Blancpain

I have mixed feelings regarding this specific watch. It does not come with the movement you would usually expect. As collectors know, the Air Command was not fitted with a standard VJ 222 but with a modified one. It had a specific "stop second" device, patented by Rayville/Blancpain. In addition the movement should (usually) be signed, have very specific engravings and finishings.

The catalogue discloses the fact that the movements used in AC are sometimes signed (and that the movement of the one for sale is not) and that spare parts have been sold/assembled later on. 

My question is: are there any reasonable doubts among collectors that a legitimate Air Command shall always be equipped with the specific and signed VJ movement ?

Do collectors / experts really believe that an Air Command can be considered as legitimate without this specific movement?

Of course a definitive answer/proof will be hard to provid as all relevant documents seem to have disappeared. On the other hand we know as a fact that some spare parts were around and have been assembled. It also seems established that some parts were missing (especially but not only movements) and that standard VJ222 movements had to be used in order to assemble/finish some AC.

What makes an AC, or any other vintage watch, legitimate/original? Are an original case and a dial sufficient ? What is your opinion?

As a conclusion: The Air Command is for sure an epic chronograph. But is this particular exemplar epic?

Personally I am astonished, given these uncertainties, that this particular watch made it into this very special sale with so many outstanding chronographs.

Best,

Goldenlutin

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