waterman exception

[petra]

***edited***trying to add image, hope it works... (from www.theinkflow.com) -- thanks southpaw for the posting advice!

 

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/psoesemann/Exception_Gold_Set.jpg

 

I'm SOOOOOO sorry I haven't figured out how to attach an image or even a link because you gotta see this pen! After waiting-WAITING-waiting to get this Waterman Day & Night/Black & Gold SE Exception with a stub nib, it arrived today for Valentine's!

 

I found the delivery slip from the mail room exactly 5 minutes before a very long meeting -- ripped open the box -- major jaw drop at how stunningly handsome this pen is -- immediately filled it with Mont Blanc Bordeaux ink I keep at the office -- and went straight to my meeting where I took about 6 pages of notes over 3 hours with the cap mostly off in between note-taking.

 

PERFECT PERFORMANCE!!! Ink on touchdown. Not the slightest hesitation. No skipping, no stalling, no ink starvation. Just perfect writing with one of the smoothest-ever nibs.

 

This is a substantial pen -- not for those who prefer smaller or lighter weight writers. Capped: about 5.75" and posted over 6.5". It's black lacquer (over brass I assume), with gold appointments and two wide gold bands on either side that run the length of the barrel & cap. The gold bands have the appearance of a soft sheen because of a very finely etched linear texture, very subtle. This pattern is picked up ever so delicately on the "Waterman Paris" engraving on the band around the barrel.

 

My funky mini-postal scale says it weighs about 2 ounces. On the heavier side, but extremely well balanced. I never post caps on any pens, so it feels perfect to me. The cap snaps on and the barrel has a unique bayonet-type attachment to the section -- a slight, quick turn to get to the converter & goes back on with a distinctive snap. Very efficient and elegant.

 

The pen is square with somewhat rounded edges, and tapers a bit toward the end. The grip diameter is about 3/8" while the widest part of the barrel is over 1/2". It's a very distinctive and unusual shape.

 

The nib is a stub -- and the reason for my long wait. I called Waterman before I purchased the pen to make sure I could get a stub nib exchange. They called Paris & then called me back right away. The pen went straight from the vendor to Waterman, and from there, back to me free of charge (over the holidays, and probably the reason for my 3-month wait).

 

It's two-tone 18k engraved with "Waterman Ideal" and a picture of a globe. Comparing this to other stubs I have (Bexley, Dani, and Sailor music): the Waterman stub writes very differently from any of these. The Waterman is not as crisp as the Bexley, but softer and defintely smoother. The Waterman is not quite as soft or wide as the Dani or Sailor, but every bit as smooth. The line variation is VERY nice and distinct. I don't have a good enough magnifier, but I'd guess that the tip is something more like a long oval shape rather than a rectangular wedge shape.

 

In relation to my budget, the Exception is expensive. Most sites advertise it in the $350-400 range (for the gold trim SE model). It also comes in plain black, and black & silver, although only the gold-trim model has the gold bands. I got a very good price on the pen, but frankly I'm so happy with it, that had I paid the manufacturer's list price, I would still feel that I'm getting my money's worth.

 

That's my summary! If you've been wondering about this pen, hesitate no longer! It's elegant and handsome. I wouldn't call it subtle, but on the other hand it doesn't have the wee-bit-excessive drama of the Edson. Maybe I'd describe it as "black tie." Some people prefer silver appointments to gold, but the combination seems exactly right on this model. AND it has a great nib AND it seems to be completely RELIABLE!

 

A perfect 10 in my book! Now that I've admitted to falling in love with a pen on Valentine's day, I realize that reveals some rather serious flaws about my private life... but we won't go there!

 

You can see this pen at:

www.swisherpens.com

www.theinkflow.com

www.oscarbraunpens.com carries it, but no photo on their website.

 

Petra

/:)

Edited February 16, 2006 by petra

[zorroflores]

Hello Petra,

 

That was an emotive and very tempting review of a pen, cool experience isn't it?, sure it is great. ^_^ congratulations!

 

Carlos Flores

Edited February 15, 2006 by zorroflores

[southpaw]

Thanks for the review. To post images, you need to host them on a website (www.photobucket.com is a free image hosting site). When posting on FPN, click the "IMG" button and put in the address to the picture on photobucket. That's it! Alternatively, you can attach a single image to a post by using the "File Attachments" and "Browse" buttons below the posting window. This will allow you to post a pic from your own computer and put it on FPN's server (IIRC).

 

Thanks again for the review and hope to see some of your pics soon.

[ballboy]

Good to hear about a nice and reliable Waterman; if only there were more good reviews of their pens. pic from Lewertowski PEN SELLER FROM FRANCE.

Edited March 9, 2006 by ballboy

[marklavar]

I have a Man 100 (no longer produced) and it's a great writer. Very smooth.

[marklavar]

For all those who are interested, there is now a new version of the Waterman Exception Night & Day - in platinum guilloche and silver trim. It looks beautiful!

 

See it here: http://www.waterman-exception.com

[coy55boy]

It's....exceptional! I just bought the Day & Night Gold edition today. Should be here in about a week. I can just barely contain myself! I've been lusting after one of these since I first laid eyes on one. I just hope it lives up to the hype.

[marklavar]

I'm not overly keen on the very conservative design - I would love a sterling or gold plated Exception - but the nib is Waterman at its best. You've spent your money wisely.

