21.4.2017

Let me just state from on-start that this is not intended as an exhaustive review - for that, plenty of websites are available… I just want to cover a few insights that I feel are useful to keep in mind & were neglected by others …Thus, as I was saying in the title, I think it is very important to distinguish between utility fountain pens, and signature fountain pens.The first are meant to be used for hours on end, everyday (eg: in school, I must have been writing various homework/notes projects for at least 5-6 hrs. daily, 6 days/week), and for whom the status symbol factor may or may not be important - depending on personal preference… UTILITY is, thus, the keyword here.The second are meant to be used to,well … “sign” things, i.e. used infrequently and/or for small periods of time, and for whom looks and brand prestige are definitely important … PRESTIGE is, thus, the keyword here.Having said that, I would most certainly place the Carene in the second category.The design is absolutely beautiful (and it looks better in hand than in pictures) - definitely meant to draw attention, even from fountain pen connoisseurs: the inlaid nib and the overall pen shape impress through their innovative, yet classic particulars. The materials look and feel exquisite, as well.The brand (Waterman) is as reputable as can be - one of the oldest manufacturers (they claim to have invented it - though the first acknowledged patent for the fountain pen dates to the much earlier year of 1827 - Paris, Petrache Poenaru), and a member of the Big Four (Waterman, Parker, Sheaffer, Conklin/Eversharp) initial manufacturers. Waterman pens are considered high quality, and I have heard of much fewer quality issues than from other luxury brands.Also, I can attest for EXCELLENT customer service: having initially ordered the pen in a M nib, I discovered it was too wide for my taste. The people at Waterman were incredibly prompt and helpful in guiding me at every step of a nib exchange (to an F), even creating and sending the shipping labels: the entire affair cost me nothing, and took less than 2 weeks, with the pen going to France and back.However, when ordering, I had planned on using it as a utility pen, and this the Carene is NOT - relative to my needs and specifics, at least.I have small hands, and at 36g, the Carene is too heavy - for me, a utility pen cannot go beyond 20g (but it is a good sign for a signature pen, though). Trying to write with it capped proved tiring after only a few paragraphs - so keep that in mind. I didn’t (check) before ordering - but for that, I cannot penalize the product.Also, nib widths are somewhat larger than the averages for the respective classes (F,M,B) - apparently, Waterman is known for erm… “erring” on the more generous side. Thus, I’d say the Carene M line is noticeably thicker than an average European M (which are noticeably thicker than average Asian Ms) - I switched to an F, and I still feel it’s closer to an M than an F. Had I known, I would have switched to an EF (at the time, they were available), so as to end up with an actual F. They are also wet nibs (with Diamine Blue Velvet in, for instance - but that is also a function of inks used, as much as of nibs).On the bright side though, there are 2 things which draw it closer to the utility pen category.It is an extremely smooth writer - and I like to think I know what I am talking about, having used f.pens so extensively in my younger days. It is butter smooth, and that’s what a utility pen should be like - the more feedback, the more hand fatigue I experience (not to mention the less pleasurable the experience is). Keep in mind, though, that smoothness is one of the MOST SUBJECTIVE feats of a pen (together with wetness), and whereas wetness (fixing ink & paper) can somewhat be measured by the colour intensity of the line, I don’t know of any way of objectively measuring smoothness. Also, some people prefer some feedback in their nibs (as they prefer some weight in their pens).The other great thing is the long, TAPERING, section - i.e. the section/barrel joint is placed very high, making it possible to grip the pen higher up (and aside from hand size as a factor, the smoother a pen is, the higher will one want to grip it), without being hindered by the joint. For comparison purposes, see where the joint is on most Mont Blanc or Pelikan pens, for instance. The tapered design is also very comfortable - much more so than cylindrical or polygonal shapes, or even sections which “fatten out” so quickly, that they could hardly be called “tapered”. All utility pens should use such sections, IMHO.A small caveat here, especially for those with very small fingers (and who need to grip the pen at lower points, usually) regards inky fingers - the edges of the inlaid nib might give you that if not careful, as you might tend to touch them. Not a big issue, I would say, easily solved with a bit of care in handling it…I won’t comment much on skipping, cap design, cartridge/convertor details, materials, etc, as I have found nothing negative about them. More importantly, though, all these are objectively known beforehand (except skipping), and one can/should form their own preferences (not the reviewer’s) based on these facts … As for the price - that depends on everyone’s budget. Personally, I think that, at GBP 140, the price is more than decent (for this pen) - in the US it can go for $220 even. At any rate, a price below $250 (GBP 200) is still in the decency ballpark - but above that it gets excessive quite fast.To conclude, the Waterman Carene is a great SIGNATURE pen - which is why I am giving it 5 stars.It is exquisitely beautiful - innovative and classic at the same time, sturdy and well made of the highest quality materials, certain to draw the attention of everyone in the room.It comes from a high-end, extremely reputable manufacturer, who as an added bonus, is also something of a rarity nowadays, so you won’t run the risk of running into someone else having a same brand pen. Most people go for f. pens from Parker, Mont Blanc, Cross, or Sheaffer, of the luxury brands (there are others as well, but few as well known), whilst others, like Visconti or Montegrappa, are even rarer but also muuuch more expensive, by and large.It writes very smoothly, and has a comfortable section - though not necessarily comfortable overall due to the larger weight (especially for those with small hands) - don’t try to use it to take college notes with it, thus - you wouldn’t want to get CTS…At GBP 140, it is decently priced, and worth every penny of it, as a signature pen.

