20 Hours in Line and Worth It | Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms Review
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- Опубликовано: 3 окт 2024
- We were able to snag the Arctic, Antarctic, and Atlantic Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms watches. In this video, we go over our experience getting these watches and what it took to be the first one in line. We then go over our initial impressions and a mini-review of this Blancpain x Swatch collab. There is also a section where we compare these watches to the MoonSwatches and surprisingly, the Scuba Fifty Fathoms feels like a huge improvement. So sit back, and enjoy the video!
#moonswatch #swatch #blancpain
00:00 WARNING: Leave now if you're allergic to plastic watches
00:06 The line experience
04:18 Skip to hear if you only care about the watch review
09:46 Is it worth it? And who is this watch for?
11:34 Thanks for watching! And if you’d like, subscribe!
Part of experience of owning this watch is the lining up part. It’s a luxurious experience indeed.
Highly recommended!
Does the watch have a screw down crown
The disposable nature of the watch means its a no-go for me, but I do quite like the look of them.
Bet you have multiple old mobile phones that you paid more than $400 for and they just sit at the back of a kitchen drawer. They'll likely sit there for the next 10 years, not looked at until you eventually throw them in the bin.
@@frankdux5693 I'm actually using my mates Pixel 3 because I dropped mine whilst taking a shit. The rest of them have been used until they fully folded (which is quite quickly as I use them a lot for work). After they're completely dead and beyond repair, I send them in so the parts can be recycled.
Did somebody hurt you buddy? Hope you're okay.
Mechanical watches, even plastic ones could have a lifespan of 25 years . However, just look at the old Casio G-shock, a lot of them are over 20 years old and still going.
Plus I have a phone from 2003 (Nokia N-gage) and it still works and my kids use it to play old games.
So a plastic watch that can't be serviced for $400 is just nonsense to me.
If it suits someone then why not, but not for me.
@@frankdux5693and watches are mechanical objects meant to be passed down …. Unlike disposable technology.
@@tommy_lyon of course, and I bet you only eat grass and wear vegan clothes.
My cousin bought a whole bunch of moon swatches. He knows it is disposable and doesn’t care because he likes the different colours to accessories the different clothes he wears. So I would say these watches are not for enthusiasts but for people who like watches as fashion accessories.
I wonder if your cousin will eventually venture out into the world of serious timepieces. It could be a stepping stone into that world. Thanks for watching!
I really like the watches themselves but I cannot wrap my head around the decision to market the strap being made of recycled fishnets for a watch that is essentially a single use plastic item with apparently no reusability. At least thats what you hear, no movement swap possible.
This is the best Blancpain X Swatch video - you cover the release and the watch itself well. Kudos for waiting in line so long and being first! I went for the Antarctic too - it’s a smart piece!
Yeah! Agree, best Blacpain x Swatch video
Thanks a lot! The Antarctic caught my eye when it was announced. Thanks for stopping by!
Just bought the Antarctic on vacation in Miami. ZERO REGRETS, LOVE IT
Great vacation pickup! Thanks for watching!
“A little bit of fun is what we need” perfectly said 👏🏻
We get far too serious in this hobby.
Ps…. Don’t feed the scalpers….only pay MRSP…. It’s a plastic watch guys.
I think this was almost the ideal way to make this kind of watch. I think it looks alot higher quality than the Moonswatch. If these were going to be perfect imo they shouldve put in a sapphire crystal and a quartz movement with a slim caseback. Its supposed to be cheap, but still sustainable. A non-servicable movement and a crystal that produces plenty of microplastics upon polishing and renders the watch unusable quite early isnt sustainable. If the wr resistance is about 10 bar its fine. I know Blancpain refuses to use quartz movements, but I think a future release should be a cheap, but long term functional watch.
oh it is sustainable ... sustainable income for the company. please stop making this thing a religion
Here in Melbourne Australia it wasn't too bad. Arrived at 5.15am (about 20 people ahead of me) got my Atlantic Ocean at 11am. Security was great, even gave us chairs for use to sit on.
That's great! Glad you were able to get one and a seat haha. Thanks for watching!
