Waterman Serenity Blue Ink: Bottle, Dry Time & Safety
Waterman Serenity Blue, formerly Florida Blue, is a classic medium blue fountain pen ink in a faceted 50 ml (1.7 fl oz) glass bottle that tips to reach the last ink. Goldspot lists the dye ink as made in France. It dried in about 20 seconds in one test, shades a little and is widely called safe for vintage pens.
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Product facts
- Product
- Waterman Serenity Blue fountain pen ink, 50 ml bottle
- Brand
- Waterman
- Brand origin
- France
- Made in
- France*
- Material
- Water-based dye ink in a glass bottle
- Price range
- $$$5–20 per item
Notes on these facts
- Made by Waterman S.A., Paris (part of Newell Brands). Made in France: Goldspot lists the 50 ml bottle as made in France, and Officeworks (Australia) gives France as the country of origin; its barcode 3034325106298 carries a French GS1 prefix. Waterman was founded in New York in 1884 but today is Waterman S.A., based in Paris, owned by Newell Brands since 2000 (Wikipedia). Waterman's own site (waterman.com) blocks automated reading behind a browser check, so we couldn't read its French or English product page; the ADI distributor listing seen in search also gives France. Source. Price: example listing.
- Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026.
Key takeaways
- The faceted glass bottle holds 50 ml (1.7 fl oz); Waterman also sells the color as 8 long cartridges.
- Mountain of Ink measured a 20-second dry time on fountain-pen-friendly papers and rated water resistance medium.
- Goldspot measured a dry time of only 3 to 4 seconds on 80 gsm Rhodia paper and found it not very water resistant.
- Pen Market measured a pH of 2.7, yet calls it safe in vintage pens after years of use.
- Goldspot and Officeworks list the ink as made in France.
What is Waterman Serenity Blue?
It’s Waterman’s classic medium blue fountain pen ink, sold in a faceted 50 ml glass bottle. Mountain of Ink calls it a classic medium blue; The Gentleman Stationer’s comparison puts it a shade brighter than Pelikan Royal Blue.
It used to be called Florida Blue. Goldspot says Waterman renamed its whole ink line while keeping the formulas, though Pen Market’s author thinks he sees a change. The Gentleman Stationer calls it his number one work-friendly ink.
Serenity Blue specs
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Maker | Waterman S.A., Paris (Newell Brands) |
| Code | S0110720 (50 ml); barcode 3034325106298 |
| Bottle | 50 ml (1.7 fl oz), faceted glass, screw cap |
| Other formats | 8 long cartridges for Waterman pens |
| Ink type | Dye-based (Goldspot) |
| Water resistance | Medium (Mountain of Ink); not very (Goldspot) |
| Dry time | About 20 s (Mountain of Ink); 3–4 s on 80 gsm Rhodia (Goldspot) |
| Shading / sheen | Medium / low copper sheen (Mountain of Ink) |
| Price band | $$ ($5–20 per bottle) |
No maker or retailer gives a reliable bottle size; listed dimensions look like the box. So our cover draws the bottle in proportion. Waterman’s site blocks automated reading, so these specs come from retailers and reviewers.
How does Serenity Blue write?
It writes with average flow and a little shading, in a calm mid blue. Mountain of Ink found average flow with a medium nib, medium shading, and a low copper sheen that shows mainly in big swabs on Tomoe River paper.
On cheap paper it isn’t perfect. Mountain of Ink saw feathering with all nib sizes and a few dots of bleed-through on 20 lb copy paper, but no feathering on fountain pen friendly paper such as Rhodia.
How fast does it dry, and is it waterproof?
About 20 seconds in Mountain of Ink’s test, and it isn’t waterproof. Goldspot measured a much quicker 3 to 4 seconds on 80 gsm Rhodia, so a fine, dry nib will beat a wet broad one by a wide margin.
On water, the two reviews disagree in degree: Mountain of Ink rates it medium, while Goldspot’s drop test showed it isn’t very water resistant. For writing that must survive a spill, use Noodler’s Black.
Which pens is it safe for?
Practically any fountain pen, including vintage ones. The Gentleman Stationer calls Waterman ink widely regarded as one of the safest for vintage pens and stain-prone materials like celluloid.
Pen Market measured Serenity Blue as acidic, with a pH of 2.7, yet its author has used it in vintage pens for years without damage beyond normal sac wear. Fill a LAMY Z28 or the CON-40 in a Pilot Metropolitan from the bottle; at 0.8 ml a fill, 50 ml is about 62 Z28 fills.
