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Mockingbird · 1 July 2010, 03:30 AM

What do you guys think of it? I'm considering buying one (not at and AD of course) and I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. I was planning to go to a BP AD today but it didn't work out, so I'd love to hear your thoughts on the watch. Does the size become irritating? Are there any bad designs on it?

I'm considering the SS dive version by the way.

Saxon007 · 1 July 2010, 04:16 AM

Its a great looking watch, maybe the most graceful looking diver out there.

Having said that, the pie-pan (45mm) size is a real problem for me. A watch that size would make my normally masculine 7.4" wrist look like a teenage girl's wrist.

Jim232118 · 1 July 2010, 05:29 AM

I have tried one on before, it’s very comfortable and looks great. I thought the size was great. It’s currently one of the watches on my wish list.

Mockingbird · 1 July 2010, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saxon007

Its a great looking watch, maybe the most graceful looking diver out there.

Having said that, the pie-pan (45mm) size is a real problem for me. A watch that size would make my normally masculine 7.4" wrist look like a teenage girl's wrist.

Yeah I have 7" wrists so this may be an issue.

datejust1 · 1 July 2010, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saxon007

Its a great looking watch, maybe the most graceful looking diver out there.

Having said that, the pie-pan (45mm) size is a real problem for me. A watch that size would make my normally masculine 7.4" wrist look like a teenage girl's wrist.

x2. But, It's a great looking watch. I've handled them here at the AD in San Juan. It's amazing. I love it. For me, it was quite comfortable, and I felt that it was well made. Sturdy Construction!

esm · 1 July 2010, 07:59 AM

tried one on a couple of weeks ago and it felt quite comfortable and looked great - my wife's first impression was - it looked like a Rolex Sub

i would be very interested if i can find one with a decent discount on it. have some wrist shot pix on the phone micro SD card, will see if i can download it onto the macbook tomorrow.

go for it if you really like it

Mockingbird · 1 July 2010, 08:13 AM

Is the movement in-house?

datejust1 · 1 July 2010, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mockingbird

Is the movement in-house?

Yep.

Mockingbird · 1 July 2010, 08:28 AM

Huh, my one qualm seems to be the size at this point. (7" wrists) How does it sit on smaller wrists?

(Oh and of course the price, but I'm buying on TRF anyways)

mingsta · 1 July 2010, 08:46 AM

One of my all time favourites, but alas the current FF is too large for my tastes. I've got a precista PRS-50 on the wishlist, which is 42mm and a homage to a FF of old.

Psmith · 1 July 2010, 11:42 AM

Imho one of the best looking sports watches. Killer lume and great historical significance.

Downsides are that people seem to tire of them quickly, and resale value is poor. Also, the strap is not as easy to change as Blancpain suggest, and is an odd size at 23mm.

Great piece as a keeper, but if you have any thoughts of future flipping probably best avoided.

I've come close to pulling the trigger a couple of times, but glad I held off.

Cheers

Psmith · 1 July 2010, 03:27 PM

Charlie - you may find this thread interesting... http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=102663

Cheers

ohfivepro · 4 July 2010, 11:47 PM

For what it's worth one of our main rival jewellers used to be a Blancpain AD. They ditched them after a couple of years once their watches turned out to have a 100% failure rate. Every BP sold was returned within warranty due to defects from poor timekeeping to dials falling out, movements falling to pieces etc Not what you'd expect from such a prestigeous brand but TBH we had exactly the same problem with Chopard LUCs.

Psmith · 5 July 2010, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ohfivepro

For what it's worth one of our main rival jewellers used to be a Blancpain AD. They ditched them after a couple of years once their watches turned out to have a 100% failure rate. Every BP sold was returned within warranty due to defects from poor timekeeping to dials falling out, movements falling to pieces etc Not what you'd expect from such a prestigeous brand but TBH we had exactly the same problem with Chopard LUCs.

Interesting... someone here became disillusioned with his FF after experiencing poor timekeeping and then sub-optimal customer support. Not intending to be controversial, but I sometimes wonder how much testing HH pieces are subjected to in regard to real-world use.

