Blancpain

Valentin Blank
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Back from Basel: Some snaps and impressions

Hi everybody

It’s hard to tell what the highlight of this year’s novelties was, because Blancpain surprised us with a whole range of highlights. I would like to share some impressions and images. Please forgive me for the bad image quality (harsh lighting conditions).

Probably the most widely acclaimed novelty was the new Fifty Fathoms. Blancpain didn’t content themselves with simply issuing a remake of the famous ancestor. Rather they created a reinterpretation of the original Fifty Fathoms. For me, one of its most appealing aspects is the sapphire crystal which indeed looks almost like the original (and charming) plastic crystal. Although the watch seems very solid (and is anti-magnetic) its appearance is elegant. Look at the bezel, it’s a beauty in its own right! Please take note that in the final version the date window will be located between 4 and 5.

Let’s have a look under the hood. The finish of the caliber is very unostentatious:

Apart from the normal three hands version with date the Fifty Fathoms will be available as a Flyback chronograph and also with Tourbillon. Now, don’t tell me you don’t need a Tourbillon under water. Will you ever go diving with your Fifty Fathoms anyway? ;-)

If you ever wanted to own a really understated minute repeater then the new Aqua Lung Minute Repeater is the answer. According to Blancpain this is the first water resistant minute repeater ever. Now, even if you don’t plan to use it for deep sea diving the water resistance actually makes sense. For the repeater slider with its relatively big surface is prone to dirt. This repeater is certainly not among the loudest. Still, given the water resistance it’s surprisingly clear. The caseback can be engraved individually.

Finally, in the bling/ladies’ department BP has again surprised the collectors with some outstanding creations. BP’s diamond setting techniques make for especially compelling results. Also, I’m happy to see that Blancpain continues to use mechanical movements for their ladies watches (which, unfortunately, is no longer self-evident).

The novelties were presented to us by Mr Mark Hayek (CEO of Blancpain), Jeff Kingston and a couple of enthusiastic watchmakers.

I would like to thank Mr Hayek, Jeff Kingston and Magnus Bosse for their kind invitation and their hospitality!

I hope that this little report will give all those who weren’t able to travel to Basel some first ideas.

Thanks, Valentin