How do you clean it out of a pen?
Flush with plain water until it runs clear. As a plain dye ink with ordinary flow, it rinses out quickly, which is a big part of why it’s a common first bottled ink.
In Pen Market’s sunlight test, Serenity Blue faded “pretty drastically”, much like the old Florida Blue. Keep anything you want to last out of daylight.
What’s special about the bottle?
The faceted 50 ml glass bottle is made to be tipped on its side as it empties. The Gentleman Stationer says the faceted design lets you tilt it for filling when the ink runs low, and Pure Pens says it can sit at a 45-degree angle so a nib reaches the last of the ink.
It closes with a screw top. If you’d rather not handle a bottle, the pack of 8 long cartridges fits Waterman pens.
How does it compare with other everyday blues?
It’s the brighter, safer-reputation pick; Pelikan Royal Blue is slightly darker and Iroshizuku Kon-peki more vivid and pricier.
| Ink | Bottle | Dry time (reviewer) | Price band |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterman Serenity Blue | 50 ml | ~20 s (Mountain of Ink) | $$ |
| Pelikan 4001 Royal Blue | 62.5 ml | 40 s (Mountain of Ink) | $$ |
| Pilot Iroshizuku Kon-peki | 50 ml | 20–25 s (Goulet) | $$$ |
Where is Waterman Serenity Blue made?
In France, according to Goldspot and Officeworks. Waterman’s own site blocks automated reading, so we couldn’t confirm it there. Waterman was founded in New York in 1884 by Lewis Waterman and today is Waterman S.A., based in Paris and owned by Newell Brands since 2000.
We didn’t find a release year for the ink or a date for the Florida Blue rename on a Waterman page, so we leave them out.
Frequently asked questions
Is Waterman Serenity Blue the same as Florida Blue?
Yes. Retailers such as Pure Pens say Serenity Blue was previously sold as Florida Blue, and Japanese listings still give both names. Pen Market's author thinks he sees a change in the ink since the rename, which we couldn't confirm from Waterman.
How much ink is in a bottle of Waterman Serenity Blue?
The faceted glass bottle holds 50 ml (1.7 fl oz). Waterman also sells Serenity Blue as a pack of 8 long cartridges for Waterman pens.
Is Waterman Serenity Blue waterproof?
No. Mountain of Ink rates its water resistance medium, while Goldspot's drop test found it not very water resistant, so expect a wet page to blur.
How long does Serenity Blue take to dry?
About 20 seconds in Mountain of Ink's test on Rhodia, Tomoe River and Leuchtturm paper. Goldspot measured only 3 to 4 seconds on 80 gsm Rhodia, so pen, nib and test method make a big difference.
Is Serenity Blue safe for vintage pens?
It's widely treated as one of the safest inks for vintage pens and celluloid. The Gentleman Stationer says so, and Pen Market's author has used it in vintage pens for years even though he measured a pH of 2.7.
Does Waterman Serenity Blue sheen?
A little. Mountain of Ink rates its sheen low and saw a coppery sheen only in large swabs on Tomoe River paper, with medium shading in normal writing.
Do Waterman cartridges fit other pens?
Not reliably. Goldspot says the Serenity Blue cartridges fit any Waterman fountain pen except the Ici et Là, so for other pens fill a converter from the bottle instead.
Where is Waterman ink made?
In France, according to Goldspot and Officeworks. Waterman began in New York in 1884 and is now Waterman S.A. of Paris, part of Newell Brands.
Sources
- Goldspot: Waterman Serenity Blue 50 ml bottled ink (SKU S0110720, dye based, made in France)
- Goldspot: Waterman Serenity Blue review, Keep Calm and Write On (dry time, drop test)
- Mountain of Ink: Ink Review No. 1634, Waterman Serenity Blue
- The Gentleman Stationer: Back to basics, blue ink for everyday writing
- The Pen Market: Loose Ends Ink Test (Serenity Blue pH 2.7, sun fading)
- Officeworks: Waterman bottled ink 50 ml Serenity Blue (country of origin, barcode)
- Pure Pens: Waterman bottled ink, Florida Blue (renamed Serenity Blue; bottle sits at an angle)
- Dromgoole's: Waterman Serenity Blue bottled ink 50 ml (faceted glass bottle, screw top)
- Goldspot: Waterman Serenity Blue, pack of 8 cartridges (52022W; fit Waterman pens except Ici et Là)
- Maruzen Junkudo: Waterman Serenity Blue (Florida Blue) 50 ml, JAN 3034325106298
- Wikipedia: Waterman Pen Company