Blancpain Fifty Fathoms - the Best Luxury Dive Watch?
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- Опубликовано: 14 окт 2024
- Blancpain Fifty Fathoms - the Best Luxury Dive Watch? on the JustBlueFish RUclips channel, home of high quality wristwatch and horology related reviews and videos.
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The Blancpain may be the undisputed heavyweight champion of luxury dive watches. It is certainly one of the most expensive options on the market, and has the history and heritage to make it the king of the hill. But, is it the best? Let me know what you think in the comments.
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Thanks for watching!
The Fifty Fathoms is my all time Grail diver/ sports watch period. I love this piece, especially on this X-71 bracelet which is on another level in quality and construction.
Pro tip : you can watch movies on KaldroStream. Me and my gf have been using it for watching loads of movies these days.
@Esteban Archie Yup, I've been using KaldroStream for since december myself :D
The Blancpain FF is juts in another level - it’s a high end diver/ the quality is top notch... the Rolex Submariner is just a mass produced watch with lack of innovation and uninspired movement... the only diver which maybe is even better than the Blancpain FF is the Glashütte SeaQ Panorama Datum...
Glashütte is great but it's not as good as blancpain the movement of the BP is simply god tier
@@antonhallergren588 absolutely
We can all agree that Rolex's 910,000 annual production. Approximately 100X BP or GO. Very little hand labor is put into a Submariner, which should be a $5,000 watch.
Great review! I enjoyed watching, and I think your comments and overall feelings/argument about the watch are very fair and respectful of these 2 beautiful pieces, and I share your views. Funny enough, I happened to have the FF you reviewed, and I also happened to have had the same bezel problem which was fixed during the last service couple of months ago, so this must be a weakness on the FF. I also agree that both Blancpain and Rolex were probably working on similar concept in the 50's, and that is why they came up with similar products at such short interval, and this version is shared by a large audience. I have large wrists and also own the new SD43, and I really love both watches, with a preference for Rolex, which I actually wear daily and on my dives. Frankly I dont dare diving with my FF and never did, even though mine came on the bracelet. I have since bought the original sail strap as I also feel that aesthetically the FF looks better on the black sail strap and since I dont dive with it, it's just fine. Overall 2 legends, gorgeous looking watches, and if one likes "dive watch" these are just 2 hugely iconic and desirable watch with great history and timeless look, hard not to want them both. Again, very nice review, I enjoyed it.
Thanks for watching and for sharing your experience as an informed and knowledgeable owner of both watches. Interesting to hear yours also has the same bezel issues. I’d have a problem with the size of thismwatch if it were a part of my collection, but I do appreciate it for what it is. As you said, a legend and an icon.
Thank you for putting them next to each other - it’s easy to see how the quality of Blancpain FF is way way above the Rolex sub ... I would say the price is justified if you put it next to a uninspired Rolex Sub ..
I like the BP FF more because I find it more legible (less text on the dial, larger hand set). I really like the bracelet on the FF too.
The Blancpain is easily worth twice the Sub. Makes the Sub look factory produced. True quality. (The broken bezel is troubling though)
Spot on … the hand-crafted Blancpain is just in another level …
This is a Diver Legend and for good reason! This watch has REAL "Soul" and is loaded with personality. It is Ferrari over Mercedez. I've had the Sea Dweller and the Fifty Fathoms. I sold off the boring utilitarian form of the Sea Dweller and kept the Fifty Fathoms as the only Haute Horology Diver in my collection and never thought twice about it. The Sea Dweller went towards an H Moser, so this was a major upgrade in the collection. Overall, you will rarely ever find anyone else with a Blancpain on the wrist compared to every Tom, Dick, and Harry who wears a sub. Follow your heart, follow the beauty, heck - even follow the science. This haute horology piece beat the Rolex Sub Mariner to market in 1953; this is the true first modern day dive watch ever built. Commissioned by the French Military, Cousteau wore this watch with great pride It was years before Blancpain's patent expired on the Unidirectional bezel and Rolex copied that onto their sub-mariner. You too can own a piece of history. Thank me later...
@2Crassus Crassus Blancpain is the oldest and one of the most venerated watch company's that has ever existed. The fact that you label someone who wears one as a "Party Animal" shows Ineffable ignorance!
