Info On Solid Gold Waterman C/f

[theodore94]

I have my eye on a solid gold Waterman C/F, but the seller doesn't have much information. Does anyone know when they were made, if there's anything special about the solid gold ones, how much they tend to go for?

[crescentfiller]

Please first tell us which books, websites, databases, pen forums, and other sources you've consulted,

so that we don't duplicate the results.

[theodore94]

I've found most of my info about Waterman CFs online on websites and forums because I don't have a Waterman book/database. Here are just a few links I used:

 

https://goodwriterspens.com/category/waterman/

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/272619-waterman-cf/

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/50054-waterman-cf-a-classic-pen-you-should-own/

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/76785-waterman-cf-made-in-france/

 

... from all this, I know when the basic info on CFs, generally: when they were made (1950s-1980s), the trouble with finding new cartridges (fortunately, I have a bunch that I've successfully been refilling with a needle), the designer (the legendary Harley Early). Also, I have a few other Waterman CFs (2 FP/MP sets from the 50s/60s and a newer FP from the 1970s/1980s), so I know I like how they fit in my hand and how they write.

 

My trouble is that I don't know anything about the solid gold ones. I've seen a good amount of info on the gold plated ones which I'm assuming might be similar, but I'd like to know a bit more of the story for the solid gold ones, if anyone knows. I'm not sure if they were a special edition or anything like that, but that's what I'm hoping to find out. There doesn't seem to be a lot of solid gold ones out there -- maybe they were made for a special purpose?

[senzen]

I don't have one but if I understand correctly a common or possible problem is ink corroding the gold or silver plating away, for which CF users suggest religiously wiping any excess ink off... Or getting the solid gold model. If it helps solid gold in french would be a "waterman cf or massif", of course you still rely on the sellers' knowledge and honesty not to confuse or massif with the barrel and cap finishes...

 

Another model I've come across which might be interesting, with a similar aesthetic that but which is even more rare and expensive, is the waterman DG...

[PaulS]

f.ps. write - whether g.f., hallmarked 9 ct. or 18 ct. - it's what they're designed for, so with the greatest of respect I'm unsure of the reasons for the op's request for information. I can't imagine the solid gold variety of the CF wouldn't write equally as well as non-precious metal versions - and obviously the carat jobs will cost serious money so, is it writing ability that is the concern here or something else?

Maybe the real concern is the uncertainty of whether the price being asked is a fair price for a solid gold example - if examples of carat pens are scarce, then making a comparison won't be easy, so perhaps it's this doubt about the price being correct that is the issue. Investment must also be an issue here - I don't think many of us would buy this variety of the CF just for writing the odd letter. Is the pen in question from France (18 ct.) or U.K./States (14 ct.)?

I think it's back to the old idea of how much your really want a pen - some people pay way over the odds for certain pens if they have a real obsession. If the source is ebay then we are right most of the time to be cautious when parting with big bucks.

A solid gold CF is a prestigious example of a classic pen (first W. plastic cartridge etc.)

 

I've three of these things but none is precious metal, other than the nibs - two at 14 ct. and one of 18 ct. - but following on from SenZen's comments these appear to be problems with ink corrosion around the side and rear of the nib where this fits into the body of the section, though it doesn't seem to affect all pens - and it certainly wouldn't affect a solid gold example.

 

On a personal note, I dislike the nibs - semi-hooded jobs don't do it for me, and in view of the nib size the writing results aren't in the same league as open nibs.

Best of luck and hope you make the right decision