Ok, forget my countless (and completely fruitless) vows that I will not buy a watch again for a long time.
I have prescribed myself a hard watch diet after buying my IWC MR in November 2019, after buying my Moser Perpetual Purity in February 2020, after buying my Fiddy (PAM 127) shortly afterwards and after buying my IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Rattrapante in September 2020.
I feel bad because I am so weak and undeniable a complete WIS.
I feel at least a little bad. For a short moment. A very short moment. LOLLLLL….
When I look at HER now, I am fine.
I ordered this Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Automatique Red Gold with Blue Ceramic Dial last Friday after a long period of heavy research. And I was amazed when I received a message from my AD today that the watch was already in the house and ready to be picked up.
It is my first FF, even my first BP. So I read everything I found about the watch and the movement including the fantastic blogs of our dear Henrik.
A few weeks ago, I started a thread in this forum where I addressed the (apparent) contradiction of a divers watch in a case of precious metal.
Since a dive watch with a 300m water-resistant brushed red gold case that has a diameter of 45 mm and a height of 15,4 mm combined with a gorgeous blue ceramic dial and a glossy sapphire bezel insert is a kind of … statement.
Someone wrote, this watch is “turning the paradigm of utilitarian objects on their head”. I love this.
On the other hand, our dear Count wrote as an answer to my post: “Rose gold for a classic diver is the best material imho. Great choice. Rose gold looks vintage per sé and a rose gold diving watch reminds me of antique diving gear.”
I cannot add anything more to that.
And in addition to that quality “flows from all pores” of this watch and can be simply called a very serious watchmaking.
There is the high quality of this historic case, the cobalt-like blue shimmer of the ceramic dial creating a pleasing contrast between the sunburst centre of the dial and the matt ring around. And not to forget the super luminova infused numerals, hour-markers and hands and the slightly curved scratchproof sapphire crystal.
The sapphire case back shows the wonderful 1315 movement equipped with a very dense red gold oscillating weight ensuring high winding efficiency as well as three series-coupled mainspring barrels that provide an optimal power reserve of 120 hours (five days) when the watch has been fully wound.
The 1315, which has been specially designed for sports watches, is a large movement (5.65mm thick and 30.60mm in diameter). Also, the jewels seem larger in diameter than conventionally found on most calibres. It has a balance spring made of silicon which leads to low density that makes it particularly light, strong shock-resistant and insensitive to magnetic fields.
The “Naked Watchmaker” calls this movement a “work-horse” and praises the high quality of watch and movement:
“The construction of the case including bezel and winding crown is synonymous with one of the strongest available on the market today. The extended power reserve on the movement differentiates this diver's watch from others. The readability of the dial and the bezel both with Super-Luminova detail is another element that defines this piece. Although quality is a subjective point of view, amongst all the diver's watches I have handled, this one, combined with its faraday-like cage, distinguishes itself.”
Yes, and I have to say, that after wearing this watch for about five hours now, it feels extremely well on my wrist.
I will report about my further impressions (including accuracy) after wearing may new BP a few days.
Now I must stop and celebrate my watch honeymoon.
Thanks a lot for reading!
Cheers
Thomas