Comments:
Well looking at the screws, anglage, wheels .... it's not something I would call haute horlogerie
That’s close to 2.5 times the price of a patek Calatrava and 8 times the price of a Rolex sub Let’s extrapolate that to today—then the Ionica would be around 80k.
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An understated Minute Repeater
Among the Six Masterpieces which marked Blancpain's rebirth in the 1980s was the 34 mm diameter Minute Repeater, ref. 0033, introduced circa 1988.
Here's a printed ad from 1989.
The example displayed here features a platinum case and a platinum bracelet made by Gay Frères.
Manual winding calibre 33
Off white dial
But you may prefer this watch on a black leather strap.
And here's the example no. 00, belonging to Jean-Claude Biver.
This reference was also made in yellow gold. The center part of the dial is white, whereas the outer hours ring and subdial seconds ring have an eggshell color.
In the example below, it is the center part of the dial, and not the hours and seconds rings, which has an eggshell color.
credit: @woohoo_time (1-6), Hodinkee (7 & 9-10), Watch Brothers London (8), @best_vintage_watch (11-12) & @theydid (13-20)
The watch came in an imposing wood box.
credit: Ineichen auctioneers
credit: Christie’s (1-4) & Swiss Hours (5-14)
Here's a printed ad from 1989.
The example displayed here features a platinum case and a platinum bracelet made by Gay Frères.
Manual winding calibre 33
Off white dial
But you may prefer this watch on a black leather strap.
And here's the example no. 00, belonging to Jean-Claude Biver.
This reference was also made in yellow gold. The center part of the dial is white, whereas the outer hours ring and subdial seconds ring have an eggshell color.
In the example below, it is the center part of the dial, and not the hours and seconds rings, which has an eggshell color.
credit: @woohoo_time (1-6), Hodinkee (7 & 9-10), Watch Brothers London (8), @best_vintage_watch (11-12) & @theydid (13-20)
The watch came in an imposing wood box.
credit: Ineichen auctioneers
Later, it was given an automatic movement, calibre 35 and became ref. 0035-1418.
credit: Christie’s (1-4) & Swiss Hours (5-14)
I personally find the automatic version less attractive, but I love the minimalist, understated, ref. 0033.
What about you?
Best, Emmanuel
Yes, but again, it's Blancpain, not Lang & Heyne!
Industrial watchmaking can't be compared to artisanal watchmaking imho: I find the comparison pointless.
this?
Well looking at the screws, anglage, wheels .... it's not something I would call haute horlogerie
Seems not that well finished
But it's Blancpain, not Lang & Heyne!
For me, we should only compare what is comparable. In any case, as far as I'm concerned, I like the architecture of the movement and, if I want haute horlogerie and hand finishing, I obviously don't turn to Blancpain.
LOL
But Blancpain can do much better!
This seems to be the level of finishing they already offer in a modern 50 fathoms
For such a grande complication I want it to be better, much better.
This seems to be the level of finishing they already offer in a modern 50 fathoms
For such a grande complication I want it to be better, much better.
Today they do offer great finishing in their grande complication watches, should have done it in the past too
As I said below, you've convinced me, Bruno.
And I'm sad you did, because I really would love to love this ref. 0033. An understated elegant minute repeater like this is such a rare thing...
but todays price might make it a bargain ;-)
so nothing wrong with that
A bit like a Parmigiani Ionica ... VERY expensive early 2000 but today its a bargain
and this is a very good reason to look at some Neo Vintage watches nowadays
A bit like a Parmigiani Ionica ... VERY expensive early 2000 but today its a bargain
and this is a very good reason to look at some Neo Vintage watches nowadays
I didn't know the Ionica was priced very high a quarter of a century ago.
At least the PF 110 is quite nice in terms of finishing.
A similar comparison
That’s close to 2.5 times the price of a patek Calatrava and 8 times the price of a Rolex sub Let’s extrapolate that to today—then the Ionica would be around 80k.