Blancpain

UPDATE - The results are in

Apr 13, 2017,01:33 AM

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 the past, but generally in good condition.

They did offer me a complete refurb, however this was based upon me agreeing to the watch being decontaminated and having the Radium removed (which could result in the hands, dial and bezel getting trashed - not good) so I declined. FYI the radioactivity was measured at over 7000 counts per 10/minutes compared with a "safe" limit of 201.3 counts/10 minutes - so quite "hot".

The only thing I will have done is the to have the rotor correctly plated - it seems that when it left the factory it was only plated on one side!!! The rest of the movement work will be left to my trusted watchmaker.

If any one is interested in seeing a copy of the report (its very good because it contains lots of macro images of the watch, the movement, etc) I will be happy to share. Please contact me on [Email address suppressed for privacy]

As you can most likely tell - I am a very happy owner and can thoroughly recommend the Blancpain Service - which I am amazed it is free.

Many thanks Andy

Comments: view entire thread

Blancpain FF Autentication Question

By: Andyg : February 6th, 2017-03:13

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 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...

Thanks for keeping us posted, Andy. [nt]

By: amanico : February 8th, 2017-14:34

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 ...

Yes, the glow quickly disappears, but the vision is quite spectacular. Please post other pictures for our pleasure, Adam. [nt]

By: amanico : February 9th, 2017-23:12

UPDATE - The results are in

Blancpain FF Autentication Question

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

Congrats to this beautyful FF

Watch look super nice and super clean!

Blancpain Update

Thanks for keeping us posted, Andy. [nt]

More information

1968 Milspec1 Demo glow.

Yes, the glow quickly disappears, but the vision is quite spectacular. Please post other pictures for our pleasure, Adam. [nt]

Additional Dial Shot

The dial looks good to me. [nt]

Thanks for posting photos of your box.

+++1 on René. [nt]

UPDATE - The results are in

Thanks for the update. I wouldn't remove the radium from the indices and hands, though... [nt]

Many thanks

You might reconsider whether to plate the rotor.

Replating