The Waterman Expert Mk.1 was first produced, in France, around the late 1980s. It was a unique design, unlike any previous Waterman, and must have been a risky venture.
The Expert Mk.1 is very different from the later versions in that it was lighter in weight, still an important consideration at the time, when pens were used for extended periods. It had a slightly different trim, and a much more attractive, sculpted, flat sided, two tone nib with a distinctive elongated breather hole.
The cap incorporates a clutch which engages the ring at the end of the barrel so that the cap lip doesn't make contact with the barrel when posted, preventing scratching. the pen was designed so that it had better balance when used in the posted configuaration.
The pen has a good, solid feel and is very comfortable in use. The 'slab sided' two tone nib lays down a wonderfully smooth, medum line, it is a great writer.
The Waterman caalogue describes the pen as 'Bordeaux' with the model number 10005. The colour, named after the region's famous wine, is a rich dark red. The clip and rings are 23Ct. Gold filled.
A cartridge/converter filler, the pen is supplied with the original ink converter fitted, and a new cartridge is included so the pen is ready to write in either configuration. Cartridges are readily available online but using the converter with bottled ink is probably a better option.
The Waterman Expert is still made today in a large range of finishes but, in terms of quality, and design, the Mk.I pen is still the best of the bunch. It is also now quite hard to come by.