Waterman · 1994-2009
Waterman Phileas
What to Look For
Art Deco styling with fan motif cap band. Brass barrel insert. Praised for writing quality far above price point. Two marble eras: original dark/mineral (1994) and milky/cloud-like (1999). Harley-Davidson 'Free Wheel' variants (2002): Flames, Flag, Racing, Eagle (Eagle is least common). 'Travels of Phileas' range has gold globe imprint.
Waterman’s entry-level pen with aggressive Art Deco styling — praised for writing quality far above its price range.1
Design
The Phileas features a brass barrel insert (unusual for a budget pen), a two-tone gold-plated steel nib, and a distinctive Art Deco fan motif cap band.1 It writes significantly better than its price suggests, thanks to the brass construction providing good weight and balance.
Special Editions
- Harley-Davidson “Free Wheel” (2002): Licensed collaboration in four designs — Flames (black with orange/blue), Flag (US flag), Racing (stripes with logo), Eagle (bald eagle, least common and most collectible)1
- Travels of Phileas: Gold globe imprint with travel-themed packaging1
Colors
Two distinct marble eras: original dark/mineral patterns (1994) and milky/cloud-like patterns (1999).1 Solid colors added in 2001: Ruby Red, Midnight Blue, Turquoise Green.1