Rolex and Blancpain

[psv]

It is too bad really BP decided to make the FF 45mm. But that is what happens when you're part of the Swatch Group...

@ Eddie: 138ft! Did you dive the Blue Hole? I guess Belize has moved forward a lot, when I was there, the hotel had no internet, no TV, no phones in the bungalows -- it was great. Have fun at Shark Alley!

[frank gama]

Both are very different watches.
The simplicity of the Villeret is truly beautiful and pictures dont do it justice. The watch is so thin and light and comfortable you can easily forget you are wearing one. The 100 hour power reserve is really useful on weekends as I want my Daytona on my wrist for weekends.
I enjoy wearing the Blancpain to work as no one apart from me knows what it is. I also know that its very unlikely that I will get mugged for the Villeret.
BUT having said that if I had to live with just one watch for the rest of my life then it would have to be Rolex and nothing else.

[p_mcgee]

I had a tough time choosing between the GMT and a great deal I was offered on the Blancpain Leman flyback. I ended up with a GMT 16710, and my next purchase was going to be the BP before the new Explorer II came along.

Blancpain sometimes takes a bashing on the forums. Swatch aftermarket support is supposedly not that great, and BP resale value is clearly not as good as Rolex. However, a cool watch is a cool watch and I still want that flyback! As for Villeret, its obviously a nice piece but a little too plain vanilla dress watch for me.

Good luck with your decision.

[lhanddds]

Own both, love both. Blancpain is probably less well known except in higher end circles (pick up a Robb Report and see what you find). If you are trying to impress, probably Rolex. If you'd like something more descreet go for the Blancpain. I don't know who has more history, but google Blancpain and you'll find plenty (Jacque Cousteau, no less). Blancpain has recently purchased Piguet and they are right next to each other. I have the 41 mm FF and it's right for me. Young folks would certainly find the new 45 mm version cool and you're not likely to see these on everyone's wrist on a daily basis. I don't really see the two companies as competitors.

[Ebruner]

Originally Posted by psv

It is too bad really BP decided to make the FF 45mm. But that is what happens when you're part of the Swatch Group...

@ Eddie: 138ft! Did you dive the Blue Hole? I guess Belize has moved forward a lot, when I was there, the hotel had no internet, no TV, no phones in the bungalows -- it was great. Have fun at Shark Alley!

We dove the blue hole. VERY cool, and VERY deep dive. Victoria House has no phones, but WiFI. Go figure.

I have never seen so many sharks. We were swarmed with nurse sharks. 10 - 15 of them feeding on sardines the dive master brought down. Then some hammerheads came to investigate. At first a bit unnerving, but super cool.


-Eddie

[dsio]

The BP Fiddy is an amazing diver, the history is definitely on-par with the submariner, the new movement in the FF with the 5 day power reserve is amazing, and a piece of mechanical art, given the choice, I'd buy a used FF, its similar money to the GMT.

[karmatp]

I really like and respect both brands, just get the watch you love and wear it for the rest of your life.

Blancpain makes some amazing watches, but they are a little expensive for me. If I was rich, I would have a few BP's in my collection for sure.

[z0mghenry]

I wouldn't compare the two. The Villeret is more of a dressy watch and the Rolex is more of a sporty watch. IMO I would go with the Rolex, most sport models are versatile enough to be dressed up or dressed down. If you still like the Villeret I would get that after you get the Rolex.

[Le Chef]

BP movements are in house. The Flyback is one of the most sophisticated chrono movements out there. Overall BP is a much more sophisticated brand with wat he's from simple divers - Fifty Fathoms - to really complex tourbillon complications.

Rolex = rugged

Blancpain = sophisticated

Both are right for different occasions.

[psv]

Originally Posted by Ebruner

We dove the blue hole. VERY cool, and VERY deep dive. Victoria House has no phones, but WiFI. Go figure.

I have never seen so many sharks. We were swarmed with nurse sharks. 10 - 15 of them feeding on sardines the dive master brought down. Then some hammerheads came to investigate. At first a bit unnerving, but super cool.


-Eddie

Stay frosty - there are some Bull sharks around there as well. And plenty of Stingray. And stay off the bling watches around the Barracudas! :-)

Have a fab time!!!

[HL65]

Originally Posted by Tools

Everybody bases that myth on the Rolex release of the 6204 Sub in 1954 at Basel.. That was a third generation Sub...

The Sub was already out in '53 as the 6200 and based on the Turn-O-Graph bezel and case design... Even earlier examples are out with the Submariner blacked out on the dial as Rolex had not yet secured Trademark rights to the name.......

