Beautiful 1960 Waterman C/F (CF) Gold Plated "Plaque OR G" First Cartridge Filler 18K EF Gold Nib Fountain & Ballpoint Pen Set In Box with Original Converter Item ID: WAT-080

The Waterman C/F pen, standing for "Cartridge Filler", was the first global fountain pen with the "new" revolutionary disposable cartridge filling system. Even though cartridges existed almost 100 years ago before this pen, it was Waterman's who first made the truly global cartridge fountain pen that worked. There was another company Atomica from Italy who made a cartridge pen the year before, but their market was marginal compared to this pen.

Launched in the 1950s, the Waterman C/F pens feature a unique modern design inspired by the optimistic post WWII Jet Era. In fact, the second variation of the C/F pens was called the Concorde, to celebrate the launch of the first supersonic passenger jet liner in the 1960s. Looking at the design of these pens it is really hard to believe they were made close to 70 years ago.

The original C/F was launched in the USA in 1953, this model is the same, but was produced in France after 1957 as the US model was discontinued, we estimate in the early 1960s. This is a more rare version with very fine guilloche lines, what we call Godron, but extremely fine, giving the pens a nice and solid texture which a very secure grip, but also a very intricate light reflections, as the pens simply change appearance by the angle and light that falls on them.

The fountain pen features a stunning wing nib, solid 18K gold, EF extra fine size, perfectly smooth and fine writing. This nib is constant and it has some flexibility, so it will write up to M or even B when pressed gently. The pen comes with its original bladder converter, but we have replaced the sac in the converter as the rubber deteriorates over time, becomes brittle and the converter is useless. It is extremely important to have new sac installed in these out of production proprietary C/F converters, so as to make the pen usable. Since these are extremely difficult to come by nowadays, a word of advice is also to keep any C/F cartridge even if used or dried out. Once used, a cartridge where the lip is not damaged can be filled with any ink with a syringe and needle. This process can be repeated as long as the lip of the cartridge is not damaged.

The accompanying ballpoint pen is of the same build and stature, featuring the Waterman patented Titane refills and filling system. This is one of the easiest refills to replace, simply by flipping the lever on the top of the mechanism, and inserting a new one, similar to inserting a bullet in a rifle chamber. The Titane refills are also Waterman proprietary and not produced any longer by Waterman, but since the popularity of these pens is enormous and many of us still use them daily, there are many custom made replacement Titiane refills on the market. The on/off mechanism is a twist action.

These are perfect traveler pens, compact, easy to use, clean and maintain. Though build pens. The pens are ergonomically perfect, heavy with great grip, balance and feel in the hand.

The pens are in mint condition, near NOS condition with no signs of use, no dings, no scratches, no gold wear off, perfect cosmetic and functional condition. The pens are marked "Waterman's C/F" "Plaque OR G" and "L 92393" serial number on the black resin grip section on the fountain pen, indicating the early production serial number, in the very early 1960s, possibly even late 1950s.

The set comes in its original box with silk-like  lining and soft fabric-like coating.