amanicoA group of friends gathered 20 vintage Fifty Fathoms watches, including rare pieces like Bund, Rotomatic Incabloc French Army, Waltham, and Milspec Pakistani. Despite some imperfections in some watches, the collection includes Tornek Rayville and an Air Command. The author plans a mega GTG event with 40-50 pieces. Photos showcase the excitement and historical significance of the watches....">Story

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amanicoBlancpain's 'Act III' watch draws inspiration from an unusual US NAVY watch project instead of the more common vintage models like Tornek Rayville. The modern timepiece features a similar case size to the vintage model but is thicker due to a newer movement. The bezel and dial details also closely resemble the vintage US NAVY design. Blancpain's decision to replica a rare and unreleased model raises questions about the choice....">Story

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amanicoCollector stumbled upon a vintage Blancpain Pakistani Milspec with a mysterious origin. The watch likely issued to the Pakistani Army in the late '60s and ordered from Allen Tornek. Only around 12 survive among the presumably 50 originally issued. Unveiled over 15 years, four of these watches have emerged. Mismatched serial numbers indicate a disregard for uniformity by the militaries involved. The watches' elusive history adds to their allure....">Story

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KetsuiBlancpain's movement decoration has been praised, but Tim Mosso questioned Cal. 1315's angalage methods. Exterior angles on Blancpain's bridges are rounded due to speed and efficiency in polishing with rotary tools. The appearance of a bevel rolling onto the bridge doesn't indicate exclusively mechanical finishing. Girard-Perregaux and Patek Philippe use handheld rotary tools for polishing despite the appearance of machine finishing....">Story

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amanicoThe author describes two gatherings with friends where they showcase various vintage Fifty Fathoms watches, including Bronze, TR900, Pakistani Milspec, UDT, AM models, and a rare Rotomatic Incabloc. The idea of organizing a mega gathering with multiple vintage Fifty Fathoms collectors, aiming for around 40 pieces, is considered....">Story

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amanicoHere we go, my friends. I promised to post this census a long time ago. It is time to keep my word. I will publish all the pictures of the TR 900 I could see in real life, but also those I could see here and there...">Story

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amanico14 years since now. In fact, it took me 5 years to fully understand the Fifty Fathoms Bronze Milspec case. From 2008 to 2013... In 2008, I discovered two Bronze Milspec, an US NAVY and a " Civilian "...">Story

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amanicoWhich is not Fifty Fathoms anymore, as it is 300 meters water resistant. But we have, with the X Fathoms, the most technical diving watch, for sure. You immediately noticed that we have a mechanical depth gauge, here, and that it is not a first, as mechanical depth gauge in a wrist watch came as soon as 1964 with the Nivada Depthomatic, followed, in 1966, by the more famous Favre Leuba Bathy 50. You also remember that in the late 90's early 2000's we had the IWC Deep One, and, in 2006, a more technical Jaeger .....">Story

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foverstaFor me, things are very clear: Blancpain was the most convincing brand of Time to Move, the event organized by Swatch Group to present the novelties of its high end brands. In fact, little by little, Blancpain seems to find its way after going astray in strange strategic directions like the launch of the L-Evolution collection. Blancpain relies on two fundamental pillars of its catalog (Fifty Fathoms and Villeret) and does so with reason. On one side, casual chic watches with a neo-retro trend...">Story

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shortys homeToday I have the pleasure to share the results of my photo session with the Blancpain Villeret Grande Date Semainier 8 jours, ref 6637-3631-55 with calibre 3738G2 and some additional gentleman gear. The Villeret Grande Date Semainier 8 Jours belongs to the family of Blancpain watches carrying the insignia of their Haute Horlogerie tradition: a white cambered Grand Feu enamel dial, an automatic eight day calibre with beautiful finishing and a reasonably sized rose gold case. At 42mm diameter and 13.4mm height ... ...">Story

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