Waterman Perspective As First Pen?

[gammada]

I was bitten by the FP-collecting bug fairly recently. So far, my minuscule collection includes only a Parker Vector (stainless steel/ converter), a Lamy Safari (yellow/ converter) and a damaged beyond repair Cross Century Classic. As such, I really want to delve deeper into the FP experience by trying more expensive models.

 

My first consideration was a Montblanc Meisterstuck 149, but it seems to be far more expensive than initially thought. Over at the MB forum here, I was pointed to second-hand 146 pens that seem to be more on my ballpark. Yet, just yesterday I got my first color ink (I've only used black ink before) and sure enough I went with Waterman which seems to be widely recommended here. Shortly thereafter I went over to the internet to look for other Waterman products (which much to my surprise, are widely distributed in my country).

 

After peering thru all the pens displayed there, my eyes were practically glued to the Waterman Perspective. I really like the modern look of the pen and the minute details of the barrel and nib. Also, it happens to be a bit less expensive than the MB afore mentioned.

 

So what I really want to know, having never used a Waterman before is, how good is this pen compared to other models? Pros and cons for a pen like this for an inexperienced user like me?

 

I'read some reviews here and elsewhere and people tend to point that the pen is on the heavy side. Is this much of a consideration?

 

Thanks for your help beforehand!

[Left FPN]

I don't own one but have looked at the design a few times. It's very modern with the all lathe tuned look.

 

They get very little attention on the forum...I dooon't knoooow whyyyy (from Daphne in an episode of Frasier).

 

This review might help.

Edited August 25, 2014 by Force

[Nath]

I love the modern design of Perspective and for me it's difficult to compare a Waterman Perspective with a MB 146 or MB 149. The price do not made the quality of course but these pens are not in the same range, it seems me…

 

The major differences:

MB 146/MB 149: piston filler with a screw cap and mainly a gold nib.

Perspective: filling by converter or cartridge with a click cap and a steel nib

 

For dimensions, the Perspective is comparable to MB 146 but heavier.

I have these three FP, I love them all and I could not choose between them.....

 

MB 149: 14.8 / 24.1 g - 123.5 / 141.9 / 156.0 mm - 12.6 mm

MB 146: 19.5 / 30.6 g - 132.2 / 147.9 / 167.7 mm - 14.5 mm

Perspective: 24.1 / 35.6 g - 122.9 / 138.4 / 164.0 mm - 11.2 mm

 

I could, if you like, take a picture of the three FP together tonight (Paris time)

[gammada]

 

MB 149: 14.8 / 24.1 g - 123.5 / 141.9 / 156.0 mm - 12.6 mm

MB 146: 19.5 / 30.6 g - 132.2 / 147.9 / 167.7 mm - 14.5 mm

Perspective: 24.1 / 35.6 g - 122.9 / 138.4 / 164.0 mm - 11.2 mm

 

I could, if you like, take a picture of the three FP together tonight (Paris time)

 

Yes, please do take that photo. It would be interesting to see the 3 pens side-by-side. By the way, I was told recently that the 149 was a bigger pen than the 146 but your specs seem to contradict this.

 

Why is the Waterman so heavy?

[gammada]

They get very little attention on the forum...I dooon't knoooow whyyyy (from Daphne in an episode of Frasier).

 

This review might help.

 

Thanks for sharing that review. It was very helpful to me. And yes, the pen doesn't seem to have much of a following here... Makes you wonder!

[Baric]

By the way, I was told recently that the 149 was a bigger pen than the 146 but your specs seem to contradict this.

Why is the Waterman so heavy?

I think the 146 and 149 numbers are switched, the 149 is larger than the 146.

 

As for the weight, like many Watermans this model has a metal body covered with lacquer whereas the Montblancs have bodies made of resin ie. plastic. I don't know what metal exactly, but I would suspect brass, it's commonly used in pen barrels.

