Compiled from 8 sources; we haven't tested this product ourselves yet. How we research
Quick answer
Waterman Audacious Red, once sold simply as Red, is a bright teacher-red dye ink in a faceted 50 ml (1.7 fl oz) glass bottle that Goldspot lists as made in France. Mountain of Ink measured a 50-second dry time and low water resistance, with no feathering on friendly paper but some on copy paper.
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Notes on these facts
Made by Waterman S.A., Paris (part of Newell Brands). Made in France: Goldspot's product page lists the bottle as dye based and made in France. A retailer's safety notice (missing-pen.com, text in German) names Newell Brands (Waterman) at Saint-Herblain, France as manufacturer. Waterman's own site (waterman.com) blocks automated reading behind a browser check, so we couldn't read its product page. 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), has a screw top and can sit at a 45-degree angle for the last ink.
Mountain of Ink measured a 50-second dry time, low water resistance and no feathering on fountain-pen-friendly paper.
On 20 lb copy paper the same review saw a bit of feathering and bleeding, mostly with larger nibs.
Goldspot lists it as dye-based and made in France; it was previously called Red.
We found only bottle listings, no red cartridge, but couldn't confirm that from Waterman, whose site blocks us.
What is Waterman Audacious Red?
It is Waterman’s bright red fountain pen ink, sold in a faceted 50 ml glass bottle. Mountain of Ink calls it a bright teacher red, and says it was previously known as simply Red. Pure Pens says the same about the rename.
Waterman’s own site blocks automated reading, so we couldn’t read its product page. The specs below come from retailers and reviewers. Goldspot’s copy describes the color as a red that “whispers power and passion”; the facts it adds are dye-based and made in France.
Audacious Red specs
Spec
Value
Maker
Waterman S.A., Paris (Newell Brands)
Code
S0110730; barcode 3034325106397
Bottle
50 ml (1.7 fl oz), faceted glass, screw cap
Ink type
Dye-based (Goldspot)
Water resistance
Low (Mountain of Ink)
Dry time
50 s, medium nib, Rhodia (Mountain of Ink)
Shading / sheen
Medium / none (Mountain of Ink); some sheen (Well-Appointed Desk)
Price band
$$ ($5–20 per bottle)
No source gives bottle dimensions, so our cover draws it in proportion.
Fills per bottle (bottle volume ÷ filler capacity, rounded down):
Filler
Holds
Fills per 50 ml bottle
Pilot CON-40 converter
0.4 ml
about 125
LAMY Z28 converter
0.8 ml
about 62
TWSBI ECO piston
1.76 ml
about 28
How does Audacious Red behave on copy paper?
It feathers and bleeds a little on 20 lb copy paper, mostly with larger nibs. That is Mountain of Ink’s finding, and the only copy-paper test we found. On fountain-pen-friendly paper (Rhodia, Tomoe River, Leuchtturm) the same review saw no feathering, no bleeding and medium show-through.
So a fine or extra-fine nib is the safer match for copy paper. The review adds that the ink flows averagely but a tiny bit drier than other Waterman inks, which also helps on cheap sheets.
How fast does Waterman Audacious Red dry, and is it waterproof?
It dries in about 50 seconds with a medium nib on Rhodia, and it is not waterproof. That is slow for an everyday ink, so blot or wait before closing a notebook. Mountain of Ink rates its water resistance low.
The upside: the reviewer spilled a lot of it on a favorite pair of jeans while filling a pen, and says it completely came out in the wash. For ink that must survive water, see our waterproof inks roundup.
Does Audacious Red sheen?
Sources disagree. Mountain of Ink saw medium shading and no sheen, but The Well-Appointed Desk, in an August 2020 overview of Waterman inks, says it shows some sheen depending on the paper. We haven’t tested it.
Is Audacious Red sold in cartridges?
We found only bottle listings, so treat it as a bottle ink. Goldspot, Dromgoole’s, Pure Pens and Vanness all list the 50 ml bottle, and Vanness also sells a 4 ml sample. A search of Goldspot’s cartridges found Waterman packs in other colors but no red. Waterman’s site blocks us, so we can’t rule one out.
Fill a LAMY Z28 from the bottle: at 0.8 ml a fill, 50 ml is about 62 fills.
What’s special about the bottle?
It is faceted glass with a screw top, shaped so it can sit at 45 degrees to reach the last ink. Dromgoole’s describes the faceted 50 ml bottle and its screw top, and Pure Pens describes the 45-degree sitting angle. Waterman Serenity Blue comes in the same style of bottle.
What does it cost, and where is it made?
On October 30, 2026, Goldspot and Dromgoole’s both listed it in our $$ band. Dromgoole’s page showed the bottle as sold out that day while its product data said available, so check stock.
Goldspot lists it as made in France. A retailer’s safety notice (missing-pen.com) names Newell Brands (Waterman) at Saint-Herblain, France as manufacturer. Waterman was founded in New York in 1884 and today is Waterman S.A., owned by Newell Brands. We didn’t find a release year for the ink or the date of the rename on a Waterman page, so we leave them out.
Frequently asked questions
Is Waterman Audacious Red the same as Waterman Red?
Yes. Mountain of Ink and Pure Pens both say Audacious Red was previously known as simply Red. We couldn't confirm the rename date or any formula change from Waterman.
How much ink is in a bottle of Audacious Red?
The faceted glass bottle holds 50 ml (1.7 fl oz) and has a screw-top closure, according to Dromgoole's.
Does Audacious Red feather on copy paper?
A little. Mountain of Ink saw a bit of feathering and bleeding on 20 lb copy paper, mostly with larger nibs, and none on Rhodia, Tomoe River or Leuchtturm paper.
How long does Audacious Red take to dry?
50 seconds with a medium nib on Rhodia in Mountain of Ink's test, which is slow. A fine nib lays down less ink and should dry sooner, though we found no measurement.
Is Audacious Red waterproof?
No. Mountain of Ink rates its water resistance low, though its author spilled a lot on jeans and says it washed out completely.
Is there any sheen on Audacious Red?
Sources disagree. Mountain of Ink saw no sheen, while The Well-Appointed Desk says it shows some sheen, depending on the paper.
Does Audacious Red come in cartridges?
We found only bottle listings and no red cartridge pack at Goldspot, but Waterman's site blocks us, so we can't confirm that none exists.
Is Audacious Red made in France?
Goldspot lists it as made in France, and a retailer's safety notice names Newell Brands (Waterman) in Saint-Herblain, France as manufacturer. We couldn't read Waterman's own page.
