Blancpain Fifty Fathoms - references and recommendations

[londonpilgrim]

Thinking about a Blancpain as my next watch - any particular recommendations, tips, references to look out for, wrist shots, would be appreciated...

[stevedssd]

As you live in London, I'd highly recommend a visit to the Boutique in Bond Street. They are really friendly and will take the time to go through the various models and let you try them all on. The female manager was wearing a steel 45mm Fifty Fathoms when I visited and it looked incredible on her. It is worth spending time comparing all the options together so you can compare and contrast. You don't need an appointment but it may be worth it if you want to make sure they have all the models you are interested in [email protected]
For me I was torn between the steel and titanium 45mm FF and there was no pressure to buy, so I went away to think it over. In the end the exhibition caseback of the titanium model as well as the blue dial and bezel insert won it for me.

[londonpilgrim]

Thanks Steve, looks amazing. Yes, was in the Bond street store on Saturday - great service. That 45mm looks a fantastic choice.

[Batmannr1]

I visited last week the Geneva Blancpain Boutique. I got in a nice conversation with the SA and talked about the 42 mm Fifty Fathoms, which has been released as a limited edition at the beginning of this year (all are already allocated). I asked if there would be a chance if a standard 42 mm edition will be released in the near future. He did feed the rumor that BP might possible drop a non-limited 42 before the end of the year. I am not convinced that it will happen, but hope makes us dream.

[WatchTimes]

If I was buying a BP FF again Id be buying the Hodinkee LE
It's 40 mm and has no date but they are about 20K
I had a standard FF and while I wear a PAM243 with no issues the BP felt like I had a pie plate on my wrist.
If you are considering the standard edition make sure to try it on first.

[Aferrariguy]

I recently picked up this Milspec and it hasn’t left my wrist since. It’s a beautiful timepiece.

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





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[Aferrariguy]

Also, I did hear from my AD that there is big news coming from Blancpain and he was required to sign a non disclosure and couldn’t provide any more details.

May be worth waiting to see what’s in store


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[londonpilgrim]

Originally Posted by Aferrariguy

Also, I did hear from my AD that there is big news coming from Blancpain and he was required to sign a non disclosure and couldn’t provide any more details.

May be worth waiting to see what’s in store


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yes, not a bad call!

[tedo]

I am looking to acquire as well, this is a great resource: https://blancpainblog.com/


Really like this one!

[Andad]

Originally Posted by tedo

I am looking to acquire as well, this is a great resource: https://blancpainblog.com/


Really like this one!

New THAT is a diver.

[Aferrariguy]

Sorry if off topic but also- The value proposition that Blancpain’s complicated pieces offer on the secondary market is also extraordinary


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[DVR]

My favorite diver, which I did not expect would happen when I bought it.

[AEC]

Originally Posted by DVR

My favorite diver, which I did not expect would happen when I bought it.

Man, that watch is sexy!

[Batmannr1]

More pics for inspiration.
My recommendated 40 mm Fifty Fathoms Barrakuda

[yorkzilla]

Originally Posted by Batmannr1

More pics for inspiration.
My recommendated 40 mm Fifty Fathoms Barrakuda

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




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[JettyOne]

Originally Posted by Batmannr1

More pics for inspiration.
My recommendated 40 mm Fifty Fathoms Barrakuda

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


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[Brazen331]

Are all the variants of the Bathyscape interchangeable regarding the bracelet and strap or do you have to buy the bracelet models?

[chrissimons]

Maybe hard to find and 45mm, but this engraving…
https://blancpainblog.com/timepieces...urs-de-combat/

[Travis29]

Any recommendations for replacing the sail strap?

[TikTok]

Originally Posted by Travis29

Any recommendations for replacing the sail strap?

For starters you will need 0.9mm hex keys x2.

[TikTok]

Another for the Bond St boutique.
Bought my 50 there last year and they were great. Tried various options and came out a very happy customer.

[Notimetodie]

If your wrist can handle 45mm there are amazing options. I’m a sucker for grand date, but the blue on top here in the thread is incredible too. Can’t go wrong really. Short lug to lug, absolute classic. Many people hate on the engraving on the side… you can’t see it on the wrist and I actually like it a lot. Blancpain being unapologetic blancpain.

[JettyOne]

Leaving this fish here.





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[WatchEater666]

I tried on the Fifty Fathons and Bathyscape models last weekend and liked them both.

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

Both were finished better than I expected, especially for what they go for 2nd hand.

[ads75]

Originally Posted by WatchEater666

I tried on the Fifty Fathons and Bathyscape models last weekend and liked them both.

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

Both were finished better than I expected, especially for what they go for 2nd hand.

I picked up a pre-owned titanium Bathyscaphe on bracelet about a month ago, I love it. I was considering a new one for about a year, kept on looking for used since I know they are better bargains, but rarely saw one on bracelet. Then a used one on bracelet popped up on a AD's website around New Years, and so a used one (a little over a year old) became a new one to me. Sorry for not posting a picture but every time I try on this site it seems overly complicated/difficult.

[NardinNut]

I love Blancpains. Very under appreciated brand. The first two pics are my current ones. Bottom two are ones I’ve passed on to new owners but loved while I had them.

[Tylerlsu2008]

Anyone had the bezel delamination issue?

[Enezdez]

Originally Posted by Tylerlsu2008

Anyone had the bezel delamination issue?

The bezel itself is ceramic.

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

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

Enezdez

[Tylerlsu2008]

Originally Posted by Enezdez

The bezel itself is ceramic.

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

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

Enezdez

You can literally google this and find many, many threads on various forums about this issue. I know the problem exists, just was curious if anyone here had experienced.

[Afterglow]

I have the SS 45 FF in black. Fantastic watch. May be the best diver out there. The bezel is a work of art. It is consistent at +1 sec per day. I wear mine every day and haven't grown tired of it which is a rarity for me.

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

Anyone out there have a work-around for the pin/screws mounting nightmare?