[litening]

Petra,

 

I can fully relate to your review. I just got my Exception Day & Night Platinum today and it is truly the smoothest nib I have ever had. Before this I had a Man 200 and a DuPont Olympio. Not that I intend to give up writing with my DuPont just yet as I still enjoy it with every letter I write. Nevertheless, I just fell in love with the Exception (maybe I should start re-assessing my own personal life too).

 

The Pen is just absolutely beautiful and quite heavy, which is the way I like my pens. Also, just holding the pen in my hand, I can't resist rubbing the ribbed platinum with my thumb.

Even though both my Olympio and the Exception have fine but smooth nibs, the Waterman appears to write quite a bit thicker and darker (yes, I do use the same ink in both of them). Something I had to get used to at first, but quite like right now. Lines and letters remain crisp and don't fill up. Dare I say it makes my handwriting look a little more forcefull.

 

Anyway, can't wait till after the weekend when meeting packed days start again and I can really put it to the test.

 

Paolo

 

 

[marklavar]

I have a sterling Exception with a F nib and it's a delight. I normally go for M nibs, but the Exception nib is unusually wide; even the F nib is more of a medium. It is indeed rather thicker than the Olympio, which I also own.

 

What is odd is that the Edson nib is much finer than the Exception's. Anyway, the Exception is a wonderful pen, and those who have not yet purchased this pen are missing out on a great writing experience.

[Bogtrotter]

The Exception's unusual square barrel concerned me until I had one in my hand. My thumb fell into place on the pen's flat side like it was born to be there. I liked the pen's balance and feel so much, I purchased the Oversized Platinum on the spot. For the first three weeks, I used Waterman cartridges in it without a hitch, which I guess is to be expected. Yesterday, I put the converter in and filled it with Noodler's Lexington Gray. We'll try that for a couple of weeks and see what happens.

 

In any case the Oversized Platinum Night and Day has become my default working pen, replacing my Montblanc Boheme. It now has a matching rollerball, to keep it company, and a Piquadro black two-pen case to protect them both. The Piquadro case is made of top quality materials and complements the pens.

 

I agree with Petra's review of the Exception, especially her evaluation that the Exception is "black tie". It's a well dressed, well mannered pen that would be welcome in any company.

 

bt

[chibimie]

I was able to hold the "fulls-size" Exception today at Colorado Pens. It is truly a gorgeous pen, but I noticed that the part of the barrel near the nib where my fingers grasp the pen is NOT round as I thought it would be from website images. It is not as squared off as the barrel is, but it certainly is not round, either. The way I hold a pen, my forefinger (index finger) was lying on an "edge". It may be something I could get used to, but my hand didn't "naturally" take to it.

Edited May 14, 2007 by chibimie

[John Cullen]

Is the Exception nib as smooth as the Edson nib? The medium nib I got on my Edson is amazingly smooth and is easily as smooth as my Omas and Dupont nibs. I know all this is subjective, but the Edson nib is way better than any out of the box Opera nib I have tried.

 

By the way, anyone have both the Exception and a Lamy 2000? Equally as smooth? Just curious, as there are two current threads about these pens as smooth writers. j

[marklavar]

Is the Exception nib as smooth as the Edson nib? The medium nib I got on my Edson is amazingly smooth and is easily as smooth as my Omas and Dupont nibs. I know all this is subjective, but the Edson nib is way better than any out of the box Opera nib I have tried.

 

By the way, anyone have both the Exception and a Lamy 2000? Equally as smooth? Just curious, as there are two current threads about these pens as smooth writers. j

 

 

The answer is yes, the Exception nib is as smooth as the Edson. Certainly smoother than the old Man 100.

 

Don't take my word for it, though, go to your local pen shop and try it.

[QM2]

 

Petra, thanks for the review!

 

I have been wondering about this pen for some time and considered getting it in platinum trim. One thing I am wondering, those who own it: how fine is the EF nib on this pen, or whatever is its finest denomination?

 

Thanks,

QM2

[marklavar]

Petra, thanks for the review!

 

I have been wondering about this pen for some time and considered getting it in platinum trim. One thing I am wondering, those who own it: how fine is the EF nib on this pen, or whatever is its finest denomination?

 

Thanks,

QM2

 

 

I don't like EF nibs, so I couldn't say how fine it was. I use the fine and it is very much a broad fine; broader than many mediums from other brands.

[tycosiao]

waterman's pens are really awesome, really. i love the exception coated with platinum. how i wish it could be the same as the edson , leak proof. then it will worth to its core. great pen. nib is great, ppl who prefer light pens may find this too heavy!

[GJC]

i recieved the platinum one and it really does write like a dream. very smooth...a bit on the heavy side. but it is become one of my favorits.

[CharlieB]

I have heard that the cap doesn't stay posted very well. Since I like to post my caps, this worries me a bit. Can any Exception owners comment on this?

[shrinknib]

I have heard that the cap doesn't stay posted very well. Since I like to post my caps, this worries me a bit. Can any Exception owners comment on this?

 

 

HI

I have had my EXception silver broad nib for 6 months. I prefer to use this pen unposted as it is just too heavy and my hand gets sore quickly. However, I use my Parker Duofold posted as it is better balanced and obviously considerably lighter at its barrel is resin vs metal.

 

The nib is lovely and smooth, but I agree with an earlier posting that the finger position may not suit all as the edge transition from squae to round near the nib may not suit all.

 

Overall I'd give it a 7/10 which is not as good as expected for a pen costing over twice as much as the Parker!

 

Jeremy