Continuing with their efforts to protect the seas and oceans, Blancpain presents the new Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronograph Blancpain Ocean Commitment II —BOCII— ref. 5200 0310 G52A that for the very first time, features an all blue ceramic case and a sunburst grey dial. For each timepiece sold in this 250-piece limited edition, an amount of 1000 Euros will be donated in support of scientific expeditions.
Posts filed under Blancpain
Baselworld 2016: Presenting the New Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Plasma Gray Ceramic Case and Deep Blue Dial. Hands-on Review, Live Pictures & Pricing.
Reporting live from Baselworld 2016, we bring your our hands-on review and live pictures of one of the most beautiful sports watches we've seen so far at the show. Blancpain’s three-hand version of the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe appears for the first time in a plasma gray ceramic case with a striking deep blue dial.
Baselworld 2016: Presenting the new Blancpain Villeret Annual Calendar GMT Steel. Hands-on Review, Live Pictures & Pricing.
The new Blancpain Villeret Annual Calendar GMT, now fitted with a stainless steel case, enriches the Blancpain collections with the first annual calendar GMT model available in this metal. Playing with contrasts, the clear sapphire case back reveals the yellow gold winding rotor adorned with a guilloché motif. The hands as well as the hour-markers match the material of the watch case.
Insider: Blancpain Jour Nuit 'Day Night'. A Strikingly Beautiful and Refined Timepiece for Ladies.
We typically don't feature ladies watches on our website unless it's a piece that we really like. Therefore, we are featuring the new Blancpain 'Day Night' —Jour Nuit— released at Baselworld 2015 last month. Equipped with an exclusive movement incorporating two retrograde indications, the new Blancpain Day Night distinguishes itself with substantial technical innovations and by the fine craftsmanship of its disk. Once more Blancpain has reinforced its DNA and its tradition of innovation with this demonstration of savoir-faire in a new caliber created especially for its collection Women. Fitted with a generous case in 18K red gold with encrusted diamond bezel and a diameter of 40 mm, this timepiece offers an harmonious balance between its diameter and thickness at 11.35 mm. The dial is fashioned entirely in mother-of-pearl and is divided into three parts on four levels. The differences in height create an impression of great depth.
Insider: Blancpain Les Métiers d’Art Shakudō Unique Pieces. A Japanese Ancient Technique Applied to Timepieces for the First Time.
Renowned for its engraving and enamel painting workshops as well as its Damascene timepieces, Blancpain has added the Les Métiers d'Art Shakudō unique pieces to their collection. Of Japanese origin, shakudō is an alloy principally composed of copper and gold, which acquires a dark patina between blue and black, according to variations in its composition and texture. The black patina is obtained following a process called passivation, which calls for the application of a solution. This solution, which is composed of copper acetate —green gray—, has been traditionally fabricated in Japan where it is known as rokushō. According to the number of applications of the rokushō solution, the black becomes successively deeper and more intense. The shakudō was used historically among other things to create swords, decorative objects and jewelry.
Video: Baselworld 2015 Blancpain L-Evolution Tourbillon Carrousel.
Here we present you another one of our favorite pieces this year at Baselworld 2015. We are talking about the impressive Blancpain L-Evolution Tourbillon Carrousel in platinum ref. 92322-34B39-55B. This new release from Baselworld 2015 with its distinctive bezel, the form of the applied numerals together with the asymmetric form of the bridges and base plate, give the timepiece a unique place in the within the Blancpain collection.
Baselworld 2015: Introducing the Blancpain L-Evolution Tourbillon Carrousel. Live Pictures and Pricing.
Here we present you another one of our favorite pieces this year at Baselworld 2015. We are talking about the impressive Blancpain L-Evolution Tourbillon Carrousel in platinum ref. 92322-34B39-55B. This new release from Baselworld 2015 with its distinctive bezel, the form of the applied numerals together with the asymmetric form of the bridges and base plate, give the timepiece a unique place in the within the Blancpain collection. This latest design has been finely crafted with a frosted finish as well as a NAC coating —a galvanic process that bestows a dark color on the bridges and base plate. The forms of two cages, that of the tourbillon and that of the carrousel, have been subtly reimagined and reshaped.