Exactly!

[Howie]

I love Rolex, but the Blancpain FF is something else.

[Ebruner]

Originally Posted by psv

Stay frosty - there are some Bull sharks around there as well. And plenty of Stingray. And stay off the bling watches around the Barracudas! :-)

Have a fab time!!!

I almost posted a comment about that and PLC's earlier

We were shimmering the light off our knife blades at barracuda in Bonaire last month. They will dart right at you.

-Eddie

[scl6118]

I think the Rolex is superior looks wise and movement wise!

[Frogman4me]

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

Seiko (my 2 favorite marques, Rolex & Seiko) makes all it's movements.

Rolex and Seiko most impressive I agree

Blancpain vintage divers are pretty awesome though!

[Duffs4me]

Tom,

I own three Rolex, TT Sub, Deepsea, and Sub with green bezel as well as a Blancpain Villeret Moonphase in Rose Gold. Love them all, however, I will be selling the Blancpain to purchase the Yachmaster II. I have worn the watch only once on my wedding day in 2007, so it is brand new with box and papers purchased from AD here in California. If you decide to go that route, contact me. Either way you won't be disappointed with your decision.

Good luck,

Marty

[mickeydainish]

The FF is beautiful..... maybe one day. I love the clean lines and super cool bezel. :-)

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by mickeydainish

The FF is beautiful..... maybe one day. I love the clean lines and super cool bezel. :-)

I would agree with you about the dial and bezel..

However, imho the Blancpain FF design was ruined by that obnoxious "BLANCPAIN" engraving on the caseside!




Some like, some not... I don't care for that engraving, at all... to each his own....


Otherwise, it's a handsome watch:












(All pics by Niffko; watchlounge.com)

[Andad]

Interesting information.

Good to read some of the comments and comparisons especialy regarding the movement in the 'B'.

Hi Bo, good to see you - things a bit quiet on TKF mate?

[mamas]

Hi, i cant really comment on the villaret but can comment on the fifty fathoms. The Fifty fathoms uses an in house movement developed by blancpain, it is only the FF chrono that uses the Fredrick Piguet based movement.
I own 2 rolexes SD/GMT IIC and flipped my daytona to buy the FF. I think that rolex is the market leader in its segment but the Blancpain FF is several steps above rolex for its finishing and attention to detail. Rolex is a mass produced (albeit superb) watch. In contrast, each FF is hand assembled by the same watchmaker and blancpain only make 5-10,000 pieces a year compared to 1 million rolexes. If you want something more exclusive, then blancpain is the way to go.
I also like the fact the the FF is more exclusive, whereas millions of subs are in circulation my watch is number 1257 and it was bought recently so only 12-1300 will own a watch like mine in the world.
Both watches have a place in a collection and certainly i would never part from my old friend the SD, but comparing rolex to blancpain is pointless, they both occupy different segments in the WIS market.

[travisb]

You can always enjoy looking at your father's BPs.
I say stick with Rolex - it's what you've been saving for.

[superb]

I thought i read it somewhere BP's movement has issues, more than usual?

[landroverking]

Originally Posted by mrbill2mrbill2

A fifty fathoms on a fabric straps lists for $13k. A little out of my range.

Just think you could buy a Sub and SD for that price and if purchased used maybe have money left over.

[axxeman01]

Hey guys - This is a slightly older thread but I figured I'd add on as my question is in line with these and pretty straightforward.

I think we mostly agree that both Rolex and Blancpain are great watches. My question specifically is in regards to the durability of the FF vs the sub. I currently have an lv sub and I can attest to the fact that it can keep a beating.

With the FF be able to be a daily wearer and still look great like the Rolex will after years of desk diving and daily living? I ask because I'm in love with the way it looks.

Thanks in advance- Chris

[Megalobyte]

I have found BP AD's that discount in the 30% range, even 35%.

[dddrees]

I have yet to see a Blancpain I would want to buy.

[East Bay Rider]

<<<<---- Big fan of the Fifty Fathoms.

[Power Play]

Thx to Chris for reviving this thread.

Like many of you, I really adore the Rolex divers and presently own the 14060, Sea Dweller, Yachtmaster and DSSD as well as Omega Seamaster PO. It seems like the BP Fifty Fathoms is the next step. Would greatly appreciate any input about how the FF wears, holds up, etc..... Thanks in advance!

[MoosicPa]

Both Rolex and the Fifty fathoms are beautiful watches, but if I had to choose between them, I would go Rolex, it is more versdatile.

[MoosicPa]

Of course the Blancpain's packaging is much cooler