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Waterman's Hundred Year Pen #18 Jowo 6, 14k gold, 400g Semi-Flex
Waterman's Hundred Year Pen #18 Jowo 6, 14k gold, 400g Semi-Flex
HM1225080
📜 History & Provenance
In 1939, Waterman introduced the Hundred Year Pen — the world's first Lucite fountain pen, designed by industrial designer John Vassos and originally manufactured from DuPont's polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). The pen was advertised with a bold 100-year guarantee, but the FTC ordered Waterman (along with Sheaffer, Parker, and Eversharp) to cease making unconditional lifetime warranty claims when a service charge was required to honor them. After 1941, Waterman reverted the material back to cellulose nitrate as Lucite was regulated as a wartime resource, and the Hundred Year Pen line was eventually rebranded into the Emblem pen and nib.
This #18 nib is stamped with the "Waterman's Hundred Year Pen" imprint and 14K gold content. It has been fitted into a Nikko red ebonite housing with a JOWO #6 ebonite feed, assembled by Heron's Mooncake for a ready-to-write nib unit.
🧪 QA & Recommendation
At 400g, this is a semi-flex — controlled and confident under the hand with enough give to produce a satisfying 6.8x multiplier (0.20mm hairline to 1.36mm full flex). The EF hairlines are exceptionally fine and consistent, with a grippy tipping reminiscent of a Sailor King of Pen — tactile, precise, and satisfying on every stroke. The nib is similar in physical size to a KOP nib as well.
This is a very nice extra fine writer first and foremost. The fine lines are extremely consistent and the flow is beautifully controlled — perfect for an everyday pen with the bonus of accessible line variation when you want it. The nib is bouncy and soft, spreading easily into 3B territory on the downstroke without demanding heavy pressure. Snapback is clean and the tines return reliably.
Recommended for everyday writers who want a vintage nib with real character, King of Pen fans looking for a comparable vintage experience, and anyone who values fine consistent hairlines with the option to flex. Great for all ink types.
Tested on Rhodia R 90 gsm, inked with Waterman Serenity Blue.
Technical Specifications
Technical Specifications
Brand:
Model:
Production Year:
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Nib Size:
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Nib Grind:
Nib Flexibility: g
Line Variation: - (x)
Pen Length:
Pen Grip Section:
Restorer: Heron's Mooncake
Restoration Grade:
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Waterman's Hundred Year Pen #18 Jowo 6, 14k gold, 400g Semi-Flex
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Appendix for Listing Details
Sweating the details is fundamental to understanding, appreciating, and knowing the peice of history you have in your hands.
All pens are filled and tested, not just dipped in ink, which does not reflect writing characteristics whatsoever.
Line Variation Standard
Different restorers have different standards for line sizing and especially for vintage pens, the printed tipping size will not always be accurate due to repairs/grinds/etc. Please use this as a frame of reference for consistency.
Flexibility Standard
Nib flexibility is such a controversial topic, but there needs to be some level of consistency so please take this table as a frame of reference for my restorations and as someone who is writing in a calligraphic/spencerian style of cursive script. Without objective measurements, flexibility terms such as wet noodle are useless as someone with stronger forearms and grip strength will make even manifold nibs into a wet noodle.
Restoration Ratings
These are guidelines incorporated from various online sources not limited to Reddit, David Nishimura, etc.