Baselworld 2015: Introducing the Blancpain Villeret Grande Date. Live Pictures and Pricing.
For the first time in the Villeret Collection, Blancpain is offering the complication of a grand date. This new watch Blancpain Villeret Grande Date is both elegant and practical. This new watch fitted with a perfectly sized case measuring 40 mm in diameter is available in stainless steel or 18K red gold. Fitted with an elegant opaline dial featuring Roman numerals, leaf hands and a double date aperture at 6 o'clock, this new watch uses a side-by-side calendar for optimal readability. When Blancpain’s watchmakers conceived the automatic caliber 6950, they had as their objective to maximize legibility of the date, while at the same time enabling an instant change at midnight. At the same time, they set out to ensure that the mechanism would not significantly increase the movement’s profile. The result, an automatic movement with two mainspring barrels and a date mechanism designed to resist shocks. It further distinguishes itself with its free sprung balance with a silicium spiral and regulated by gold regulation screws.
News: Presenting the Blancpain Ocean Commitment Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback Limited Edition. Only 250 Pieces to Help Protect the Ocean.
On October 9, 2014 Blancpain President & CEO Marc A. Hayek, unveiled a special Ocean Commitment limited edition which will be part of a series of limited editions. Each purchaser will join the Ocean Commitment Circle and will contribute and reinforce Blancpain's support for oceanic environmental causes through an additional donation which will be made for each watch. First of this series, the new Ocean Commitment Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback is limited to 250 pieces. Blancpain commits to donate 1'000 Euros of the revenues from the sales of this piece to various initiatives.
The Bathyscaphe is a legendary name at Blancpain. Three years after the 1953 debut of the original Fifty Fathoms, Blancpain introduced the Bathyscaphe as a smaller diameter diving watch alternative adapted to daily wear. Over the years, the Bathyscaphe evolved in parallel with the Fifty Fathoms and became a part of the Fifty Fathoms legend.
News: Presenting the New Blancpain Villeret Chronographe Pulsomètre. The First 36,000 vph Calibre for this Manufacture.
The new Blancpain Chronographe Pulsomètre from the Villeret collection is welcoming a brand new automatic in-house movement this year, beating at a rate of 36,000 vph —5 Hz— and equipped with a flyback chronograph function. Moreover, for the very first time, it also displays a pulsometer function serving to check a heart rate quickly and easily, a convenient tool for doctors. This Villeret Chronographe Pulsomètre houses a new 13-ligne in-house calibre perfectly suited to the size of the case. This new movement with its heart beating at 36,000 vph, a first at Blancpain, comprises 322 parts including a silicon balance spring. It is equipped with a vertical clutch as well as a chronograph mechanism controlled by a column wheel. It also features a flyback function enabling instant chronograph resetting and restarting simply by pressing a pusher at 4 o’clock —a device that proves extremely useful when measuring successive time periods.
Insider: Blancpain Villeret Chronographe Monopoussoir. A Complete Calendar with Moon Phase and Mono-Pusher Chronograph.
Villeret, Blancpain’s native village, is the inspiration for this manufacture's most classic collection. This time, we are presenting you our review of the Blancpain Villeret Chronographe Monopoussoir ref. 6685-1127-55B, a mono-pusher chronograph featuring a complete calendar and moon phase complication. This is perhaps one of the best priced complications out there with a ton of pedigree behind it.
This amazing watch is fitted with a double-stepped stainless steel case measuring 40mm in diameter and 12.98mm in thickness. The watch is fitted with a white 'grand feu' enamel dial with Roman numerals, chapter ring for the dates, chrono-hour register at 9, chrono-minute register at 3, moon phase aperture at 6 and two small rectangular apertures at 12 o'clock for the day of the week and the month.
Insider: Blancpain Fifty Fathoms X-Fathoms. The King of All Diving Watches.
