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4540
Great post and juicy pictures
I very much liked the FF from when I first started collecting a decade ago. It was so far away, so unobtainable, so mythical…
The bezel is so glassy, and the case is so curvy. It is one sexy classic watch.
Now, I can finally grasp it, but before purchasing, I would go through the specifications carefully, to avoid regrets. Interestingly I was in the mode of buying one today but something didn’t feel right, yet.
Here are my thoughts to some pieces in the collection which I may purchase:
The standard 45mm steel version: would prefer a version with easier to change spring bars. Also the bracelet while beautiful, has no dive extension. Sailcloth looks great, but from my experience, will soak up odour eventually. If only they contracted Rubberb to make some nice straps.
44mm Bathyscaphe in black ceramic: to me it is a stealth bomber. Same gripes about the sailcloth strap, and would prefer it if they had spent more thought into designing a marine strap for it which looks good. Slightly too large for me, I would prefer 41-42mm instead. The 38mm version has a different mechanism (I feel it is subpar to the 44mm version in some ways).
The 45mm Blue Titanium piece is gorgeous. However, one must fork out $3k+ extra for this titanium piece compared to the steel piece.
I can only hope they make more in the 40-42mm range, like this lovely Ocean Commitment piece. But my collector mind tells me, when that day happens, I will be too late.
Available on the marketplace
Blancpain 50 Fathoms Ocean Commitment.
I didn't take many pictures of modern Fifty Fathoms during all these years. I fell in love with the new Fifty Fathoms, issued in 2007, of course with the 50th Anniversary, too ( 2003 ) , and since then, I am still waiting for the one which will steal my h...
agree
love this look.. but would welcome a 40mm no date version in blue or black dial cased in titanium.... that would be most compelling to my tastes!
You’ve got the MIL-SPEC Hodinkee LE which ticks your boxes :-)
With the exception of the metal of course…
Great post and juicy pictures
I very much liked the FF from when I first started collecting a decade ago. It was so far away, so unobtainable, so mythical… The bezel is so glassy, and the case is so curvy. It is one sexy classic watch. Now, I can finally grasp it, but before purchasin...
I'm also tempted by a 50 Fathoms, trying to find some time to get to the boutique to try the 5015 in titanium
FWIW, I really like the system BP uses for the strap bars. There are so much more robust than typical spring bars and zero risk of scratching the case with a spring bar tool. It might take a little longer but it's a special experience if you have the BP c...
Interestingly
I am in the midst of purchasing a FF now. I’m torn between a FF standard steel piece, or a Bathyscaphe 44mm steel piece. They said the Bathy’s case is more similar to the original FF. For the same mechanism, the steel bathy is $5000 less than a steel FF. ...
Tough one! I agree with Nico, FF dial (and bezel but no date) in a bathy case would be amazing.
No bad choice either way though, I think the 1315 movement is the real star here so the options to get the same movement in the slimmer and less costly bathy is hard to argue. I want to try on a ceramic bathy before I decide but atm I'm leaning towards th...
I wanted the titanium FF
But it costs a whopping 8k more than the SS Bathy. Same movement, only a diff case with a more complex blue dial.
Yes it is 8k
I really wanted the titanium FF today, but could not afford it. It is 8k more indeed, on brand new market. The diff between a steel FF and bathy is about 4-5k. Strange pricing isn’t it?
Starting to gravitate toward this...
I am looking for a 40mm version of a Fifty Fathoms. Can't really find a 50th Anniversary out there. Don't really like the No Rads. Almost went for the Hodinkee Mil-Spec but fine the crystal distortion, the hour hand, and the ultra brite contrast of the lu...