Dude. I commend you for staying in line that long and being the very first to get a scuba fathoms in SF. Thanks for making this video. I was debating on whether I wanted to wait in line (I failed to get a moonswatch last year on launch day) and although I decided against it, I had been wondering how the SF line was this year. Enjoy your watch!!
im surprised you didn't get beat tf up in SF O_O
@-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-... me too hahaha
A big issue that I have with these that nobody has addressed is that while the movements are not serviceable but need to be replaced that means that when you get that done you will lose the unique rotars and decorations that are a part of these making them even more generic and less worth the extra outlay.
Can you even replace the movement? Aren't they welded in?
Probably a moot point as the crystal probably won't last long anyway and apparently that too is welded in and not replaceable...
If you are replacing the movement of a plastic watch, you’ve already got it coming to you.
I'm not sure I would call 20 hours waiting in line for hype nauseating but it does add to my concerns if we have a future?
What a total waste of time.
I got lucky and got an Atlantic in Barcelona. No line. I like the design and history of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms. So when I saw the yellow hardcase display with these little critters in there I immediately scurried in there to get one. I do intend to get a Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe with the date complication in the near future.
I didn’t stay in line but I would buy one. Just to add to my collection a piece of history
I would as well. I walked into a swatch store last summer just to see a moonswatch and they had a jupiter. No lines no nothing. Hoping the same for this in a few months
the plastic will be "history" after a while shorter than what you expect; this is not suitable as a collecors item
I’d sub in a different word for ‘history’ 😂 💩 But if you like it that’s all that matters.
I appreciate the effort of lining up and the honest review. Great video composition as well.
Glad you enjoyed the video! Thanks for watching :)
Great you got them and did not get attacked by scalpers while waiting or after leaving the store. We have a particular problems with scalpers in London
Sorry to hear that... Of course I was worried especially getting back home safely but we made it! Thanks for watching!
On Wed, Sept 27th I made a call to San Francisco's Swatch Store. They only had the Indian Ocean in stock, so I took a ride share there around 11 AM and there was hardly anyone in the store. So I walked up to sales counter purchased it and headed to the Bart station to get back home. Long story short, love this model. For an automatic it's accurate, hasn't shifted more than a few seconds in the time I had it and the lume is hanging in there better than a lot of watches I've had. Despite all the talk about it being a "happy meal toy" and "how I could get two better Divers for the price," there has been no buyer's remorse from this side.
thank you for this video.. I note the pepper spray and it is such a shame that there is that risk. great that you got one, though the 20 hr wait does seem unfair to you. I am glad I did not queue. I think it is a clever release by Swatch but again I would not queue like this because of flippers. if people didn't pay over retail perhaps there would not be these queues. great video.
Awesome review, well done! And Chris, I totally agree with your sentiments about this watch….it‘s a fun piece. Positive provocation at its best as Swatch always does…
Thanks a lot! Glad you see the brighter side of this release. There seems to be a lot of plastic watch allergies going around but it hasn't affected me too much yet haha. Thanks for watching!
A great start! And a great way to bring the world of watches closer to the general population. A beautiful watch is also a piece of jewelry and not a computer on your wrist.
Great point! Thanks for watching!
no line got mine today walked in and there they were. Ok there were 2 guys ahead of me, but no sweat and primo location none better
My first time queuing for something was for a Christmas swatch, it was for the Christmas swatch 94, I was there for 2 nights at London's Christian Lacroix boutique shop and number 5 in line, the same day I got a total of 3 of this watches, two in London and one in Manchester.
BTW I also got the Antarctic swatch, just walking in the swatch shop in thailand and purchased it of the counter, and I never knew it existed. They had all five, but not the all black version.
A fair review. Great work guys. That took real initiative to camp out there for 20 hours! I quite like these Scuba Fifty Fathoms watches and I travel fairly regularly and will likely be in a city with a Swatch store that stocks them at some stage. I can buy one then. No need to rush. That's what I did with the Speedmaster MoonSwatch. Got it a year after release, at an official Swatch store, at retail price. No queues or dramas. I wear it on occasion and it is great fun. The case still looks great, nothing has broken at all. The crystal is mildly scuffed, so the occasional polish is in order. Not unlike a pair of shoes, I suppose! These new releases will be as well. Swatch are meant to be fun, and these are certainly a fun addition to my collection of Omegas, Longines etc. While they could be cheaper, they are a damn side less expensive than their original inspiration and frankly not terribly worse than most Swiss watches in similar price bracket. They certainly interest me much more than most watches in this price range.
