Blancpain Owners? Honest thoughts
Discussion
Gents
Following my Submariner (16610) theft a while ago in Barcelona. I'm finally in a position to acquire a replacement.
I was thinking of a Datejust 41 in steel, or a white faced Daytona or another Submariner...
But a Blancpain 50 fathoms caught my eye something like this.
Naturally i understand the brand's history and its revival under Jean-Claude Biver.
Are there any PH'ers who own this model or similar and can give an honest view... especially if you also have a Sub.
Thank you.
Following my Submariner (16610) theft a while ago in Barcelona. I'm finally in a position to acquire a replacement.
I was thinking of a Datejust 41 in steel, or a white faced Daytona or another Submariner...
But a Blancpain 50 fathoms caught my eye something like this.
Naturally i understand the brand's history and its revival under Jean-Claude Biver.
Are there any PH'ers who own this model or similar and can give an honest view... especially if you also have a Sub.
Thank you.
I owned one for a while and it's a lovely thing but the sheer size of it got to me in the end. Just too bulky and didn't lend itself to wearing a bit loose. If adjusted to be a bit tighter, it just felt like a massive lump on the wrist. Lume is something else at night though and they are a quality bit of kit. sold it after about a year and wearing it half a dozen times. If you buy new, depreciation will be high-ish and I didn't find it that easy to sell as they are a bit niche.
I've still got my sub which is, imho, just about perfect. Good size, comfortable, looks great. Close to the ideal watch for me.
I've still got my sub which is, imho, just about perfect. Good size, comfortable, looks great. Close to the ideal watch for me.
PJ S said:
Thank you PJS, that was a really good read... I had the exact model you posted on the bracelet. Fantastic watch. Real quality with an amazing movement.
I would still have it, if I hadn't had the chance of getting a Tribute to Mil Spec, which is 40mm.
I think a 42mm version would be perfect.
The regular FF is a big watch & does wear MUCH bigger than a Sub, so try one on, before deciding. The bracelet is a work of art, but adds a lot of heft.
I would still have it, if I hadn't had the chance of getting a Tribute to Mil Spec, which is 40mm.
I think a 42mm version would be perfect.
The regular FF is a big watch & does wear MUCH bigger than a Sub, so try one on, before deciding. The bracelet is a work of art, but adds a lot of heft.
Edited by andy tims on Wednesday 20th June 20:56
andy tims said:
The regular FF is a big watch & does wear MUCH bigger than a Sub, so try one on, before deciding. The bracelet is a work of art, but adds a lot of heft.
I'm tall & slim build, do a bit of running so have long slender arms and mine wears great for me but it's on a sailcloth strap, Just my opinion, Hi Andy
Think the FF and FFB look great - especially with the bracelet. I have heard it is one of the best at this price point.
What gets me (I’m a 19cm wrist guy - hardly Mr Stick or Mr Neanderthal), is I find +43mm watches are just too big. Especially so-called Divers that are +14mm thick.
This is one of the reasons the Sub cleans-up. Compact, dual function (dry-suit as well as wet suit). It may be fashion for big diameter watches...but it is fashion. Style never goes out and as soon as some of these models start to become more trim and makes a statement like “i did snokling/scuba in the Caribbean this summer” rather than “i aspire to see an ugly glow in the dark fish at the bottom of the Marianas Trench” i will be opening the pocket book.
What gets me (I’m a 19cm wrist guy - hardly Mr Stick or Mr Neanderthal), is I find +43mm watches are just too big. Especially so-called Divers that are +14mm thick.
This is one of the reasons the Sub cleans-up. Compact, dual function (dry-suit as well as wet suit). It may be fashion for big diameter watches...but it is fashion. Style never goes out and as soon as some of these models start to become more trim and makes a statement like “i did snokling/scuba in the Caribbean this summer” rather than “i aspire to see an ugly glow in the dark fish at the bottom of the Marianas Trench” i will be opening the pocket book.
Think the FF and FFB look great - especially with the bracelet. I have heard it is one of the best at this price point.
What gets me (I’m a 19cm wrist guy - hardly Mr Stick or Mr Neanderthal), is I find +43mm watches are just too big. Especially so-called Divers that are +14mm thick.
This is one of the reasons the Sub cleans-up. Compact, dual function (dry-suit as well as wet suit). It may be fashion for big diameter watches...but it is fashion. Style never goes out and as soon as some of these models start to become more trim and makes a statement like “i did snokling/scuba in the Caribbean this summer” rather than “i aspire to see an ugly glow in the dark fish at the bottom of the Marianas Trench” i will be opening the pocket book.
What gets me (I’m a 19cm wrist guy - hardly Mr Stick or Mr Neanderthal), is I find +43mm watches are just too big. Especially so-called Divers that are +14mm thick.
This is one of the reasons the Sub cleans-up. Compact, dual function (dry-suit as well as wet suit). It may be fashion for big diameter watches...but it is fashion. Style never goes out and as soon as some of these models start to become more trim and makes a statement like “i did snokling/scuba in the Caribbean this summer” rather than “i aspire to see an ugly glow in the dark fish at the bottom of the Marianas Trench” i will be opening the pocket book.
