Blancpain

Blancpain have released a press information on the 42(!)mm Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary this morning. The watch features a polished stainless steel case and is powered by caliber 1315. Like with the 2003 FF 50th Anniversary, it is a limited edition in t...  

For the rest of us they can make the regular model without a date

They kept the polished case, which is a bit bling and looks it comes from the 90s The dial is way too busy and the watch is too large The limited production number is very small too This could have been released 15 years ago - the designers might still be... 

Unfortunately it is a quite miss for me. Date , case , busy dial. So pity as I had this kne on my 2023 shopping list.

I like the case dimension and the use of the 1315 movement. I am neutral on the date. I dislike the "70th ..." text on the dial,especially as the rotor has already a corresponding engraving. I absolutely hate the limitation! Would I try to get one of thes... 

Make this a regular production model and I'm in: it's the Fifty Fathoms I've always loved, but in a case size I can wear. But a big 'meh' on the anniversary edition stuff.

This is a total miss. Once again Blancpain focuses on limited production releases. The fact this is not a general release is a huge miss. Very disappointing.

Yes, it would be great if this was a true Tribute piece without a date. Fortunately, I'm not bothered by the date. I'm not a fan of NATO straps, which should be an easy change to a tropic strap. BUT, I just read on another on another site that the lug-to-... 

I think if one of the other things was fixed, it would be fine: -size 40mm -brushed case finish -less busy dial (either text or lume blocks). It’s ok, just wait for the Hodinkee or Revolution limited edition. 😉 Thanks for sharing!

In a world where it could happen ☺️

I'm glad to see BP held the line on this and continued the 1315 forward, into the new case rather than using a refresh and smaller size as an excuse to also slip in a cheapened movement, something that's become all too common. As for the new size, 45 was ... 

Hard pass for me. Thank you Blancpain for reducing my options.

1. I have to see it in the flesh for my final judgement. 2. It's really a shame, I would have expected more creativity and „pep“ for the 70th anniversary. 3. I'm not a big „date-window-at-the-4:30-position-hater“ because I think the date is nicely integra... 

It's perplexing that BP ignores us. But that's OK. My money will continue to ignore BP. John

I think that we and Blancpain could be in a mutually beneficial relationship. Unfortunate that Blancpain hasn't seemed more interested!

At 42mm, hmm I'm thinking. I am not a ff purist so I'm okay with some concessions, but 42mm plus an oversized bezel is likely not the direction I'd go. If I saw a video or good wrist footage. Maybe. By then likely sold.

Excellent!

Movement aside, this is a very low effort release. A copy of the 50th anniversary minus the applied indices plus some generic hands.

Not shown here but I have seen elsewhere that the case flank is stamped Blancpain which has always been a turn off for me within this range.

Which is more tacky than "rolex" rehaut. And the spring bar is attached using hexagonal screw head, another uncommon part that requires us to use special screwdriver or take the watch to watchmaker, just to change strap. Not good.

I hadn't thought about the spring bar connection, but seems like an oversight given how others such as AP and IWC have really focused on quick change strap systems recently.

Apparently they are the only watch maker allow to inscribe their name on the case because they are considered/awarded an artisan brand title. I could care less what award or title was given to the brand so they can inscribe their name on the case. It’s ta... 

Thank you for the announcement . Appreciate your outstanding pictures (much better then the official). Admire FF. Waited a very long time for a 42 size. Why only a big American website can bring JB to renounce the date? Maybe a 42 sized model without date... 

I feel that BP needs to inject more excitement into the brand and specifically this collection. I’m getting bored…and I love BP.

It will be a blockbuster in a few years 😂 Only my opinion: Really, limited is normal for an Anniversary, if it wouldn’t people will maybe complain it is hard to get and it would cannibalise the already large family of FF. Steel…well titanium would be a la... 

It’s obvious that they will not listen to the market or their fans. It’s no wonder why they went bankrupt in the past. It took JCB to bring them back from dead. Now that Swatch groups own them, they are safe from bankruptcy and will continue making shitty... 

Tried to get through to order this at the assigned time this am. Of course, it was a flail....

It looks like they keep releasing the quantities instead of releasing them all at once. That was my experience.

I got one an hour ago.