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Old 23 May 2023, 06:37 PM   #1
londonpilgrim
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Blancpain Fifty Fathoms - references and recommendations

Thinking about a Blancpain as my next watch - any particular recommendations, tips, references to look out for, wrist shots, would be appreciated...
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Old 23 May 2023, 10:06 PM   #2
stevedssd
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As you live in London, I'd highly recommend a visit to the Boutique in Bond Street. They are really friendly and will take the time to go through the various models and let you try them all on. The female manager was wearing a steel 45mm Fifty Fathoms when I visited and it looked incredible on her. It is worth spending time comparing all the options together so you can compare and contrast. You don't need an appointment but it may be worth it if you want to make sure they have all the models you are interested in Blancpain.BondSt@uk.swatchgroup.com
For me I was torn between the steel and titanium 45mm FF and there was no pressure to buy, so I went away to think it over. In the end the exhibition caseback of the titanium model as well as the blue dial and bezel insert won it for me.
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Old 23 May 2023, 10:35 PM   #3
londonpilgrim
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Thanks Steve, looks amazing. Yes, was in the Bond street store on Saturday - great service. That 45mm looks a fantastic choice.
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Old 24 May 2023, 12:50 AM   #4
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I visited last week the Geneva Blancpain Boutique. I got in a nice conversation with the SA and talked about the 42 mm Fifty Fathoms, which has been released as a limited edition at the beginning of this year (all are already allocated). I asked if there would be a chance if a standard 42 mm edition will be released in the near future. He did feed the rumor that BP might possible drop a non-limited 42 before the end of the year. I am not convinced that it will happen, but hope makes us dream.
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Old 24 May 2023, 01:40 AM   #5
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If I was buying a BP FF again Id be buying the Hodinkee LE
It's 40 mm and has no date but they are about 20K
I had a standard FF and while I wear a PAM243 with no issues the BP felt like I had a pie plate on my wrist.
If you are considering the standard edition make sure to try it on first.
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Old 24 May 2023, 03:47 AM   #6
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I recently picked up this Milspec and it hasn’t left my wrist since. It’s a beautiful timepiece.

Even if not this particular reference I highly recommend the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms





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Old 24 May 2023, 03:48 AM   #7
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Also, I did hear from my AD that there is big news coming from Blancpain and he was required to sign a non disclosure and couldn’t provide any more details.

May be worth waiting to see what’s in store


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Old 24 May 2023, 04:03 AM   #8
londonpilgrim
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Originally Posted by Aferrariguy View Post
Also, I did hear from my AD that there is big news coming from Blancpain and he was required to sign a non disclosure and couldn’t provide any more details.

May be worth waiting to see what’s in store


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yes, not a bad call!
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Old 24 May 2023, 04:04 AM   #9
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I am looking to acquire as well, this is a great resource: https://blancpainblog.com/


Really like this one!
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Old 24 May 2023, 04:21 AM   #10
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Sorry if off topic but also- The value proposition that Blancpain’s complicated pieces offer on the secondary market is also extraordinary


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Old 24 May 2023, 04:24 AM   #11
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My favorite diver, which I did not expect would happen when I bought it.




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Old 24 May 2023, 01:39 PM   #12
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Blancpain Fifty Fathoms - references and recommendations

More pics for inspiration.
My recommendated 40 mm Fifty Fathoms Barrakuda
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Old 24 May 2023, 07:04 PM   #13
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My favorite diver, which I did not expect would happen when I bought it.




Man, that watch is sexy!
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Old 2 June 2023, 03:57 AM   #14
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Are all the variants of the Bathyscape interchangeable regarding the bracelet and strap or do you have to buy the bracelet models?
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Old 2 June 2023, 10:24 AM   #15
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More pics for inspiration.
My recommendated 40 mm Fifty Fathoms Barrakuda

I have a small wrist. I was lucky to acquire a 40mm Fifty Fathoms No Rad.




