Blancpain

Greetings,
       I have a GO chronograph and I'm thinking of switching to the BP Big Date chronograph ( Baton markers style) because GO does not offer that double complication.  I was wondering 2 things:  If you notice the BP Leman BD (big date) has solid hands that occlude the minor dials and would become more challenging to read the stop watch time.  I noticed that there exists skeleton hands for the higher complications for the BP line. So, why have they not put those types of hands on the chrono.? I have seen the Aqua Lung and do agree the solid hands serve that face well since there are no sub dials.  If I did buy the chrono, could I send back the watch to BP and have then put on those clear skeletonized hands w/ the arrowhead luminescent tips?  I also would appreciate if any of the people here who have a closer connection to the BP group across the pond could pass along my suggestion about putting the skeletonized hands on the Big Date Chrono so as to view the sub-dials more easily. ( One would not have to look so hard and guess what was under the occluded hands) Maybe they will eventually decide to produce the watch in this manner.

Regards,
Jeffm

your hands







Peking-Paris 2007 - LE 134 per colour

If you don´t like them, I would recommend to ask in of their boutiques.

Oliver

ps: Readability in the dark will be worse ;-)

This is the watch I'm talking about. The number comes from the BP website

g




. . . puzzled, Art

is the watch I'm referring to. The classic chrono style.  The ones you showed me from GO I was aware of.  Out of my $$$ range.  I was comparing the GO Nav Chrono and the Navigator Panorama date.

regards,
JM

. . . and of course, I remember your intrepid adventures with the cal 39 Senator chrono . . . cordially, Art

The GO has been a great watch. So much better than that oxidizing Blue Wave I had ( the anodized blue screws were turning red in the mvmt). It might be hard to break away from the swan-neck adjustment.  It was easy to regulate that brand. The BP appears to be different. Dare I venture into that movement? Most likely no.  I know my limitations and would take the forums advice and get a package deal from a good jeweler to regulate it if need be. I want to move away from the classic cyclops convex lens date ( reminiscent of the submariner). I don't want to work so hard at seeing the date any more. In reviewing the GALLERY, I noticed there are quite a few picts on the 50 fathoms here. There are many admirers of that watch on this site. It must be a wonderful watch considering it was worn by Loyd Bridges, Cousteau and now the CEO of Lambo. I was too young to notice those folks wearing back then. All I knew was the Rolex. BP still sells watches w/ metal bracelets too; it's a bit more durable for my life style. I like that ( it is difficult to get a used metal bracelet for the GO). Can you direct me to any reviews/galleries as well on the Big Date Flayback, its mvmt, opinions from others. BP service?
I'll be going to  T - - - eau in Atlanta this weekend to check out the possibilities...

Much appreciated,

JeffM

. . . wasn't able to find a formal review, Jeff. There are a number of posts, but nothing comprehensive . . . perhaps one of the denizens of this forum will know where to look and be able to offer guidance. Cordially, Art This message has been edited by Dr No on 2009-11-13 09:18:58

might contribute an opinion of this time piece.  I guess I'll start w/ the movement.  The BP website gives the 69F8 as the movement for the Ref. # I mentioned in the technical data. When I select movements from the BP menu that movement number is not there.
So Off I search

Thanks again
JeffM

The "69F8" is is a little weird as it seem to primarily refer to the Calibre FP 69 module, which is the "big date" component of the watch. I believe for the rest it is a Calibre 1185.

You can find both of these on the Frederic Piguet website.

The date mechanism is fantastic. The instant change is especially impressive. As for the chrono function they don't come much smoother than the vertical clutch in the 1185, the flyback mechanics are also excellent.

You are in luck as there are Lettres du Brassus articles on both of these mechanisms. I suggest you download them from the Blancpain website. (I think issue 2 & 5, but not 100% sure).

As for your initial questions about dial visibility, this is somewhat less applicable in the case of the big date as you don't have the small second counter. I can't say I ever had a visibility issue with any of the other subdials either. My personal recommendation would be to get it in steel with a black crocodile band. Sporty enough to dress up jeans, and plenty elegant for a suit. the crocodile strap brings the attention to the case making it stand out even more.

Cheers.

I'll probably see if i can purchase both the Bracelet and the strap. I had a close call a few months ago by reaching into my car to get something and brushed against something. It was just enough to cause the strap to come apart from the stitches at the case.  I had explorer in the past w/ the metal bracelet and I rarely took it off. So I'm shooting for that option again. W/res. to the visibility to the sub dials I noticed that they removed the center part of the hands in the higher complications. I just thought it as an option for me in this case.  It looks great on the Aqua Lung. The hands on My GO senator chrono is like the Brassus mono-pusher chrono. and the subdials can be seen easily. The GO has the small date which is always occluded by the start/stop seconds hand. The BP's arrangement is easier and again I don't have to work so hard elucidating the time. Instant acquisition and simplicity is a good thing. I'll worry about presbyopia later.
Cheers jm

No message body

... any good watchmaker at the large AD's can get the lume off the hands (they all are skelletonized and lume is only filled in between the metal), you can leave lume in the tips of the hands so that the night readability is still given.

I had the lume removed from the hands of my Half Hunter - no problem at all.

Cheers

Henrik

That is good to know. The lum is then press fitted in such a manner. I though it was attached to a solid surface underneath. So, a BP service or an AD could do this for me. Thanks again!!
Regards,
~jm

So those who live close by the region won't be disappointed. They made room for lesser quality brands in their store. And now my adventure to find this piece begins. They still had   A  Lange's  and they were fantastic.  Sorry about being all over here w/different brands. It the shopping thing.
jm

BTW  I also learned the some watch makers chemically blue their hardware as opposed to heat treating the elements to change the color of the steel. Anyone know what BP does to get the color? Who else does this? 

It 's in my earlier posts of the past if your are still curious who the culprit was.
Regards ~jm