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Thread: Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Mil-Spec 2017

  1. #1
    Master yonsson's Avatar
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    Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Mil-Spec 2017


    (A blog to watch)

    Just wanted to get your thoughts on the new Baselworld 2017 release of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tribute to Mil-spec.
    As you probably know, Blancpain released the first diver dedicated watch 1953. It was released in a number of variations and the Mil-Spec was one of them, used by special forces 1957/1958.
    I'm not going to quote the whole press release but the original had a moisture indicator on the dial.


    (My 45mm BP FF)


    (40mm, concept 2000)


    (Concept 2000, pic from Cristian at Klocksnack)

    The "regular" Blancpain Fifty Fathoms is 45mm but Blancpain released several 40mm versions 2003, which is actually before the regular version was released 2007. The 40mm version with sapphire bezel inlay was released in 3 series of 50 each.


    (A blog to watch)


    (A blog to watch)

    It seems to me and to an owner of the 2003 model that Blancpain is using the same case as they did 2003 but with a see through caseback.
    It's 40mm x 13mm and has a 20mm bandwidth. The movement on the 2017 model is also the same as on the 2003 versions (called concept 2000) although it has been updated with a silicon balance spring, a new oscillating weight, and probably other parts as well (21600bph, 96 hrs power reserve). The 2017 version is a LE of 500 and is due may/June.

    So what do you think of the new release? I'm actually a little worried about it only being 40mm but I have placed my order for one.
    Last edited by yonsson; 23rd May 2017 at 12:54.

  2. #2
    Grand Master snowman's Avatar
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    A lot of people will like the fact it's 'only' 40mm.

    That seems to be the main complaint about the Fifty Fathoms at 45mm.

    I like the new one, but I'd still go for the model you have, personally.

    M

  3. #3
    Master Top Cat's Avatar
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    I love it and also have my name down for one but I heard they are sold out so whether I will get one is another matter. I am a little worried about the 40mm size as the 45mm version wears really small with its short lugs. Even so, I think it is a cracker, if I can get one I am going for the bracelet version but will wear it on the sail cloth for resale reasons should I not get on with it.

  4. #4
    Master
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    Love it, would be even better without the date window.

  5. #5
    Master yonsson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Top Cat View Post
    I love it and also have my name down for one but I heard they are sold out so whether I will get one is another matter. I am a little worried about the 40mm size as the 45mm version wears really small with its short lugs. Even so, I think it is a cracker, if I can get one I am going for the bracelet version but will wear it on the sail cloth for resale reasons should I not get on with it.
    Sold out on pre orders WW or at your local AD, had had to take dramatic measures to order one. The Swedish AD only gets one or two and they are already pre booked.

  6. #6
    Master
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    I love it aswell.
    I wasn't sure about the "beach ball" moisture indicator when I first saw it, but that's grown on me and it obviously has historical significance.

    I'm not sure about the size though - 40mm with short lugs may be quite small.

  7. #7
    Craftsman
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    It's perfect, all apart from the date window.

    Sent from my SM-G925F using TZ-UK mobile app

  8. #8
    Master yonsson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by mjgerrard View Post
    It's perfect, all apart from the date window.

    Sent from my SM-G925F using TZ-UK mobile app

    Agree that it should have been no date but what a lovely date window and date wheel it is! Just look at that enlarged "7".

  9. #9
    Master -Ally-'s Avatar
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    I really like it and the size is perfect for me, sounds like getting one isn't an option but what's the price anyway ?

  10. #10
    Master yonsson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by -Ally- View Post
    I really like it and the size is perfect for me, sounds like getting one isn't an option but what's the price anyway ?
    $14000 on bracelet according to the press release.
    €13180 on sailcloth or nato, €15170 on bracelet in EU, probably fluctuates a little depending on country.

  11. #11
    Master -Ally-'s Avatar
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    Thanks yon, I wonder if we might ever see a 40mm non-LE version at a lower price.

  12. #12
    Master AM94's Avatar
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    Does it have Blancpain on the side of the case, like the 45mm does?

    That is the only thing I wasn't keen on with my FF.