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Old 3 June 2023, 04:30 PM   #16
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Maybe hard to find and 45mm, but this engraving…
https://blancpainblog.com/timepieces...urs-de-combat/
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Old 31 January 2024, 01:03 AM   #17
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Any recommendations for replacing the sail strap?
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Old 31 January 2024, 01:57 AM   #18
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Another for the Bond St boutique.
Bought my 50 there last year and they were great. Tried various options and came out a very happy customer.
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Old 31 January 2024, 01:59 AM   #19
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Any recommendations for replacing the sail strap?
For starters you will need 0.9mm hex keys x2.
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Old 31 January 2024, 09:33 AM   #20
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If your wrist can handle 45mm there are amazing options. I’m a sucker for grand date, but the blue on top here in the thread is incredible too. Can’t go wrong really. Short lug to lug, absolute classic. Many people hate on the engraving on the side… you can’t see it on the wrist and I actually like it a lot. Blancpain being unapologetic blancpain.
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Old 31 January 2024, 10:26 AM   #21
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More pics for inspiration.
My recommendated 40 mm Fifty Fathoms Barrakuda

How do you like the bracelet? How is it compare to, say, Rolex? Thinking about getting it for my Barakuda.


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Old 31 January 2024, 10:28 AM   #22
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Leaving this fish here.





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Old 31 January 2024, 10:44 AM   #23
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I tried on the Fifty Fathons and Bathyscape models last weekend and liked them both.

Was surprised how wearable/reasonable the Fifty Fathoms looks given it's 45mm.

Both were finished better than I expected, especially for what they go for 2nd hand.
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Old 31 January 2024, 12:48 PM   #24
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I tried on the Fifty Fathons and Bathyscape models last weekend and liked them both.

Was surprised how wearable/reasonable the Fifty Fathoms looks given it's 45mm.

Both were finished better than I expected, especially for what they go for 2nd hand.
I picked up a pre-owned titanium Bathyscaphe on bracelet about a month ago, I love it. I was considering a new one for about a year, kept on looking for used since I know they are better bargains, but rarely saw one on bracelet. Then a used one on bracelet popped up on a AD's website around New Years, and so a used one (a little over a year old) became a new one to me. Sorry for not posting a picture but every time I try on this site it seems overly complicated/difficult.
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Old 31 January 2024, 01:23 PM   #25
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I love Blancpains. Very under appreciated brand. The first two pics are my current ones. Bottom two are ones I’ve passed on to new owners but loved while I had them.



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Old 4 February 2024, 01:39 PM   #26
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Anyone had the bezel delamination issue?
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Old 5 February 2024, 09:34 AM   #27
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Anyone had the bezel delamination issue?

The bezel itself is ceramic.

Additionally, the bezel is covered by a sapphire crystal therefore it is impossible for any such thing to happen.

If the crystal is broken then moister may be getting in and causing damage...is the crystal damaged???

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Old 6 February 2024, 12:21 AM   #28
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The bezel itself is ceramic.

Additionally, the bezel is covered by a sapphire crystal therefore it is impossible for any such thing to happen.

If the crystal is broken then moister may be getting in and causing damage...is the crystal damaged???

Enezdez
You can literally google this and find many, many threads on various forums about this issue. I know the problem exists, just was curious if anyone here had experienced.
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Old 6 February 2024, 12:07 PM   #29
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I have the SS 45 FF in black. Fantastic watch. May be the best diver out there. The bezel is a work of art. It is consistent at +1 sec per day. I wear mine every day and haven't grown tired of it which is a rarity for me.

Only negatives ... the strap width is 23mm making straps hard to find. They're out there, but you have to do your homework. And strap changing is a pain in the arse. I even invested in an OEM strap changing bracket. The very small pins feed into one another but it is like threading a needle in the dark. It's a very secure way to go about it but not user friendly. When I bought a leather strap from their store in NYC, their resident "strap expert" mounted it. In doing so, he scratched the hell out of all four lugs. True story.

Anyone out there have a work-around for the pin/screws mounting nightmare?
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Old 6 February 2024, 03:19 PM   #30
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You can literally google this and find many, many threads on various forums about this issue. I know the problem exists, just was curious if anyone here had experienced.
Think they fixed this at some point. Did have the issue after banging my 500 Fathoms into a steel beam. Oops. Not a scratch on the sapphire but the bezel insert underneath seemed to come away from it at one edge. No issue with my 45mm FF which has a subtely newer/different bezel insert but I also haven't slammed it into a wall...
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