Blancpain rumors?

[sgrossma]

https://www.blancpain.com/en/fifty-f...010c-1130-naba

The strap is listed in the above reference page as NATO and nothing is mentioned anywhere about additional straps.

I'm willing to make a strong educated guess that there will not be a surprise extra strap.

[Rolextellstime]

Originally Posted by sgrossma

https://www.blancpain.com/en/fifty-f...010c-1130-naba

The strap is listed in the above reference page as NATO and nothing is mentioned anywhere about additional straps.

I'm willing to make a strong educated guess that there will not be a surprise extra strap.

That would not be nice. Special edition should be special with extra stuff and that's what I would expect, like the 50th anniversary for example.

I just emailed BP and asked explicitly what is included. If it is just the NATO strap I am considering cancelling the order.

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[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by Rolextellstime

That would not be nice. Special edition should be special with extra stuff and that's what I would expect, like the 50th anniversary for example.

I just emailed BP and asked explicitly what is included. If it is just the NATO strap I am considering cancelling the order.

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Another link:

https://www.blancpain.com/int/en/70-...ction-features

[bobernet]

Originally Posted by Rolextellstime

That would not be nice. Special edition should be special with extra stuff and that's what I would expect, like the 50th anniversary for example.

I just emailed BP and asked explicitly what is included. If it is just the NATO strap I am considering cancelling the order.

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100% there will not be a surprise bracelet. So, if a $100-$300 strap is a deal breaker, I’d cancel.

For me, there are any number of custom strap makers who will make whatever I want in whatever dimensions I want. I’m not losing sleep over a commemorative book or extra strap.

[Rolextellstime]

Originally Posted by bobernet

100% there will not be a surprise bracelet. So, if a $100-$300 strap is a deal breaker, I’d cancel.

For me, there are any number of custom strap makers who will make whatever I want in whatever dimensions I want. I’m not losing sleep over a commemorative book or extra strap.

Yeah I know, strap is not a problem, bracelet could be thought. This one is 21.5mm lug with and good luck finding a bracelet for this baby.

I bought my Milspec and the lack of a bracelet didn't bother me, if was simple enough to find one.

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[NardinNut]

Originally Posted by Rolextellstime

Yeah I know, strap is not a problem, bracelet could be thought. This one is 21.5mm lug with and good luck finding a bracelet for this baby.

I bought my Milspec and the lack of a bracelet didn't bother me, if was simple enough to find one.

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Nice! What are you using for spring bars? I got the x71 for my Hod MilSpec but BP boutique wanted $136 for the bars and collars. Insane! I bought after market ones but the bracelet has a gap without those collars.

[Rolextellstime]

Originally Posted by NardinNut

Nice! What are you using for spring bars? I got the x71 for my Hod MilSpec but BP boutique wanted $136 for the bars and collars. Insane! I bought after market ones but the bracelet has a gap without those collars.

Yeah my bracelet is flush against the case. I have the original from BP

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[btinl]

Originally Posted by NardinNut

Thanks. I filled out the interest page and they got back to me this morning offering me one. They said they had glitches with the ordering system yesterday and were happy to offer me one. Makes me wonder if the interest is low or there are more than 70! They gave 24 hours to decide if I want it so going to think about it today. Sure as hell don't need it, but there are aspects I like about it so maybe....

What did you decide?

[NardinNut]

Originally Posted by btinl

What did you decide?

The jerks never responded when I said I was interested. Now I’m not interested.

[Spartyfan6262]

Originally Posted by gretch6364

There will be more non-special editions released in 42mm in the future. At least that is what I am hoping.

They really need to make at least one of the smaller limited editions a regular production model. It's absurd to make die hard fans of the brand cue up for 70 potential total watches.

[Spartyfan6262]

Originally Posted by sgrossma

I was likely not going to buy, but was refreshing in the US to see price from 7:58 onwards. The website first changed over to the information page around 8:03am and it was already posted as "sold out" when it loaded. I don't believe it was ever really in stock based on what I saw...

I bet most were offered to good customers in advance of the public sale, hence the near-instant sell out.

[Rolextellstime]

Originally Posted by NardinNut

The jerks never responded when I said I was interested. Now I’m not interested.

Yeah, I was surprised that they would give you 24 hours to think about it. There are thousands of people who want one, I am sure they just allocated it to the next person who immediately jumped on it.

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[Rolextellstime]

Originally Posted by Spartyfan6262

I bet most were offered to good customers in advance of the public sale, hence the near-instant sell out.

I honestly don't think so, all were sold online to people with fast internet and quick finger on the mouse.

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[bobernet]

Originally Posted by Spartyfan6262

They really need to make at least one of the smaller limited editions a regular production model. It's absurd to make die hard fans of the brand cue up for 70 potential total watches.

Unless they try to list at the same prices as the LEs, they will devalue all the LEs their customers have purchased. That would have its own consequences.

It’s funny to me how people seem to always assume businesses are stupid. BP has a strategy that doesn’t seem to depend on market saturation or mass production. That may not please everyone, but it’s not because they’re too stupid to do simple math about higher volume sales.

