Waterman Expert Fountain Pen, Gloss Black with 23k Gold Trim, Fine Nib, Luxury Fountain Pen in Gift Box, Fountain Pen for Writing

The Waterman Expert fountain pen arrived today on schedule and included a wonderful blue ink. The fine nib writes well and is what I hoped for. The pen weighs about 30g which gives a good solid feel and is about 50% when posted vs the Lamy Safari Vista that I was using previously before backing over it with my car last week, sadly.I must note also that I very much like the clip tension on this Waterman Expert. It is not crazy tight so slides onto my clothing without me worrying it is going to mess up my shirt pocket, which is nice.This pen feels like good quality and I appreciate that the cap snaps onto the pen both when capping it and when posting it to write. Extremely satisfying and makes me know that I don't need to worry about it coming off and inking anything accidentally.

I've owned Waterman pens for years and found them to be reliable, elegant and offer a great writing experience.This purchase was a gift and as such I want to address some negative comments:The blue presentation box is protected in a white cardboard sleeve that has the bar codes and manufacturing information. It is in fact held in place by a piece of tape stuck to the presentation box to prevent it from sliding out. I only wanted to give the pen in its blue box so with a sharp knife I cut the tape to release it. Once outside the cardboard sleeve, with slow careful teasing up of the remaining tape, along the cut edge, I was able to completely remove the tape. Not only NOT tearing the blue box surface, but nor did the tape leave a "shadow" of glue. Grabbing the tape and just pulling up without care will probably risk damaging the surface of the presentation box.Regarding the lack of an ink cartridge, please notice a small fabric loop on the padded base the pen is sitting on. Pull up on that and the base will lift up, exposing the ink cartridge and info sheet. Perhaps sometimes one goes out without a cartridge but I suspect some folks didn't take the time to look for it.I hope this helps people who are considering giving one of these beautiful pens as a gift.

I've had it only a few weeks, and already this beautiful pen has joined the Waterman Carene on my desk as a beloved favorite that I reach for often. It's my fifth Waterman fountain pen, and it has everything I love about the others, namely the super smooth and lusciously wet nib. It may be a fine nib, but it definitely doesn't write like most fine nibs. The ink flow is generous without being a gusher, and always ready to go even if I don't write with it a few days. Never any hard starts or skips. No nib creep, either. Like their inks, the mid- and higher-end Waterman pens like this one are always well-behaved in their writing.The pen is on the hefty side, but never uncomfortable or heavy to the touch, although people used to lighter pens like, say, a TWSBI Eco may find it tiring at first. After a while, though, you don't notice the weight. Posted or not, it's always perfectly balanced in the hand, which helps more than anything with reducing hand fatigue.Because it has such classic, classy looks, this is the kind of pen you can proudly give someone for a promotion or graduation, and it can last a lifetime despite everyday usage, as long as you maintain it properly.This is the brand I recommend most often for people who don't know fountain pens well. I have never had a bad Waterman experience. I'm sure it's possible to have one, no company doesn't put out some boo-boos, but I have yet to get one from Waterman. As long as that continues, I will continue to assure everyone that the chances of a great writing experience with a Waterman is higher than with most companies, and you don't have to break the bank for it, either. Sure, this pen can be on the pricey side compared to some pens, but compared to other luxury brands? Watermans are downright bargains in comparison to several brands that don't necessarily write any better.

This is the most expensive pen I've ever bought. So I'm not able to compare it to other higher priced devices. But I've loved fountain pens for years and made extensive use of lesser ones. Until a few years ago I had a nice Waterman fountain pen that I bought at an art supply store for $35 (in 1998). The Expert is slightly slimmer, but heavier than that one. Took me a minute to get used to the weight but now it seems natural.I've had the pen a month now and am impressed with how smoothly it writes. I bought a converter also (not included) and some ink, and even with frequent usage I'm still using the same ink from the first time filling it. It does not dry out quickly like my previous pens apparently did. The worst was when I went a whole week without using it, but after dipping the tip in a capful of clean water it wrote perfectly. Usually it starts writing right away with no problems.Previously I've had medium point nibs while this is a fine, so it's hard to compare the writing. The Expert seems a little more scratchy than my cheaper one was, but far less temperamental in terms of writing angles and workable stroke directions. Also it wrote without skipping right from the start and didn't need any kind of wearing in period. (Unlike previous pens I've had). It does occasionally skip still if I get it turned at the wrong angle, but it's far more forgiving of that than I ever would have expected.Overall I have no serious regrets. Wish it cost less but that's so for almost everything. It doesn't come in the marbled blue and black color that my previous pen had, else I would have got that instead. I got the black with gold trim, which looks elegant and professional. I would prefer something more unique, but it does look very good.No complaints. Highly recommended.