I made a nice find of a black 32 yesterday - great condition but it does need a new sac (ossified sac bits rattling inside). I've been trying to do some research on the model but I'm not getting much information on it. Mine has the nickel furniture and the square lever. The nib needs cleaning but it's a 3.

According to Richard Binder's excellent profile on the 52, the 32s were produced starting in 1929 when Waterman embraced celluloid, but that's all I've found in terms of dates for this model.
Is there another source out there on 32s or does someone here (I bow to others' expertise) know the production dates?

I'm always interested in finding out as much as I can about all my preciouses. Thanks for any help!

Sorry I can't add much except that these are wonderful pens and imho
very underated. Now everybody knows. Well I never was good at secrets!

Just a question... Are you certain it's a #3 nib? Mine all have #2 nibs.
I believe Waterman 3 nibs a re kind of hard to come by.
I could be mistaken and stand at the ready to be corrected by the more experienced and certainly more knowledgable



Steve

Steve, nope - you're #2. I had to break out the tissue and the flashlight to see it clearly. The bottom half of the 2 is slightly obscured by the edge of the section.

Thanks for that correction!

Now if the pen gods will send us a sign about dating this little beauty. It's hard to believe that such a shiny, non-scratched black pen could be (potentially) 70 years old.

I think it's around circa 1930.



The top pen is a #32. The bottom a #3, circa 1935.

Such lovely pens - I love the combination of the silver/bronze and orange on the first one. Quite striking!
And thanks for the confirmation of the 1930s date. I guess someone just loved my black enough not to abuse it and it kept its sheen all this time. It's in such clean condition you'd never guess it was in its 70s!

Thanks, and you're welcome, Doc