Edited August 25, 2014 by Baric

[Nath]

Thanks Baric, effectively I have switched the two lines:

Please read:

MB 149 146: 14.8 / 24.1 g - 123.5 / 141.9 / 156.0 mm - 12.6 mm
MB 146 149: 19.5 / 30.6 g - 132.2 / 147.9 / 167.7 mm - 14.5 mm
Perspective: 24.1 / 35.6 g - 122.9 / 138.4 / 164.0 mm - 11.2 mm

 

The Perspectives are not in resin but in lacquered metal, which explains the weight.

Introduced in 2008, to my knowledge, they exist seven finishes (only one with gold trims!): Black GT, Black CT, Blue CT, Champagne CT, Silver CT, Azure CT and White CT that you can see on the Waterman Web site: http://www.waterman.com/en/44-perspective

 

Some pics with MB 149, MB 146 and Perspective. (A pure happiness the long nib of the MB 149)

 

http://img11.hostingpics.net/pics/914716IMG6304.jpg

http://img11.hostingpics.net/pics/568970IMG6306.jpg

http://img11.hostingpics.net/pics/253796IMG6312.jpg

http://img11.hostingpics.net/pics/513673IMG6308.jpg

http://img11.hostingpics.net/pics/575227IMG6311.jpg

http://img11.hostingpics.net/pics/802243IMG6313.jpg

 

The nibs of Montblanc Meisterstück 146 are more often in two-tone like that of the MB 149:

http://img11.hostingpics.net/pics/900418IMG6319.jpg

 

 

A very personal opinion, if you like the design of Waterman Perspective, it is a FP of great value for money.
The nib is not very flexible without being stiff, it is soft as I like.

 

Hoop, I have forgot: Thanks Foce for the link very informative

Edited August 25, 2014 by Nath

[gammada]

Thank you very much Nath, those pictures are awesome!

 

I like the style of the Perspective but side by side with the MB's, I definitely like MB's the better. The nibs on those are outstanding!

 

Does the Perspective comes with a converter?

[Nath]

Thanks gammada.
I think It is necessary to let speak the heart and the choice will be the voucher. And then, the one does not prevent the other one
No matter the FP, the important is to "to feel good " with its FP/nib.
Otherwise, a FP Perspective bought nine must be normally sold with a converter (Waterman uses the international format for converters and cartridges, so it's easy to find them)

Good purchase

 

Cheers

[gammada]

Thanks gammada.

I think It is necessary to let speak the heart and the choice will be the voucher. And then, the one does not prevent the other one

No matter the FP, the important is to "to feel good " with its FP/nib.

Otherwise, a FP Perspective bought nine must be normally sold with a converter (Waterman uses the international format for converters and cartridges, so it's easy to find them)

Good purchase

 

Cheers

 

Nath,

 

I recently spotted this for sale on local classifieds website. Buyer states that the pen is old ('80s -'90s) maybe. It is a piston-filler but comparing your photos with the only photo I've got, I notice that the section between the nib and the thread for the cap is longer than that of the 146 and the overall shape looks thinner than that of the 149. Do you have any idea as to what pen could this be?

 

Thanks!

 

http://img.segundamano.mx/images/07/0707278620.jpg

[Nath]

Oh, but this is no longer about Waterman FP.

The picture is not very good quality, the FP looks like not to what I "know" for a MB Meisterstück, it's a bit weird!

You should ask the experts Montblanc which I am not at all.

Good luck

[gammada]

Oh, but this is no longer about Waterman FP.

The picture is not very good quality, the FP looks like not to what I "know" for a MB Meisterstück, it's a bit weird!

You should ask the experts Montblanc which I am not at all.

Good luck

 

So true, I'll refrain from posting other brands here.

 

I will have a look of the pen today to see if it's an original item or not. But whatever happens, I still want a Waterman FP in my collection.

 

Besides the Perspective, what other W pens would you consider in the $100-200 range?

 

Btw thanks for all your great help, photos, and guidance. I truly appreciate them!