Thoughts on Blancpain Fifty Fathoms

[_speedmaster_]

Originally Posted by Alimamy

That makes sense. The coin edge is different on the 'kuda bezel. Did you take any pictures by chance?

[ap1]

Originally Posted by _speedmaster_

Looks great, it’s appears while the milspec Dial has a sunburst element, this one looks matte?


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[_speedmaster_]

Originally Posted by ap1

Looks great, it’s appears while the milspec Dial has a sunburst element, this one looks matte?


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Yes. Matte dial (a shade or two lighter than black).

[ap1]

Originally Posted by _speedmaster_

Yes. Matte dial (a shade or two lighter than black).

I let my milspec go but am excited to add this one

The chrono looks sick too but as your pic, too large for 6.5


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[_speedmaster_]

Originally Posted by ap1

I let my milspec go but am excited to add this one

The chrono looks sick too but as your pic, too large for 6.5


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The air command was definitely a great piece, but a bit too large and thick for my wrists as well unfortunately.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by _speedmaster_

Had a chance to try on the air command and kuda today. I have to say, both fantastic pieces. The bezel knurling and clicky-ness is an improvement over the Milspec. I also found it wore slightly larger than the milspec as well (which is a plus to me). Just wish it was slightly more different than my milspec, but alas. To those that are getting one, you'll love it

Thanks for the feedback. I noticed it appears to be on a standard FF strap and not the one shown at its debut. Any clue why they put it on the OG strap?

[_speedmaster_]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Thanks for the feedback. I noticed it appears to be on a standard FF strap and not the one shown at its debut. Any clue why they put it on the OG strap?

Asked that as well. It's a prototype, so they had the standard sailcloth on it.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by _speedmaster_

Asked that as well. It's a prototype, so they had the standard sailcloth on it.

Got it. Thanks

[Alimamy]

Barakuda for Only Watch 2019. A unique watch with a different color scheme from the LE Barakuda.

[_speedmaster_]

Originally Posted by Alimamy

Barakuda for Only Watch 2019. A unique watch with a different color scheme from the LE Barakuda.

I love this. Still wish the minute indices went around the entire bezel though.

[Marchy]

Now we're talking. This is gorgeous! I wonder how much it will eventually go for in the auction

[Alimamy]

Originally Posted by Marchy

Now we're talking. This is gorgeous! I wonder how much it will eventually go for in the auction

Hopefully it goes for a lot of money to add to their cause. The 2017 Mil-Spec for Only Watch realised a price around $54,000

[vipereaper30]

Originally Posted by Alimamy

Barakuda for Only Watch 2019.

As much as I love the recent Barakuda LE, this is the version they should have released instead. Stunning.

[Alimamy]

Originally Posted by vipereaper30

As much as I love the recent Barakuda LE, this is the version they should have released instead. Stunning.

I tend to agree. I think white lume looks cleaner. The higher contrast is a better design philosophy for a diver and is arguably more in line with the intent of the original. It is a reissue of the *spirit* of the original. I think the unbleached lume is meant to mimic patina, which clashes with the newness of the release.

But that's just my opinion at the moment! We often love watches that others don't, or see things a different way.

[Mach]

Finally had an opportunity to see the 2019 Novelties at the NYC Boutique.

Originally, when I saw the May 17th announcement, I called the boutique to place my name on the list for the Barakuda. But, then I kept seeing all these photos of the Air Command. I started questioning my decision. After an agonizing internal debate, I decided to call the boutique and requested she transfer my deposit to the Air Command.

Once I saw the prototypes in the flesh, I knew I made the right decision. Even when I had the Barakuda on my wrist, it felt like the Air Command had seized control on my eyes. I could not stay focused on the Barakuda. I kept looking at the Air Command.

I simply could not put the Air Command down. This is a phenomenal Tribute to a historic piece.

Don't get me wrong, I still love the Barakuda. This is another great Tribute to a historic piece. But, it did not have the same affect on me. I could not stop looking at the Air Command.

It's never easy making these decisions, especially when all you have to go off are the photos online. Fortunately, the boutique had the prototypes available to help me reaffirm my decision.

Unfortunately, they did not have the Barakuda on the default Tropic strap.

[Swaye]

Thanks for the photos I really hope my deposit scores me the Barakuda from NYC. I am in love with this watch

[Mach]

Originally Posted by Swaye

Thanks for the photos I really hope my deposit scores me the Barakuda from NYC. I am in love with this watch

I can’t see why you won’t get one, especially since they took a deposit from you. The real question is “When?”!

[Swaye]

Originally Posted by Mach

I can’t see why you won’t get one, especially since they took a deposit from you. The real question is “When?”!

I am in a good spot numbers wise on the list. 4th. They "assume" they will get between 8-10, based on how many MIL-SPECS they got, but they had to be clear that if for some reason they were to only get 3, welp, I'm SOL. I think I am in good shape. As you say, my biggest concern is/should be when. They seemed to guesstimate October +/- a month. I just know I am looking forward to it.

[_speedmaster_]

Originally Posted by Swaye

I am in a good spot numbers wise on the list. 4th. They "assume" they will get between 8-10, based on how many MIL-SPECS they got, but they had to be clear that if for some reason they were to only get 3, welp, I'm SOL. I think I am in good shape. As you say, my biggest concern is/should be when. They seemed to guesstimate October +/- a month. I just know I am looking forward to it.

October is a good guess for when they start rolling in, I believe that's when the Milspec strarted to show up. Being 4th on the list, it might trickle into 2020 for you though.

