Blancpain Fifty fathoms lug to lug

[Flint]

Happy New Year all , when in London over holidays I visited Blancpain Boutique Bond St and what a pleasant experience . The watch I was interested in was new smaller Fifty Fathoms and what a gorgeous watch it is , however I have approx 17 cm wrist and am aware it is still a good size watch with a thick case , it felt most comfortable on my small wrist but I am still undecided and intend to try on again when next in London . I have read many reviews and some say lug to lug is 47 others 48 , does anyone know the exact lug to lug measurement ? As a side point I will say I was impressed with how friendly the staff were , I was warmly welcomed and offered a drink ( stark contrast to many of the boutiques in Bond St ) . Would appreciate any input , thanks .

[waterman1]

Hello,
My only input I have is to advise that you buy that watch!
I purchased the black 5010 in September and love it so much I picked up the blue version. Alternate them. Love them equally. Have had many Rolex, IWC, Tudor, Seiko, Panerai, etc. There is no comparison. Blancpain on another level in my opinion. As is the sales experience and entire ownership experience. A fantastic watch.

[waterman1]

As for measurements, I lack any sophisticated devices like a caliper, but I estimate 47 lug to lug. It wears smaller than 42 for sure. Much smaller than say my FXD. Much smaller than 43mm Sea Dweller. Due to lugs being so short I think like a 40 or 41, and very comfortable on the wrist.
Hope this helps.

[waterman1]

One more - if you really want to know at minimum cost how this will fit, look at the swatch version of Blancpain Ocean of Storms for under $400. They are identical in dimensions. I know this is not sales forum but I have one I would sell - if interested further please PM me. Or look at some sales forums as they are always going up for sale. Actually a decent watch too for the money!

[Flint]

Many thanks for your input , I am sold ! I initially called into boutique to try on Bathyscaphe 38mm and it fitted great , then the assistant manager suggested I try Fifty Fathoms and that completely blew me away ! The fifty Fathoms is pure quality in finish and has a very solid build . I need to wait until May / June when I will have available funds but intend to call next time in London and try on again , whilst both colours are great my choice will be blue with sailcloth strap . I have owned Subs in 40 ( ideal fit ) and 41 ( a bit bulky for me ) and whilst the Sub is a great watch , in my opinion the Fifty Fathoms is on a different level , I think it was trying 38mm Bathyscaphe and then Fifty Fathoms that made me think more of fit as the Bathyscaphe is a much smaller watch . Again many thanks for your input / help

[ap1]

What about preowned 40mm versions

[Flint]

Apart from limited editions , which I believe pricey and difficult to get but yes 40mm would be my sweet spot

[saxo3]

The new Blancpain Fifty Fathoms with its 1315 movement is technically superior to a Rolex Submariner or any other Rolex model.

The look of the Fifty Fathoms, with either a 42.3 mm or 40.3 mm case diameter, is different on the wrist for a bracelet or a NATO.

The 40.3 mm with the X-71 stainless steel bracelet looks larger compared to the standard rubber strap; the 42.3 mm FF models with NATO (or the other non-bracelet options) look smaller on the wrist compared to a bracelet.

You have a visual choice (42.3 mm vs. 40.3 mm), but also a technical choice for the different movements. The bigger and better 1315 caliber versus the 1151 caliber in the smaller (40.3 mm) Fifty Fathoms.

I suggest you buy new from Bond Street. The assistant store manager (you spoke with) is very competent & friendly and also extremely helpful in all matters after sales. You will not regret buying from the London Boutique.

[Flint]

Thanks for info , very helpful and yes I will go new from Bond St . Going into that boutique was like fresh air , other boutiques in that area could well learn from the Blancpain boutique I visited i.e. no snooty attitude and he/staff were extremely friendly and helpful , they deserve to do well and I am sure they will .

[Cru Jones]

According to this detailed comparison review, the L2L is 47…..

https://blancpainblog.com/timepieces...y-fathoms/amp/

Whether 47 or 48, either is a good size for such a watch, IMHO.

[DoricSpiker]

OP, they will throw in the rubber strap as well if you ask them.


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[waterman1]

Great point on straps- I actually had all three straps thrown in as part of the purchase. NATO, rubber, and sail cloth. All of them work well with the watch.

[arolexguy]

I have the 40 mm milspec, love it. I recommend any fifty fathoms if the size works


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[GB-man]

In the meantime 42mm 7” wrist.

[ap1]

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[waterman1]

I have thought about picking up the titanium bracelet for mine one day. It looks fantastic. Is it comfortable? I have heard there is not a micro adjustment feature. How does it compare to rolex bracelets?

[Flint]

Thanks to all for responses , very helpful , great pics . Titanium bracelet and rubber strap both look great but due to my approx 17cm wrist would go for rubber or sail cloth . Again many thanks

[ap1]

Originally Posted by waterman1

I have thought about picking up the titanium bracelet for mine one day. It looks fantastic. Is it comfortable? I have heard there is not a micro adjustment feature. How does it compare to rolex bracelets?

