Blancpain

Yesterday my AD called me and offered me a BP Fifty Fathoms with steel and PVD coating. It is the model 5015-11c30-52a with the very special number 888. The watch was hardly worn. I took a look at it in person today, it is in excellent condition and feels...  

I sold mine when I realised it

DLC is new to me. I know Rado ceramic is also scratch proof. Why i haven’t bought one, and i am going on buying non scratch proof watches is a good question. The answer is probably that it is good to have some secure handling for a product, rather than bu... 

resistant and reliable DLC coating really is? What happens if you drop the watch? For example 20 cm on the table or 1,2 m on the floor? It never happened to me but it could one day. What happened to me from time to time that I knocked some of my poor watc... 

when my Tissot falls 1 m to the floor. On a blue Monday morning.

to your Tissot? Cheers Thomas

... and certainly never saved it from the challenges of everyday life. It is one of my favourite vacation watches: The case shows no visible scratches. However, there are two tiny specks where the coating was perforated by apparently a sharp or pointed ed...  

think it was ceramic when you bought it? That had been my first impression before I did some research. Best Thomas

And like any coating, it can be scratched.

That is one of the main questions for me. I have done a little research (but I am not a physicist!). The name diamond-like-carbon means that the layer is as scratch-resistant as diamonds. DLC or Diamond Like Carbon is a different way to use the PVD proces... 

when I first realized that the watch case is not ceramic but DLC. But in the meantime I’ve also read many positive things about DLC. It seems to depend how it is produced and combined with the steel case. I have read somewhere that the quality of DLC used... 

Hi, As a long time owner of the so called dark knigt, I am not a neutral source. For sure I do not treat my watch well and never had any issues with the coating. If you are not fully convinced, wait jntil you are... ...  

is very helpful, xxcesar. Are there activities you haven’t done respectively won’t do with your Dark Knight? Best Thomas

For me a diver like this one should have to stand all tool type challenges - never paid any attention on where to take or not to take it. It feels less vulnerable than a polished steel to scrateches, but of course if you try hard enough you will be able t... 

it comes to using a watch. Without trying hard to damage it. Thanks a lot for your input, xxcesar! Best Thomas

I don’t want to think about what I am allowed to do with the watch and what not. It has to be a reliable companion in all circumstances. That’s also the reason why I hesitated to buy a wonderful Panerai with a composite case. Best Thomas

I have been curious about this iteration of the FF recently, and I find it super cool! There is a thread here in the forum where by searching "Dark Knight" you will come across a technical description of the durability of the finish by esteemed Blancpain ... 

This is indeed very helpful!! I have to confess that I didn’t know that the watch is called “Dark Knight”. So I searched the web using the reference number but didn’t get very much information. Cheers Thomas

Depends on how you wear it...safe queen fine but...ceramic definitely superior material...but it is a stunner...ugh tough choice...

- as all my watches - intensively. Cheers Thomas

As far as I know just the Bathyscaphe models have ceramic cases. Is this correct? Best Thomas

I have seen that you own or at least have owned the Dark Knight. What is your personal experience? Many thanks in advance Thomas

...it is actually 888.

Thanks a lot! 😆

This is a watch that I've also desired for quite some time - but I have seen a couple scenarios where the DLC would flake off... Nothing major, but if you look around online you'll find some photos of it. I'm sure you could always get it re-coated if it h... 

Since it is not a "100%" watch (=a watch I like 100%) and I am not convinced about this DLC coating (look and longevity) I will pass. Cheers Thomas

Like the Panerai Fiddy you helped me with, I find it unique.

I took another look at this – admittedly – ​​unique model. Yes, it's special, but the watch still doesn't appeal to me enough to change my initial opinion. I am very curious how you will decide. Cheers Thomas