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Waterman 58 Restoration


strelnikoff

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Hi Waterman experts and aficionados!

Can you please advise on really good and reputable Waterman's pen(s) restoration/repair person?

 

 

Explanation:

 

I presume it would be equally appropriate to ask/post this question in Repair and... etc - group on this forum, but this is Waterman specific question - thus I feel more comfortable asking here first.

 

I have recently bought one Waterman 58 - and to date, this is my ... rarest, biggest, most precious Waterman pen. I'm still waiting for the package, it should be in my hands in a few days.

From what I was told by a seller, it belonged to her grandfather who was a book-keeper and the pen was, understandably, his prized possession. He rarely used it, but given that he got the pen after high school, after several (six or seven) decades - it can be considered well used. The seller is not a pen person, thus - no information on general condition. Through photos I have deduced few things.

 

I anticipate some work would be necessary, changing the sac and cleaning of the pen and the nib - the least of it. In any other case - I would do this myself.

However - it is Waterman 58. The nib may need some attention, some polishing and... well, this pen deserves a proper work by someone who has experience.

 

So, please suggest whom should I get in touch with?

 

There are several names being mentioned in several posts on this forum, but no feedback to who is the right person to take care of Waterman 58 for an example.

 

Thank you!


P.S. as soon as I receive the pen, I'll post few photos ... for "before" :)

Edited by Strelnikoff
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Congrats on the great pen!

 

Danny Fudge or Ron Zorn.

 

Best Regards, greg

Don't feel bad. I'm old; I'm meh about most things.

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Congrats! May I ask how/where you found it - eBay? Brad Torelli is probably the greatest genius restorer out there - but be prepared to wait a year or more for him to do the work. If the pen only needs 'servicing' then I'm sure the above folks could do it just fine. If you need any parts made from scratch, Brad is simply amazing. PS - I also have a 58 - one of the highlights of my Waterman collection. Cheers, Peter

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Congrats on the 58! Great pen! Danny Fudge has restored all my vintage Waterman's!

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Congrats on the great pen!

 

Danny Fudge or Ron Zorn.

 

Best Regards, greg

Thanks ! And thank you for the suggestion. I'll contact him/them a.s.a.p. My pen is due to arrive on Thursday.

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Congrats! May I ask how/where you found it - eBay? Brad Torelli is probably the greatest genius restorer out there - but be prepared to wait a year or more for him to do the work. If the pen only needs 'servicing' then I'm sure the above folks could do it just fine. If you need any parts made from scratch, Brad is simply amazing. PS - I also have a 58 - one of the highlights of my Waterman collection. Cheers, Peter

Thank you !

I found it through a combination of things - went to a local pen club meeting, and one of the members pulled out 58 in conversation, that was a week and a half ago. First time I saw in person that pen. And - decided that it is appropriate for me to won one :) some day... then I casually glanced in few online places, saw the price and conditions. Finally - found one on eBay (actually two) and went for it.

 

I don't think I can wait one year :)) just... cannot wait that long... if I had one 58 already - perhaps... :))

 

How's your experience with the pen? Any suggestions/advice?

Do you know what is the sac size?

 

Thank you!

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Congrats on the 58! Great pen! Danny Fudge has restored all my vintage Waterman's!

Thanks !!! I have seen 58 first time in my life (in "person") only about week and so ago. I was impressed ... and amazed. Haven't tried to write with it, but... regardless... I decided I'll have one - one day. Haven't expected that day will arrive so soon though :)

 

Thank you for the suggestion!

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Repairing a 58 Waterman is no different that repairing any other Waterman. Instead of looking for a 58 specialist you might do better looking for a Waterman specialist. The most difficult task would be to replace the lever box, essentially the same on any Waterman pen.

San Francisco International Pen Show - The next “Funnest Pen Show” is on schedule for August 23-24-25, 2024.  Watch the show website for registration details. 
 

My PM box is usually full. Just email me: my last name at the google mail address.

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Repairing a 58 Waterman is no different that repairing any other Waterman. Instead of looking for a 58 specialist you might do better looking for a Waterman specialist. The most difficult task would be to replace the lever box, essentially the same on any Waterman pen.

Thanks!

 

Essentially, that's what I was asking/looking for, a Waterman repair specialist. Maybe I have sounded a bit dramatic - because out of 65 pens of mine (which is by no mean big collection) - this one is really special.

Then again, I thought the same about my 56 when I got it, 54... few 52's, 42's ... M1000... etc. :D

 

I'm about to receive the pen today, and I'll know better what is - if anything - is wrong with it. The sac is definitely to be replaced, and I have some suspicion that nib may need some work too.

I'll share the photo!

Edited by Strelnikoff
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We're all waiting for those photos - your excitement is contagious!

Breathe. Take one step at a time. Don't sweat the small stuff. You're not getting older, you are only moving through time. Be calm and positive.

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We're all waiting for those photos - your excitement is contagious!

 

"

On FedEx vehicle for delivery

Jul-19-17, 01:40 PDT, HOUSTON, TX 77075 "

:unsure: just 2.5 hours more... it will take me 30 minutes from the office... c'mon time - pass already!!!

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And it has arrived !

 

post-136832-0-14491200-1500511310_thumb.jpg

 

I'll spare everyone details of picking up the package, opening etc.

 

Pen is ... excellent!!! Insanely huge - I almost forgot how impressive it is!