A man who knows what he's talking about. "Respect!" (I too fell for the Rolex propaganda)
Jacques Cousteau worn many watches, including Omega, Rolex, Seiko and was instrumental in the development of the Doxa Sub, which he went on to sell through his company U S Divers. His oldest son wears a very well used Doxa Sub to this day.
It’s definitely the most luxurious diver in the market
I really appreciate these reviews for the vicarious experience they offer of sharing in these incredible time pieces. Thanks for another great review and thanks Exquisite Timepieces. May your business prosper.
Thanks Allan, glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the mentioning Exquisite. They have been awesome with letting me borrow these watches.
YW. Oh and speaking of "vicarious," concerning the earlier discussion about wrist shots. I now realize why I like wrist shots so much, and it's not just for getting a visual sense of proportion. It's like the old joke "How many Southern Californians does it takes to put in a light bulb?. . . Nine. One to put in the bulb. Eight to share in the experience."
That’s the most compelling argument I’ve heard for the wrist shots discussion I’ve heard. I can respect that.
I wear mine all day no problem
It's SS on sail cloth
For more background on the development of the FF (and whether Rolex might or might not copy the idea from Blancpain), I recommend Jeffrey Kingston’s excellent presentation for the NY Horological Society on the Blancpain FF. It was very informative.
Thanks for the review! I'm sure you've come across by now that the Fifty was around a year before the Submariner. I quick check of the original designs of each would show where Rolex took influences.
With the prices of Submariners creeping up into this air, it would be irresponsible to not consider the Fifty. Grey market Fifty's can be had for around $9k and its actually worth it.
I have this watch the markings are pretty good tbf not sure what lighting you're using 🤔 😉 😄 love mine it's a fab piece
Thank you for this detailed review. This is my favorite channel for watch reviews.
Awesome thanks FT. Glad you liked it.
JustBlueFish Watch Reviews You're most welcome, and thank you for your reply. Best regards, FT
Really nice video. I love those hands, dial, Arabic’s and bezel. And that seconds hand ❤️That’s a lot to love. I tried it on in Hong Kong with the sailcloth strap. Bracelet looks better. Wears big and bold. Gorgeous overall. I’m worried I’d bang that bezel and the only other thing the Sub has over this watch is the ability to quickly sell for market value. Ok the glidelock too. But that BP dial 😍
If you don’t like the grip on the crown/bezel you should try the Titanium version of this watch. It’s a matte finish and is really grippy. And since the sides are matte the blancpain on the side is less showy. Plus you get an open case back with the titanium
Absolutely- it’s the best diver ever made … period
Rolex didn't steal the look of the fifty fathoms since the fifty fathoms is beautiful to look at and the subs are just ugly. Honestly I'm pretty sure rolex got to the mil spec publication for what blancpain and tornek and other got contracted for but I wouldn't call this a copy.
The fifty fathoms is my graal watch but not the new version they sell for ridiculous prices and that lost most of it's character. A old one for the 60s is my graal.
Thanks for the review I like the tribute to fifty fathoms mil-spec a lot more but it still not the original with a acrylic crystal. The fifty fathoms where divers tool watch and it got lost over time.
Thanks for watching Sylvain. I hope you get that grail watch. A vintage model would be very cool.
Thanks for the review. I love the history that this watch has but I would much rather have a Sub or Seamaster even if the cost was similar. The engraving on the side of the case cheapens the look of the watch imho. Great job
Thanks Chris, and I have to agree the side engraving just doesn't do it for me.
What do you think of the new 42 ?
Excellent review. Though I find the history of horology interesting, I think the debate of who came first, Blancpain or Rolex, a bit trite. If I were a diver perhaps I would care more. Then again, these days I would go with a dive computer. Most of my friends who dive all swear by Doxa. I happen to love the look of Doxa and I added their Professional model to my collection.
Sold my 114060 got ffathoms blue on titanium. Love it. So glad. Made on the sub and got 40 pc off the blancpain and it’s way better imho. Got off the inflated Rolex sheep wagon. Hey still love the sub. And love the channel guy!