Super comfortable. I’ve owned the x71 for the 40mm limiteds and this one, despite no micro adjust, they both worked great on me thankfully. Slightly large in winter and perfect in summer. I THINK there is a .5 link on the bracelet according to my AD although it was hard for me to spot given the construction of the links. My wrist is 6.6 and this works great for me. I actually was never really pleased with my fit on the 40mm with the sailcloth or rubber. Btw holes on the rubber and the sailcloth had less tail than I would have liked.

[waterman1]

Thank you for the info on the bracelet. I will pick one up when I recover from the 2 watch purchase on these fifty fathoms! Agree with your comments on rubber and sailcloth. Slightly short and fit either a tad loose or a bit tight for me. The nato is excellent. The best nato of any I have tried and there are many!

[chunk2020]

Highly highly recommend. I’ve been through almost all Rolex models on one variation or other and always thought the FF looked lovely. Once I actually tried on the ti (on sail cloth) it was done. In a touch and detail sense certainly > Rolex. Still love Rolex obv. But they are fantastic. I’ll generally rotate between my FF and my Daytonas. Despite the Daytonas being more compact, the ti is super light and defies natural logic.

Bear in mind if you’re in a shirt or sleeves in the winter it wears tall but in a weird way in that it does have the dimensions but weighs nothing.

Also they’re invisible to the lay man. It looks and clicks like a well made toy.

My sub lv hasn’t got much wrist time since FF arrived. Though id never sell the sub.

Good luck and enjoy

Note: BP staff excellent in the London boutique from my experience


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[ap1]

Bezel click on the new 42s is night and day compared to the play on their 40mm limiteds. So much better now

[CharlesN]

Originally Posted by Flint

Thanks to all for responses , very helpful , great pics . Titanium bracelet and rubber strap both look great but due to my approx 17cm wrist would go for rubber or sail cloth . Again many thanks

I have just bought the sailcloth strap and deployment clasp for my FF Ti 42mm Blue.

I now have Ti Bracelet, Blue Nato and Blue Sailcloth so I can change easily when I feel the need or urge.

All three variants are extremely comfortable but I have not tried the Rubber yet … Oh dear … Do I feel yet another purchase coming on ?

The staff are all really friendly at the London Boutique and The coffee (And chocolates) are also pretty darn good. Nabeel The Assistant manager) is extremely well clued up on all things Blancpain, He will guide you correctly.

Blancpain Quality compared to other Brands that you have owned previously should not be compared … They are just too far apart quality wise. Blancpain is in a far higher league.

[CharlesN]

Originally Posted by Flint

Happy I have read many reviews and some say lug to lug is 47 others 48 , does anyone know the exact lug to lug measurement ?

I have just measured my FF Ti 42mm 5010 series watch and lug end to lug end it measures 46.95mm so call it 47mm

I hope this convinces you that it will fit your wrist just perfectly.

[Flint]

Originally Posted by CharlesN

I have just measured my FF Ti 42mm 5010 series watch and lug end to lug end it measures 46.95mm so call it 47mm

I hope this convinces you that it will fit your wrist just perfectly.

Great info thanks , it was Xmas eve and I was looking in window ( Bond St boutique ) , Nabeel who is assistant manager came outside inviting me to look at models I was interested in , It is a gorgeous watch and fit me okay ( not overlapping ) but am going to try on again hopefully shortly when next in London , I have his card and yes he is extremely helpful . Interested what approx size wrist you have , mine approx 17 cm , I owned and wore 39mm Explorer and recall ( I think ) measured lug to lug 47mm so it ought to fit well but just wanted to make double sure

[StanCho]

I've tried the BP & Swatch collab plastic fantastic ones, I believe these are the same dimensions and lug to lug as the Ti42. Found the fit to be great on my 6.3 wrist (it is flat though so I can wear both Panerai 44s and Exp2 42 without any issues).

This fact put the 42mm Ti on my radar, again...

[CharlesN]

Originally Posted by Flint

Interested what approx size wrist you have

I think my wrist is about 19cm.

The 42mm fits perfectly. Although its only 2.5mm larger the 45mm FF fits me well but the 42 definitely fits better.

I am used to wearing several other Brands of watch such as a very well known (Probably the best known) brand of all.

The Blancpain FF fits better than the others possibly because the case is shaped differently with curves that create a better and smaller looking fit.

[kaiserphoenix]

I love my 42mm FF in black. I have super tiny wrists but the short lug to lug and weight of titanium makes it incredibly comfortable. I just love how unique it looks and how "high end" everything feels, including the surprisingly intricate finishing of the movement worthy of its price tag.

[CharlesN]

Originally Posted by StanCho

This fact put the 42mm Ti on my radar, again...

Why was the Blancpain FF 42mm ever NOT on your radar?

I have two of the Swatch+ Blancpain collaboration watches (Pacific & Ocean of Storms)

I also have two of the 42mm FF watches .. Black Act 1 Series 1 and a Blue Ti

All wear so well.

Whilst the watches are all identical in size, shape etc the Blancpain watches do seem to fit my wrist better, that’s very possibly because they weigh a bit more and therefore fit and sit better.