Blancpain FF

[Rodrigo082]

Hi All,

As you might know, I have been a Rolex guy for many years and have collected the Submariner (LV and LN), the D-Blue, SD43 the BLNR and the DaytonaC500.

This weekend I have the opportunity to see in metal the Blancpain FF and it really took my breath away.

What a beautiful, gorgeous, sexy time piece.
Even if it’s 45mm, wears even smaller and lighter then the D-Blue and SD43.

I was so impress that actually want to have in my collection and I don’t really care if I have to let go any of my current watches.

Does anyone have the experience of owing the Blancpain FF (45mm) ??

Thank you all and looking forward for your advise,

Rodrigo

[Bt122]

I had looked at the watch a bit ago. First thing that comes to mine is that It definitely is a big watch. I am a big fan of divers in general but have preffered 40mm +/-... 2 of my favorite ones are seiko sla17 and oris 65 40mm. The blancpan FF did come to the top of the list in terms of my interest but, a few things that bothered me was how far the crown stuck out and the size of the bracelet. But it’s fitting for the size of the watch. After all it is a FF.


Still an amazing watch

[Rodrigo082]

Originally Posted by Bt122

I had looked at the watch a bit ago. First thing that comes to mine is that It definitely is a big watch. I am a big fan of divers in general but have preffered 40mm +/-... 2 of my favorite ones are seiko sla17 and oris 65 40mm. The blancpan FF did come to the top of the list in terms of my interest but, a few things that bothered me was how far the crown stuck out and the size of the bracelet. But it’s fitting for the size of the watch. After all it is a FF.


Still an amazing watch

Thank you for your feedback.
Definitely it’s a big watch - I mean, I have the D-Blue and it’s heavier and wear higher in the wrist compare with the FF.

How you mean “how far the crown stuck out?

[Bt122]

Originally Posted by Rodrigo082

Thank you for your feedback.
Definitely it’s a big watch - I mean, I have the D-Blue and it’s heavier and wear higher in the wrist compare with the FF.

How you mean “how far the crown stuck out?

You see the crown... it sticks all the way out. It would be in my way most of the day if my wrist was bent... say if I was typing or driving .








If the crown was at 4pm like the seiko, probably I would like it more... excuse my daughters pic but trying to point out the 4pm crown

[Rodrigo082]

Originally Posted by Bt122

You see the crown... it sticks all the way out. It would be in my way most of the day if my wrist was bent... say if I was typing or driving .








If the crown was at 4pm like the seiko, probably I would like it more... excuse my daughters pic but trying to point out the 4pm crown

Sorry but the crown seems to still be opened. You need to screw it in.

[Bt122]

Originally Posted by Rodrigo082

Sorry but the crown seems to still be opened. You need to screw it in.

Lol didn’t realize this, was trying this on at the AD. Well then doesn’t bother me then. Weird they let me try i it on unscrewed

Lol

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by Bt122

You see the crown... it sticks all the way out. It would be in my way most of the day if my wrist was bent... say if I was typing or driving.

As Rodrigo pointed out, it's a screw-down crown. It looks unscrewed in your pic. Here's a pic (not mine) of it screwed down.

[Rodrigo082]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

As Rodrigo pointed out, it's a screw-down crown. It looks unscrewed in your pic. Here's a pic (not mine) of it screwed down.

The lume is amazing - incomparable

[Rashid.bk]

I need pictures, otherwise any of those other Rolex words look better than the word Blancpain FF.
I tried one on a while back....loved it, gorgeous watch. Just couldn't commit.
If you could swing it and get a good price, go for it. Nice change of pace.

[DaveLemi]

I, like you, felt the FF was an absolute stunner the first time I saw one in the flesh. My wrist is just a bit under 7 inches and I was surprised at how well this 45mm watch fit (small lugs!). After leaving the watch store I got in the car looked at my wrist which was wearing my 114060- it looked plain, boring and pedestrian compared to the FF. As soon as I got home I started to look for possible trades and 4 days later the FF arrived. I love it!

[Rodrigo082]

Originally Posted by DaveLemi

I, like you, felt the FF was an absolute stunner the first time I saw one in the flesh. My wrist is just a bit under 7 inches and I was surprised at how well this 45mm watch fit (small lugs!). After leaving the watch store I got in the car looked at my wrist which was wearing my 114060- it looked plain, boring and pedestrian compared to the FF. As soon as I got home I started to look for possible trades and 4 days later the FF arrived. I love it!

