (fountain pen, ballpoint pen, felt-tip pen, mechanical pencil)
[4]
US D 280,420 (ballpoint pen) (Apr. 13, 1983) (Jean-Paul G. L. Verhaegue)
US D 280,737 (fountain pen) (Apr. 13, 1983) (Jean-Paul G. L. Verhaegue)
Oldest ad: 1985.
Waterman's top-of-the-line model for almost a decade and, for many pen lovers,
one of the best fountain pens ever made. But that's another story!
[1] For the fountain pen dating, see, for instance, this "press release".
[2] For dating this line of writing instruments, see, for instance, these sites: 1, 2.
[3] Dating: personal estimation.
[4] Universally accepted dating.
Oldest ad: 1985.
Man 100 ad (1985)
Waterman's top-of-the-line model for almost a decade and, for many pen lovers,
one of the best fountain pens ever made. But that's another story!
[1] For the fountain pen dating, see, for instance, this "press release".
[2] For dating this line of writing instruments, see, for instance, these sites: 1, 2.
[3] Dating: personal estimation.
[4] Universally accepted dating.
