Comments:
Air Command. A sturdy watch with tremendous build quality. Excellent case and bracelet. 200 meters water resistance. Flyback chronograph. F185 Frédéric Piguet movement with gold rotor. VC and AP used the 1185 FP movement on their sports chronographs
too like the Royal Oak and the Overseas. A much underrated sports chronograph like the Blancpain Leman chronograph that has unfortunately been discontinued too. The Air Command was one out of the three models at launch in the second half of the 90’s. There was the first revival of the Fifty Fathoms. Beside this diver watch was also launched third model a GMT 24 one. The three watches could be had in a red gold case with barenia leather strap or even on a gold bracelet.
Yes, I do remember this iteration very well. That was more interesting than appealing, to me.
As a pure pilot chronograph it is prettier for sure. But at the time of launch no BP pilot watch existed. They launched something more rugged but still elegant with a great work on the finish of the case, bracelet and bezel. Nothing flimsy and at least as
good as the sports chronographs from AP and VC.
The bezel has technically impressive relief numbers. The bezel is a little large and bulging.
But nonetheless a cool watch imho that can be found today at very attractive prices.
A solid Blancpain with strong character 👍. The bezel makes me think at the Rolex YM. Thanks for these pics.
You are welcome. Yes the bezel resembles the one of the YM that came out only some years before the BP.
Not so easy...
First I was lucky to to receive a replacement luenette. First step of the journey was to coat it black with silver numbers. For me this was first better than the original, but after some time not good enough.
The bakelite Inlay was made by Stefan Obst from VDB Watches in Erfurt Germany.
But you have to destroy the original, when you decide to go this way.
Best regards Stephan
So it is not an OEM part your alternative bezel. As you had two bezels with relief numbers, destroying one for building your custom
one was not too hard as you have one orignal left.
Superb! I am attracted to the Air Command range...
The only FF I have are from this range...this iteration looks muscular for a sports watch with the raised numerals on the bezel.
My first Balncpain...
was this same Air Command. You can see the raised bezel even in this picture.
I had a special feature that was unique on the back...
MSB
Impressive
I love that movement. For me it’s more useful in the Leman casing. I’ve not seen one of these in person but figured that bezel would be a bit much for me (and my cuffs!)