Blancpain Fifty Fathoms help

[brandrea]

Good morning all

I admit that I'm a bit all over the map when it comes to my next watch, but I'd like to get some input from owners or folks that have handled or considered BP.

The two references I'm looking at are:

BP FF 5015D and

BP FF Trib Aqua Lung 5015C

Some pictures from the net for inspiration.

Has anyone here handled or owned either or both? How do these compare to Rolex in terms of durability, reliability and wear?

For reference my current collection: SD43, Dblue, and PAM690. Yes I like larger watches

Comment welcome

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[PJ S]

You've nothing to worry about regarding the movement – it's more than robust enough to handle all the desk diving you'll be doing!
The only slight drawback is its thickness combined with the width – it can make it look just a bit too much.
Other than that, it'll probably fit in well with what you have and your preference for the larger size.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by PJ S

You've nothing to worry about regarding the movement – it's more than robust enough to handle all the desk diving you'll be doing!
The only slight drawback is its thickness combined with the width – it can make it look just a bit too much.
Other than that, it'll probably fit in well with what you have and your preference for the larger size.

Thanks PJ,

I’m going to post this in the Rolex forum with a slight twist to see if I can get some more comments

[Jinson]

I agree with PJ. I have the BP FF 5015 and an average size wrist. It wears more comfortably and appears less large on the sail cloth strap. I really like BP's bracelet, a thing of beauty, but it makes the FF appear much larger. Great movement and fantastic power reserve.

[jcs2000]

It is a great watch. Iconic in its own way. I own the calendar complete version with the blue face. The lume is incredible. Very high quality movement. I purchased mine through Topper’s at a great price.

[ap1]

Honeymoon phase but very pleased


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[2Redbulls]

You’re looking at two limited versions but in all honesty for me, I prefer the standard fifty fathoms with the black dial and sword hands. The black dial and bezel contrast beautifully against the polished case. The blue dial and bezel just don’t do the same thing in person. As far as the other one, I prefer the standards bezel where the 0-15 min markers are hashed versus this one. All that and the standard is noticeably cheaper.

[G8RDPM]

Hey Brian,
Never had one but have tried a few on. They are amazing. I like the first one!
Good luck! Hope all is well!

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by ap1

Honeymoon phase but very pleased


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Thanks for the enabling Beauty

What reference is that you have?

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Jinson

I agree with PJ. I have the BP FF 5015 and an average size wrist. It wears more comfortably and appears less large on the sail cloth strap. I really like BP's bracelet, a thing of beauty, but it makes the FF appear much larger. Great movement and fantastic power reserve.

Originally Posted by jcs2000

It is a great watch. Iconic in its own way. I own the calendar complete version with the blue face. The lume is incredible. Very high quality movement. I purchased mine through Topper’s at a great price.

Originally Posted by 2Redbulls

You’re looking at two limited versions but in all honesty for me, I prefer the standard fifty fathoms with the black dial and sword hands. The black dial and bezel contrast beautifully against the polished case. The blue dial and bezel just don’t do the same thing in person. As far as the other one, I prefer the standards bezel where the 0-15 min markers are hashed versus this one. All that and the standard is noticeably cheaper.

Thanks for the comments guys ... I guess I’m going to need to see these in the metal to make a more informed decision.

I kind of like the display case back version, but I thought I’d prefer the blue dial.

Originally Posted by G8RDPM

Hey Brian,
Never had one but have tried a few on. They are amazing. I like the first one!
Good luck! Hope all is well!

Thanks a Doc Slow baby steps, literally

[ap1]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Thanks for the enabling Beauty

What reference is that you have?

Thanks. This is 2017 limited edition, ff milspec. It’s 40mm so us chicken wrist guys can get in on the fun. 500 only and I think over subscribed.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by ap1

Thanks. This is 2017 limited edition, ff milspec. It’s 40mm so us chicken wrist guys can get in on the fun. 500 only and I think over subscribed.

Looks amazing on you

[2Redbulls]

Originally Posted by ap1

Thanks. This is 2017 limited edition, ff milspec. It’s 40mm so us chicken wrist guys can get in on the fun. 500 only and I think over subscribed.

Its sold out...I had my AD call the BP rep to see if there were any left in the US...answer was "no".

[GB-man]

Love the FF and will almost certainly pull the trigger some day. I had a mil spec reserved and then backed out because I picked up an AP. Def harbor some regret there.