Blancpain was founded in 1735 by Jehan-Jacques Blancpain setting up his first workshop on the upper floor of his house at Villeret, in the present-day Bernese Jura. At that time, little did he know, that today his brand would become the world's oldest watch brand. In 1926, the Manufacture entered into a partnership with John Harwood and started marketing the first automatic wristwatch. The year 1932 saw the end of the family's management of the firm, which had lasted for over two centuries. On the death of Frédéric-Emile Blancpain, his only daughter, Berthe-Nellie, did not wish to go into watchmaking. The following year, the two members of the staff who had been closest to Frédéric-Emile, Betty Fiechter and André Léal, bought the business. As there was no longer any member of the Blancpain family in control of the firm, the two associates were obliged by law as it stood at the time to change the company name. Henceforth, the firm would be called "Rayville S.A., succ. de Blancpain", "Rayville" being a phonetic anagram of Villeret. Today, the Swatch Group owns the brand and has successfully perpetuated its watchmaking principles and horological innovation. Although Blancpain offers a wide variety of watches across several collections, they are better known for their iconic diving watch, the Fifty Fathoms. Below you will see the first model of the 'Fifty Fathoms' ever created.
The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms is one of the earliest automatic diving watches launched in 1953 and conceived by Jean-Jacques Fiechter —Blancpain's CEO from 1950 thru 1980— along with two heroes of the Free French Forces, Captain Robert Maloubier and Lieutenant Claude Riffaud. Jean-Jacques Fiechter an avid diver felt the need to launch a watch that would bring two of his biggest passions together, the sea and watchmaking. Approached by the French military, he made his dream come true launching the first automatic diving watch with a generous 42 mm stainless steel case, a case size never heard of during that era. The watch specifically designed for the French 'Ecole des naugers de combat' —Combat Diving School— was named 'Fifty Fathoms' after the British measurement of 50 Fathoms —approximately 91.45 meters—, which was at the time the greatest depth that a diver would be able to descent to by using an oxygen mixture in their diving tanks. Several iterations of the Fifty Fathoms were created between 1953 and 1965 including watches fitted with smaller cases measuring 41 mm or 35 mm, and a wide variety of different dials for the French Military and the U.S. Navy. Other navies that followed the French and the U.S. navy in choosing the 'Fifty Fathoms' as their diving watch were the Israeli, the Spaniard and the German.
Some of the key characteristics of the first Fifty Fathoms watches included an anti-magnetic and highly water resistant case, a screw-on case back, a double "O-ring" system crown, an automatic movement, a unidirectional rotating bezel and one very interesting element added on the dial of the LIP models right above the 6 o'clock marker, a humidity indicator in the form of a small blue circle that would turn pink if humidity had entered the case.
But Blancpain didn't have it easy when it came to selling watches to the U.S. Navy as there was a 'Buy American Act' in place where American producers would be given a 25% price advantage over foreign competitors and the jewels in the watches had to be sourced from a supplier in Missouri. Fortunately for Blancpain, a gentleman named Allen Tornek who became a close friend to Jean-Jacques Fiecther —CEO of Blancpain at the time— helped the company go around the system and sold the watches to the U.S. Navy as "Blancpain Tornek" or "Rayville Tornek". About 1,000 Tornek-Rayville Fifty Fathoms were produced and most were destroyed by the Navy at the end of the commission, so the surviving examples are very collectible today and it is estimated that around twenty to thirty of these watches are still around. Images of the Tornek-Rayvill from Christie's.com.
Another interesting fact just like the one about Tornek, is that the French Navy chose to purchase the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms watches not directly from Blancpain but through a specialized diving equipment company named Spirotechnique. At that time, Spirotechnique had a very strong relationship with oceanographer Jacques-Yves Cousteau, for whom they would sell some of his inventions and thanks to this connection, Cousteau learned about the Fifty Fathoms watch and selected to use it in the historic dives part of the film "Silent World". Worn by Jacques-Yves Cousteau, the Fifty Fathoms became the standard reference among diving watches during that time. Since we have already discussed the rest of the history of the Fifty Fathoms in our in-depth review of the 'Tribute to Fifty Fathoms No Radiations' Limited Edition here, let's move on and go into our in-depth review of the X-Fathoms that we like to call 'The king of all diving watches'.
The Blancpain X-Fathoms ref. 5018-1230-64A released last year at the largest aquarium in the world located in Dubai during an amazing unveiling event, features a titanium satin-brushed case measuring close to 56 mm —55.65 mm— in diameter, a thickness of 24 mm and is fitted with a black rubber strap with pin buckle. This watch not only looks and feels like a diving watch, but is perhaps one of the most complex mechanical diving watches ever created.
