Blancpain...why no love?

[Barbara_C]

I love the looks of their dive watches but notice the resale value is poor....plus there really does not seem to much love for them for some reason. I know they are owned by Swatch group?
Are they inhouse a movement etc?

[charger_vital]

They are in a very crowded segment. And while they are generally nice, none of their watches really stand out compared to others. My 2 cents.


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[unknown]

The 50 fathoms is probably the most interesting dive watch we can buy.
To me it’s superior to any Rolex

That sapphire bezel is much more special and difficult to make than a ceramic bezel
The movement is 10 times better finished
As for the looks, it looks stunning
Being 2 times the price of a Rolex sub makes it harder to swallow for a lot of people


Only thing that could improve is how the swatch group does their marketing

It should be THE dive watch but to most people it’s unknown
Just like breguet is imo much more interesting than vacheron and AP. Heck I would put it above patek looking at their history, DNA, …
But somehow the swatch group has some real jewels in house but don’t know how to play the game.

Where Rolex and patek are masters in marketing….the swatch group lacks it completely

[2000-NJDEVILS]

My dear woman - It’s just not that desirable of a watch and therefore the lack of demand means sellers reduce the price to eliminate their supply -
That said, if you love it, then buy a nice pre-owned Fifty Fathoms but do not expect any price appreciation as the market has already told you what it thinks of it…………..

[MichelleP]

45mm is just too bit for a lot of people. But I did just try on the 42mm titanium, with a lug to lug of 47mm it fit great. I tried one with the rubber strap and the price is over $16k. They make one on a bracelet as well but that is pushing $20k. I can't see myself spending that much for this watch. Maybe a preowned someday

[2000-NJDEVILS]

In-house movement on Blancpain.

[TikTok]

Plenty of love here.
Didnt buy it as an investment, I bought it because I love it.

[Barbara_C]

Being a big bone gal at 5 ft 10 in and 165 pounds im bigger than lots of men....i can pulll off the 45mm size. If Pussy Galore can wear a GMT and look sexy as hell with it on.....oh well im no Honor Blackman in the looks at my age i get you look mid 60ish...cause i am.
Like Pussy i took? Karate in the movie? I took Tang so do....but that was 30 years ago....and really messed up my left knee and had to have surgery.

[Easy E]

Originally Posted by unknown

The 50 fathoms is probably the most interesting dive watch we can buy.
To me it’s superior to any Rolex

That sapphire bezel is much more special and difficult to make than a ceramic bezel
The movement is 10 times better finished
As for the looks, it looks stunning
Being 2 times the price of a Rolex sub makes it harder to swallow for a lot of people


Only thing that could improve is how the swatch group does their marketing

It should be THE dive watch but to most people it’s unknown
Just like breguet is imo much more interesting than vacheron and AP. Heck I would put it above patek looking at their history, DNA, …
But somehow the swatch group has some real jewels in house but don’t know how to play the game.

Where Rolex and patek are masters in marketing….the swatch group lacks it completely

Spot on, very well said. I have the new 42mm blue FF. With the exception of the Glidelock clasp, this thing smokes a Rolex. 5 day PR, 3 barrels, accuracy in spades, better movement, better finishing. Such a great watch.

[2loaded]

Great watches with a rich history. But...this is a Rolex forum

[Guppydriver]

I love em'.

Most people do that I know.

16K for a SS diver is what makes them "less popular". Much like the SeaQ PD, if the watch was around or even a few quid less than a Submariner, they would sell substantially better.

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by unknown

the 50 fathoms is probably the most interesting dive watch we can buy. To me it’s superior to any rolex.

Originally Posted by easy e

spot on, very well said. I have the new 42mm blue ff, this thing smokes a rolex. 5 day pr, 3 barrels, accuracy in spades, better movement, better finishing. Such a great watch.

100 %.

[vliberman]

People vote with the wallets, Sub is superior full stop. The rest is waxing poetic on why life is unfair.

[Easy E]

Originally Posted by vliberman

People vote with the wallets, Sub is superior full stop. The rest is waxing poetic on why life is unfair.

Isolating this statement to compare the new FF and the current sub - Make no mistake about this, the FF is a better watch, the Rolex is a better brand. These two points are mutually exclusive. Brand loyalty and consumer advertised perception in no way equals a better product.

My one caveat to the above is the Rolex glidelock. One of the best sport watch clasps made (imo).

[Barbara_C]

Originally Posted by Easy E

Spot on, very well said. I have the new 42mm blue FF. With the exception of the Glidelock clasp, this thing smokes a Rolex. 5 day PR, 3 barrels, accuracy in spades, better movement, better finishing. Such a great watch.

I love the blue ...its stunning compared to my black sub

[adamegret]

The real answer is because for the money, you cannot flex on as many people with a Blancpain.

[2000-NJDEVILS]

Originally Posted by Barbara_C

I love the blue ...its stunning compared to my black sub

It is indeed! And For $7500-9000, you are getting a lot of watch for the money and the depreciation has already been factored in.
I’m now on the lookout for one myself…….

[TikTok]

Not a fan of the sunburst dials. Thats not just a Blancpain thing, that goes for every make.

[rootbeer7]

Beautiful watches with impeccable movement and history. Price is a factor and until Rolex went all blingy, I always thought they were a little whizzy; very polished, and overly complicated crown-guards. Now, I think they’re amazing.

[samson66]

I thought the SWATCH collaboration might have helped drum up some interest for them, but it doesn't seem that has happened. I like them but never enough to consider buying one. Too many great divers out there.

[Copasetic]

Looked at the Bathyscaphe chronograph, nice but too thick.

[911cv]

I have Rolexes and a 70th anniversary FF. The FF is my go to watch, every day. It’s special. And has gone up in value :)

Whenever a conversation comparing Rolex to Blancpain arises, I can’t help to think of the comparison of a 3-series to a 911.

[rajurama]

Please correct me if Im wrong, wasn't it a dead brand with nothing left but name which was resurrected by Mr Biver and then sold it off to Swatch.

[TikTok]

Originally Posted by rajurama

Please correct me if Im wrong, wasn't it a dead brand with nothing left but name which was resurrected by Mr Biver and then sold it off to Swatch.

I wouldnt say it was a dead brand as it traded under the Rayville name due to Swiss law as no members of the Blancpain family were in control of the company.

[Notimetodie]

Blancpain is incredible all around. They unapologetically do what they want to do. Some people can’t handle that.

[Greenp]

What I don't get is Blancpain essentially kept the 50 Fathoms unchanged for 17 years and Rolex owners(ironically) are complaining about them not changing it. Maybe Blancpain is trying to make an icon.

[RolexSimon]

The Barakuda, Milspec and NoRads are amazing watches but LEs. If the Barakuda was a regular part of their inventory, they'd sell thousands.......!!

[edo]

They made too many great dive watches as limited editions for no reason...

And in a few days when Perezscope bomb hits the net they will be even less popular as a brand...

[adamegret]

Originally Posted by edo

They made too many great dive watches as limited editions for no reason...

And in a few days when Perezscope bomb hits the net they will be even less popular as a brand...

Another one? I thought it was over.

[rolexpatek363]

The reason why I wouldn't ever consider buying a post-1970s Blancpain isn't the watches, it's JC Biver.