Waterman Laureat Review

[vrgelinas]

I purchased a Waterman Laureat on the FPN marketplace and, since the reviews for the Laureat are lacking, decided to post one of my own. It's all in images, and this is my first real review, so bear with me, and let me know where I can improve, please.

 

Thanks for reading!

[terminal]

THanks for the review! Do you have a phileas to compare it to? I always wonder how the two stack up. This one would be way dry for my taste it looks like.

[idazle]

I'm glad to see a review on the Laureat. I bought mine in 1993. However not until I changed the nib for an F (it came with an M nib) have I been using it as one of my everyday pens. In my opinion the F nib in this pen is rather on the broad side, so it almost gives what is a medium line in other pens. I'd also say the nib in these pens is pretty rigid. However, overall a reliable option for everyday use. Thanks for the review, clear and concise.

 

Best

[vrgelinas]

THanks for the review! Do you have a phileas to compare it to? I always wonder how the two stack up. This one would be way dry for my taste it looks like.

 

It is indeed a little on the dry side. Maybe I need to take a little bit and adjust the feed and nib.

 

I don't have a Phileas yet. If anyone is looking to part with one, I'll do a side-by-side

Edited April 19, 2012 by vrgelinas

[vrgelinas]

I'm glad to see a review on the Laureat. I bought mine in 1993. However not until I changed the nib for an F (it came with an M nib) have I been using it as one of my everyday pens. In my opinion the F nib in this pen is rather on the broad side, so it almost gives what is a medium line in other pens. I'd also say the nib in these pens is pretty rigid. However, overall a reliable option for everyday use. Thanks for the review, clear and concise.

 

Best

 

Thanks for the positive feedback! Where can you find nibs for these?

 

My nib has a little flex to it, but feels even more rigid than my Safari.

[saskia_madding]

I am doing a review of the Laureat too right now (almost done!), but it is a M nib, and it is much wetter than your EF (not too much of a surprise there, right? )

 

In a M nib, the pen is very free with the ink and lays down a gorgeous, wet line, I swear.

[ThirdeYe]

I have one of these with a medium nib and I love it. It can stay inked for months without drying out, and the nib is nice and smooth. I got mine second-hand at an antiques mall, and I couldn't be happier with my purchase. I found it to be much better than the Phileas I had (and subsequently sold). I'm enjoying my Kulturs, but those tend to dry out/evaporate much quicker.

Edited April 19, 2012 by ThirdeYe

[idazle]

Thanks for the positive feedback! Where can you find nibs for these?

 

My nib has a little flex to it, but feels even more rigid than my Safari.

 

The M nib didn't write well, so I took the pen to a local dealer in Madrid and he got a NOS F nib for me. I paid 55 $ for it. Maybe too much taking into account that you can find a mint Laureat in e-Bay for 90 $. All in all it was worth paying as after many years of a complicated relationship now we are very happy together ;-)

 

I think I'll upload a pic. Note that my pen's clip, like yours, has a squared top, which I've been told is characteristic of the earlier (rarer?) models.

[vrgelinas]

Thanks for the positive feedback! Where can you find nibs for these?

 

My nib has a little flex to it, but feels even more rigid than my Safari.

 

The M nib didn't write well, so I took the pen to a local dealer in Madrid and he got a NOS F nib for me. I paid 55 $ for it. Maybe too much taking into account that you can find a mint Laureat in e-Bay for 90 $. All in all it was worth paying as after many years of a complicated relationship now we are very happy together ;-)

 

I think I'll upload a pic. Note that my pen's clip, like yours, has a squared top, which I've been told is characteristic of the earlier (rarer?) models.

 

Nice. I like rarer models. Mine came in the box with the original instruction/warranty card, a dried out cart, the converter (which I'm using), and, of course, the pen.

 

How hard is it to take the nib out?

[georges zaslavsky]

I have a dozen of laureats and they are great writers indeed Thanks for the review

[Sholom]

When I lost my Laureat quite awhile ago, I replaced it with a Phileas as money was a bit tight back then. Both are good pens. The Laureat is heavier, I think longer, and narrower than the Phileas. The Phileas is wider and the styling is perhaps a bit over the top compared to the very classy Laureat. I found the old Waterman fine nibs to be too wide for my narrow tastes, but when I had to have the nib on the Phileas replaced, the new fine nib was quite a bit narrower. I like my Phileas and it is a very reliable writer, but I wish I still had the Laureat as well.

[GradesWithFPen]

Love my 20-year-old Laureat and always have. Had another one that I gave to a dear fellow English preofessor as a going-away present and have not regretted parting with it for one minute because that one gift got her hooked on fountain pens. Small price to pay, although I miss the red Laureat. I never have had any trouble keeping the nib wet and have always used either J. Herbin or Waterman South Seas ink. Private Reserve inks don't flow as well as the Waterman inks do for some reason in the Laureat.

 

Gawd, I love this addiction.

[Dark_Severus]

Thanks for the review. Another beautiful Waterman on my hitlist...

[chiniebwoy]

I purchased a Waterman Laureat on the FPN marketplace and, since the reviews for the Laureat are lacking, decided to post one of my own. It's all in images, and this is my first real review, so bear with me, and let me know where I can improve, please.

 

Thanks for reading!

Hi,

I'm a completely new poster here and after reading your review, I'm wondering where I could get a good deal on a laureat. Any ideas.

Thanks

You can reply to me at chiniebwoy@yahoo.co.uk

David

[GradesWithFPen]

In my earlier reply, I forgot to mention a couple of things:

 

(1) Because of the plastic twist-off end on the bottom, the pen is excellent to post. Most of my other pens get a little round scuff ring on the pen bottom because the top rubs when it is posted. I write with most pens posted because it just seems more balanced to me.

 

(2) As far as the narrow part, I can write all day long with my Laureat because I have very small hands (size 4 ring finger). So the Laureat and slim Snorkels are the perfect fit for my hand.

 

Anybody have an extra Laureat they'd like to part with please PM me. I love 'um.