The X-Fathoms features a black matte dial that seems a little busy but where each element on it has a clear purpose and functionality. In order to maintain the Fifty Fathoms look and its iconic design, the watch is fitted with the now traditional unidirectional sapphire crystal rotating bezel with luminescent material and the unmistakeable Fifty Fathoms Arabic numerals at 12, 3, 6 and 9 o'clock on its dial. The bezel is very thick and its serrated edges facilitate a good grip even with gloves.
The matte black dial features a mechanical depth indication with two different scales, where the one located on the outer part is blue and goes all the way to 15 meters with an exceptional +/- 30 cm precision and the one on the center of the dial is yellow and goes all the way to 90 meters with a maximum depth memory. The reading of the depth scales is indicated by two hands with arrow tips in blue and yellow respectively. Regardless of having depth scales that go only up to 90 meters, the Blancpain X-Fathoms is waterproof rated to a depth of 300 meters or 1000 ft. Additionally, the dial features a retrograde 5-minute counter for decompression stops at 10 o'clock.
This complex mechanical diving watch features a decompression valve at 10 o'clock for saturation diving as well as other features not present in more conventional mechanical diving watches such as an amorphous metal membrane on the case near the winding crown and a maximum depth memory with secured reset pusher on the case band at 8 o'clock. Research and testing conducted by Blancpain show that the elastic properties and the resistance to permanent deformation of amorphous metal make this material ideal for the depth gauge membrane.
The winding crown featuring the Blancpain logo is very robust and easy to grip even for those divers wearing gloves. The case back is solid and it features a skeletonized 'No Radiations' logo lined with the same amorphous metal membrane that is on the case band by the crown. The beating heart inside the X-Fathoms is the revolutionary Blancpain automatic calibre 9918B —based off of the calibre 1315— with a diameter of 36 mm, composed of 411 parts, 48 jewels, 3 barrels, silicon balance-spring and which provides the traditional 5-day power reserve —just as all other Fifty Fathoms calibres— when fully wound.
The X-Fathoms is also fitted with a very revolutionary rubber strap —with pin buckle— comprised of 14 articulated parts to ensure a perfect fit on the wrist and allow water to seep in under the watch in order to come in contact with the membrane under all circumstances. The rubber on the strap is very supple and the craftsmanship of the strap is just exceptional. The traditional Blancpain engraving typically found on the left side of the case band is present on the 6 o'clock side right in between the lugs.
On the wrist, be prepared to wear a real diving watch and a timepiece that not everyone can wear due to its massive construction and oversized case. Regardless, at the end of the day it is very probable that you will be wearing this watch over your wet suit, were it will look just perfect and in its element. Honestly, this is one of the coolest watches out there and if you are into diving watches, it really doesn't get any better. Just imagine yourself getting ready for that night dive in the Maldives and strapping this amazing timepiece on your wrist.
Sticker Price $40,700 USD. For more info on Blancpain click here.
Baselworld 2014: Blancpain 12-Day Flying Tourbillon. Live Pictures and Pricing.
Developed in the watchmaking workshops of the Manufacture, as indeed are all Blancpain movements, the new Calibre 242 takes things to a new level by further improving on the record breaking autonomy of Calibre 25 unveiled in 1998: the world’s first self-winding tourbillon with an 8-day power reserve. The new self-winding tourbillon movement has an exceptional 12-day power reserve guaranteed by a single barrel.
On the dial side, the off-set tourbillon carriage at 12 o’clock has been enlarged to offer a perfect view of the new design of the balance and the escape-wheel. This being a flying tourbillon, the carriage has no upper bridge and thus provides an unobstructed view of this complex mechanism. It rotates once a minute in order to compensate for the effects of gravity. Reflecting the Villeret collection identity, the dial and the painted Roman numerals are in grand feu enamel, gracefully swept over by hollowed sage leaf-shaped hands.