Absolutely did the same - sold the hulk (taking advantage of the current prices) and got the Blancpain FF blue titanium as well … best diver ever designed ever . It’s the Icon
I tried one at their Costa Mesa CA boutique and the bezel turned both ways. The sales girl didn’t notice it or realize the importance when I pointed it out. It’s an unacceptably common fault that they never fixed. What could be more important than a perfectly functioning bezel on an expensive dive watch ? I’m now considering the TI version on bracelet, but can’t stop wondering what other faults are present and not detected by QC.
Still an issue. Just bought the titanium model and swapped it as the bezel had play. Second model also has play and the pip alignment is out. Really weird at this level. I have noticed in most photos and review videos the pip is clearly misaligned (beyond merely not being clicked into place). I love this watch and hope the next replacement is finally perfect but I am slightly disheartened as the issue seems widespread.
@@seezyc158 I just got the new TI blue dial on TI bracelet and it seems perfect. Considering how most decent SS sport watches are now unavailable, getting the FF at a nice discount was very welcome. I bought this watch with a Panerai, which arrived DOA. The dealer and Panerai both refused to replace it. All I can do is take it to a local dealer and send it for service. Which takes 18 weeks! Swiss watches are looking more like old British sports cars☹️
Thanks for the review, most beautiful dive watch on the planet! I like it more on the strap.
They are nice on the sailcloth strap.
I see everyone complaining about the price. Personally I don't think you would have to pay full price of you shopped around or found it pre owned. Remember your getting a watch that has tons of history and your not going to see all over the place like the sun. My opinion I like the name engraving. My two griped, OMG it's huge. I'm a bit smaller than guy and probably can make it work but do I want too. If I were to get it in won't be my daily wearer so maybe it would be OK. Lastly the color. Black. O already have a black black black GMT, together they are at a glance going to look the same
But this is diffinily on my Christmas list. Now I have fine some place where I can try it on. Blancpain isn't everywhere like Omega. Notice I didn't say Rolex because they aren't either because they have no watches out there to buy. Well just realized this was and old review and no one will see my comment. So bye.
Great review.....thank you!
My trilogy fathoms bezel became bi directional 2x already?I’m annoyed that they still haven’t fixed this problem????
Wow that is one cool looking watch! Another great review from you and I enjoyed it very much. Thanks!
Damn this guy is Sooooo hyper critical!!! Probably the hardest watch guy to please !
Exactly, Rolex didn't copy Blancpain.
The Rolex Turn-O-Graph 6202 was available even before the "Submariner".
Rolex had a rotating bezel prototype watch from the late 1930's called the Zerographe before that, if I'm not mistaken.
Rolex came out with the unidirectional rotating bezel after the blancpain patent ran out.
I've owned many rolex and many sportswatches. This is the finest diver watch ever made. 5 day power reserve. Curved/domed sapphire bezel. So many remarkable touches on the face and case. Huge money however.
The price is crazy, and the size a bit too large for me, but it's otherwise an awesome watch. Thanks for watching!
JustBlueFish Watch Reviews yeah it took me some time to get one new in UK prices start at £10,650. Subs are easily got around 5k. I actually prefer the 50 fa on the sail bracelet which is unusual for me. I like subs on the steel bracelet
I think it came off a bit bias towards your love of the Submariner. I went into the video expecting this.
That being said, very thorough review.
Thanks for the video.
BTW I agree with you about the name engraving on the case.
Regards.
Thanks for watching Mac. I definitely have a bias for the Submariner, it's one of my all time favorites. There's nothing against the Fifty Fathoms, it's outstanding.
Great review on this piece, you’re points are spot on, agree 100%👌🏼thanks for sharing. ✌🏼
Thanks for Watch and the feedback Tony. I appreciate it.
Top review mate,new subscriber👍I love/need this watch 😃👍
I was surprised to hear this watch came from Exquisite Timepieces. I've been there before to buy a watch.
As for this watch, I really want to like it and I think it's very unique looking, but truthfully I'm worried I wouldn't like the feel of this tall case height. Bummer.
A very nice review I really enjoyed. Great watch with good heritage but a few areas in my opinion I think fall short.The clasp and engraving on case side. But saying that still a amazing watch if only I could afford !
