Waterman was established around 1884 in New York City by Lewis Edson Waterman, it is one of the few first-generation fountain pen companies that survives to this day, under the guise of Waterman S.A. (originally Waterman's French subsidiary). In 1883 the founder of Waterman company invented the "Three Fissure Feed" system which prevented excessive discharge of ink, which saw Waterman’s first pen-related patent, granted in 1884. The Waterman Company received the gold medal of excellence at the "Exposition Universelle" in Paris in 1900 for developing the "spoon Feed" system which prevented overflow of ink. In 1904 the pen clip was invented. Early Waterman pens were made of hard rubber and were equipped with 14K gold nibs. From early on, precious metal trim and overlays were offered. Many are still in use today, and their nibs are prized for their smoothness and flexibility.  In 1913 Waterman company introduced the lever fill system. Though largely ignored by present-day collectors, the Waterman C/F of 1953 introduced the modern plastic ink cartridge. In 1967 a factory Saint-Herblain in France was opened. In 1983 the Waterman company celebrates its landmark 100th anniversary. To celebrate its 100th anniversary, Waterman creates The Pen that is to become the reference in luxury writing. In the 90s came the products we know today. In 1992 Waterman came up with the Expert line, in 1994 the Hemisphere - a design that combines technological ingenuity and ultimate elegance. The years between 2004-2009 saw the creation of product lines such as Exception, Elegance and Perspective. Over time Waterman have as they say endeavoured to redefined elegance as the perfect balance of beauty and innovation in their writing instruments. Waterman have been at the forefront of design, innovation and elegant pens for almost 150 years and continue to be a major presence in the fountain / pen mass market. The Waterman Expert MkI first appeared in 1994 and in that form ran until 1999/00. The Expert II production ran from 1999 through to 2010, with some still being produced and the third version which was introduced from 2011 to present.The first had a somewhat more interesting nib decoration than the later, a less busy cap-band decoration, and a plastic body as opposed to the current brass. The differences between the latest and the second versions are mainly small details of the design, like different width cap bands and the appearance of upscale trim versions called Precious and Deluxe. 

On offer is a new Waterman Expert MkI FOUNTAIN pen and BALLPOINT pen set, finished in a black lacquer barrel/cap accentuated with gold plated trim. The identification of two cap bands and nib type clearly place this pen set as a MKI version. The smooth writing nib has the MkI stylised breathing hole and the “Waterman logo indented on it. The cap bands have “Waterman, Paris and Waterman logo” printed on them. The cap also has “made in France “ indented on it and the cap finial has the waterman logo imprinted on them too. The gold plated clip also has the Waterman logo indented on it. The ballpoint has matching design features and finish to the fountain pen. The fountain pen comes with a Waterman converter and the ballpoint pen has a new refill. These pens are in Nr mint age appropriate aesthetic condition.These pens feel and look stunning in hand and like many Waterman pens are a real pleasure to write with. There are no dings, dents, or any personalisation on either of the pens. There appears to be no micro signs of use on either pen either. All in all an excellent pen set in excellent condition. This set is presented in a Waterman box with a waterman leather pen case.