For this new model, Blancpain has applied its technical expertise to serving aesthetic elegance. Each detail of the movement has been designed to highlight the decoration visible through the sapphire crystal. The automatic winding mechanism and the power reserve have been integrated so as to create a thin movement. The movement comprising 243 parts united within just a space just 6.10 mm thick and 30.60 mm in diameter, it is is equipped with a silicon balance spring and pallet-fork horns in order to alleviate the effects of magnetic fields. The oscillating weight has also been entirely openworked and the “kerbs” have been eliminated so as to provide a broader space for decoration. The bridges and power-reserve disc are entirely decorated with a hand guilloché motif —an ancestral skill calling for meticulous and accurate execution; while the ratchet-wheel features a bevelled wheel-rim design.
This timepiece with its double stepped 42 mm case is available in a limited numbered platinum edition. It also comes in 18K red gold teamed with a chocolate brown alligator strap lined with alzavel calfskin and secured by a triple-blade folding clasp.
Sticker Price $148,800 USD Platinum, $127,400 18K Rose Gold. For more info on Blancpain click here.
Baselworld 2014: Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronograph. Live Pictures and Pricing of This Iconic Model Now with Chrono.
Born in the late 1950s from a desire to offer a diver’s watch in a size suited to daily wear, the Bathyscaphe was reinterpreted by Blancpain in 2013 and reviewed by us here. This year at Baselworld 2014, the Bathyscaphe is released with a new automatic calibre —F385— featuring a flyback chronograph function. This watch, just like the regular Bathyscaphe presented last year, features a 43mm in diameter satin-brushed stainless steel case with anti-magnetic protection, display case back, a flat black ceramic rotating bezel with a meteor grey sunburst dial with applied markers, rectangular shaped hands with luminescent material and a date aperture between the 4 and 5 o'clock markers.
The running seconds are located at 6, the hour-chrono register at 9 and the minute-chrono register at 3 o'clock. The tip of the chrono seconds hand features a red tip to provide some contrast to the dial. Depending on the lighting conditions and the angle, the bezel can appear black, grey or sometimes even somewhat brownish.
This new Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronograph is available in a brushed black ceramic version with a black dial, or in brushed steel with a meteor grey dial. All models are fitted with a NATO fabric or sail canvas strap —two extremely sturdy materials ideally suited to aquatic use. The steel version also comes on a metal bracelet and is a first for this line. We have included pictures of all the different versions available at the bottom of this post.
On the wrist, the watch wears quite comfortably and nicer than the more plain looking Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe. This is definitely one of our favorite chronographs right now and a watch that is perfectly suited for aquatic activities with depth rating of 300 meters.
Sticker Price $14,800 USD Stainless Steel on NATO strap, $17,400 USD Stainless steel on stainless steel bracelet and $17,200 USD Black ceramic with NATO strap. For more info on Blancpain click here.
Insider: Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe. Commemorating 60 Years of the World's First Modern Diving Watch.
To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms —the world's first diving watch—, this manufacture presented the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe ref. 5000-1110-NABA during Baselworld earlier this year. Now, here's our review with live pictures and the mandatory wrist shot.
This watch, features a 43mm in diameter satin-brushed stainless steel case with anti-magnetic protection, display case back, a flat black ceramic rotating bezel with a meteor grey sunburst dial with applied markers, rectangular shaped hands with luminescent material and a date aperture between the 4 and 5 o'clock markers.
The tip of the seconds hand features a luminous dot and a red tip to provide some contrast to the dial and the somewhat bland or simple look of the timepiece. Now, don't misunderstand us, the watch might look simple; however, the craftsmanship, history and Blancpain in-house workhorse movement are present in this timepiece. Depending on the lighting conditions and the angle, the bezel can appear black, grey or sometimes even somewhat brownish.
The watch features very sharp angles on the case, lugs, buckle and on all steel fittings on the strap, a perfect satin-brushed finish, a large easy-to-use crown and a black NATO strap or sail-canvas strap —straps also available in olive green. The Bathyscaphe looks like a rugged timepiece made to take on the abuse of the most experienced divers and non-divers. With its look completely reminiscent of 'tool watches', the Blancpain Bathyscaphe pays solid tribute and homage to the most legendary of all diving watches.
Just as in all other modern Fifty Fathoms, the beating heart inside this timepiece is the the legendary Blancpain calibre 1315 with a 5-day power reserve —120 hours— that can be fully appreciated via the display case back. The movement features a blackened 18K gold rotor, 227 parts and 35 jewels.
