Rolex and Blancpain

[Tombrone]

Hi all,

I chose not to name this thread Rolex VS Blancpain because one can never compare two watch brands.

But the deal is, I'm into watches thanks to my father. He is not a WIS like I am, but he just likes nice watches. His most beautiful watches are two blancpains, the Villeret and the flyback. I however just love the rolex gmt 16710.

Last weekend, my father took me for surprise to a watch shop were I could try out many diffferent rolexes. He was very clear he would not buy me one because he knows I have been saving for a long time for my own and he respects this.

Now what are your thought between Blancpain and Rolex? Personally I like both brands but I find a 40mm GMT 16710 is younger than a 38mm blancpain villeret.

But I hope to learn more about the quality, value etc. of these two brand through the knowledge of this forum.

Thank you,
Tom

[Power Play]

Thanks for posting this topic as I, too, have pondered this great question.

I'd like to extend it to WIS's that have also had experience in the 'dive watch' catagory. I've been fortunate to collect a 14060, Sea Dweller 4000 and Deep Sea and am looking at the possibility of acquiring a Fifty Fathoms as well. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

[Dr. Robert]

BP movts. made by Fredrick Piguet (sp.?)
Rolex movts. made by Rolex.
Rolex GMT, IMHO, a younger, cooler look.

[Jason71]

Go with Rolex. It is timeless

[Grumpy Badger]

Thanks, Doc! In my ignorance I thought Blancpain were still all in house! No Fifty Fathoms for me, then!
My rule for any new watches is that the name on the face has to be the same name as what's in the case!
Hey, I'm a poet and I didn't know it!

[nrr1]

I would choose the Rolex if you want people to know what you are wearing

[Tools]

Blancpain is a fine name and in it's early years was an innovative watch manufacturer..

It became a victim of the decimation by the Quartz movement in the '80's, but the name was saved then revived by the Swatch conglomerate..

It is considered one of Swatch top-tier names and a fine purchase..

[Grumpy Badger]

Originally Posted by Tools

Blancpain is a fine name and in it's early years was an innovative watch manufacturer..

It became a victim of the decimation by the Quartz movement in the '80's, but the name was saved then revived by the Swatch conglomerate..

It is considered one of Swatch top-tier names and a fine purchase..

Good info, as always, Tools. For me though BP is now of the list. If I want a Piguet I'll go for a Polo 45! (though I'd need a lottery win for any so maybe a vintage Fifty Fathoms would be back on the list!)

[wokafu]

Fifty Fathoms lume looks great...wonder how much is it..

[mrbill2mrbill2]

Originally Posted by wokafu

Fifty Fathoms lume looks great...wonder how much is it..

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

[Tombrone]

So what movements are still made in-house then?

I also like the fifty fathoms but that is more expensive than an GMT and not versatile enough IMO.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Tombrone

So what movements are still made in-house then?

I also like the fifty fathoms but that is more expensive than an GMT and not versatile enough IMO.

Over the many years of Swiss watches there has been quite a few mediocre in-house made movements.Just because its in-house made don't always mean the movement is better.Now ETA/Valjoux make everything in-house and in every Rolex watch for many years there was a bit of ETA with the hairsprings.
Below is a link to most watch manufactures might be a bit out of date now have not updated for a while.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=8656

[Dr. Robert]

Originally Posted by Tombrone

So what movements are still made in-house then?

I also like the fifty fathoms but that is more expensive than an GMT and not versatile enough IMO.

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

[psv]

Rolex was the 1st luxury watch maker that caught my attention in the teens, then when I later on learned about Blancpain I thought they were very high-end and oh-so-cool. Years go by and you learn more about watches, the history the industry, the importance of movements etc, I realized that Blancpain is certainly not at the top, and personally I much prefer Rolex models, brand and reliability.

If you want high-end, that means Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet or Vachoron Constantin. Plus Breguet perhaps. And a bunch of more boutique oriented brands.

If you young and just starting out, you can't really go wrong with a Rolex sport model. Brutally reliable, sturdy and utterly timeless and classy. I think BP's strength is more on dressier models - save that until you become a Dad yourself! :-)

[jlee5050]

I would second the Rolex too... save the BP for later... =)

[Speed]

Get...this...one!!!

[Ebruner]

Originally Posted by Grumpy Badger

Thanks, Doc! In my ignorance I thought Blancpain were still all in house! No Fifty Fathoms for me, then!
My rule for any new watches is that the name on the face has to be the same name as what's in the case!
Hey, I'm a poet and I didn't know it!

Thet ONLY make movements for Blabcpain, so it is in effect in house. One watchmaker makes each movement start to finish, which cannot be said for Rolex. ETA and Rolex are both mass-produced movements, Blancpain is not. The FF is a triple barrel movement with 120 hours reserve. IMHO a better movement than found in Rolex.

-Eddie

[Speed]

But Eddie...which watch is simply cooler? ;-)

[Ebruner]

That's hard to say, fortunately I own both.

Right now I am sitting on a beach in Belize on surface interval wearing a deepsea that just can up from 138ft.


-Eddie

[Speed]

Don't drop your phone Eddie!!

[Ebruner]

I just love technology.

-Eddie

[Dr. Robert]

Originally Posted by Speed

But Eddie...which watch is simply cooler? ;-)

Rolex GMT pepsi of course! (beautiful photo Bill)

p.s. Everyone knows the Rolex Swiss elves hand make Rolex movements...they have 2 production facilities, one in the Matterhorn, one in the Eiger.

[Widows Son]

My neighbor has a FF and it's gorgeous. As for history I believe the FF predates the Sub as a diver.

[Medtech]

Well, the fact that BP went belly up and was then bought by Swatch kinda kills it for me.

Plus I don't really care for their designs. Too bulky.

[Dr. Robert]

Originally Posted by Widows Son

My neighbor has a FF and it's gorgeous. As for history I believe the FF predates the Sub as a diver.

yes, 1953......but Omega had the Mariner in 1932 & Panerai in the 1930's.

[buddy13]

I have a 16610 sub but my ultimate grail would be the fifty fathoms ...

The movement is essentially in-house (only available to blancpain), meticulously finished and is shielded against magnetic fields ...

If money was no object I'll get the FF..

[Dr. Robert]

Blancpain FF......beautiful watch, good pedigree....................but @ 45mm diameter....
against my religion....... curmudgeonism.

[RRGHOST1]

They may be a nice watch but i would still prefer Rolex.

[Medtech]

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

yes, 1953......but Omega had the Mariner in 1932 & Panerai in the 1930's.

Yes, and that Panerai was designed and built by Rolex.

In fact, BP didn't even design the FF, a french navy diver did. They came to BP as a last resort to get the design built. Much like Panerai came to Rolex to design a dive watch some 20yrs earlier.

Granted the FF was released at Basel 1 year prior to the Sub, however Rolex has a MUCH longer/bigger history designing/making waterproof wrist watches.

If one likes their watches, then enjoy. But their history is weak at best IMO.

[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.......