Cheers

spuds · 5 July 2010, 07:00 PM

Can't comment on the technicalities but I know I love the look of it....

asadtiger · 9 July 2010, 03:00 AM

I love the look and specs of it

gorgeous :)

Welshwatchman · 9 July 2010, 03:31 AM

My buddy had a FF chrono.

It went to back twice in 14 months, both chrono resetting problems.

The service experience was not good and on the second occasion he did some cage rattling and got a credit back for 90% of his purchase price.

George Ab · 14 July 2010, 01:30 PM

Frederic Piquet designs their movements and assists with other companies like the Omega 3303/3313. This is from John Holbrook II web page: http://www.rolexreferencepage.com/ba...vsdaytona.html

The caliber 3303 is Omega's first movement that can truly be considered a manufacturers movement since the Swatch Group acquisition of Omega. Based on the Frederic Piquet caliber 1185, and produced in a Piquet facility now owned by Omega, the 3303 is a fantastic movement, with not only a pedigree in "high horology" but also some very noteworthy technology - a free sprung balance, column wheel control mechanism, and lever escapement. The 3303 is also finely decorated by Omega with rhodium plating, and Geneva waves and striping throughout. Unfortunately, since the watches launch in 2001, the 3303 and it's variants have been marred by some quality control issues. Omega has gone on record saying that the noted problems have been eliminated in the newest examples of the 3303, but examples still exist on dealer shelves that exhibit the infamous chronograph reset issue. Once the memory of the launch issues fade, the 3303 will likely be remembered as one of Omega's greatest achievements, and a true giant among chronograph movements. RATING: 8

http://www.swatchgroup.com/en/brands...rederic_piguet

http://www.fiftyfathoms.net/FiftyFat...tyFathoms.html

I had a Blancpain Aqualung that I liked a lot, but it fell out of favor as I needed some change. Likely, the same movement is in the Fiftyfathoms.

WatchTimes · 15 July 2010, 02:47 AM

It is too large for my wrist and the AR coating is ANNOYING!
Very purple and my other watches with AR do not annoy me at all.

It is a great looking watch I can't argue that.

If I had bigger wrists and its AR coating was not so purple I would have one without a doubt.

Buy it gray market or second hand.

1 July 2010, 03:30 AM	#1
Mockingbird "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: -- Posts: 2,097	Blancpain Fifty Fathoms What do you guys think of it? I'm considering buying one (not at and AD of course) and I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. I was planning to go to a BP AD today but it didn't work out, so I'd love to hear your thoughts on the watch. Does the size become irritating? Are there any bad designs on it? I'm considering the SS dive version by the way.

1 July 2010, 04:16 AM	#2
Saxon007 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 2,002	Its a great looking watch, maybe the most graceful looking diver out there. Having said that, the pie-pan (45mm) size is a real problem for me. A watch that size would make my normally masculine 7.4" wrist look like a teenage girl's wrist. __________________ Licensed to kill time.

1 July 2010, 11:42 AM	#11
Psmith "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Real Name: Clive Location: Exoplanet Watch: spring-driven Posts: 38,856	Imho one of the best looking sports watches. Killer lume and great historical significance. Downsides are that people seem to tire of them quickly, and resale value is poor. Also, the strap is not as easy to change as Blancpain suggest, and is an odd size at 23mm. Great piece as a keeper, but if you have any thoughts of future flipping probably best avoided. I've come close to pulling the trigger a couple of times, but glad I held off. Cheers __________________

1 July 2010, 03:27 PM	#12
Psmith "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Real Name: Clive Location: Exoplanet Watch: spring-driven Posts: 38,856	Charlie - you may find this thread interesting... http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=102663 Cheers __________________

5 July 2010, 07:00 PM	#15
spuds "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Real Name: Dan Location: Essex, UK Watch: West Ham! COYI!! Posts: 7,941	Can't comment on the technicalities but I know I love the look of it.... __________________ Onwards & Upwards Rodders...... Onwards & Upwards. Life is not about how fast you can run or how high you can climb........... It's about how well you can bounce!! TRF HALL OF FAME JANUARY 2010

1 July 2010, 05:29 AM	#3
Jim232118 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: Jim Location: DFW, TX Watch: Yachtmaster II YG Posts: 276	I have tried one on before, it’s very comfortable and looks great. I thought the size was great. It’s currently one of the watches on my wish list.