That's a great way to look at it and completely agree with you! Thanks for sharing and watching my video :)
I hope you can reply and I want to see your opinion on how the manager was extremely rude to the customers during opening. Commanding us “look happy don’t be rude, greet our employees, and if your in a bad mood that has nothing to do with us” that’s the first thing your gonna tell your customers that have been waiting over 10 hrs in line? I was about 16-20 spots behind you and thought they could’ve handled the drop better. They spent a big majority of the time after you left to shooting videos and pr pics and shots of the watch inside the store causing me to get my watch at 11:20 and keep in mind i was like 20th in line. Insane how they handled the drop and didnt make it more efficient. Frickin love the watch tho.
Hi neighbor! haha. Compared to how we were treated last year by the manager, this was nothing. I actually called him out on that last year and he's since then lightened up immensely. Sorry you felt that way... I'm thinking they experienced trauma from previous releases.
I wanted to get out of there with my friends to make sure everyone in line can quickly get in and out. Didn't realize the PR coverage would hold up the line! Geez. Well, it's all over! We got our watches :)
Which one did you pick up?
@@ClickyBezel Ahhh I see, I unfortunately missed out on the first MoonSwatch drop. They even did a small like 5 minute video shoot with a random customer in the shop while everyone just waited outside 😭😭. But I ended up getting the Antarctic and I love it. Thanks for your insight!
I'll tell you this... I'm Australian on holiday in Europe. I've been to every swatch in madrid, of which there are 3. 2 in Barcelona. All sold out of all models. Now, this js fine and not unexpected. What passes me off the absolute most is they new the hype that this would generate. They've had nearly a year and a half since the moonswatch debacle. So, I can assume the shortage is well orchestrated, or they're inept. At the very very least Swatch, put a fkn sign in the windows. As it is now, you line up on a new day, they know the night before whether they will have stock. Let your customers know...instead of making them wait for hours with zero chance. Poor form, again.
In London they even still play games in places: you have to queue outside even if you are there is more than one person (ie two) and they are not telling which models they have until you are inside the store
It's evident it's orchestrated to create hype. Swatches are made fully on automatic assembly lines, so there is not inherent shortage - just let the machines work 24/7. This is a marketing exercise more than anything.
They have 3,000 stores. At 200 watches each that is 600,000 times $40 to manufacture and other costs, they had $24-$25 million at play. If the watch is a failure, that is a big loss. So they manage the whole thing the right way a company should do
They don't care about you wasting your time queuing. They only care about the sales number and the bonus they are going to get.
I just bought the ocean of storms version from a flipper at 20% premium, still think it is worth it. Very nice looking watch, sun burst dial, same color (black) date disc, applied indexes, yellow line of text, yellow tip second hand, this watch is just full of attention to details. I am a watch guy, I always wanted to get a genuine 50 fathoms, but the regular model is too big (45mm), and the limited editions are too expensive (not worth it). While i might never going to get the real deal, owning this Swatch version kind of satisfied my itch. I think this watch is for people who could spare $400 casually and just want to have some fun. For those who think $400 is a big deal and a watch at this price point should last forever, this watch is not for them. To me I do not really care if it is serviceable (who is going to service a $400 watch anyway?), I always rotate my watches on daily basis (if not more often) so I believe this watch should serve my well in the years to come.
Thanks Chris for making this video and staying in line, so we didn't have to. All the best from the UK.
Thanks for watching!
Perfectly sums it up. 1) Fun watch; 2) For the Watch Enthusiast; 3) the experience (I did the NYC drop and it was a blast) 4) (not mentioned) not for the Watch Snobbery who are hating on this watch. I'm more of the "we are watch people, hear us roar, it's fun" kind of guy. Not the "we are watch people, this is an exclusive club, suck it" kind. But haters are gonna hate.