  13. #13
    Master yonsson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by -Ally- View Post
    Thanks yon, I wonder if we might ever see a 40mm non-LE version at a lower price.

    This would make perfect sense to me but I wouldn't get my hopes up.
    I think it would be great with a regular 40mm version and I'm sure it would be very popular but it took BP 14 years to revisit the 40mm case.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by AM94 View Post
    Does it have Blancpain on the side of the case, like the 45mm does?
    .
    Yes.

  14. #14
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by yonsson View Post
    Release that as a non-LE and sensible price and I'd be first in the queue

  15. #15
    Master -Ally-'s Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Scepticalist View Post
    Release that as a non-LE and sensible price and I'd be first in the queue
    You'd be second :)

  16. #16
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by AM94 View Post
    Does it have Blancpain on the side of the case, like the 45mm does?

    That is the only thing I wasn't keen on with my FF.
    That's one of my favourite details on my FF :)

  17. #17
    Craftsman
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    Quote Originally Posted by klunk View Post
    I wasn't sure about the "beach ball" moisture indicator when I first saw it, but that's grown on me and it obviously has historical significance.
    I've always thought that was the coolest thing - great idea, and looks fantastic on the dial, really brings it together for me. In this sense, see it as an equivalent of a tie - sure, black, grey and dark blue suits only, and even less variety in shirts, but the tie is where your individuality can shine and if you're a bit bolder than most, you have a legitimate way of letting it out with something a bit out of the ordinary.

  18. #18
    Master
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    I personally love this new release and have put my name down at the BP boutique. The 40mm size is perfect and I think it looks really classic. I have never owned a BP before so would be a cool one to add to the collection. However I will not pay the MSRP for it.

  19. #19
    Wow, there were so many negative comments when released at Basel.
    Now suddenly everyone is in love:-)
    It sure is a strange world.i liked it then and I like it now.

  20. #20
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by RAJEN View Post
    Wow, there were so many negative comments when released at Basel.
    Now suddenly everyone is in love:-)
    It sure is a strange world.i liked it then and I like it now.
    I was in love the moment i saw it, thought it was one of Blancpain's best releases recently.

  21. #21
    Master yonsson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by RAJEN View Post
    Wow, there were so many negative comments when released at Basel.
    Now suddenly everyone is in love:-)
    It sure is a strange world.i liked it then and I like it now.
    Where? I haven't read a single negative word.
    Quote Originally Posted by kaiserphoenix View Post
    I was in love the moment i saw it, thought it was one of Blancpain's best releases recently.
    Agree.

  22. #22
    Master ghosty's Avatar
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    Yep I thought it was Epic, bar the fact I personally dont like the 40mm size, I'd prefer it to be larger.

    I've been invited by them to go to the Blancpain GT at Silverstone, anyone else going?

    Plus if they offer up one to order, is anyone interested, IF I can sort it out?

  23. #23
    Quote Originally Posted by yonsson View Post
    Where? I haven't read a single negative word.

    Agree.
    Look back at the Basel threads.

  24. #24
    Master
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    Personally I am not at all keen on the beach ball which disrupts the otherwise perfect dial. Everything else about the new FF is very lovely to me.

    Sent from my Vodafone Smart ultra 6 using TZ-UK mobile app

  25. #25
    Glad to see a re-release, but why don't they do it for the BUND ? A much better looking watch IMHO.


  26. #26
    Master yonsson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gren View Post
    Glad to see a re-release, but why don't they do it for the BUND ? A much better looking watch IMHO.

    Because Squale already does?

  27. #27
    Craftsman
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    I was one of the people who loved it when released and love it now. Does anyone know if the moisture indicator is functional? I'm not really sure how the original worked, but started wondering if the new one works the same way, a different way, or is just decorative!

  28. #28
    Master yonsson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by momentum View Post
    I was one of the people who loved it when released and love it now. Does anyone know if the moisture indicator is functional? I'm not really sure how the original worked, but started wondering if the new one works the same way, a different way, or is just decorative!
    It works and so did the original, but is it effective enough? Probably not. If a watch isn't water tight, then there will be condensation under the crystal, that's all the indication you need.

  29. #29
    Master -Ally-'s Avatar
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    Regardless of functionality, I think it looks pretty smart. The mock up looks plain by comparison.

