Blancpain FF 70th anniversary - Act 3

[sinkholeninja]

September 23rd:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CxdYa...RlODBiNWFlZA==

[Ichiran]

Thanks for creating this thread. This is a big one and deserves a dedicated discussion space.

[sinkholeninja]

Originally Posted by Ichiran

Thanks for creating this thread. This is a big one and deserves a dedicated discussion space.

I hope for a no-date reference.

[WatchTimes]

40 mm No Date please!

[Easy E]

Nice, I hope its more than 200 units.

[Uppersouth]

I will offer my hopeful prediction. On Saturday Blancpain will release a vintage inspired Act 3 in a limited edition. In addition, they will announce the 42.3mm case in regular production.

I have no basis for this except the swatch collaboration piece was in the 42.3mm size. Why have a collab piece if there is no “real watch” equivalent? (Barring Act 1, 211 pieces)

Yes, I’m grasping at straws but who knows….

[Batmannr1]

Took some screenshots of WatchUSeek.
Looks like Act 3 will be a remake of the OG.






Credits Moonshine Runner

[sinkholeninja]

Originally Posted by Batmannr1

Took some screenshots of WatchUSeek.
Looks like Act 3 will be a remake of the OG.






Credits Moonshine Runner

Wow, looking forward to it if that’s indeed the case!

[Notimetodie]

Very excited to see this. My guess is 42mm…. In line with the OG AND fits 1315 calibre. 40mm would have to use something else (1151??) which is too delicate.

[Wahlberg]

Finally?

The sad thing is if there is ever an almost exact remake of the original one (or like this third act) they will ask 15-20k euro for it. What's the point? It's a diver, go back to your roots and not your current 'asking'.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Batmannr1

Took some screenshots of WatchUSeek.
Looks like Act 3 will be a remake of the OG…

My oh my Martijn

[1William]

Should be interesting.

[Notimetodie]

Originally Posted by Wahlberg

Finally?

The sad thing is if there is ever an almost exact remake of the original one (or like this third act) they will ask 15-20k euro for it. What's the point? It's a diver, go back to your roots and not your current 'asking'.

So what do you sugges? They ramp up production to 100k per year and charge pedestrian submariner prices? Or compete with Tudor?

[Chopper87]

Originally Posted by Notimetodie

So what do you sugges? They ramp up production to 100k per year and charge pedestrian submariner prices? Or compete with Tudor?

I do think he has a point though, they know there is plenty demand for smaller FF models yet they keep on releasing them in limited editions far above their 'normal' price point. They know the demand of these LEs will drop once they release a 40mm in their standard offerings.

If they would offer one which is steadily available for the same price as the 45mm FF, they would sell like hotcakes.

[AAVDB]

I want to like it, but since Perezcope I've lost my lust for a Blancpain. Also the SWATCH collab doesnt help.

[vipereaper30]

Yeak kinda weird they would roll out that Swatch version prior to this. But the rest of their strategy has been a complete mystery to me as well.

[Notimetodie]

Originally Posted by Chopper87

I do think he has a point though, they know there is plenty demand for smaller FF models yet they keep on releasing them in limited editions far above their 'normal' price point. They know the demand of these LEs will drop once they release a 40mm in their standard offerings.

If they would offer one which is steadily available for the same price as the 45mm FF, they would sell like hotcakes.

He does have a point, if we assume in isolation that Blancpains sole objective is to make as much fast profit as possible. They are fully aware that 42mm with 1315 (with or without date) will sell like hotcakes. That’s not something they have been after clearly thus far. Increasing production and dropping prices is also a very shortsighted strategy. I personally find it refreshing considering the $$$ grab that watchmaking has been the last 5 years.

[Wahlberg]

Originally Posted by Notimetodie

So what do you sugges? They ramp up production to 100k per year and charge pedestrian submariner prices? Or compete with Tudor?

The original fifty fathoms is one of the most beautiful and best looking divers ever made in my opinion. So simple yet so perfect.

I find it a missed opportunity how they have treated the current FF iteration. Too big, bulky and expensive. How hard could it have been to make something similar in all these years?

