Reply With QuoteCheers Raj :)Originally Posted by RAJEN
The boutique is a good place to start if you're in/around London. Great choice if you do go down that route, though.
I seem to be reading about and looking at pictures of the BPFF a lot recently I have a big birthday this year and as life is supposed to begin then I might treat myself to one (assuming I find one)
The Barracuda is a lovely looking watch as was your Mil spec. Enjoy.
Yep when we are released I will pop past on the way to work.
Last edited by Sinnlover; 13th May 2020 at 20:51.
Great write up and amazing photos Tony. Thank you!
The Air Command is a stunner.
I haven’t seen that model before wow it’s a beauty
The Air Command is a stunner.
Tony, Tony and Joe, interested to hear why the Dark Knight is a favourite of you all? what is it about it over say the Automatique that gives it the edge for you?
A lot of people see the dimensions of the FF on paper at 45mm and simply dismiss it because it is "too big". It has incredibly short lug to lug distance so it actually sits sweetly on most wrists and is incredibly well balanced.
Being all black, the Dark Knight wears even smaller and I just love the raised silver indices and red tipped second hand against the black background. Even the date window seems to disappear amongst the all black. Simply put, i think it is one of the best pre-owned buys out there. It is honestly head and shoulders in finish and movement above the sub and sea dweller.
The poor pic below compares the 44mm LW, 45mm FF, 42mm Damasko and 44mm Schofield. I think the FF looks the smallest.
I borrowed Robs FF maybe a year or so back for a week and loved it, actually should have bought it! Anyway, I also thought that it wore very well given the 45mm diameter because of the short lug to lug and also the "hamburger" case shape, it just wore extremely well. I then a couple of months back saw a Dark Knight at a very good price and was tempted but kept thinking the std version would be a better option, thats why I was interested when you guys all said it was a favourite and looking at your pic I can see why, the bezel looks stunning. Is the day time appearance of the lume in the hands and indices dark grey? and at night does it match the colour of lume in the bezel?A lot of people see the dimensions of the FF on paper at 45mm and simply dismiss it because it is "too big". It has incredibly short lug to lug distance so it actually sits sweetly on most wrists and is incredibly well balanced.
Being all black, the Dark Knight wears even smaller and I just love the raised silver indices and red tipped second hand against the black background. Even the date window seems to disappear amongst the all black. Simply put, i think it is one of the best pre-owned buys out there. It is honestly head and shoulders in finish and movement above the sub and sea dweller.
The poor pic below compares the 44mm LW, 45mm FF, 42mm Damasko and 44mm Schofield. I think the FF looks the smallest.
Wouldn't say no to one of these:
The Dark Knight is notoriously difficult to photograph, i think LTF even struggled! Looking at the watch head on the lume in the hands looks dark grey or almost black. It matches the lume in the bezel.
Good question Nev.
The Dark Knight is a great watch for a number of reasons; even though it is a large watch it doesn't wear too big at all, it certainly feels much smaller than my Deepsea or my AP Diver yet it is big enough to have some heft on the wrist. The fact that it is all black means that it is actually quite discreet and not too "shouty" so I feel very happy wearing it in the office.
The whole watch feels like a high quality item, Tony sold his to me with a beautiful Camille Fournet sharkskin strap which does add a touch of class but I usually wear it on the OEM sailcloth strap which really suits the watch. The see through case back allows you to see the beautiful movement with the amazing snail rotor and you get a very decent 70 hour power reserve. The DLC coating is flawless and the dial looks great with the silver markers. Even though I am not usually a huge fan of a date at 430 in this case it is well integrated into the dial and also the red tip on the second hand just adds that little bit of interest.
So imho it is a ridiculously high quality and pretty rare watch which makes me smile every time I wear it and I think they are a bit of a bargain at the moment.
As discussed they are very hard to photograph especially if you have zero skills like me but they look great in real life
@beijingwatchaddict
That takes first prize for me.Wouldn't say no to one of these:
^Is it my eyes or is Ireland missing from that map?
Your eyes!
Just checking!
Thought it was only NI for a second.
Lovely write through and images. One of these is absolutely on my lottery win list, so I've lived vicariously through you reading this thread. Genuinely stunning things and somehow, by accident or design, seem to have retained their class and not become Mayfair-based Uzbek gangster watches. Long may it continue. Hope you really enjoy it.
I actually got some nice shots - I’ll post some a little later this evening :)The Dark Knight is notoriously difficult to photograph, i think LTF even struggled! Looking at the watch head on the lume in the hands looks dark grey or almost black. It matches the lume in the bezel.
Great news.😉
I think both Tony and Joe have already articulated why this is such a special watch very well, so I'll just add a few photos. To be honest it was a bit more testing to shoot than most, but I thought moody would suit it nicely
Where’s the watch? May need to recalibrate my screen, as your old friend might have said.
Tony, you’re really not helping, you know.
Simon
Some lovely photos here; great stuff. Interesting brand for sure. Hope you’re enjoying the new acquisition Tony!
One other thing - the ‘Only Watch’ version shows its entirely possible to do these watches in non faux lume as well and still look fab....
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Last edited by crazyp; 15th May 2020 at 11:25. Reason: I hate tapatalk
I would take pretty much any of those pictured over the ‘unobtainable’ Rolex that sell far above rrp. Lovely photos amd write up.
That one would be my pick!One other thing - the ‘Only Watch’ version shows its entirely possible to do these watches in non faux lume as well and still look fab....
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Shame there is just the one.
Tony, Tony and Joe thank you for the replies, much appreciated!
BPFFs look the business with pencil hands I do prefer them to the standard hands.One other thing - the ‘Only Watch’ version shows its entirely possible to do these watches in non faux lume as well and still look fab....
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This thread is also making me look more that them
Is the ocean commitment version 45mm?
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Beautiful watch and solid write up, congrats Tony!
I wonder why Blancpain doesnt just release more 40mm FFs.
No, It is 40mm
That is absolutely stunning, Tony.
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Thanks. I wish they made more special editions in 45mm.
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You can get a blue dialled full sized FF - in steel and ti. Much more options without the need for an LE.
The blue dial with the ti case looks amazing, but I like the dials of the LE models. Just a little different.
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I've got so much want for one of these and have done for a while. You current one looks and sounds perfect and agree with the sentiments earlier about looking better on a strap as opposed to a bracelet. I also think they are the 'next level on' from the likes of Rolex and the usual sports watches. I've only handled onne briefly but the finish was excellent.
Stunning watches.
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Did anyone here get the other 2019 LE, the Nageurs de Combat?
I was offered one and didn't take it at the time, now every time I see a picture of one I wish I had. I love the plots and the pencil hands, it takes the already awesome FF to another level.
Beautiful watches and great wee read Tony. Alway a master with your photography.
M
I have been offered a six month old one for £11k. Does that sound like a good deal?I was offered one and didn't take it at the time, now every time I see a picture of one I wish I had. I love the plots and the pencil hands, it takes the already awesome FF to another level.
Yes, very good. There are only 250 or 300 of them. Give me a shout if you ever move it on if you get it.
The blancpain blog carried a nice article on the watch - https://blancpainblog.com/news/fifty...urs-de-combat/
I agree it looks fab, feels purer too with the caseback....
I just came across this on the Blancpain blog.
wow - what a gorgeous dial
https://blancpainblog.com/timepieces...-monopoussoir/
Good write up on that and agree a great looking watch though I prefer the smaller case LEs
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