Blancpain

I was offered a near mint concept 2000, for a very reasonable price / good trade.

Questions:

1) The mix between steel and rubber can produce short term issues?

2) The crown is also rubber or is just rubber covered?

3) Movement. It's the same that is used by a regular FF?

I'm tempted because the fifty fathoms is a dream watch to me, but the recent models (45mm) are too big for my wrist.

I'm very concerned about the long term of the rubber. Can this rubber lasts more than 20 years?

Of course a vintage FF is the main grail but, here where I live, I only saw one and it was a plain fake.

Any advise?

Cheers,

Nilo

Do you really  consider this FF Concept, or is it only a 2d choice, for you?

It seems that you were first attracted by the 45 mm FF,   and that Vintage FFs are more in your " 1st choice " category.

If the FF Concept is only a 2d choice, let it pass, my friend.

2d choices are often the worst, and an eternal source of frustration.

I can't answer to your questions about the FF Concept rubber parts, but if I remember well, our firend Oliver owns one, and he may answer to all your questions.

As for  Vintage FFs, where are you located?

I may, maybe, be able to help you.

Best,

Nicolas

This message has been edited by amanico on 2010-05-15 22:54:45

Nicolas,

I agree with you. The 2000 is a second option and I will let it pass.

One of the main points that attracts me to watches is the overall longevity and a watch with rubber parts, no matter how is made, will not last as much as a plain SS one.

It was a major frustration, when I tried a modern FF and notice that this was not a watch to my skinny wrist.

Another major one was when I was offered a vintage FF (a true beauty) and a simple Internet query showed the watch on a fake list.

Let's wait and see. A great friend of mine says: "One day ... they show up".

Cheers,

Nilo

Note: I live in Sao Paulo, Brazil

The 50 Fathoms 50th Anniversary.

40, 5 mm of pleasure.

If I  asked where you live, it is because I have a great connection, here in France with Authentic Vintage FFs.

Best,

Nicolas

Nicolas,

I started my search for a FF based on your article: click here.

But, as far I know, a FF 50th years is an impossible dream.

Cheers,

Nilo

This one is a kind of " Best of Both Worlds ", indeed.

But the Vintage are also another solution, my friend.

From the " No Rad " to the US Navy, there are a lot of  interesting, not to say captivating, options.

Best!

Nicolas

If it is second choice, I would also pass....



cheers

was and still is a nice series, from my point of view.







Pictures of a GMT, which is about 10 years old:

























1) The mix between steel and rubber can produce short term issues?  Never had any problems, but I heard about one case when somebody had problems with the "rubber" ends of the bracelet. BP changed the construction after a while and mine was replaced - just to be safe.

2) The crown is also rubber or is just rubber covered? I assume rubber and never had any problems.

3) Movement. It's the same that is used by a regular FF? See above, same as the watches from the Trilogy.

What makes the Trilogy Concept 2000 very special to me is the sporty look and the  "lightness"  compared to the steel ones.
Feels just perfect on the wrist

Go with you heart and not only the "pricetag". Good luck with you decision.

Oliver

Team,

Oliver post was the last straw.

Gone is a "truckload" of pre-loved ones and ...

I got the 2000!

The negotiation took my entire morning. This is 60% of the fun.

Extra cool watch!

Pictures will follow, along the week (today I'm very busy - sorry)

Now I'm thinking in swap the bracelet for something more expendable (interim solution will be a black zulu), in order to not scratch the bracelet on my computer(s).

Cheers and thanks to all for helping my decision,

Nilo

Can't wait to see your  pictures and to read your comments.

Happy for you, my friend.

Best,

Nicolas

After all, here is the standard wrist shot:



After a simple family Sunday lunch, pasta and a good red wine, here is my concept 2000.

Capture of my "official" watch inspection. She approved the "tic tic".

More pictures when the wine influence dissipates.

Cheers,

Nilo

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After a much needed nap, here is the closing of the day picture:



Amazing watch.

Besides of being beautiful, on my Chinese made Timegrapher, it beats strong, no "beat errors" and with a deviation of -2 seconds/day. Not bad.

A great week to all,

Nilo

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I like the bezel very much and the watch has a very strong character.

Interested to see what you do with the strap options.

Andrew

Andrew,

My initial take will be to put a Seiko made nylon strap that I use on some of my diver watches.

It's not fancy, but the comfort level is amazing and fits very well on the environment where I live.

It also helps to make the watch to be "under the radar", something that I also need here, or else.

An example:



I will post a series of photos of the 2000, as soon I grab some time to do the swap.

Cheers,

Nilo

some tried it before, but I never a saw a good/nice solution - which could work for me.

Some tried the Concept 2000 with a rubber strap and some with a leather (aligator and barennia) strap.
From my point of view, there are some options for the "all steel" Trilogy and none for ...

Maybe it is just me

By the way, what is wrong with the steel/rubber bracelet?

Cheers
Oliver

Those ultra cheap nylon straps from Seiko are very comfortable and I already made some converts.

A friend of mine, potentially the largest Omega collector from this planet (believe it or not), tried one and ... it's a convert.

I'm doing the swap. Pictures only tomorrow, sorry. I'm a daylight photographer only.

Cheers,

Nilo

of a very nice watch. Congrats!

Oliver