Blancpain is truly a luxury brand, you need money and are able to lose money on watches like this. That's completely different than buying a Rolex which is more a safe option. There are far from the brand they were back in the 50s/60s. I realize this but that doesn't mean everything they make needs to have a starting price of +10.000 usd/euro.

They did get it right (kinda) in the past few years with two? limited editions with Hodinkee and own of their own (the Barakuda and the tribute to the MIL spec) but those were also very limited and expensive. What else did we expect?

15-18k usd/euro is too rich for my blood for a skindiver. That's why a Glashutte SeaQ at 8-10k is a hard pass as well when the exact same design was used back in the day by brands that no longer exist.


This is from wikipedia. They did produce more. But like I said, that's not the current version of Blancpain.

At the end of the 1950s, Rayville-Blancpain was producing more than 100,000 watches per year.[2] To make it possible to meet the continually growing demand, the firm became part of the SSIH, joining such brands as Omega SA, Tissot and Lemania. In 1971, the company's annual production reached the historical peak of 220,000 watches.

[Easy E]

My AD said……
42mm, Standard Production
FWTIW

[vipereaper30]

Let's hope that AD is in the know, ftw!

[Chopper87]

Originally Posted by Notimetodie

So what do you sugges? They ramp up production to 100k per year and charge pedestrian submariner prices? Or compete with Tudor?

Originally Posted by Notimetodie

He does have a point, if we assume in isolation that Blancpains sole objective is to make as much fast profit as possible. They are fully aware that 42mm with 1315 (with or without date) will sell like hotcakes. That’s not something they have been after clearly thus far. Increasing production and dropping prices is also a very shortsighted strategy. I personally find it refreshing considering the $$$ grab that watchmaking has been the last 5 years.

Who says they need to increase production and drop prices?
They already have too many easily available, otherwise you wouldn't see so much stock at deep discounts gray.
I'm talking about them plainly refusing to give customers what they want. I don't find anything refreshing about the fact that I have to pay 1.5 times the amount I need to pay for a FF, just to get the exact same thing in a smaller size. The value of these LEs isn't there in my opinion.

This comes from a guy typing this with a Bathyscaphe 43 around his wrist, as he doesn't want a 45 nor a 38mm watch...

[Notimetodie]

Originally Posted by Chopper87

Who says they need to increase production and drop prices?
They already have too many easily available, otherwise you wouldn't see so much stock at deep discounts gray.
I'm talking about them plainly refusing to give customers what they want. I don't find anything refreshing about the fact that I have to pay 1.5 times the amount I need to pay for a FF, just to get the exact same thing in a smaller size. The value of these LEs isn't there in my opinion.

This comes from a guy typing this with a Bathyscaphe 43 around his wrist, as he doesn't want a 45 nor a 38mm watch...

I understand where you are coming from and don’t disagree the sizing isn’t ideal. 42mm instead of 45mm while maintaining current quality and production would be very nice (very hard to get imo, so still leaving hundreds of very frustrated forum folks ;)) I was responding to someone else who insinuated and then confirmed they would prefer BP to provide a mass produced tool diving watch. That ship has sailed.

[Notimetodie]

And that’s a great looking bathy ��

[Cayenne06]

Originally Posted by Easy E

My AD said……
42mm, Standard Production
FWTIW

Mine said the same. Date, no date, big date all coming. I was told this prior to the Act 1 release.

[Chopper87]

Originally Posted by Notimetodie

I understand where you are coming from and don’t disagree the sizing isn’t ideal. 42mm instead of 45mm while maintaining current quality and production would be very nice (very hard to get imo, so still leaving hundreds of very frustrated forum folks ;)) I was responding to someone else who insinuated and then confirmed they would prefer BP to provide a mass produced tool diving watch. That ship has sailed.

Originally Posted by Notimetodie

And that’s a great looking bathy ��

and thanks!

I do enjoy it, am not sure I would've bought it would a 40<>42 FF be available, but it's still a great watch with amazing value, the 1315 is a joy to look at.

[vipereaper30]

Any idea on release time?

[Batmannr1]

Originally Posted by vipereaper30

Any idea on release time?

9 pm CEST

[sinkholeninja]

First picture before the official announcement:

[Easy E]

Gold, on NATO. Uh…..didn’t see that coming.

[mav3rick]

30k chf. . . . .