I got the Black Version of this 2 weeks ago in Spain. Love it
This looks world's better than the MoonSwatch. And unlike the MoonSwatch, it at least has an automatic movement. That being said, this will result in a MAJOR devaluation blow to the Fifty Fathoms and Blancpain. A shame really. Looks like Swatch is desperate for easy cash.
Wow, two years of use 🎉
I thought about visiting SF swatch later in the day to see if it sold out but I forgot 😅 Thanks for the report, looks like a fun thing to do once! Surprised no one in your crew went for the Indian Ocean model, the most iconic of the releases!
Staying in line that long isn't for the faint of heart haha. My friend was about to pick up the Indian Ocean but opted for the Atlantic. Either way, great choice. Thanks for watching!
Yeah it’s nice but I’m not paying no $400 for a Pacific Ocean plastic.
Congratulations on the first line 😊20hrs 😮I love it want to earn 1 , but can’t help to line up. You’re super dupe, best wishes to you ❤️your video clip👌🥰
That white one is stunning!
Martha Stewart 🤣 Sounds like an epic memory for you and your friends. That's better than the watch itself.
Martha Stewart is forever burned into my retina haha. The experience was fun and the watch is an added bonus. Thanks for watching!
Great video Chris. I discovered you today when looking for a proper review of the 51 Fathoms and appreciate the effort and quality of this. Liked and subscribed!
Welcome aboard! Glad you enjoyed my video :)
Want one. I’ll wait for stock at my local Swatch Store or for them yo go to retail on the secondary.
Hi!
Due to the screwed case back it should be possible to replace the Sistem51 caliber. Whether Swatch is going to offer such service or you have to find a watchmaker who is able to help you, we’ll see. When you’re purchasing an entry level mechanical watch with a Seiko or Miyota movement, I really doubt you are going to pay for a full service after a couple of years. A watchmaker is going to suggest to swap the entire movement for a new one instead.
Best wishes,
Claus
It's not a screwed caseback. Like he mentioned in the video, the cases are sealed.
@@bogrot69 Right. It’s not screwed, it’s a snap on one. So, it should be possible to remove the case back.
Hi Chris, thank you so much for uploading this video. Great points raised and I am sure it was a memorable experience obtaining the watch. I too like the Antarctic white version and was interested in getting it. If only the white had a darker bezel or the blue did not have the date complication! I am a new subscriber to your channel. 👍🏻
Excellent video. Thank you for sharing your experience. Cheers.
First time watching your channel. Very to the point video. Thanks for posting.
Welcome! Glad you enjoyed it :)
Great fun vid and I think your attitude is right on about the watch.
Well done! An honest assessment… 😎👍
Thanks a lot! Glad you enjoyed it!
As a watch enthusiast I would probably get it at some point since it is a fun looking timepiece. But there are 2 ground rules for all those releases - never pay more than retail and never buy from day one. As for the watch itself, it looks like a step up from the Moonswatch . I think some youtuber mentioned that the watch is actually serviceable since this model is not sealed. Not sure if this info is correct.
Dead in a couple of years and unserviceable. This isn't a watch for people who love watches, it's disposable trash for people sucked in by marketing hype
@@Mr.Feanor it will definitely be dead in a few years. And people always buy the latest disposable trash. They're easily hoodwinked by marketing.
You might be the first guy to own a Pepsi and spend the night on the sidewalk in SF! Joking aside, it's a great video, and an interesting take on people in line.
Amazing review and I certainly agree with you! Swatch is Swatch! ❤️
Thank you!! 😊
Thank you for your advice
Great video sir 👌
This was about a watch, it was about the adventure which to me was more interesting. Than you for sharing.
I bought 1 without waiting 1 min and it’s definitely not “worth” it but it’s a fun watch and you buy it to wear it and enjoy it , the hell with everything else
It's interesting how many people keep saying that this watch is disposable. Apparently you can open the back, it's not actually sealed like most other system 51 watches. I wonder if that means that they can replace the system 51 inside of the watch If it does give out.
I heard rumors about this too but unsure how true this is. It would be awesome if the watches can be worked on. Thanks for watching!