Edited by Guycord on Thursday 21st June 07:35
I have quite a few Subs and two Blancpain Fifty Fathoms.
The first FF I got was this
which is 45mm and wears quite big as the watch is quite thick. I did not like the blue sail cloth strap so put it on a Blancpain Alligator strap which works well.
My second Blancpain is the recent Mil-Spec Ltd Edition which is 40mm and wears smaller as the watch is not as thick.
Of the two Blancpain, I tend to prefer the Mil-Spec.
In comparision to Rolex Subs, the lume in particular on the bezel is better, the bigger FF are thicker than a Sub and therefore wear bigger. The bracelet for the FF is an expensive extra at over £2K - it is a very well constructed bracelet but does not have the micro adjustment (glidelock) that the current Rolex Subs have. You are very unlikely to see another FF out in the wild - I do not think I have ever seen another one being worn whereas Rolex Subs are ubiquitous.
The first FF I got was this
which is 45mm and wears quite big as the watch is quite thick. I did not like the blue sail cloth strap so put it on a Blancpain Alligator strap which works well.
My second Blancpain is the recent Mil-Spec Ltd Edition which is 40mm and wears smaller as the watch is not as thick.
Of the two Blancpain, I tend to prefer the Mil-Spec.
In comparision to Rolex Subs, the lume in particular on the bezel is better, the bigger FF are thicker than a Sub and therefore wear bigger. The bracelet for the FF is an expensive extra at over £2K - it is a very well constructed bracelet but does not have the micro adjustment (glidelock) that the current Rolex Subs have. You are very unlikely to see another FF out in the wild - I do not think I have ever seen another one being worn whereas Rolex Subs are ubiquitous.
I have several subs/sd, as well as the 45mm FF and the Milspec, and these days I find myself choosing the Blancpain over Rolex
Although essentially the same, the Blancpain is higher end watch in terms of movement and finishing, but that comes across in the retail price too. However I believe Blancpain servicing is cheaper which is a bonus (goes back to Swatch)
The lume is great on them, power reserve on the 45 is brilliant, and there's something nice and tactile about the rounded sapphire bezel insert.
Some pics of mine
yeah... the 45 is big!
Although essentially the same, the Blancpain is higher end watch in terms of movement and finishing, but that comes across in the retail price too. However I believe Blancpain servicing is cheaper which is a bonus (goes back to Swatch)
The lume is great on them, power reserve on the 45 is brilliant, and there's something nice and tactile about the rounded sapphire bezel insert.
Some pics of mine
yeah... the 45 is big!
Edited by endo on Friday 22 June 12:48
Edited by endo on Friday 22 June 12:50
The local dealer has a number of new pieces from the Swatch group on display, and I got to try on a couple of the new Fifty Fathoms pieces today.
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Annual Calendar.
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Big Date.
I'd agree with the comments above that they tend to better finished than Rolexes. And that Mil-Spec is lovely.
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Annual Calendar.
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Big Date.
I'd agree with the comments above that they tend to better finished than Rolexes. And that Mil-Spec is lovely.
AndrewCrown said:
Gents....thank you for all your comments and advice
Endo, thank you for the comparative photograph...complete with the GTSeries badge...we were at Paul Ricard for that a few weeks ago...perhaps the Blancpain branding is doing its job!
Ha ha it had to be done, it felt wrong to got to the Blancpain GT @ Silverstone and not wear a Blancpain, (although because i'm a weirdo, i also had a Zenith Doublematic on me in case I needed a watch change for dinner :P)Endo, thank you for the comparative photograph...complete with the GTSeries badge...we were at Paul Ricard for that a few weeks ago...perhaps the Blancpain branding is doing its job!
jshell said:
I love the FF's and I've seen Endo's in the flesh...but, I wouldn't buy one for the simple reason that the bezel always reminds me of a freshly 'blacked' car tyre. I know that's silly, and I've tried and tried to get over it, but I can't!
Still love 'em!
The irony is that I though the ceramic bezel of the SDc was too shiny in the flesh back when you picked the first one up, and i've ended up getting a FF?Still love 'em!
endo said:
Ha ha it had to be done, it felt wrong to got to the Blancpain GT @ Silverstone and not wear a Blancpain, (although because i'm a weirdo, i also had a Zenith Doublematic on me in case I needed a watch change for dinner :P)
I hope you'll be doing an 'Incoming' for your new pick-up soon...!!endo said:
jshell said:
I love the FF's and I've seen Endo's in the flesh...but, I wouldn't buy one for the simple reason that the bezel always reminds me of a freshly 'blacked' car tyre. I know that's silly, and I've tried and tried to get over it, but I can't!
Still love 'em!
The irony is that I though the ceramic bezel of the SDc was too shiny in the flesh back when you picked the first one up, and i've ended up getting a FF?Still love 'em!
True. Maybe you should buy that stickered SD4k then just for completeness...I had the standard fifty fathoms for a while and loved the finishing and detailing. The strap was a bit underwhelming and I didn’t think was befitting of a watch if this size and value. The bracelet is meant to be excellent, but can be difficult to get the right size and is mega expensive
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