This weekend I made a trip to the safe deposit box looking for a slim dress watch to wear at a formal event.  I knew that my Piaget Altiplano would be the perfect match for the Tux. 

However as I rummaged through the various watch rolls, a forgotten safe queen caught my eye.  It was my Blancpain Extra-Slim.

This watch, with its Cal 64-1, was one of my very early grails.  I remember reading about it on Walt Odets' classic "The A-B-C's of Watch Finish" and I was equally impressed after viewing Steve G's beautiful macroscopic photos.  But back in 2002 I was still a student and anything with a price tag of CHF 4900 was way out of reach.

As luck would have it, during my military service in Japan, I found this second hand specimen in a watch shop in Ginza.  While the dial design was unfamiliar, I recognized the movement at first glance. I didn't remember reading about this limited edition of 200 in any catalog before but I threw caution out the window. I think my fiancée almost had a heart attack when I told her that I spent 6 months COLA to acquire it.  Now about a decade later I would still stay it was money well spent!

This 7002 model is made with a stainless steel case, 36mm diameter and 6.8mm thick. It has the signature double-shouldered bezel but unlike other models with either a black or white multi-level dial, this model's is iridescent blue similar to the one found on the Monaco Flyback.  The Breguet numerals which gave this model a "classic" look are gone and replaced with applied white gold indicies and block Roman numerals filled with superluminova. Another difference between this model and more commonly found variants is that the minute sectors are further divided into 15 sec increments. 

On the wrist, it is easy to see that the multi-level blue dial actually has two different finishes, the center is satin but outer ring shines in the sun.  I can't tell if there is antireflective coating on both sides of the crystal (IIRC this generation of Blancpain - late 1990s-were only coated on the outer surface) but this crystal seems to disappear, where one can seemingly reach in and touch the hands and dial.   

 The sword hands are wider than its traditional Ref. 7002 counterparts and the lume is very good.  Overall this model resembles the limited edition Aqualung 1999 which was released around the same year.

What do you think?  Is this now a "sport" Blancpain Extra-Slim?

Turn the watch over and the beautifully finished 64-1 is visible through the sapphire crystal. 

Like all Ref. 7002 models, these movements were adjusted in 5 positions and received COSC certification.  It was said very few of these movements were made and cased.  I don't think anyone has ever come up with a real production number.  My movement has the number 497 engraved on one of the plates so I would assume at least 500.

I recall looking at this movement everyday with my loupe for weeks...trying to compare my specimen to SteveG's photos and to Walt's notes.  Still I think there is no watch that I own which can beat it...even Vianny's Classic which utilizes the same base movement.

Initially I disliked the bracelet.  It was a combination of brushed and polished finishes but what disturbed my eye were the textured links which reminded me of gopher's teeth.  But on the wrist it is extremely silky and comfortable.  The raised elements did give off just enough visual contrast to make the bracelet interesting but not gaudy. 

 Hope you've enjoyed reading a little about my Ref 7002.

Anyone else with a 7002 that wants to share a pic?

Best, Mike