[Batmannr1]

For someone who still is looking for a MIL-SPEC/Milspec. A big AD (Schaap & Citroen) in the Netherlands has the FF with steel bracelet (5008-1130-71S) in stock. It is not for me, I made a deposit and I am waiting on the Barakuda.

[Swaye]

Originally Posted by _speedmaster_

October is a good guess for when they start rolling in, I believe that's when the Milspec strarted to show up. Being 4th on the list, it might trickle into 2020 for you though.

Yeah, 4th may push me a bit. My fingers are crossed. Trying to work a deal with my Rolex AD right now so I have something to look forward to between now and then. Heh. Addiction to collecting is a wonderful thing.

[Alimamy]

I had the pleasure of viewing the Hodinkeescaphe.

[_speedmaster_]

Originally Posted by Swaye

Yeah, 4th may push me a bit. My fingers are crossed. Trying to work a deal with my Rolex AD right now so I have something to look forward to between now and then. Heh. Addiction to collecting is a wonderful thing.

Haha. Any clues on what your potential Rolex incoming might be?

[JR16]

Originally Posted by Alimamy

I had the pleasure of viewing the Hodinkeescaphe.

Thanks for posting - it’s nice but I’m glad I passed. Looks kind of blah for $10k


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[jag32]

Just ordered a FF Bathyscaphe today. Should be here Wednesday next week, I’ll post an incoming thread with pics when it arrives!

43mm version with box and papers from 2018 just one year old in like new condition, picked it up for only $6400!

[Swaye]

Originally Posted by _speedmaster_

Haha. Any clues on what your potential Rolex incoming might be?

Was going to be a blue dial WG Pepsi until that went down in flames. I have a great AD, but their regional guy told them I could have it in 3 months, I put in a full deposit, and then three weeks later the regional guy calls and says all numbers for him have been cut to nil through the end of the year on both the meteorite and blue dial versions. Bleh. So no blue dial Pepsi for me.

The AD, who I have done a good bit of business with is trying to do the right thing by me with some significant discounts on a couple different models of PM Daytonas and DDs I am also interested in. Just seeing if we can make the availability, desire, and price lines all intersect where all parties are happy. I can tell you the 116509 blue dial is singing loudly to me right now.

We shall see how things work out. Might just have to settle for waiting for the Barakuda, but i have been itching to add a PM Rolex for awhile...

[jag32]

Can’t wait for my FF to come.

[_speedmaster_]

Originally Posted by Swaye

Was going to be a blue dial WG Pepsi until that went down in flames. I have a great AD, but their regional guy told them I could have it in 3 months, I put in a full deposit, and then three weeks later the regional guy calls and says all numbers for him have been cut to nil through the end of the year on both the meteorite and blue dial versions. Bleh. So no blue dial Pepsi for me.

The AD, who I have done a good bit of business with is trying to do the right thing by me with some significant discounts on a couple different models of PM Daytonas and DDs I am also interested in. Just seeing if we can make the availability, desire, and price lines all intersect where all parties are happy. I can tell you the 116509 blue dial is singing loudly to me right now.

We shall see how things work out. Might just have to settle for waiting for the Barakuda, but i have been itching to add a PM Rolex for awhile...

Interesting they cut regional distribution for the WG Pepsi. Could they still deliver it next year? Either way, the 116509 dial is killer and I’d imagine be more than sufficient as a distraction until the Kuda.

[_speedmaster_]

Originally Posted by jag32

Just ordered a FF Bathyscaphe today. Should be here Wednesday next week, I’ll post an incoming thread with pics when it arrives!

43mm version with box and papers from 2018 just one year old in like new condition, picked it up for only $6400!

Congrats on a killer watch and a great price.

[Swaye]

Originally Posted by _speedmaster_

Interesting they cut regional distribution for the WG Pepsi. Could they still deliver it next year? Either way, the 116509 dial is killer and I’d imagine be more than sufficient as a distraction until the Kuda.

Yeah, I have zero knowledge of the inner working of Rolex distribution. That said, the AD was very forthcoming with details on this particular deal. It is quite clear that for this watch, which is a "special order" type situation for them (small AD would never be allocated one without specifically requesting it), they go through a regional rep that it sounds like is NYC based out of RUSA. The regional guy/gal gets "allocations" for his/her region, and then he parses them out to his "ADs" within that footprint. He thought he had a few blue/meteorite allocations this year, and so I was the first request for the blue dial, ergo, I would get the first one. Well, he says his allocation went from few to nil. So no blue dial.

The AD was brutally honest though, and said "Of course perhaps he is still getting allocated some of these but just decided to send them elsewhere." Direct quote. I found that to be interesting. I would assume this means small town low volume ADs get "run over" by larger market ADs in the allocations game at times, which makes sense I suppose.

At any rate kind of a cruddy deal, but it looks like it will result in me getting a quite nice discount on another PM piece (the blue dial was no discount don't bother asking type of deal) that I really like, so all's well that ends well I suppose. And I got more info on the "inner workings" of Rolex. I should also say this one data point may not be accurate at all for how SS watches, or non hot models or whatever are distributed.

And yes, I know not everyone fell in love with the 509 after John Mayer lavished praise on it, but I love it.

Side note but related to above: I always thought it was weird how John Mayer says the YG Green dial and the WG Blue dial are likely future collectibles, and the Green dial absolutely takes off, while the Blue dial just kind of keeps moving along doing nothing. Granted, the green dial was more popular before the interview, but nothing like after the interview - it went FOMO moon shot. The blue dial has stayed relatively easy to get and trades a little below MSRP on the secondary market. Meanwhile you can't sell a kid to get a green dial. Odd. Lucky for me though. If they both got hot I wouldn't be possibly getting a blue dial.