12.8.2014

This pen really has the 'wow' factor. From the box to the opening up revealing the pen, to picking it and using it. Even my Dad, the most perpetually 'unimpressed' man in the world went 'oooooh' when he held it. The weight, the balance, the look of it and the attention to detail is something else.I could wax lyrical about how it looks and feels for a thousand words if I let myself. So I'll stop there and comment about the use of it!Before you even insert a cartridge or fill up the enclosed ink converter I STRONGLY advise you to flush the nib through with luke warm water (filtered and previously boiled) and leave to dry in the usual manner before use.I read a review from another site prior to this arriving where the journalist jumped straight in and experienced lots of hard starts and stalling. Leading to frustration and disappointment. But I just couldn't wait and ignored the advise to flush before use. And what happened? All of the above. I was crestfallen and it was compounded by the nib been much thicker than any 'M' I'd used before. My writing was a MESS!So what was it like once I'd followed the advice?Beautiful. Silky smooth and fluid lines, even strokes, a nice dark ink line without been overly wet and it is making me WANT to pick it up and write for no reason at all! I've tried it on everything from cheap to expensive paper and it is gorgeous on all. If only a little impractical on some due to feathering, but that is a fault of the paper not the pen. I refuse to criticise the pen because the 'M' nib is far thicker than any I have used because I broke the golden rule of fountain buying by doing so without trying it first. So buyer beware on that one if you're considering it.Is it worth the money and will you REALLY notice the difference in experience than say with a £40 or £50 pen? Yes, 100% yes. I have a range of pens up to about £80 and it was a big leap to buy one this expensive (although cheaper on Amazon at the time when I got it), so I feel qualified to make the recommendation here.The only issue is that I think, having discovered the beauty and joy of very nice fountain pens, I'm going to bankrupt myself! Buy this. You won't regret it.**Update April 2015**The inside of the cap had slowly scored the nib barrel over the course of a few months. I'd written it off as a wear thing as I used the pen daily and didn't want to be too 'precious' about things. I could feel the cap rubbing against the barrel but thought nothing of the damage it may be doing beyond a little bit of annoyance at the marks on the pen housing. Much to my horror as I began to write one morning the lower section sheared in two. Fortunately there was so little ink left in the reservoir I ruined nothing more than a few pages of a notebook. All credit to Waterman though, they assessed the pen under warranty, shipping it to France from the UK repair centre as it was felt to be unusual enough to warrant the manufacturer to examine it individually. It took a while but the pen was returned with a new barrel, new nib, and a repaired cap to ensure it didn't happen again.It wouldn't put me off buying a Waterman again and I include it purely as a note of caution if you start to see the same happening to your carene. Whilst a very unusual failure and resulting outcome I did find a few other instances of this happening to others. I can't fault the way Waterman handled the matter and my only downside is that having used the pen every day for nearly a year the new nib doesn't feel quite the same having not being 'broken in'.