Great video! Enjoy your new watch.
another RUclipsr, Watch Chris, mentioned this watches case back is removable unlike most of the System 51 movements. As such, he indicated there are some people who are willing to work on it and the movement could be replaced. Based on such, it isn't entirely "disposable". (Wasn't sure if you were able to confirm the back is removable...most of the other System 51 are sealed which make it tough to work on).
I watched his video too! But I’ve also heard from other people that the caseback isn’t removable so I’m not sure exactly what to believe lol. It would be cool to be able to work on these watches but only time will tell. Thanks for watching!
Thank you for spending 20 hours in line to show all of us at home the experience! Yes, this is a handsome watch. This watch is not practical being plastic but it looks fun and young. Keep up the good work!
It was an adventure but worth it in the end. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for an honest and entertaining review
You're welcome! Thanks for watching!
Thumbs up for the 20hours stand
Your a great reviewer 👍I like your style
Thanks a lot! Really appreciate the kind words :)
Cool video, thanks for sharing your experience
Thanks for watching!
Thank you for really detailed review. I want to ask that what do you prefer between swatchXOmega col vs swatchXBlackpain col... Which is useful for you?
I'm glad you enjoyed the video! You asked a great questions. Between the two, I have to choose the Moonswatch. It's a lot more wearable in terms of the size but either way, both are excellent to own. Thanks!
a really well made video, thank you!!
Thanks a lot! Glad you enjoyed it :)
The entire point of a mechanical watch is that they're timeless and will, if taken care of, outlast you. This is disposable, plastic and can't be fixed or repaired. I understand FOMO is real, but I do wish we'd all agree to stay away from consumerism for the sake of consumerism
Great point!
When they make a swatch version of the Leman fly back chronograph perpetual calendar, then I will wait in line
nice i saw you in the line as you and only one other dude. nice man very cool
¡good video clicky bezel!, i want to ask you a question.. ¿what is the exact measurement of the strap? ¿20mm, 21mm or 22mm? ¡greetings!..
I feel like the hype is not really there like it was for the moonswatch. In general a lot of people have little to no clue who Blancpain is. The resell market is indicative of that with prices just under double compared to the 3-5x that the moonswatch was going for. This is a watch I would like to have but would not go out of my way to own.
Good and interesting video. However, a plastic, non-serviceable watch that is designed to be thrown away at some point is not for me.
Thanks! It's not for everyone but the experience itself was worth it for me. Thanks for watching!
Hats off to you for waiting so long. I waited 6hrs with a bunch of flippers which drove me nuts. They ran out when there were about twenty people ahead of me. I think the flippers will be disappointed as I think they will have trouble selling as they are asking stupid prices for the watch already. I'm going to wait a few weeks and try to purchase.
Oof I'm sorry to hear that. I'm not sure how these flippers make money waiting for so long... Either way, they will have a hard time for sure. Hope you can get yours soon! Thanks for watching!
Did they make quartz movement in these or all automatic?
Excellent, thank you 👍🏻
The recycled fishnets is pretty cool.
Still killin’ it with your production value for such a small channel. ❤
I know right? His video is just so good
Thanks a lot and glad you enjoyed it!
Just walk into ifc swatch shop in hk no q up walk away with the last piece of arctic ocean 😂😂😂😂😂happened yesterday bought is one cause of the no ☢️ logo
I happen to be on Sept. 9 at 11:30 a.m. (opened at 10:00) passing by Swatch store on Oxford Street London. To my surprise were like only 10 people new a queue. I guess this time hype was not there...
The queue wasn't directly outside the store. It was around the side and was around 300 strong. I joined the queue and was told this.
I’ve been told you can service the watch but not at swatch just need a watch smith.
pretty sure it's a sealed mechanism with plastic. Swatch just replaces them if there's a problem they don't "service" them.
You can't service it. You have to destroy the case to even access the movement. People have already tore it down to show the movement parts and they destroyed the watch to do so.