Thanks for watching Paul. I appreciate it. It is an amazing watch with some shortcomings, but very few things are truely perfect.
Nice review for a nice watch. I prefer the vintage fifty fathoms models but this one still has a classic look that will look great decades from now. I am surprised the case is not in white gold at that price. I think for a luxury watch value and price should be the least concern though. The quality is definitely there and a fully lumed bezel is outstanding. Thanks for pointing out the details. It would definitely need to be a part of an ultimate dive watch collection.
Thanks for watching and the coments Sean. I think I mentioned it, if I were putting together a "money is no object" collection this would definitely be a part of it.
the design of the lume on the hands make it difficult to precisely read the time in the dark as the lume becomes more broad as it approaches the minute track. As a tool watch I would take points off, but is this really a tool watch? haha I do appreciate the fully lumed bezel though!
I was in a boutique today and they had the same model offered at just under $13k USD, you might want to double check your price source.
List price is $17.2k dollars. They were either selling a pre-owned or offering a roughly 20% discount, which wouldn't be uncommon. I don't need to double check anything.
JustBlueFish Watch Reviews Also, unlike an AD, a boutique will never discount a watch. It was probably preowned.
Superb Review, Guy. I really appreciate the in-depth info. I could never justify $17,000.00 for that watch. It may very well be worth that price, but as you said, there are scores of viable alternatives for a lot less. I'd buy a Breitling Navitimer before I'd get any other high-end watch. And yes, I am definitely a Breitling boy, my very favorite watch brand.
There's nothing wrong with that, the Navitimer would be an awesome watch to have in a collection.
That blanc pain 10 mins into video is best I've seen
I agree, this watch is better than its massive case side branding. I can’t for the life of me understand why this has become standard for all versions of the model. It looks especially inappropriate for the mil spec version.
Thanks for watching.
Most beautiful Diver, wish it was 42mm and more affordable.
26:56 A lot of women have told me this.
lol
... I believe mine is in 40mm case and in " black " design for year 2000 model release? Thanks for this review. Most enjoyable! Cheers 😀😎😂
Great review. I guess for dive watches, the Fifty Fathoms would be my Grail time piece. However, I know that I will never own one. What about an homage? Any recommendations?
Gregory Alonzo Seiko SNZH5X mod
jared packer, thanks but I am not overly into Seiko. Nothing against them, that's just where I started))))
Gregory Alonzo no worries. Might want to aso check out undone watches, not as elegant as the blancpain, but can get close to the same look
jared packer, good idea. Thanks
Helson Skindiver , Gruppo Gamma Divemaster, Borealis Sea Storm, Spinaker Fleuss. These homage older versions of the Fifty Fanthoms more than this currant version
Thanks for the vid. The watch is rather underwhelming in my opinion. I think besides the heritage & original design, it's an unexceptional piece for the price. The Sub is definitely better value
Ming's I couldn't have said it better. Perfectly put and accurate as well.
Thanks for watching Ming’s. I like the FF and the quality, it’s there. It’s an attractive design especially the dial. But it does make the Submariner feel like a value prop.
to be frank i havent watched the entire video but sub is better value? for real? this watch can be had for the same price as sub if you go preowned. BUY new, yes not good value. but you buy preowned, this watch easily outclass the sub
I think if you get a hands on it changes. I was never sold on the fathoms until a business colleague got one. The finishing really is at the highest echelon. Even more so than Rolex. The domed sapphire bezel is beautiful. I also like the finishing on the case and hands are elegant and super easy to read. The bezel movement is also quite astonishing like nothing else I’ve tried. The crown and stem arm are incredibly well made you can’t feel any flex at all. The 5 day reserve and little touches like the black date window for instance are easy missed In first glance. It’s a watch a lot of people overlook and yet it genuinely is so much more of a quality watch than the sub. Videos don’t do it justice. I sound like a Blancpain representative but I’ve owned many watches and love only a few. Iwc big pilot is another of my long term keepers. I also have a Rolex rose gold skydweller on leather strap with chocolate brown dial. Most of my other watches come and go. It’s an expensive hobby !
Beautiful watch for sure.
I agree, just too big for me.
Great review, thank you.