On the wrist, the watch wears true to its size but unfortunately not very comfortable due to the NATO strap fitted on it. The wrist presence is nice but somewhat 'too shiny' due to the shape of the raised markers on the dial, other than that, this watch is sure to become one of the legendary modern Fifty Fathoms in no time. For those of you that use mechanical watches for your dives, the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe is waterproof rated to a depth of 30 bar —300m/984 ft. This watch is also available in a ceramised titanium case with black dial and olive green NATO strap as ref. 5000-12C30-NAKA.
Sticker Price $10,500 USD. For more info on Blancpain click here.
Insider: Blancpain 'Tribute to Fifty Fathoms' No Radiations Limited Edition. Only 500 Pieces Ever Made and We Found One.
The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms was the first modern diving watch launched in 1953. The original Fifty Fathoms was housed in a steel case with a domed crystal strengthened to withstand the pressure at a depth of at least fifty fathoms —approximately 91 meters. After a few years, the Fifty Fathoms quickly became recognized by divers outside the French Navy and was also adopted by the U.S. Navy Seals and the German and Israeli Navies. In the mid to late 60s, the 'No Radiations' symbol was added to the Fifty Fathoms as a safety measure to differentiate watches made for civilians and those made to meet military standards —in order to meet military standards and achieve the highest luminosity in dark conditions, the watches were typically fitted with a radioactive luminous material.
The Blancpain 'Tribute to Fifty Fathoms' Limited Edition ref. 5015B-1130-52A comes with the same case and movement specifications as the traditional black polished model ref. 5015-1130-52 reviewed here. The two main differences between this limited edition model —besides the obvious 'No Radiations' symbol on the dial— and the traditional Fifty Fathoms, are the bezel and dial configurations. The 'Tribute to Fifty Fathoms' Limited Edition features a bezel with almost an identical configuration to the original Fifty Fathoms No Radiations from the late 60s —different font on the numbers— and the same type of dial configuration with no Arabic numerals at 12, 3, 6 and 9. Additionally, the dial features round superluminova markers instead of applied arrow-shaped markers and date aperture at 3 o'clock with white calendar disc.
The beating heart inside this watch is also the Blancpain calibre 1315 with a 5-day power reserve. The 'Tribute to Fifty Fathoms' is fitted with the same sail-canvas strap —leather lined— equipped with pin buckle. Just like on the traditional Fifty Fathoms, the 'Tribute to Fifty Fathoms' is fitted with an anti-magnetic protective casing to protect its complex calibre from any magnetic fields. The case back is engraved 'Tribute to Fifty Fathoms'.
For those of you always looking for the most interesting limited edition watches, this is a watch that comes with rich history and tradition. If you are tired of wearing common run-of-the-mill diving watches, then it's time for you to add the Blancpain 'Tribute to Fifty Fathoms' Limited Edition to the collection. Now, you better hurry up because finding a brand new one is like finding a needle in a hay stack. Now, just in case you are interested, there's a brand new one sitting at the Tourbillon Boutique Chicago.
Sticker Price $16,100 USD. For more info on Blancpain click here.
Insider: Blacpain Fifty Fathoms Automatique for Ladies. The Perfect Diver's Watch for Ladies that Know Better.
This time we have decided to create a special post for our female readers. This special photo gallery features the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Automatique in white and baby blue just for the ladies.
This Blancpain Fifty Fathoms ref. 5015A-1144-52A comes fitted with a gorgeous white mother-of-pearl dial with baby blue accents and matching rotating bezel. The ladies version of the Fifty Fathoms Automatique measures 45mm in diameter —same as the men's model— but its case is not fitted with an anti-magnetic protective case back like on the traditional black dial Fifty Fathoms ref. 5015-1130-52. The ladies model is fitted with a display case back that allows for a full view of Blancpain's automatic calibre 1315 composed of 227 parts, 35 jewels and that provides a power reserve of five full days when fully wound. A power reserve of this nature is ideal for those ladies that like to rotate their watches throughout the week without needing to worry about setting the time after the watch has stopped after two days of not wearing it. Additionally, the rotor on the movement is decorated with the beautiful conch motif.