Most reviewers dont know this too but technically it is serviceable because it has a snap case back but its like a seiko 5, technically its serviceable but no one (same) does it because its not worth it....though i think a seiko 5 is way more worth to service and own in general, it's a real watch not a toy as you say yourself....I call that the "i cant fathoms the price" swatch...its insane, its a swatch scuba for $400! The og swatch scuba cost $50 and was a legit dive watch with 200 meters water resistance and came in sooo many more awesome totally unique designs and also there was an all metal irony version...also I kinda resent you mentioning swatch collectors as if it was strange they were in line...like some how you as a "watch enthusiast" are above them or separate from them...it was weird
It'd a snap on casback dude, you're scaring people away for no reason
That's what I've been hearing but not sure how easy it is to get to the movement. Just going off what I am hearing with no intent of scaring people away. Thanks for watching
@@ClickyBezel I have a Pacific and can confirm it pops off with a flathead
$400 for a crap throwaway Happy Meal plastic watch? You gotta be fricking kidding me.
Thanks for your efforts.
I was going to hate on it for being 14.4mm thick. Turns out the real one is 45mm wide and 15.5mm thick, which is absolutely absurd for a watch that's got no more water resistance than the most basic Rolex.
NYC may not be all way back to pre-pandemic, but SF is still a ghost town.
It’s starting to pick up believe it or not.
Great video! I enjoyed watching the process of how you got it as well!
Could the movement be swapped out if/when it stops?
Everyone says the quality of this is higher than the moonswatch, but doesn't elaborate at all. What do you say when you mean "quality", that it's heavier?
Exactly! It's thicker and a bit more heftier. Still the same material but has a bit more substantial feeling on the wrist. So I'd say it's a perceived increase in quality. Thanks for watching!
@ClickyBezel Interesting, I would argue weight has nothing to do with quality.
As you noted with your moonswatches, they're fine being worn normally, so being "plastic" carries no downside to the watch's function and has the benefit of coming in unique colors that won't scratch off, like coated steel would. Outside of watches, being lighter while still retaining the same function is typically a mark of higher quality. Think bikes, hiking gear, etc.
Are the rumors that to “service the watch” they will just put a new sistem51 movement inside for 200$ true?
I've been hearing rumors as well! Not sure if this is entirely true but $200 is pretty darn steep. Thanks a lot for watching!
Yeah, the movement is replaceable but once the warranty expires Swatch will rip ppl off for each service.
I literally lol'd when you said $400. That's a no from me, dawg.
Great Video!
A great video brother !
Much appreciated! Thanks for stopping by!
Excellent review
Thanks!
I wish the blue one had the moisture indicator jnstead od the date. Id love it if it had that combo
Haha can't have it all. Thanks for watching!
I think I might be sold on it. I may have to hit the swatch store to see if they have any in stock.
lol yeah maybe next year..
@@towatchvids I went but they said only the Dubai Mall got the Blancpain Swatch, and Kuwait should have it next month. So I came home with the Moonswatch Mercury, Earth, and Sun. Lol
It’s cheaper than a new official nato strap for most Swiss watch brands, really not a lot of money considering.
It's also a plastic piece of crap. But you do yours.
@@veganbutcherhackepeter obviously they aren’t going to give out steel blancpain watches for 400, what exactly do you expect?
20 hours line? dam that why rolex and other brands can fuck with us all they want. we dont have self control
Not necessary to stay in line but I wanted to make an event out of it. Thanks for watching!
I dont get why true “watch enthusiasts” would queue for this as its a non limited release and everyone would be able to get it a few months down the line. I get that watch youtubers need to as its a cool way to create content but as a watch enthusiast myself I’ll never queue over night for a non limited piece
It's not for everyone but a lot of people in line I chatted with were enthusiasts and that made me happy :) thanks for sharing and hope you enjoyed the video!
The system 51 IS serviceable. I keep hearing this but they said it is
Twenty hours in line to buy this? ROTFLMFAO!
Indeed I did :) haha
Looks nice, but seems to sit uncomfortably high on the wrist due to that thick NATO strap.
Agreed!
Recognition, ok, but price point of $400?
It's a hard pill to swallow for a lot of us but it was a fun time. Thanks for watching!
What the hell is scratch resistant acrylic glass?