I'm considering getting a flyback FF, just worried about service intervals, do you think this watch requires high and frecuent service if you don't dive with it? It already has a high price and I don't want to get one if service price and or intervals are really high like in other high end watches unlike rolex and omegas that are really good, tough and high quality. I want a nice watch that I can wear everyday.
Thank you
From Lum pip to bezel rotation. it had exact same functional copy. Even blancpain didn't what the watch is gonna be before approached by French military. In a small swiss industry It's quite the logical jump that Rolex only seen the 50fathom on some release magazine pamphlet. blancpain made modern function of diver watch as requested by the french. and that's that.
I'm sure rolex is popular. but this level of benefit of the doubt is almost religious.
Thanks for watching I appreciate it.
Great vid 👍
Thanks for watching.
Beautiful Big Watch... but at that price, with the name on the case, the weird lug width & all that polish I just cant see buying it over the Rolex Sub or if you need a bigger watch the new Sea Dweller.. Great video and lovely watch..
Thanks Trevor, I appreciate you watching.
Blancpain..think of it, as a ...Father. Glashutte...(first to make a kinda glidelock-system.), think of it as a...Mother. they had a baby, and BOOM, the Submariner was born. The Blancpain will never be able to out run the Submariner, every one, from child to "one with one leg in the grave" knows Rolex, Blancpain??..-no, its like this, we, the few who loves watches, are up against the rest of the world, whom when they see a Michael Kors, will say: Hey, nice watch dude (ooh spare me for Gods sake;-). I would put my money on the Sub everytime. Btw, the "Blancpain" on the case....they got that idea from Invicta or vise versa;-). Have a continued great weekend, and thank you for another great review.
Squale engraves their cases too.
Thanks for watch WoT. I'm not sure who gave who the idea to engrave the case side, but in pretty much all cases I don't like it.
It's a waste of time fixing that bezel. Mine broke within days after I bought my watch new. Had it fixed (which takes over a month because they have to send it back to Switzerland) and it broke again within days of getting it back. Had it fixed again, and guess what? It broke again within days. Now that I've been through 3 bezel springs I don't think I'll bother getting it fixed even though it's still under warranty. It's actually easier to use the bezel when you can turn it in either direction, the only problem is on mine it can move a little if anything brushes up against it.
That sounds annoying, sorry to hear you've had trouble with yours.
I have been looking at just this model and on the bracelet, which I much prefer to the sailcloth strap hygienically. I've known about them for some time but have never seen one. In the UK, the only Blancpain (which translates from French as white bread) is in London and the ADs are in Leeds England or Edinburgh Scotland. The UK retail is £12,570. Here a Rolex Deepsea is £9,150 for the James Cameron and £8,900 for the standard Deepsea. Your No date Rolex Submariner is £5,,450 , the Submariner Date £6,250 , the Hulk ££6,600. It is more comparable with the all steel 44mm Rolex Yacht Master II £13,700 which is a very nice watch or the new Rolex Sky-Dweller Yellow Rolesor at £12,600 or the white Rolesor which only has a white gold bezel and no gold crown or centre links as the Yellow Rolesor at £10,600. It is supposed to be on the same level horologically and movement finishing as a Patek Philippe or Audemars Piguet, where you have to pay the same as an 18 ct Rolex Submariner or GMT-Master II for in stainless steel. Tim Mosso said the bracelet is called X-71, but why the model has that at the end and the movement is made for Blancpain, the oldest watch brand at 1735 to Patek Philippe 1839 and Rolex 1905 in London, moving to Geneva Switzerland in 1919 because the start of WWI in 1914-18 made importing watch movements expensive because of tariffs. The movement for the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms is made by Frédéric Piguet limited in a the Vallée de Joux and like Blancpain, is owned by Swatch Group who also own Hamilton. www.fredericpiguet.ch
Hey Andrew thanks for watching and all the great info. I like the sailcloth strap but I’m more of a bracelet guy typically.
JustBlueFish Watch Reviews The bracelet should have micro adjust. The Yacht Master II is a nice watch but the dial isn't as legible as the Submariner, which was surprisingly good against the Fifty Fathoms, which I thought would have been far superior. A shame the sample You has had the defective bezel. Vladimir Putin wears a Blancpain, but another model like the leman. There is a blue sunray dial version that is all brushed. The cameras are very good quality.
ruclips.net/video/W1o_6FFDSnY/видео.html. The blue version with sunray guilloche dial and brushed satin finish.