To make it even more ladylike, the watch is fitted with a gorgeous white sail canvas strap. Interestingly enough, the blue accents on the dial and bezel are the perfect match to the blue color on the limited edition Louis Vuitton White Takashi Murakami Monogram purses. The strap is fitted with a pin buckle; however, there's the option to get the deployant buckle also available for this model.
Without a doubt, this is one of the most gorgeous ladies watches out there, that even though it is very sporty and a perfect ladies execution of the classic Fifty Fathoms, the watch still feels very feminine. This is a watch perfectly made for those watchlifestylers looking for the real deal when it comes to the timepieces that their significant others should be wearing.
Sticker Price $17,200 USD. For more info on Blancpain click here.
Insider: Blancpain Calendrier Chinois Traditionnel. The Traditional Chinese Calendar. 宝珀中华年历表
In 2012, Blancpain presented a world-premiere with the first wristwatch to feature a traditional Chinese calendar. Included under Blancpain's Villeret collection, the 'Calendrier Chinois Traditionnel' a.k.a. Traditional Chinese Calendar ref. 00888-3631-55B is fitted with an 18K red gold case measuring 45mm in diameter and 15mm thick. The case is not only beautiful and very nicely finished but it's also the perfect housing for one of the most fascinating and complex horological complications ever created.
In
addition
to telling the hours and minutes, the watch features a Gregorian calendar, a Chinese
calendar that includes all the animals in the Chinese zodiac in a small aperture right above the double-hour
indicator at 12,
a date and month indicator at 9 with a red dot that indicates the intercalary months as necessary, a moon phase indicator at 6 and an indicator for the five elements and its corresponding ten celestial stems with yin-yang phase at 3 o'clock.
For those of you that don't know how the Chinese calendar works, here's a quick overview. The most important thing to remember is that the traditional Chinese calendar is a lunisolar calendar where months begin with a new moon, months are 29 or 30 days long and a year could have 12 or 13 months depending on the need of inserting what is called an intercalary or leap month.
The months are numbered from 1 thru 12 and when an intercalary month is needed, the number of the preceding month is repeated —typically between the second and eleventh month— with an extra marker that in Chinese is ‘闰’. In the case of this watch, it is marked with a small red dot on the date and month register. The years are named using a
60-year cycle and each name is formed by combining a celestial stem
from a 10-year cycle and an earthly branch from a 12-year cycle. The 12
earthly branches are directly correlated to the
12 zodiac animals but have different names. Every 60-year cycle is composed of the five elements and the 12 zodiac animals.
This amazing complication features a white 'grand feu' enamel dial with all numbers in Chinese with the exception of the 31 days —located on the outer part of the dial— of the Gregorian calendar and the red gold chapter ring applied Roman numerals that mark the hours. The Gregorian calendar features a gorgeous blued steel serpentine shaped hand that provides a nice contrast and that is very elegant.
All twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac are displayed via a small aperture located above the double-hours indicator at 12, while the moon phase indicator is right under the center pinion at 6 o'clock. As you can appreciate in the pictures, the animals are flawlessly represented.
This is perhaps one of the most amazing and fascinating horological complications ever attempted and it clearly exceeds the complication of a perpetual calendar and ranks only second to a minute repeater. The watch is fitted with a brown alligator strap that is very comfortable thanks to its double-folding clasp with tang buckle. Wearing this watch will add a touch of elegance and distinction to anyone's wrist.
The beating heart inside this complication is Blancpain's automatic calibre 3638 composed of 463 components, 39 jewels and a 7-day power reserve. The rotor is nicely decorated with the yin-yang symbol and the calibre is fully visible through the display case back.
Also on the back of the case, you will find the five exclusive and patented under-lug correctors to make all the necessary adjustments to the different features of the calendar —four of them located by each lug and one around the middle part of the back of the case. The crown allows direct adjustment of the zodiac and elements according to the 60-year cycle. This is a very clever and convenient system that only someone like Blancpain could've thought of in the first place. Kudos to Blancpain!
Even though the watch wears slightly bigger than its size —perhaps more like a 47mm watch—, it is extremely comfortable and with a wrist presence that is unparalleled.
This watch is also available every year in a 20-piece limited edition in platinum with a Madagascar ruby on the crown and the oscillating weight. If you are Chinese or of Chinese descent, the 宝珀中华年历表 Blancpain Traditional Chinese Calendar is a must have in your collection. If you are ready to buy one, stop by the Tourbillon Boutique in Chicago.
