Pens of Note

Waterman Patrician

 

The Patrician uses the Man 100 body. The pen has a brass body covered with 19 layers of lacquer. That process takes over two weeks to complete. I am glad Waterman spent the time to create a strong lacquer coating. My pens over now over around 30 years old, have had regular ongoing use, and look as good today as when I bought them.

The Patrician holds special value to me. When my mom died, I was given a small amount of money. My dad told me to buy something that I would remember. I purchased the Patrician fountain pen in green. To this day, when I use the pen, I think the time that Karen and I were in Nimes Frances, and purchasing the pen. It is a nice keep sake.

Waterman launched the Patrician in 1992. The pen was a remake of the original 1929 Waterman Patrician - the flagship pen for the company until 1939 when the 100 Year Pen was released. The 1992 version was available in fountain and ball-point models. The pen was first released in coral red, green and then blue. There were plans to issue two more colours, turquoise and onyx, however, sadly the line weas discontinued before those pens were released. For each of the colours I have the fountain and ball point pen. Quite a difference for me.

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

When the 1992 Patrician is based on the Man 100 pen, the band on the cap differs, being more in line with the band of the of the 1929 pen.

As I started buying Waterman pens in the 1990's I recognized this clip as one of their signature design points.

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 was made at the Waterman factory in Nantes, as is the 23.6-karat gold-plated cap and clip. I remember from my visit to the Waterman factory the dedicated section where the gold nibs were manufactured.

The pens themselves are not issued as a numbered line. The nib section of the Man 100 pens have numbered nib sections. Once you interchange the nib section, the number follows.

The pens were issued in a beautiful wood presentation box.

 

Waterman Patricican Blue

Waterman Patrician Green, Ball Point and Fountain Pen