That dial looks awesome.
It is all brushes/ satin finish. I like the watch but you would need the special Torx or Allen key hexagonal tool to remove or add links with out the microadjust of Easylink Rolex. They do the sail cloth strap with a pin buckle which is better than the deployant, although they arre a safety measure so you don't drop the watch when putting it on your wrist. The main thing is it is equal to Audemars Piquet or Patek Philippe for a fraction of the cost, they are about £24K in the UK.
Great review. I loved the look of this watch, however, at over 17 grand, the lack of micro adjustments on the bracelet is a deal breaker.
The look of the bracelet near the watch case is not my cup of tea.
At this price level, there shouldn’t be any negatives. Fantastic lume though, but so is the lume on timepieces costing a fraction of the price.
I am not sure but I think it has such s long power reserve cuz it ticks slower ... but I am not sure ... it’s gonna be twice as expensive to service and u need to do it in 3 years periods where Rolex is 5. Doesn’t seem like s big difference it’s actually quite a drastic difference ... we need his watch in 40 mm without those fake limited editions and some new movement ... that would be a buy. But like that you can get a Vacheron which is miles above this... and for the Same price ( yes on the grey market new they cost the same ) you can get the submariner which is quality wise nicer ... yes it is.
Thanks for watching and for the comments Andy. I appreciate it.
batyhiscaphe is anther legendery diving watch. very ellegant. different style ...i just like the saphire bezel in FF. cant wait for them to make 40mm. and about lange ... u can get them at 10.2k euro. (if you are interested i can tell you where to buy, absoletly new from the factory with all the plastics on... but that shop gets up to 50 % almost on all brands except patek and rolex) lange around 30% discount. and about wearing blancpain ... well i still feel like rolex is more robust .. i would be afraid to wear BP daily.
A bit underwhelming for that price. But man, that thing is like a wall clock for your arm... Huge.
Haha, yeah it’s pretty large.
I don’t think I pronounce a single watch manufacture correctly, lol!
I doubt I do either, it's ok.
Nice watch, but ridiculously overpriced, at least new (full retail). Great video; thank you.
Thank you sir.
I understand it's small for you ... perfect for me.
Thanks for watching and commenting I appreciate it.
Bazel world was over a year after the release the story goes and I think a watch company adding a circular racket to their watch in a year is just as possible as them designing it before probably more likely, I mean nobody ever put a racket on a watch weird for 2 companies to do it runner runner don’t you think 🤔
I really like the dial and bezel on this Blancpain but the rest is iffy.
Yeah it's got some good and bad.
The one diver to rule them all. Have one, don't need anything else, I just change the straps.
Thanks for watching.
Cool review man
what's the difference between the 5015-1130-52 and the 5015-1130-71?
I have a problem with expensive tool watches, which is wha5 a dive watch is.
Let's be fair, no one is using a Blancpain as a tool watch. I think the idea that any of these luxury watches are still largely considered tool watches is basically dead. Sure we could find rare examples of people that do still use them for task, which is their right being as it's their property, but I suspect most people choose things like G-shocks if they need a tool watch - as would be common by military professionals and the like.
My dream watch just cannot afford it
A more appropriate comparison would have been the 2017 Red Line Anniversary Sea Dweller
1)closer retail
2)closer in size
3)longer power reserve
4)Better and newer Lumination.
5)more depth
Not even close. But again your original issue was if Rolex copied Blancpain. I think not.
Yeah the SD43 or the new DSSD would both probably be closer analogs to this.
Great watch but how much? I'm sorry but what do they do - think of a number and double it - just ridiculous really.
What a great opportunity for you to review the Blancpain and put it side by side with the Sub. I don't know who copied who, but know I really get why the Sub earned the legendary status that it has and why the Blackpain remained in it's shadow.
Thanks for watching oly neagu. I can't exactly put my finger on why the Sub has been so much more successful, more so than pretty much everyone. Is it just decades of great marketing or is it something more?