  30. #30
    Grand Master RustyBin5's Avatar
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    It's very nice but the LE thing with auto price hike irritates me. Won't make the list as a result £8k maybe. £14k er nah


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  31. #31
    Master yonsson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by -Ally- View Post
    Regardless of functionality, I think it looks pretty smart. The mock up looks plain by comparison.
    Agree! I had a JLC Deep Sea Chronograph. It has a "chronograph indicator", a totally pointless thing but it looked sweet which made it a cool function.

  32. #32
    Craftsman
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    The more I see the Fifty Fathoms the more I like it :-) And the 40mm is indeed appealing.

  33. #33
    Master endo's Avatar
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    I should have one coming in :) I was in a AD during Basel to sort some issue I had with a watch, and while waiting I was asked if anything at Basel piqued my interest.
    Mentioned the fifty fathoms, thinking I'd be in a long queue of punters. (40mm, nice hands and without horrid applied markers, almost a perfect FF for me)

    Turns out they'd had no one yet, so put down a sizeable deposit to ensure its mine when it comes in.
    Not something i'd normally want to do, but it made sense to make sure I was able to get one.

    Fingers crossed it comes in soon, and looks as good in the flesh

  34. #34
    Re: I was in a AD

    Things one has to do these days to get a watch!!

  35. #35
    I like the look of it, especially as it is a 40mm case..

  36. #36
    Craftsman
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    What's the RRP for the 40mm?

  37. #37
    Non LE 40mm / 42mm would certainly be popular.
    Andy

    Wanted - Damasko DC57

  38. #38
    Journeyman
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    Quote Originally Posted by RustyBin5 View Post
    It's very nice but the LE thing with auto price hike irritates me. Won't make the list as a result £8k maybe. £14k er nah


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    I agree completely. I had my eye on this one too.

  39. #39
    Master yonsson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jancik View Post
    What's the RRP for the 40mm?
    Quote Originally Posted by yonsson View Post
    $14000 on bracelet according to the press release.
    €13180 on sailcloth or nato, €15170 on bracelet in EU, probably fluctuates a little depending on country.

  40. #40

  41. #41
    The wrist shot in the review makes the watch look comedy small. Must have been on a Gorilla's wrist!

  42. #42
    Journeyman
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    Stop posting pics! Want!!

  43. #43
    Master endo's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by yonsson;4341812
    https://www.deployant.com/review-blancpain-fifty-fathoms-milspec/[/URL
    Drooling...
    Have you heard any news of when they'll arrival?
    Spoke to the AD last week to try an get a rough idea and was told probably August.

  44. #44
    Master yonsson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by fordy964 View Post
    The wrist shot in the review makes the watch look comedy small. Must have been on a Gorilla's wrist!
    :D

    Quote Originally Posted by endo View Post
    Have you heard any news of when they'll arrival?
    Spoke to the AD last week to try an get a rough idea and was told probably August.
    I've heard June for my order but later from others, as late as November, so I don't know what to think anymore.

  45. #45
    Master endo's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by yonsson View Post
    :D


    I've heard June for my order but later from others, as late as November, so I don't know what to think anymore.
    Here's hoping for an earlier arrival, it'll be a nice suprise when it turns up then :)

  46. #46
    Master
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    A stunning piece. Watch pron.

    Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

  47. #47

  48. #48
    Master
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    Cheers. Nice to see them in motion.

    Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

  49. #49
    Grand Master Wallasey Runner's Avatar
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    Quick question, has anyone had any problems with the bezel insert? I did read one watch review and someone posted at the bottom of the page that theirs had broken twice. The reviews do say that it is extremely hard wearing with it being sapphire, but is there a brittle element if it is banged etc.

    Any thoughts or experiences.

  50. #50
    Master yonsson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Wallasey Runner View Post
    Quick question, has anyone had any problems with the bezel insert? I did read one watch review and someone posted at the bottom of the page that theirs had broken twice. The reviews do say that it is extremely hard wearing with it being sapphire, but is there a brittle element if it is banged etc.

    Any thoughts or experiences.
    There is always a risk with sapphire, I have had no issues.

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