I’m really hoping for a 40mm version of the standard FF or even better a no date.

That said, the 45mm wears beautifully and smaller than advertised, much like a Pam 44 imho.


Small concerns: the bezel has a small track record of malfunctioning and losing tension so to speak. Also I’ve seen several for sale secondhand with chipped bezels so it’s not as robust as a sub in that sense.

[drhr]

Excellent watches and well worth the money, the blue was a tad too large for me, even on sail cloth but the 40mm 50th Anniversary LE is spot on, the bracelet is very nice . . . you won't regret ownership!

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Love the FF and will almost certainly pull the trigger some day. I had a mil spec reserved and then backed out because I picked up an AP. Def harbor some regret there.

I’m really hoping for a 40mm version of the standard FF or even better a no date.

That said, the 45mm wears beautifully and smaller than advertised, much like a Pam 44 imho.


Small concerns: the bezel has a small track record of malfunctioning and losing tension so to speak. Also I’ve seen several for sale secondhand with chipped bezels so it’s not as robust as a sub in that sense.

Thanks Tom, I really appreciate your thoughts on this one

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by drhr

Excellent watches and well worth the money, the blue was a tad too large for me, even on sail cloth but the 40mm 50th Anniversary LE is spot on, the bracelet is very nice . . . you won't regret ownership!

Fantastic shots! Thank you very much for those and for your take on sizing

[PJ S]

I'm going to throw in a major curve ball here...



...the L-Evolution R Grande Date.
Still a bigger watch at 43.5mm, but only 11mm thick.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by PJ S

I'm going to throw in a major curve ball here...



...the L-Evolution R Grande Date.
Still a bigger watch at 43.5mm, but only 11mm thick.

Very interesting option and thank you

I will see if our AD has this one as well.

[AK797]

Kevin, Incontrol, has one as well if he hasn't given his opinion yet, might be worth PM ing him.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by AK797

Kevin, Incontrol, has one as well if he hasn't given his opinion yet, might be worth PM ing him.

[DKRanger22]

A blue FF is one of my Grail watches, without a doubt. I absolutely love the blue flinque' dial. My only complaints - if I can even call them that - why does this watch get the satin case and no display caseback? IMO, if this watch had a polished case and display caseback, it would be an absolute masterpiece. Blancpain did offer up a new blue dial, 45mm 5015 FF at Basel last year. This one was in titanium rather than steel and offered a blue dial (although without the flinque' dial), but with a display caseback. It still has the satin finish, as opposed to the polished finish found on the black dial/steel case version. This one is very tempting, but I'm hoping that Blancpain is reading my mind and offers up a blue dial/polished case/display caseback version at Basel 2018! :)

Here's a few pics of the blue/flinque' dial, steel case version next to the new, blue dial, titanium case w/ display caseback from Basel 2017:





*photocredit to Rob Caplain of Topper Fine Jewelers

[asiparks]

I have the 5015 on the bracelet, as others have said, it wears very comfortably for a watch of its stated size.
Personally though, I'd wait to see if you could try the titanium version before making a choice.

Picture by "shorty's home" from TZ








the brushed finish brings out the sculpted contours of the case, the display back is a nice bonus.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by DKRanger22

A blue FF is one of my Grail watches, without a doubt. I absolutely love the blue flinque' dial. My only complaints - if I can even call them that - why does this watch get the satin case and no display caseback? IMO, if this watch had a polished case and display caseback, it would be an absolute masterpiece. Blancpain did offer up a new blue dial, 45mm 5015 FF at Basel last year. This one was in titanium rather than steel and offered a blue dial (although without the flinque' dial), but with a display caseback. It still has the satin finish, as opposed to the polished finish found on the black dial/steel case version. This one is very tempting, but I'm hoping that Blancpain is reading my mind and offers up a blue dial/polished case/display caseback version at Basel 2018! :)

Here's a few pics of the blue/flinque' dial, steel case version next to the new, blue dial, titanium case w/ display caseback from Basel 2017:





*photocredit to Rob Caplain of Topper Fine Jewelers

Originally Posted by asiparks

I have the 5015 on the bracelet, as others have said, it wears very comfortably for a watch of its stated size.
Personally though, I'd wait to see if you could try the titanium version before making a choice.

Picture by "shorty's home" from TZ








the brushed finish brings out the sculpted contours of the case, the display back is a nice bonus.

Thank you both incredible photos and appreciate your comments regarding size and finish.