Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Sport (modem burner)

[kilyung]

As some may recall, I recently acquired a Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Sport on bracelet. Here are my thoughts on the watch after a month...

Blancpain was started in 1735 by Jehan-Jacques Blancpain. Mr Blancpain didn't know it at the time but he had just started the world's oldest watch brand. In 1932, the Blancpain family lost control of the company and it has changed management a few more times since then but the identity of the manufacture has been preserved.

The FF is interesting as it was conceived as one of the earliest dive watches, if not the first. It was born before the Rolex Sub or Omega Seamaster. In 1952, the French Navy created a group of elite combat swimmers, not unlike the UDT/SEAL teams. The group leader, Capt Robert Maloubier found that there were no adequate dive watches at the time. So he designed his own and Blancpain agreed to build it.

Throughout the 50s to the 70s, 20 different variants were built and the FF was also adopted by the Israeli, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, and most famously, American fighting forces. When the Americans were looking for a dive watch, there was a resolute "Buy American" policy for all units - so no watch with "Blancpain" on the dial were acceptable. So, an American company named Tornek-Rayville took the FF and rebranded it. About 1,000 Tornek-Rayville FF were produced, and most were destroyed by the Navy at the end of the commission, so the surviving examples are very collectible today. Worn by Jacques-Yves Cousteau, among others, the FF became the standard reference among diving watches.



The FF is a serious dive watch. It is as pure of a diving watch as can be found in current production among the old-line Swiss houses. Aside from the date display that's tucked between the 4 and 5 o'clock markers, every detail provided by the FF is essential for diving. Without any superfluous subdials to obscure the dial, it's easy to read the total bottom time (by way of the uni-directional bezel that's adjusted to line up with the minutes hand just before descending) and the time of day with just a quick glance. The bezel of the FF is particularly nice for diving; it's easy to grasp with gloves and is wider than most so that it's especially easy to read.



Inside the FF is the Blancpain Caliber 1315 movement. It has a shockproof balance system designed to endure real world conditions and a heavy bi-metal rotor that makes it a very efficient winder. Another technical refinement lies in the date display on Calibre 1315, enabling fast date-change at midnight in either direction. To avoid the disturbing effects of magnetic fields, the Calibre 1315 is enclosed within a cage protecting it on all sides. It also features the following technical specifications:
- Exclusive movement, automatic winding
- Diameter 30,6 mm
- Thickness 5,65 mm
- Power Reserve 120 h (three barrels)
- Free-sprung Glucydur balance
- Rubies 35
- Components 222 handfinished parts
- high-end, "industrial" finish



The FF case is 45mm in diameter and 15,5mm thick. It's not a small watch but isn't uncomfortable to wear and its classic looks make it equally at home on land. Despite the size, the case shape bears a striking resemblance to Panerai's 1950 Luminor cases. Similarly, they both are very comfortable to wear despite being 44-45mm.

Panerai 233




The "Blancpain" on the case side isn't as distracting as you'd think and the 0,9mm hex nut lug screws are much easier to remove than slotted screws.





The dial is remarkably legible and the applied markers and numerals add just he right touch of sophistication. The splash of red on the tip of the second hand is gorgeous!



The slightly domed sapphire crystal and bezel give the FF a unique look. Almost too pretty? But the scratch resistance of the watch is amazing - despite having a 100% polished case!



The lume on this watch is BRIGHT and long lasting. More than sufficient to last a dive or for the evening.



The X-71 bracelet is excellent and, with the included three half links, very adjustable although the task is tedious and requires the same 0,9mm hex drivers as the lug screws.





Although the X-71 is an excellent bracelet, there's something very special about the OEM waterproof Sailcloth strap.





The FF may not be the most advanced dive watch, but it is without a doubt the prettiest luxury dive watch on the market today IMHO. Despite being so attractive, it still holds it own where it counts... under the waves.

Internet photo

Thanks for reading! Please do not QUOTE if responding due to the length of my post.