As Waterman has revamped and updated its lineup of fountain pens over the past several years, the company has focused on five core models: the high-end Exception and Carène, the mid-tier Expert and Hémisphère, and the more entry-level Emblème. The yacht-inspired Carène, to me, remains an all-time classic, and it’s encouraging, in terms of the future of both Waterman as a brand and this particular model, to see the Carène receiving the special edition treatment. The pen shown here is the Carène “L’Essence du Bleu” special edition fountain pen, featuring an engraved palladium cap atop a dark navy blue lacquered barrel.
The “L’Essence du Bleu” special edition Carène, right, pictured next to the standard “Black Sea” finish with silver trim. The latter pen remains in my collection five years later.
I first reviewed the Waterman Carène in the standard “Black Sea” finish a bit less than five years ago. I’ve owned multiple Carènes over the years, and I can’t recall a time when I haven’t had at least one in my collection. (I’m a huge fan of Waterman pens in general: check out my review of other models by visiting the T.G.S. Fountain Pen Review Archive.) The reasons why I enjoy the Carène are, in many ways, identical to why I enjoy the Lamy 2000: the comfortable, streamlined shape; a subtle integrated nib that’s not overly ostentatious if you want to use it at work, and a consistent writing experience, especially if paired with one of Waterman’s excellent fountain pen inks.
I love the engraving on this cap - it definitely complement’s the Carène’s nautical theme.
This specific pen represents something you don’t see very often: a Waterman special edition. While Waterman has released other models, like the Expert, in the “L’Essence du Bleu” series, the Carène seems particularly well-suited to this design scheme, given the pen’s maritime inspiration. The metal cap features an engraved “wave” pattern, which looks great paired with the dark navy lacquer on the barrel.
While you can certainly use the Carène unposted, I prefer the balance and overall feel of the pen posted.
I’ve always found Carène nibs slightly wet and stubbish, and this 18k medium nib is no exception. This particular Carène lays down a consistent line of ink, even using thicker, non-Waterman inks like the Scribo Blue Cosmico shown here. Waterman quality remains on display in the Carène lineup, and this pen certainly isn’t going anywhere in terms of my own personal collection.
Writing sample showing a stubbish medium Carène nib on Midori MD Cotton Paper. (Lined Plotter version is an experimental release not yet generally available for purchase.)
The Carène is slim enough to fit most planner loops, such as the A5 Plotter shown here.
Takeaways and Where to Buy
The Waterman Carène is a beautiful fountain pen that manages to remain eminently practical. With a comfortable shape that’s neither too wide nor too narrow (allowing it to fit many planner and notebook pen loops), an excellent nib, and a subtle design that doesn’t scream “look at my flashy fountain pen,” the Carène has always been a highly recommended daily workhorse here at T.G.S. As I noted above, the particular model pictured here is the “L’Essence du Bleu” special edition, which retails for around $290. This price point is excellent for a special edition with an 18k gold nib, and the “Black Sea” version with silver trim can be found priced as low as $215, with oblique broad and stub nib options available. That’s serious value in today’s market. Many thanks to our friends at Pen Heaven in the UK for providing this particular pen for review! They are full-service Waterman retailers who carry the full line of Waterman fountain pens and ink, in addition to many other brands.
Disclaimer: The Waterman Carène pictured here was provided by Pen Heaven for review purposes, free of charge. I was not otherwise compensated for this review, and this post does not contain affiliate links.