1 July 2010, 07:59 AM	#6
esm "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Real Name: Eric Location: Location,Location Watch: this, bro... Posts: 15,340	tried one on a couple of weeks ago and it felt quite comfortable and looked great - my wife's first impression was - it looked like a Rolex Sub i would be very interested if i can find one with a decent discount on it. have some wrist shot pix on the phone micro SD card, will see if i can download it onto the macbook tomorrow. go for it if you really like it

1 July 2010, 08:13 AM	#7
Mockingbird "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: -- Posts: 2,097	Is the movement in-house?

1 July 2010, 08:28 AM	#9
Mockingbird "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: -- Posts: 2,097	Huh, my one qualm seems to be the size at this point. (7" wrists) How does it sit on smaller wrists? (Oh and of course the price, but I'm buying on TRF anyways)

1 July 2010, 08:46 AM	#10
mingsta Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: UK Posts: 185	One of my all time favourites, but alas the current FF is too large for my tastes. I've got a precista PRS-50 on the wishlist, which is 42mm and a homage to a FF of old.

4 July 2010, 11:47 PM	#13
ohfivepro "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Scotand Watch: Too many :o) Posts: 262	For what it's worth one of our main rival jewellers used to be a Blancpain AD. They ditched them after a couple of years once their watches turned out to have a 100% failure rate. Every BP sold was returned within warranty due to defects from poor timekeeping to dials falling out, movements falling to pieces etc Not what you'd expect from such a prestigeous brand but TBH we had exactly the same problem with Chopard LUCs.

9 July 2010, 03:00 AM	#16
asadtiger "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Asad A. Awan Location: kabul, Afghanista Watch: Tissot PRX Posts: 2,698	I love the look and specs of it gorgeous :)

9 July 2010, 03:31 AM	#17
Welshwatchman "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Real Name: Paul Location: Wales, UK Posts: 14,578	My buddy had a FF chrono. It went to back twice in 14 months, both chrono resetting problems. The service experience was not good and on the second occasion he did some cage rattling and got a credit back for 90% of his purchase price. __________________ ..33

14 July 2010, 01:30 PM	#18
George Ab "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Real Name: George Location: Seattle Watch: One of Them Posts: 6,924	Frederic Piquet designs their movements and assists with other companies like the Omega 3303/3313. This is from John Holbrook II web page: http://www.rolexreferencepage.com/ba...vsdaytona.html The caliber 3303 is Omega's first movement that can truly be considered a manufacturers movement since the Swatch Group acquisition of Omega. Based on the Frederic Piquet caliber 1185, and produced in a Piquet facility now owned by Omega, the 3303 is a fantastic movement, with not only a pedigree in "high horology" but also some very noteworthy technology - a free sprung balance, column wheel control mechanism, and lever escapement. The 3303 is also finely decorated by Omega with rhodium plating, and Geneva waves and striping throughout. Unfortunately, since the watches launch in 2001, the 3303 and it's variants have been marred by some quality control issues. Omega has gone on record saying that the noted problems have been eliminated in the newest examples of the 3303, but examples still exist on dealer shelves that exhibit the infamous chronograph reset issue. Once the memory of the launch issues fade, the 3303 will likely be remembered as one of Omega's greatest achievements, and a true giant among chronograph movements. RATING: 8 http://www.swatchgroup.com/en/brands...rederic_piguet http://www.fiftyfathoms.net/FiftyFat...tyFathoms.html I had a Blancpain Aqualung that I liked a lot, but it fell out of favor as I needed some change. Likely, the same movement is in the Fiftyfathoms. __________________

15 July 2010, 02:47 AM	#19
WatchTimes 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Real Name: JYogi/Jeremy Location: Metro Detroit USA Watch: It's a Rolex! Posts: 5,787	It is too large for my wrist and the AR coating is ANNOYING! Very purple and my other watches with AR do not annoy me at all. It is a great looking watch I can't argue that. If I had bigger wrists and its AR coating was not so purple I would have one without a doubt. Buy it gray market or second hand. __________________ "You won't rise to the occasion - you'll default to your level of training." Barrett Tillman Kentucky Colonel, Tennessee Squire & Combat Leprechaun

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