Sticker Price $66,400 USD. For more info on Blancpain click here and for Tourbillon Boutiques here.
Encounter: Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Automatique. Side-by-Side Comparison Between the Satin-Brushed and Polished References.
The other day, while visiting Tourbillon's boutique here in Chicago, we stumbled upon two of our favorite Blancpain watches and we were able to do a side-by-side comparison that we now present to you. Since we have already reviewed the Fifty Fathoms Automatique in the past right here, we will only focus on doing a mere comparison of the two watches without going to much in-depth.
While both models have almost identical specs, the key differences between the two of them are really just cosmetic. The only differences from a watch specs standpoint are the double-folding clasp and the thinner case —15.40 mm thick— on the blue satin-brushed model —a millimetric difference of -0.10 mm versus the black polished one.
The newer blue satin-brushed Fifty Fathoms is ref. 5015D-1140-52B and the traditional black polished model with pin-buckle is ref. 5015-1130-52.
The blue model ref. 5015D-1140-52B comes with a blue 'flinqué' dial that has a beautiful texture in the center and a great shimmer. 'Flinqué' dials are hand engraved with a graver or rose-engine and the final result is a dial with
intersecting straight or wavy lines that flow to the center. After comparing both models side-by-side, we like the blue dial better as the black model ref. 5015-1130-52 seems too glossy and plain. The dial has the exact same configuration with Arabic numerals at 12, 9, 6 and 3
o'clock and arrow-shaped markers on both models. The sapphire bezel is identical in design and construction but blue versus black. The luminova on the blue model is just as
strong as on the black one; however, because of the blue, we feel there's way better contrast and visibility under low light conditions.
The second and most dramatic difference, is the satin-brushed finish on the anti-magnetic stainless steel case of ref. 5015D-1140-52B that makes the watch appear more simple and more rugged as diving watches should be. The satin-brushed finish goes great with the blue configuration of the watch that is also fitted with a blue sail canvas strap. The whole watch case including the crown and case back are also satin-brushed finished.
One great improvement to the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, is the new double-folding clasp that is fitted on the blue model —now also available on newer black models— opposed to the pin-buckle on the traditional black reference.
Although the new clasp is clearly better, we find it quite disappointing that in order to adjust the strap to the wearer's wrist size you need to undo a screw that is located on the pin that secures the buckle to the holes on the strap. Therefore, if the watch needs to be worn over a wetsuit and you don't have a screwdriver with you, there's no way you can adjust your strap. Typically, on any watch fitted with a deployant or double-folding clasp, you would only need to slide the clasp to the right hole on the strap to make it tighter or looser.
The clasp is nicely engraved with the Fifty Fathoms marking on the outside and regardless of the complicated adjustment system, we like it a lot.
While we consider ourselves purists when it comes to iconic watch references like the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, we feel that the blue satin-brushed reference is nicer, more rugged and also more versatile making it easier to wear with all sorts of outfits. After perusing it side-by-side with the black one, we can add ref. 5015D-1140-52B to our list of all-time favorite Blancpain Fifty Fathoms watches.
If you are already planning your next diving adventure to the Great Barrier Reef, the blue Blancpain Fifty Fathoms in stainless steel is the perfect companion that will indisputably match the blue color of the waters of the Coral Sea off the coast of Queensland.
Sticker Price on blue model $15,100 USD. Black model —sans double-folding clasp— $14,500 USD and newer black model ref. 5015-1130-52B fitted with a double-folding clasp $15,000 USD. For more info click here.
Baselworld: Blancpain. The Iconic Fifty Fathoms on Display.
Located right across from Breguet and kitty corner from Swatch Group's Tourbillon, Blancpain offers a vibrant exhibit with horologists on site and historical museum pieces including a Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe circa 1960, a Fifty Fathoms from 1953, the Letters Patent issued to Jean Jacques Fiechter and a X Fathoms timepiece. Blancpain's displays feature state-of-the-art technology with video and animation on command. Each display features a screen at at the bottom with a short video about each particular reference. In all, a great exhibition with history, wow factor and elegant touches.
For more info click here.
