I noticed that there is a nice Waterman Gentleman series pen set for sale on this forum. It's a nice looking set, but it appears to be a little on the thin side for my liking. However, I'm curious and I don't want to bother the seller with question just because of my curiosity.

Will someone please tell me about the Gentleman series of pens Waterman made? When were they produced? Where did they fit in the Waterman line of pens - were they equal to the Le Man 200, for example? Does anyone know how long and what diameter the pens are?

One final point. I am in search of a Waterman Opera ball point pen or roller ball pen. So if anyone has either and are willing to part, please let me know.

Peace,

Phroneo

Hi Phroneo,

The G'man is the next step down from the LeMan 200. It is not a thin or thick pen, but medium sized. They are about the same length as the 200, and just a bit narrower. These were produced around the same time as the 100 and 200. These are also retired models.

They were available in a variety of finishes, included sterling, and gold-plated. Beautiful pens, nice heft (lacquer over brass), smooth writing.

Like me, you like thick, hefty pens. I think you would like the Gentleman pens, but these are maybe the smallest you could tolerate.


diane

A picture is worth a thousand words. Gentleman gold plate and Waterman LeMan 100 black lacquer.
Click to view attachment

Thank you both for your help in this.

You are right, Diane, I do prefer larger, thicker pens. The fact that I always reach for a Conway Stewart Churchill or Duro, or my Pelikan M850, or my Waterman Le Man 100 or Opera pens must be a give-away.

Thanks for taking the time to take those pictures. That gold plated Gentleman is certainly pretty, but when you put it up beside the Le Man 100, it just looks too small for me...but it is certainly a nice looking pen.

Oh well, I'm going to keep my eyes open for an Opera Roller Ball or Ball point pen and maybe consider a Waterman Edson set. I'd like to get the Edson set in that green color they made. However, the blue is very nice.

Peace,

Phroneo

The evolution of my collecting has been interesting in that I started with relatively small pens (Parker 75s) and now prefer medium to large pens (Pelikan 600/800, Waterman LeMan 100, Bexleys, Auroras, etc.) I still appreciate and use the smaller pens, but it is the larger ones that see greater frequency in rotation.

Glad the photo helped. I wish I had had more side-by-side comparisons in my collecting as I have rarely been able to see a pen in the flesh prior to a first acquisition.

Preston

The gentleman is a great pen ideal for those who seek a nice and sleek pen.

was wondering if being all gold plated(even the section) makes it kind of slippery to hold and use?

Yes, I have the same wish.

My hands are very small but I have arthritis and cannot grip
smaller pens comfortably. Hardly any stores in the area
carry fountain pens so most of my purchases have been
online, save my first Phileas.

It would be wonderful to be able to compare pens
side by side before purchase.

Hello Fateh,

I have several gold plated, rolled gold, and gold pens and have never had any trouble with 'slippage', if you will. In fact, I have found all of my gold pens to be a pleasure to use because the gold warms nicely to your body temperature the longer you write. What I'm saying is that it just feels good and I think that's a good thing for a pen.

Of course, the only way in which one can be absolutely certain is to use or purchase and use a gold (or silver) pen. And they certainly do look nice.

Peace,

Phroneo

Actually, the nib flows ink so well that only a light touch and grip is needed. I've never had any issues with the Gentleman, but I have had some slippage with a Faber Castell with sterling section and with Montegrappa Symphony's with sterling section. I think it is more related to the shape of the section than the material. The relatively straight section and fluting of the Gentleman provides a better gripping surface than the concave sections of the other two pen types mentioned.

Preston

Hi,

See a near complete collection of Gentleman's :

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!

Beautiful!!

Beautiful, as usual, FrenchC!

Thanks !

Do I see a chased black one on the left in the to row?

=

AND a demonstrator in the same row?

FrenchC, I am in awe of your collection. My very first pen purchase from someone other than a brick and mortar retailer was a burgundy Gentleman. I've since acquired about four more Gentlemen, and they are excellent pens.

I just purchased a silver Gentleman on ebay to go with the gold one pictured earlier in this thread. Can't wait for its arrival.

Preston

C/C demos are no fun

You did my friend
FC

The Waterman Gentleman is a great pen which does not seem to get a great deal of recognition. My Dad gave me his burgundy Gentleman several months ago and enjoyed using the pen. I just inked it up again last night and forgot what a nice pen it is to write with. It will probably stay in the rotation for a while now. I like the weight, width, and length. It is probably one of the most reliable pens in my collection.

======

Agreed, Thornton. The G'man is a great pen, and was one of my early Waterman pens, before I could get a LeMan 100. It could be that the G'man was kind of overshadowed by the flagship LeMan.

If you are ever able to get a LeMan 100, you will be one SUPER happy camper!

Great Dad you have!

Thanks, I think he's pretty great too. I've recently fallen in love with Watermans and I hope to get my hands on a LeMan 100 in the near future. I agree that the Gentlemans were overshadowed by the LeMan. Too bad considering they are both great pens.