Blancpain

Dear All, Hodinkee's Mil-Spec LE 200 pieces were sold out in 15mins (probably another 50 pieces are still available in selected boutique). How many of us have ordered one? I found it very attractive and ordered. Great for those who missed the 2017 version...  

Says shipping at the end of December, we'll see how it goes!

Looks fine. You may explore some more creative strap options once you get it. Congrats! and a nice timing from H*** They have somewhat replaced the Basel show by their own releases

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Congrats to all who have purchased this. But I can’t believe the Blancpain folks are completely blind to the ‘neo-vintage 40mm-diver with no date’ movement in the horologie world, and refuse to make it into a regular production as opposed to splitting pro... 

I'm guessing the larger, blingy-er, production FF's are designed that way to offer a showy option for a more casual yet well-heeled buyer. In other words, if BP made a 40mm x 12mm FF with brushed case, option of date or no-date, matte dial and no moisture... 

If no one sees as an BP FF in 40 x 12 in a brushed case for 7-8k in the wild, then the general public won’t know about it. Blancpain (with all its history and manufacturing might) is currently a no-brand

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Everything is done well, except the lugs. I miss the charme of the vintage ones. They did it better with the AirCommand case. I was to late on the list. Best Regards Stephan

I still remember, that a lot of people wished for a no-date version back then. I‘d be angry, if I would‘ve bought the original one, just to see an „imrpoved“ LE being released now. Well, luckily no more Blancpain for me 🙃

As an owner of the 2017 version this BP money grab deeply disappointed me. I am not so naive as to think these brands actually care about their collectors, but to produce this three years after 500 people (like me) shelled out for the "LE" is a slap in th... 

I also have the 2017 version and also deeply disappointed. Also skeptic...

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Bad: The movement is tiny. Unknown: Thickness. Was it made thinner because of no date? If not, why not?

Can you separately purchase the Blancpain tropic strap from the Barakuda? I think that would look great on this one!

I missed the one from HODINKEE, but I hope to get one from the Boutique. Let’s see...

I just got a notice mine is being delivered tomorrow...

It is most likely Hodinkee's fault. They probably press release the wrong version with the extra long hands. The pictures were probably a close to production prototype. Therefore, Blancpain had to recall or fix the Mil-Spec to match Hodinkee's press relea... 

Did they remove the date disc / mechanism from the movement (proper way to do it) or did they just remove the hole in the dial (lazy way to do it)? Small detail but big difference in manufacturing cost... Hajime Asaoka explained that he initially wanted t... 

"this specific iteration of the caliber 1150 offers a no-date execution and a lovely view via the sapphire display case back."

I want this. However, I just bought an Omega Seamaster 300 No Time to Die. So I am now considering letting the Seamaster NTTD go for the Milspec. Hopefully someone is willing to make a trade with cash or another watch on top. Maybe I will list the Seamast... 

mid-conference call so couldn't take a great pic but it is AMAZING www.instagram.com

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Mine is still in progress and not shipped yet.....

...with all the last years' limited editions of 40mm FF's, I find even more attractive the 5015 line and especially the original black SS version. It is almost like the stable, iconic, high end version of all this sea of pseudo limited editions. Plus it h... 

Personally, I prefer the hands and dial by a lot on this model, feels much more utilitarian and appropriate to take on a dive boat. It has just enough vintage hallmarks to be charming without going full reissue of a 1960s watch. The size is much better fo... 

Each to his own, as it should be. That’s the cornerstone of our hobby! Take care, Alex

The 5015 line has a great premium feel too and stands out in the sea of divers out there. These milspec editions are nice but they have that microbrand feeling (even with the name/heritage and execution) that does not belong in the standard line up of Bla... 

If one goes diving with one, and experience the lume, the ability to accurately position the bezel, etc. it becomes clear it was designed for diving indeed, even though the best materials and movement were used, as well as an insane focus to the design. A... 

In my opinion the FF design ethos is superior to most contrary opinions and their justifications.

... just make the case smaller, dial simpler, and remove the date. But it's a formula and getting pretty predictable at this point, despite the obvious appeal. Why the companies don't just do this on their own, I have no idea. I've always liked the Fifty ... 

that it is baffling to me why more brands don't copy the formula that is proven to work! But I certainly won't hold it against Hodinkee for pushing them to a formula that finally made me a customer. I doubt I'd every have bought a FF if it didn't have som... 

Just noticed your Mil-Spec comes with seemingly an OEM nato strap and pin buckle. But from Hodinkee's photo, the watch has a different buckle (thicker and brushed steel, looks like original blancpain buckle) and different strap? Though they did mention it... 

Photo credit: Hodinkee website ...  

I wonder how this new Mil-Spec would look with a Tropic. Probably pretty cool

I had a 20mm grey nato lying aroudn for my sub I tossed it on as I do not like the nato it came with. I'm considering ordering a Tropic for it, but I'm liking the grey nato for now.

It's just soft and black... neither of which I personally like in a Nato.

I owned the original 40mm LE. The hands always bothered me a bit because I prefer the hands on the full size FF. The other issue I had with it were the proportions. It was too tall, looked like a big lump.

however, I'm confused as to why they are on the receiving end of so much disdain by some people. Is it because they figured out how to monetize the founder's hobby? Is it because they deem themselves the authority of all things horology and look down on e... 

You may say they could loss the non-biased stand regarding Horlogerie after being an AD themselves. But I still find their articles interesting and refreshing to read (though many a time they will only praise all brands.....) .You may not agree with their... 

How could I not? I think it is spectacular. Then again, everyone knows I am a BP FF fanboy😉

Congrats to owners and Hodinkee but whew... An SS time only FF on a (chuckle) NATO strap... ($20).... for about 15K..Not even a bracelet?? I mean... wow. Even if this were a Rolex, what 10K? On a world-standard bracelet. Hard not to view this with cynicis... 

Yea, you're out of the loop haha

I am skeptical of your haha, sir, haha. The previous FF LE was offered 11 ms ago by a gray market seller (usually the type that heavily inflates) at only 600 more than MSRP... that tells me it was likely not going for more than MSRP in general... and like... 

I don't think anybody really knows how this FF LE will do in regards to the secondary market. I'm sure there are a good number of speculators who purchased this watch, but for the ones who are buying it for keeps, this LE features a lot of things that ent... 

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Is amazing

And by a few thousand not hundreds. Have a look a watch recon and European Watch Co. Regardless, if you choose your watch based on grey market prices then keep to Rolex and PP sports models and some APs. Having owned all of them except PP, I would find it... 

I have some other straps coming - sailcloth and oem rubber to mix it up. The bezel action could be a bit better but it's on par with Blancpain's other pieces. I prefer no dates and this is a great looking piece. Wish is also had hacking seconds but that's...  

Does this particular movement lack hacking seconds in all its iterations?

Yeah the 1154 lacks hacking seconds it would seem.