 

Imprints are sharp - except "Waterman's" on the barrel which (it seems) was shallow to begin with - but still very clearly visible. Other than that - all other imprints are deep and sharp. Color - this pen was hidden from all environment, it seems for 70 years or so. Minimal scratches on the surface, ultra shallow. I have pens 10 yrs and less old - with more wear than this one.

The nib is - manifold. Good tipping and no damages, being manifold it probably helped with avoiding bents. Though, I was surprised it's manifold, didn't know they have made #8 in that "finish" but - that's minor.

 

Sac is dry, I have managed to separate barrel from the nib unit. The feed is sticking out :D :D I'll remove sac now.

On thing that annoys me with all vintage and some new pens - cleaning the ID of the cap - it seems like there is eternal amount of dried blue or black ink there. Q-tips guzzler.

 

So - here are the photos:

 

post-136832-0-39717200-1500511967_thumb.jpg

 

The imprints - I've used my cellphone instead of reaching for my Nikon DSLR - so photos may not be as sharp, but they are good enough :)

 

58 on the butt end - very sharp

post-136832-0-40528400-1500511987_thumb.jpg

 

post-136832-0-09832500-1500512003_thumb.jpg

 

post-136832-0-61579500-1500512018_thumb.jpg

 

 

The cap and clip are perfect - clip is unbent, and you can see some surface shallow scratches - that's about it (I may have cap polished):

 

post-136832-0-93240600-1500512043_thumb.jpg

 

 

When I unscrewed the cap - this was the nib and (visible part) feed state:

 

post-136832-0-58627900-1500512059_thumb.jpg

 

post-136832-0-82844700-1500512071_thumb.jpg

 

 

I've used Q-tip with water just to clear the nib surface, but the ink was quite dry so I carefully (tip of the q-tip) used drop of koh-i-noor's rapidoeze and run under water...

 

 

post-136832-0-78906900-1500512085_thumb.jpg

 

 

 

Since I was in the photo shoot mode, I've decided to take one with few other Waterman's for comparison:

 

From left to right:

 

  • 42 - ripple
  • 94 - steel/quartz/pearl red ... speckles
  • 52 Ripple
  • 54 Ripple
  • 56 Ripple
  • 58 ... Ripple :)

 

post-136832-0-13926900-1500512102_thumb.jpg

 

And finally - a family photo of all of mine Waterman's - currently assembled ( I have few more 52's, 52-1/2, 52-1/2V and 54 in various states, eventually I'll complete them all).

 

From left to right:

 

  • Bushmill's Single Malt 10 yrs
  • 52-1/2V Cardinal - near mint
  • 32V - celluloid burgundy marble(d)
  • Nurses Pen
  • Lady Patricia Onyx
  • 52V Woodgrain, ringtop
  • Commando
  • 100 Year Pen (1940's) burgundy
  • 94 Steel/Grey/Quartz with red speckles - medium nib
  • 94 Steel/Grey/Quartz with red speckles - fine nib
  • 94 Mahogany/Creme - manifold fine nib
  • 52 Ripple
  • 54 Ripple
  • 654 (or 6654) Canada, gold (solid) bands
  • 12 woodgrain eyedropper
  • 42 BCHR
  • 42 Ripple
  • 56 Woodgrain
  • 58 Ripple

 

post-136832-0-68361100-1500512671_thumb.jpg

 

On Saturday in our local pen shop (Dromgoole's) we'll have a vintage pen show - and vintage pen repairman (whom I know). He makes Waterman's 58 replicas - and I've called him in advance to bring one properly sized sac. It's 24 2-3/4 necked... or 22 ? Well, it'll work :)

Thanks!

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Thanks for the nice photos of beautiful pen(s).

Breathe. Take one step at a time. Don't sweat the small stuff. You're not getting older, you are only moving through time. Be calm and positive.

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Thanks for the nice photos of beautiful pen(s).

 

You're most welcome!

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Oh my goodness! What eye-candy. The pen might have been owned at one time by someone who used it to make carbon copies, manifold nibs are quite firm. Have you tried it yet?

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Back to the Futue and wonder into a stationers...l'll take 1 of those 58's please, no make it 100. A lovely pen indeed 👍

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Incredible! What a great find! Last I talked to Danny Fudge (The Write Pen) his repair queue was around 2-3 weeks.

PAKMAN

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Oh my goodness! What eye-candy. The pen might have been owned at one time by someone who used it to make carbon copies, manifold nibs are quite firm. Have you tried it yet?

 

Yes I have, dipped in ink. Writes - for rigid nib - smooth fine to medium/fine line. It may have some line variation, but that's pushing it - and pointless as fas as I can see.

On Saturday I'll have a sac installed.

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Incredible! What a great find! Last I talked to Danny Fudge (The Write Pen) his repair queue was around 2-3 weeks.

Thanks! In fact - after I took it apart - there's no need for any repair (as far as I can see). It's shiny enough so polishing is not necessary.

I'll have a sac soon and then I'll use it for some time - and decide if there's anything I haven't noticed. Then I'll send it :)

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Back to the Futue and wonder into a stationers...l'll take 1 of those 58's please, no make it 100. A lovely pen indeed

 

Yeah :))) I thought about that few times... well, back to the Past - with 200 dollars in gold... I'd have all of them!

 

I wonder though - how did anyone bought flexible 52 for an example. There's no markings on the nibs nor on the pens...

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