Blancpain FF Autentication Question

Feb 06, 2017,03:13 AM
 

Hello all,

About 5 years ago I was fortunately enough to locate and purchase a beautiful Blancpain FF 3,6,9, 12 Rotomatic (serial No 132X), however I was now wondering whether it might be worth sending it to Blancpain to get authentication papers for it.

I personally have no questions with its authenticity having purchased the watch from a respected French collector and having done a huge amount of due diligence (including a thumbs-up from Pierrec Leroi at Blanpain (after seeing photos of the watch), but was interested in the thoughts of the forum.

Also I have never seen a BBFF with an un-plated rotor, so is this something which needs to be fixed or left as is.

Your thoughts would be most welcome. Many thanks

Andy
















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I would have liked to see close ups of the dial.

 
 By: amanico : February 6th, 2017-22:46
I never saw a rotor like this, but that doesn't mean it didn't exist. Best, Nicolas

Congrats to this beautyful FF

 
 By: fifty fathoms : February 7th, 2017-06:28
I have to check my fotos. I can remember to have seen unplated rotors. Best regards Stephan

Watch look super nice and super clean!

 
 By: Briandumais : February 7th, 2017-09:01
I would not be too concerned about the rotor. Can i get a few photo of your watch-deco box. Did your watch come from Watch-deco? Thanks Brian

Blancpain Update

 
 By: Andyg : February 8th, 2017-14:27
Many thanks to those who responded. I will try to get some better photos tomorrow. In respect to the watch-deco box, the previous owner was a good friend of Rene Bruyeron who "initiated" him into the world of Blancpain and supplied him with a number of Bl... 

More information

 
 By: Andyg : February 9th, 2017-00:31
Firstly my apologies - my photographic skills have not improved. In respect to the Box - it measures 90mm x 90mm x 50mm. The top has a silver "brushed aluminum effect" .. As for the watch a few more pictures of the watch. In respect to condition, it reall...  

1968 Milspec1 Demo glow.

 
 By: clmnbr3 : February 9th, 2017-21:17
Here is a shot after I shined a bright light at my Demo for a couple of seconds. Glow quickly goes out. 100% original untouched watch. Best, Adam ...  

Additional Dial Shot

 
 By: Andyg : February 10th, 2017-00:10
Hi I managed to find a better shot of the dial. I fhis helps. BP have agreed to collect the watch on Monday. All very exciting ...  

Thanks for posting photos of your box.

 
 By: Briandumais : February 10th, 2017-17:22
When i purchased my first tr-900 nine years ago i contacted Rene Bruyeron and he gave me the thumb up on the watch. He was a great guy and alway appreciated his feedback. He is missed by many people. Brian

+++1 on René. [nt]

 
 By: amanico : February 10th, 2017-22:58

UPDATE - The results are in

 
 By: Andyg : April 13th, 2017-01:33
Its is with some relief that yesterday I was advised by Blancpain, that my watch was 100% authentic. They did identify a number of issues with the movement. It was dry and they saw signs of some mechanical wear, hands had been refurbished at some point in... 

Many thanks

 
 By: Andyg : April 14th, 2017-14:05
Fear not. I did ask BP whether they could replate the rotor, alas they refused unless the watch was completely services (including decom process), which I would not allow. Happy days indeed.

You might reconsider whether to plate the rotor.

 
 By: bill5959 : April 20th, 2017-02:59
That is an interesting part of the watch's history as apparently confirmed by BP. It can always be done later but I can't see it affecting value. Bill

Replating

 
 By: bill5959 : June 17th, 2017-09:06
Andy, I am curious. Did BP state what material the rotor would be plated with?