[Spartyfan6262]

Originally Posted by bobernet

Unless they try to list at the same prices as the LEs, they will devalue all the LEs their customers have purchased. That would have its own consequences.

It’s funny to me how people seem to always assume businesses are stupid. BP has a strategy that doesn’t seem to depend on market saturation or mass production. That may not please everyone, but it’s not because they’re too stupid to do simple math about higher volume sales.

I agree with you - I think Blancpain know exactly what they're doing, and are executing on a considered strategy.

[sgrossma]

Originally Posted by Rolextellstime

Yeah, I was surprised that they would give you 24 hours to think about it. There are thousands of people who want one, I am sure they just allocated it to the next person who immediately jumped on it.

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Thousands?!

[Rolextellstime]

Originally Posted by sgrossma

Thousands?!

Ok, ok, ok, I spoke conservatively.... Millions actually

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[NardinNut]

Originally Posted by Rolextellstime

Yeah, I was surprised that they would give you 24 hours to think about it. There are thousands of people who want one, I am sure they just allocated it to the next person who immediately jumped on it.

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No. They actually passed it too my SA at the Boutique. He reached out to get payment and finalize but I told him I’d pass and wait for Act II. This release seems to be very unorganized. I will say my SA at BP is great tho.

[Rolextellstime]

Is this the first time for BP to do an online release?
It does seem a bit in disarray

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[GB-man]

Originally Posted by Rolextellstime

Is this the first time for BP to do an online release?
It does seem a bit in disarray

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Aside from hodinkee LEs I believe so. They should have paid hodinkee to make the design decisions here.

[GS719691]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Aside from hodinkee LEs I believe so. They should have paid hodinkee to make the design decisions here.

Maybe we will see a Hodinkee collab this year?

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by GS719691

Maybe we will see a Hodinkee collab this year?

Maybe so who knows. I will say their collab watches are head and shoulders above their journalism lol

[arolexguy]

Originally Posted by Rolextellstime

That would not be nice. Special edition should be special with extra stuff and that's what I would expect, like the 50th anniversary for example.

I just emailed BP and asked explicitly what is included. If it is just the NATO strap I am considering cancelling the order.

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Any follow up? What did they tell you/what did you decide?

[Justindo]

Originally Posted by NardinNut

Nice! What are you using for spring bars? I got the x71 for my Hod MilSpec but BP boutique wanted $136 for the bars and collars. Insane! I bought after market ones but the bracelet has a gap without those collars.

The boutique wanted $132 plus tax in addition to the bracelet at MSRP plus tax. They finally agreed to throw in the bars and collars in for free, which is the least they could do, in my opinion. As frugal as I am, I would not pinch pennies on a $20k watch and go aftermarket, regardless of how overpriced the bars and collars are.

[NardinNut]

I bought the bracelet at discount from a separate BP dealer than the boutique where I purchased the milspec and others. Boutique wouldn’t discount the bracelet even tho I’ve purchased a few pieces from them (typical boutique). Luckily the boutique stepped up and sent me the pin and tubes for free. My SA there is a great guy. The pin and collars fixed my biggest complaint of the bracelet, the gap when using aftermarket spring bars. Still wish it had micro adjustments tho!

I will say, putting the MilSpec back on the bracelet reminds me why I don’t need to new Act I 70th. Lame they made it 21.5mm L2L thus killing the option to add a bracelet. The FF looks killer on the x71.

[arolexguy]

I know they are going to be releasing more strap options for the 21.5 mm lug width, this I confirmed with Blancpain. A bracelet idk…

Leaves me to speculate there will be more releases with this case size, maybe even a production model.

If anything additional will be included with the 70th, I do not know. Can only hope I suppose.

[Batmannr1]

Without a bracelet option I would not buy the new FF. I have the Barakuda on a steel X71 bracelet. No strap or sailcloth can beat that combo. Would be a big miss by BP if they do not make the bracelet available for their new case dimension.

[Rolextellstime]

Originally Posted by arolexguy

Any follow up? What did they tell you/what did you decide?

Yeah, they confirmed NATO only but wouldn't tell what else comes with the package except to say it has a presentation box, whatever that means.

I still kept my order, I think the 42mm case seize and better movement make this one the best LE release so far.

I have asked about a bracelet option and if it is possible to order separately. Will post here what the reply is.

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[Rolextellstime]

Originally Posted by Batmannr1

Without a bracelet option I would not buy the new FF. I have the Barakuda on a steel X71 bracelet. No strap or sailcloth can beat that combo. Would be a big miss by BP if they do not make the bracelet available for their new case dimension.

Would you post some pictures of your barakuda on the bracelet? I have considered the barakuda when I was in the market for a FF LE model but opted for the MilSpec in the end. The barakuda is an amazing timepiece.

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[Batmannr1]

Originally Posted by Rolextellstime

Would you post some pictures of your barakuda on the bracelet? I have considered the barakuda when I was in the market for a FF LE model but opted for the MilSpec in the end. The barakuda is an amazing timepiece.

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Of course, I hope you like these.