1.11.2015

I have purchased many of these carene fountain pens now largely due the fact I kept dropping them! Be warned if you do drop this pen the gold nib will bend and will be useless I speak from personal experience, you can however replace just the nib but it's often cheaper just to replace the entire pen believe it or not . The pen arrives in a beautiful blue hinged presentation box inside is lined with a cream Suede cushioned lining underneath is a pack of blue ink cartridges and a converter so there's no need to buy either on purchase. The writing style of this pen is quite simply sublime it produces a smooth even flowing script with no drips or splotches .

8.8.2013

It was a visit from the Area Dean (which probably isn't a common opening comment for an Amazon review) that inspired me to buy one of these. He was using a fountain pen on a standard piece of paper and it was obviously the pen he used on a daily basis. I'd always thought that fountain pens were too messy for every day use and although I'd considered purchasing a good quality pen for several years had never actually got round to it.He bought his pen, a Waterman, from John Lewis - I checked and their price for this pen at the time I purchased it for £108 from Amazon, was £190.The pen is really easy to write with, no pressure required, which I guess you would expect for this kind of price range.

2.2.2017

I like fountain pens. It's my guilty pleasure. I like collecting new, old, cheap and expensive.I just like how they are superior to every other writing medium, well that's how I see it.I have found some cheap gems and some very expensive stinkers (that's you Mont Blanc <insert any model they make here>).This pen sits comfortably in the affordable end, but still be a considerable amount to spend and therefore needs to be good at what it does. This *is* good at what it does.It has a kind of pleasant sexy (hmm yes I just said that..) feel and look about it, but doesn't trade off writing ability. The nib is really first class for this price and it will serve you well for years to come.Unfussy ink converter size that has the ability to take standard cartridges also,

11.3.2017

Beautiful, elegant and comfortable pen. Writes very smoothly and the nib (medium) lends a satisfyingly thickish line and flex. The pen comes with its filler and one cartridge (I used Edelsten ink from Pelikan). The overall look is exactly as pictured (you get a slightly brighter look in bright light)- mine has a slightly more brown tinge rather than brighter red (I have a similar ball pen from Waterman that is more reddish and brighter in light). That said this pen lends a quiet serene classic look which I love, an understated look with a prominent shaped gold nib. Good balance and overall feels lighter in hand than Cross Townsend Peacock. My only concern (from previous Watermans)

15.1.2016

This is a really lovely pen. The nib is very unique and so far it writes like a dream. Very smooth indeed. Use it with some nice paper and it will reward you. The pen itself is thing of beauty and I ordered the Blue Obsession as I'm sick of having black pens all the time. The colour of the pen is superb and the build quality is excellent. The pen comes complete in a Waterman presentation box with instructions, a box of large blue cartridges and also an ink convertor.I should add that when I first received this pen it was in a strange 'Parker' box with 'Parker' instructions, no convertor and no ink cartridges. The pen had also clearly been used and the box was dirty.

8.1.2016

Beautiful deep lacquer in a red colour similar to that on the Dunhill AD2000.The Carene is the greatest bargain in the Waterman lineup. I own (gulp) nine separate versions of this, and every one is a wet, skip-free write straight out of the box when using Waterman cartridges.Quality is high, and the inlaid nibs are solid 18kt gold.Nibs are a little in the broad side- a 'M' is edging towards broad, while an 'F' is close to medium.You also can't post the cap safely.Waterman presents them well- all come with a converter and a box of 8 blue cartridges. There are many very very expensive pens now supplied without,