JustBlueFish Watch Reviews I think it's a bit that, but probably more decades of brilliant marketing backed up by products that don't disappoint. They beat Omega ProPlof to the punch with the diver watch, and it was not overenginnered, it was just a good enough watch at the perfect time. Then they made a reputation among professionals as tough, precise and reliable tool watches. Obviously the general public wanted to be a part of that exclusive club of professionals, they wanted to wear what the pro's wear, and Rolex was there to supply the demand, and more important, they didn't disappoint. They re-used the same formula, making it better each generation. Sadly, they are now more jewelry than precise tools, at least that's my opinion, and you can see it in the price too, I would love to own a Rolex and use it accordingly, but I can't afford one anymore.
Every dog and cat knows Rolex,that’s why they are so popular. The Rolex is a mass produced product, done by machines, bear in mind, they make 2000 watches a day, so defs no handmade watch. In my opinion, they are totally overpriced and overhyped,very good watches though.I’m in the lucky position to own a Rolex and a Blancpain (not the models shown in the video) and I have to say that I prefer a Blancpain any day. Hand built by one watchmaker,extremely low production numbers (around 30 watches a day) and that is what you really pay for! Exclusivity.Ask someone about Blancpain,they have no idea what it is.Well,it is the oldest watch brand in the world and the reason, that they never produced a quartz watch is very important for me. And I love that Blancpain engravement on the case. You wouldn’t hide a 911 Porsche by putting a cover over it. In the end, it all comes down to taste, I buy all my things because I like them, not because I can resell them for a good price.And then you have the ‘steel crisis’ with Rolex, where they deliberately slow down production of their steel models with waiting periods of I believe 7 years for some models,well that is just another marketing joke if you ask me!Anyway, we all have different tastes and needs, I enjoy both my watches and that is all that matters.
Another great review Guy. Lovely to look at but too bulky to wear at45mm. The Rolex has better 904L steel. The size is just right at 40mm. At $17200 I would expect the Blacpain to be faultless. I can get a watch with a similar dial and classic good looks at $1549 with the Longines Legend DIVER IMHO. Please review a Longines sometime soon.
Thanks for watching buddy. I’d love to check out some more brands like Longines. I just don’t have access unless they get loaned in.
Longines doesn't touch anything Blancpain produces. Sorry. Not even close.
Ugh .. way too big, and I thought the new maxi-case Submariners were too big and flashy now compared to the older steel bezel ones.. and you're dead on with the bezel edges and crown.. meh .. I'd rather buy a 114060, Omega Speedie and JLC Reverso for that 17k budget.... I think you'll love that gnarly rough bezel on the Steinhart Titanium GMT!! Will cut your fingers :P
Yeah it's big, much bigger than the new Submariner. And for the money you could have several amazing watches. But I do appreciate this watch for what it is. It's a high quality icon and legend. If money were no object I'd own one if I could get over the size. It wears like a dinner plate on my wrist. Oh, and the Steinhart video will be up tomorrow, stay tuned!
My daily watch cost 1% and it steal the shows . (Seiko 5 automatic sport snzh55j1).
Thanks for watching I appreciate it. Enjoy the snzh.
I think the Orient Mako II looks nicer
Thanks for watching.
Why does it have case sign like Invicta and squale ? Eww
marko marin I know. Derides Invicta for their logo on the case but when Blancpain does it it’s okay because it costs thousands more. So it’s classy.
$17000? Next!
It certainly is not an inexpensive watch!
fortunately nowadays you can get one for $10K. Still steep for me tho)
It looks like a Hamilton Khaki Scuba .. for $17k - 😳
I've had the Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba, the older design not the most recent one. That's a good high value watch.
The problem with this watch is there's too many different type styles (fonts) that cheapens the watch as well as that horrendous engraving on the case. And the lume on the pips isn't centered. I feel like my SKX looks way better than this (lol).
Thanks for watching.
The 50 came out in '52. It's leagues ahead of the machine made by the tonnage Sub. The 50 is hand assembled and polished, a work of art that will never fade or have an inch of the acme. It the cheapest of the trinity divers, and no more than the 'fancy' Subs. I feel nothing wearing or seeing a Sub.
In that size range much rather have the new James Cameron Deep Sea
I think either would be a bit bigger then I'm personally comfortable wearing. But I couldn't criticise you for feeling that way.
