Identifying Waterman Ideal

[OngL]

Hello,

 

I recently started with a Man 100 as my first Waterman pen. It was beyond expectation, either the balance and nib were great or I was lucky to get one that provides such experience. Unfortunately, there not many of these pen available in mint condition anymore.

 

I came across this model. It has ideal nib but I've never seen this patter/colour before. Anyone knows what model of Waterman is this and if this is comparable model to MAN 100?

 

 

[Left FPN]

It's a Man 200 Rhapsody in Mineral Red.

[OngL]

It's a Man 200 Rhapsody in Mineral Red.

Thanks Force. How does Man 200 differ from Man 100? Is this colour considered common or rare?

[Left FPN]

Thanks Force. How does Man 200 differ from Man 100? Is this colour considered common or rare?

They are very similar just a more slender version. When they (Man 100 and 200) are shown on their own it's difficult to tell which model is which. The most obvious being the feed. The Man 100 has a finned feed, the 200 is plain smooth. Also once you are aware of the colours you get to know which is which. Both models were produced in Black but that's the only common factor. Both then came in their own range of colours. This said, there may have been a common maroon.

 

I would not say the Mineral colours (Red, Green and Blue) are rare but they do appear less than others.

 

Take a wander here.

 

Just a word of warning. Some of the Man 200 pens had material movement problem which has been the subject of a topic on FPN. Some, including myself, had tightening of the section within the barrel when pens were left unattended for long periods. One user had to send his to Waterman to have them remove it. I am not sure it affects the earlier Mineral colours but certainly later Marble and Caviar/Blue colours were affected.