Amazing picture...
Thanks for sharing

[Rodrigo082]

Originally Posted by DaveLemi

I, like you, felt the FF was an absolute stunner the first time I saw one in the flesh. My wrist is just a bit under 7 inches and I was surprised at how well this 45mm watch fit (small lugs!). After leaving the watch store I got in the car looked at my wrist which was wearing my 114060- it looked plain, boring and pedestrian compared to the FF. As soon as I got home I started to look for possible trades and 4 days later the FF arrived. I love it!

And congratulations btw - like I said, I have been a Rolex guy and have the most “demand models” even if I compare the D-Blue or SD43, the FF looks just in another league.

[2Redbulls]

The Fifty Fathoms is one of my favorite watches. Owned one several years ago and sold it. It was one of the few watches I regretted selling. I picked up another one about 1.5 years ago and sent it in for routine service. Now that's it's back, it's been on my wrist the entire time. I purchased a Fifty Fathoms Mil Spec in 40mm and while it's a really nice watch (I posted a thread on this) I ultimately realized that the original in 45mm is the one I like most.

A lot of times, certain watches look better in pictures then they do in person (some of you know what I mean). The Fifty Fathoms 5015 is the exact opposite. It's better in person and pics don't do it justice.

[Rodrigo082]

Originally Posted by 2Redbulls

The Fifty Fathoms is one of my favorite watches. Owned one several years ago and sold it. It was one of the few watches I regretted selling. I picked up another one about 1.5 years ago and sent it in for routine service. Now that's it's back, it's been on my wrist the entire time. I purchased a Fifty Fathoms Mil Spec in 40mm and while it's a really nice watch (I posted a thread on this) I ultimately realized that the original in 45mm is the one I like most.

A lot of times, certain watches look better in pictures then they do in person (some of you know what I mean). The Fifty Fathoms 5015 is the exact opposite. It's better in person and pics don't do it justice.

So, in the same case, you will take a Blancpain FF (45mm) over SD43 or D- Blue? I totally do

[asiparks]

Originally Posted by Rodrigo082

So, in the same case, you will take a Blancpain FF (45mm) over SD43 or D- Blue? I totally do

I took it over the DSSD and Deep Blue, and Sub and SD4000. Being a variation on the theme, I'd likely take it over the SD43.
If I was to do it again though, I'd really like to have had the chance to try it on next to the brushed case, blue flinque dialled version and the matte titanium and new Grande Date versions. I'd plikely still have gone with the black dial, but it would have been good to compare.

[Rodrigo082]

Originally Posted by asiparks

I took it over the DSSD and Deep Blue, and Sub and SD4000. Being a variation on the theme, I'd likely take it over the SD43.
If I was to do it again though, I'd really like to have had the chance to try it on next to the brushed case, blue flinque dialled version and the matte titanium and new Grande Date versions. I'd plikely still have gone with the black dial, but it would have been good to compare.

Thank you for posting - I had read few reviews and it looks like the quality has been never a issue with this watch

[flumazenil]

Originally Posted by 2Redbulls

The Fifty Fathoms is one of my favorite watches. Owned one several years ago and sold it. It was one of the few watches I regretted selling. I picked up another one about 1.5 years ago and sent it in for routine service. Now that's it's back, it's been on my wrist the entire time. I purchased a Fifty Fathoms Mil Spec in 40mm and while it's a really nice watch (I posted a thread on this) I ultimately realized that the original in 45mm is the one I like most.

A lot of times, certain watches look better in pictures then they do in person (some of you know what I mean). The Fifty Fathoms 5015 is the exact opposite. It's better in person and pics don't do it justice.

Beautiful watch, great pics!

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by 2Redbulls

The Fifty Fathoms is one of my favorite watches. Owned one several years ago and sold it. It was one of the few watches I regretted selling. I picked up another one about 1.5 years ago and sent it in for routine service. Now that's it's back, it's been on my wrist the entire time. I purchased a Fifty Fathoms Mil Spec in 40mm and while it's a really nice watch (I posted a thread on this) I ultimately realized that the original in 45mm is the one I like most.

A lot of times, certain watches look better in pictures then they do in person (some of you know what I mean). The Fifty Fathoms 5015 is the exact opposite. It's better in person and pics don't do it justice.

How do you find it for accuracy?