Had the JC.. bloody awful on the wrist at 20mm thick..rotates around my 7.5 “ wrist. SD43 much better but about to flip mine for a BP FF blue dial
I don’t see why this costs 2x more than the Rolex Submariner?
Yeah it is hard to justify, and Blancpain really does a terrible job of telling the consumer what makes it special. Their website is clumsy to use and lacking in technical data and information. Perhaps the cost could be justified if they better explained what makes the watch special (hand finishing, highly decorated movement, superior technology and materials)? That all might be true but I wouldn't know it by looking at the product page.
nice watch but pricey. For that kind of cash it better be in gold!!!
Thanks for watching.
I broke my dad's Blancpain when I was 11. He usually wore an OMEGA at work and had the diver for around our boat on the weekends. I wore it as often as I could get away with it. He had bought the watch in the 50's at a dive shop in Florida for less than $100 many years before I was born.
The lugs were really long on the model he had and I smacked the watch against a wall, bent a lug and the watch popped off and hit the floor hard. The crystal was fine but it was mechanically nonfunctional.
The broken watch went into a shoebox, and he bought a new Submariner. I got a my own divers watch after that too- so I'd stop wearing his. Mine wasn't a Rollie though...
grail ? like dude, like totally
Honestly, that Seiko 5 hommage looks better.
Thats lucky that you feel that way. If you decide to get one you’ll save what, $16500 or more!
Very uninteresting design for me. I don't see it as a high end luxury watch. The size is not nice too. There is Seiko 5 with almost same design that doesn't look bad compares to this. The Bathyscaphe model is better in every way imo.
Also the clasp is joke. No microadjustment and no divers extension- wth? Even my Seiko has divers extension.
I haven't looked very closely at the Bathyscaphe models. They do look cool though.
seriously this comment is so ignorant that i dont know what the hell is wrong with you. you compare this with seiko 5? wtf is wrong with you. you dont know what the hell you are talking about
History aside, personally I would have no understanding for people preferring this over an Rolex Sub...alone visually, the Sub is way ahead.
I can appreciate it for what it is, a very iconic dive watch of excellent quality, but I would pick the Submariner over it if I could only have one.
I can't stand the sub, I find them tasteless yet the original FF was beautiful. This one lost the proportion of the original but to my eyes it look a lot better than any sub.
50 fathoms was first by a full year ,end of !
I agree with the engraving BS
That's tighter than you want t0 wEar it LooSen up Dude.
Invicta engraves it's name on the case and people chew them.apart. A 17k watch does it, and no one blinks an eye. I'm out.
I blinked an eye, and voiced my dislike pretty strongly, so who is no one?
JB logo.... dude Blancpain its a B and a P
In hindsight, and all reality, I think the logo is just a B with an embellishment to the left, but there’s no P in the logo as far as I can see.
Maybe Blancpain copied Rolex
That could be.
These videos are too long, i appreciate going into details but more concision would be appreciated.
Thanks for watching I appreciate it.
You simply do not know what you're talking about. Stick to your favourite sub and do not pretend that you know something about watches.
Worst bracelet in the market. 17k plus and you can't adjust the bracelet. What a disappointment.
Their all show off watches.nobody dives with 10000 dollar watch .the only thing worst than a shark ripping off your arm, is ripping it off with your blancpain on it.
Dude, if I may offer a bit of constructive advice, I like these vids but you describe what you are going to do before you do it, which is repetitive and slightly frustrating. Just do it. You could cut the length a bit. I've had this impression on several of your vids. Great topic and good info, though.
It's partly just the way I do things, and partly to help keep people's attention and help them focus on specific things. I read an article once that said the attention span of an average person is such that they are incapable of retaining the information they were presented from as little as 3 paragraphs of text. Granted this isn't reading, but never the less I always feel it's helpful to direct the focus to the topic being covered.
There's nothing terribly special about EITHER watch.
Great video, but what an overpriced watch. It looks like something Invicta would sell for £100 on Amazon. Nobody will realise how much you paid for it. A bezel failure as well. Who buys a watch with the name emblazoned on the side! Those end links are hideous. Wow, how disappointing.