Waterman France can trace its origins back to 1914 when Jules Fagard became the Waterman Company's French agent. Fagard's branch evolved into a semi-autonomous subsidiary under the JiF-Waterman name in 1926, producing American-designed pens as well as local designs. In 1954, with the closure of Waterman's US manufacturing facilities, JiF-Waterman became, in effect, Waterman. Over time, JiF-Waterman continued to grow, and by 1971 had acquired the remaining areas of the original business and registered all the appropriate trademarks of the old Waterman company. JiF renamed itself to Waterman S.A. and has carried on the Waterman name ever since. Waterman continues to survive today as perhaps the largest French penmakers (and certainly one of the major European penmakers), making it one of the longest running brand name in fountain pens. Waterman is currently owned by Newell, the same owners of Parker.The Waterman Gentleman was the top of the Waterman line when it initially appeared in the market place around 1976 and was produced until around the introduction of the le man model in 1983. The design complimented Waterman models that were perhaps next level down such as the Executive and Exclusive pens and mid range designs such as the Maestro and Centurion models, the Laureate introduced to the market in 1985, and the Waterman super master produced between 1983 and 1989.
On offer is a luxurious and stylish Waterman Gentleman Fountain pen in a beautiful gold plated finish with a Godron pattern over brass core with Gold Trim. The design of the pen has a thick lined appearance which gives the pen an aesthetic look much like an old Roman pillar and with this feature, the heavy brass core and gold plating, provides which once was Watermans top end pen with a sense of substance and gravitas. The pen finials also give the pen a pillar like feel with both ends ringed multiple times. The cap to this pen has a thin gold band at its base with ‘plaque org’, ‘Waterman’, and ‘made in France’ indented on them. The cap has the robust clip design, indicative of some of the more expensive waterman pen lines, with the Waterman logo indented in it. The fountain pen is fitted with an original Waterman converter. The nib is ‘L’ on the nib feeder ( refer to note after description), this indicates a rare open ‘broad’ 18k solid gold nib and is indented with “Waterman”, “Ideal”, “Paris”, “18k 750” and “France”. The finish and manufacturing processes employed on this pen augments the feel in hand enhances them fabulous look and provided a real pleasure to write with. The pen is in very good age appropriate aesthetic condition and in full working order. There are no appreciable dings, dents, scratches or any personalisation, although as with all used vintage pens there will be inevitable micro signs of use. The pen is presented in a Waterman box.
Please refer to the photographs closely as they form an integral part of the description.
during the 1990's one or more European pen manufacturers had the idea to change the nomenclature for pen sizes. They began by substituting "L" (large) for "B” (broad). It turned out that the standard pen size indicators are so conservative and engrained in pen cultural manufacturing worldwide that the experiment was dead in the water before it got started. I think I have seen exactly one nib on one occasion that had the "L." Hence, I will suggest that the nib on this pen is a slice of history that will not likely be repeated . Keep hold of the nib, even if you get another nib mounted for general writing.