Carene Colors: Royal Blue Vs. Royal Violet

[fourseamer]

I recently bought a couple of Carenes on sale, a Garnet Red and a Royal Blue. The Garnet Red looks great, and it is exactly what I expected; the Royal Blue, not so much. The Royal Blue looks to me like its a Royal Violet. Under my desk lamp, the pen looks distinctly purple. When its under natural light however, it's less purple but still not a true blue. The difference is similar to what I'm seeing at Pens & Leather:

 

Royal Violet (ballpoint pictured though I have a fountain pen):

http://www.pensandleather.com/waterman-carene-royal-violet-ballpoint-pen.aspx

 

Royal Blue:

http://www.pensandleather.com/waterman-carene-royal-blue-fountain-pen-medium.aspx

 

What I have looks much more like the former than the latter. I was looking forward to the blue pen, and as such, I'm probably going to return the pen. However, I wanted to confirm that what I'm seeing is correct. Does anyone have one or (even better) both in their possession that they can share photos of? Does a Royal Blue have any purple tint to it particularly if you hold it under a warmer colored light?

 

For further reference, here's my comments in the Market Watch forum.

[fourseamer]

Here's a photo on FPN of another user's pen that seems to match mine somewhat, but this member refers to the pen as "ultramarine:"

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/170007-waterman-carene-your-favourite-colour/page__view__findpost__p__1702092

[Left FPN]

There is no such colour as Royal Blue, it is Abyss Blue (discontinued) or Vivid Blue (current). The Abyss was only available with Gold trim.

 

Under certain light conditions it is the Ultramarine and Royal Violet that can be difficult to distinguish.

 

Your second post link shows an Ultramarine model.

 

A good method is to Google Waterman Ultramarine and set the search to Images. There you will see all the various photos taken in different light conditions. Some look Violet other Blue.

 

If you look at this one it has a Violet tinge

 

The Abyss and Vivid Blue are clearly a Blue in most light conditions.

 

See my web for the picture showing the Abyss and Royal Violet.

 

http://www.btinternet.com/~daj.fseltd/Waterman.htm

 

The Royal Violet pair you can see are rather odd in that they are gloss finish whereas most are satin. That is how they came to me, I have not polished them up.

 

In short it sounds like you may have an Ultramarine.

Edited May 11, 2012 by Force

[fourseamer]

Thank you, Force. Very informative. It would seem that I have an Ultramarine, but it is curious that the box from Waterman is labelled "Royal Blue" (see attached photo):

[Left FPN]

I wonder who at Waterman was responsible for the label printing.

 

In all the catalogues I have there is no such colour listed for the Carene.

 

Coincidentally I have a Sea Garden (new, boxed) which is labelled Marble Green but again there was no such colour listed.

 

Also with yours the medium is crossed through and F penned in meaning the section was replaced at some time after leaving the factory.

 

I have my Ultramarine on the desk now and it looks decidedly purple/violet in the morning light.

 

Bottom to top, Abyss, Ultra and Violet in natural light.