[sherrill]

Originally Posted by 2Redbulls

The Fifty Fathoms is one of my favorite watches. Owned one several years ago and sold it. It was one of the few watches I regretted selling. I picked up another one about 1.5 years ago and sent it in for routine service. Now that's it's back, it's been on my wrist the entire time. I purchased a Fifty Fathoms Mil Spec in 40mm and while it's a really nice watch (I posted a thread on this) I ultimately realized that the original in 45mm is the one I like most.

A lot of times, certain watches look better in pictures then they do in person (some of you know what I mean). The Fifty Fathoms 5015 is the exact opposite. It's better in person and pics don't do it justice.

Do you prefer the 5015 on the strap or bracelet? Thanks

[vipereaper30]

Do it! The Fifty Fathoms is great and wears smaller than its 45mm would otherwise seem. And I've yet to see another FF in the wild.

[asiparks]

....can't tell if serious.....




it is large, but wears very comfortably. It feels/ wears about the same as the 42mm AP ROO Diver

I love mine, buy used though....





my wrist is around 7 1/4"

[andrey_]

As already been said, it is so well designed, that looks smaller and fits even small wrists.
The bezel is stunning, the dial very beautiful and the quality easy to feel (case-bezel-crown-dial).
The calibre is very sophisticated and hand worked, although difficult to achieve great accuracy, at least to my FF.
Only drawback the poor quality - compare to the watch - but otherwise nice strap, but nothing to worry about.





Recently tried a mil spec on my 17 cm wrist and felt way too small.

[flumazenil]

Even though it's 45mm it wears smaller and the balance is just right. Even for the small wrist, it's not too big.

[flumazenil]

The bezel is so unique, never seen anything else like it. It's nice that the watch is uncommon. I have never seen anyone else with one on.

[flumazenil]

Comparison with the SD4K

[improviz]

Here's mine on a Hirsch Tiger; I love the OEM sailcloth but felt the watch would look better with heavier padding on the strap, and dug the white stitching and holes in strap:

[AK797]

Originally Posted by improviz

Here's mine on a Hirsch Tiger; I love the OEM sailcloth but felt the watch would look better with heavier padding on the strap, and dug the white stitching and holes in strap:

Did that non OEM fit alright? I believe the screws/spring bars are not conventional?

[improviz]

Originally Posted by AK797

Did that non OEM fit alright? I believe the screws/spring bars are not conventional?

The OEM strap is a 23mm which is difficult to find aftermarket, but I had read on one of the forms that some folks had used 24 mm straps successfully and so gave it a shot.

Fitment was no problem. I had to wedge it in there a bit, but it was not forcing type of deal; in fact it it went in very easily. I think it is helped by the fact that this particular strap has a rubber bottom, and so is somewhat flexible.

The spring bars are mini-hex which can be easily stripped, so you have to be careful with them. I actually bought a strap changing toolkit from Blancpain USA directly (the one without the dive strap), which works very well.

[meganfox17]

Originally Posted by improviz

The OEM strap is a 23mm which is difficult to find aftermarket.The spring bars are mini-hex which can be easily stripped, so you have to be careful with them. I actually bought a strap changing toolkit from Blancpain USA directly

I won't have the courage to interchange between the bracelet and strap because I was told it's really difficult for an inexperience person like myself. I'll let the AD folks do all the work for me. The mini screws are easily damaged if one is not careful even when using the correct mini-hex keys 0.9 mm isn't that so ? Those 4 screws and 2 spring bars are only available at the boutique and they aren't exactly " It only costs peanuts ", something like 200 bucks right ?

[AK797]

Originally Posted by meganfox17

I won't have the courage to interchange between the bracelet and strap because I was told it's really difficult for an inexperience person like myself. I'll let the AD folks do all the work for me. The mini screws are easily damaged if one is not careful even when using the correct mini-hex keys 0.9 mm isn't that so ? Those 4 screws and 2 spring bars are only available at the boutique and they aren't exactly " It only costs peanuts ", something like 200 bucks right ?

Yes, I believe it is a bit tricky with the Hex screws as has been elaborated, and I'd def do that swap at an ADs just as I do at AP SC for my strap changes as that too is fiddly with two screwdrivers at once. However the strap I want is thicker and so would be non OEM which I don't think BP would do, just as AP won't.

Brian, as you have sold your DB I think this should be top contender to replace it, and the bracelet is very smooth and comfy and looks great.