27.1.2021

First of all, the pen I received was perfect in every way. The amber finish is really beautiful, the pen is light and comfortable to hold in the hand, and the nib on mine wrote smoothly and easily with just the right degree of wetness - I inked it with Diamine Nutcracker which was a pretty good match.Unfortunately, and somewhat to my surprise given the reviews which state the contrary, I found the medium nib just a touch too fine for my handwriting. A slightly broader line would have made it a no-brainer to keep but I (rather sadly) made the decision to return it to Amazon. It's gone back in as-new condition so someone will get a bargain in a Warehouse deal, since the price I originally paid was already competitive,

4.7.2015

Once I got over the fact that it is not the nice mid grey colour it looks in the image - it is charcoal and looks almost navy in some light- I was quite pleased with it. Has a smart matt finish, is comfortable to hold and writes very smoothly, compact as opposed to large. I usually use black ink but the enclosed 'serenity blue' ink cartridge is quite nice. Comes in a suedette-lined blue presentation box with compartment for cartridge etc. I was concerned no invoice enclosed but original order confirmation can be used for warranty purpose, I am assured by the nice people at Watermans. Hopefully, anything I write with it will not be as uninteresting as the above.

12.7.2017

I'm a relative newcomer to the world of fountain pens. I've owned a few inexpensive fountain pens in the past, with the most expensive being in the £30 range.I'd been shopping around for something of higher quality for a while, and when I saw these on sale during Prime Day I snapped one up.The difference is astounding. The ink runs so smoothly without blotching and much less pressure than the other pens required. The quality of the materials is also very good just feels so good in the hand.Without any exaggeration, I noticed that my penmanship became 5-10 percent better instantly. I didn't believe that the writing instrument could have such an effect but it does.I highly recommend the Waterman

12.6.2017

Purchased this pen exactly 5 years ago, and have used and loved it every single day. Unfortunately a crack developed on the front of the pen which I was very upset about. So I checked Waterman warranties (on their website) and discovered that the pen has a standard 3 year warranty which can be extend two years if registering the product. So I did, 4 years and 11 months after purchase. I contacted Waterman at the same time to explain the situation. Without hassle, they honoured the warranty and repaired my pen in less than two weeks (they organised shipping to and from France via UPS). The pen is beautiful, definitely recommend the design, flow of ink, and I am left very impressed by their customer service!

8.8.2014

This is the second Carene that I've had, the first one I sent back because the Ink feed was far too wet.I liked the first pen that much that I took a chance and bought a second Carene and I am so glad that I did.Firstly the pen looks fabulous, especially in gunmetal and has a nice weight to it around 40g.Writing with this pen is very enjoyable, no matter how you pick up the pen, the grip is always comfortable and your fingers always seem to be in the right place. The Ink feed to the nib is slightly wet, which for me is perfect.With regard to how this pen writes, it is silky smooth, comfortable, effortless and well-balanced.Would I buy this pen again,

30.1.2013

I have always used a fountain pen, the last one I had was a Cross. I decided to treat myself to a birthday come Christmas present which helped to justify paying over one hundred pounds for what is in reality just a pen. However this pen in my opinion has been worth every penny. I use it with brown ink, which just oozes class. It is very smooth to write with and makes one take pride even in writing quick notes. It is far smoother to write with than the Cross which tended to be a bit scratchy. Also the cartridges are bigger than the Cross ones, in essence a superior product. If you can see past the price, it is highly recommended,

18.11.2020

I have just received this pen and felt compelled to write, for the first time, a review. I have over 20 fountain pens in my collection, ranging from cheap to expensive, and within an hour this has become my favourite. I have yet to experience any skipping on the paper, or a lack of ink flow, as I have seen in other reviews; however, time will tell.The looks of the Marine Amber are superb, the finish is outstanding, and I love the writing experience (posted or un-posted). I probably prefer un-posted as it is a little lighter as a result. I am glad that ordered the fine nib - it is similar to a medium nib in most of my other pens. I would highly recommend this pen.

Waterman Blue Obsession Carène Medium - Reviews

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