YpJ
278
I'll read an article on Hodinkee every now and again if they review a watch I happen to be interested in but I'm by no means a fan nor a hater of theirs...
Dec 18, 2020,21:03 PM
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 everybody else? Is it because they're supposed to be a non-biased source of information regarding watches yet they now have a conflict of interest because they've become an authorized dealer of many brands? All the above?
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Fifty Fathoms Mil-Spec LE
By: joenghenry : December 15th, 2020-08:22
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...
I ordered one
By: MZHammer : December 15th, 2020-08:23
Says shipping at the end of December, we'll see how it goes!
You could not snooze on this one
By: VinnieD : December 15th, 2020-08:39
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
My sentiments exactly.
By: Lankysudanese : December 15th, 2020-10:18
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...
You make great points. But it’s all about brand image.
By: Lankysudanese : December 17th, 2020-00:02
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
+1!
By: amanico : December 15th, 2020-10:19
For me
By: fifty fathoms : December 15th, 2020-09:23
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
You aren't kidding.
By: Swaye : December 16th, 2020-06:09
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 agree with you....
By: FlyingSnoopy : December 16th, 2020-09:52
I also have the 2017 version and also deeply disappointed. Also skeptic...
True! :)
By: amanico : December 15th, 2020-23:59
Good: Getting rid of the date.
By: mdg : December 15th, 2020-11:22
Bad: The movement is tiny. Unknown: Thickness. Was it made thinner because of no date? If not, why not?
Does anyone know...
By: swalexander4 : December 15th, 2020-12:07
Can you separately purchase the Blancpain tropic strap from the Barakuda? I think that would look great on this one!
Sure
By: shortys home : December 15th, 2020-12:35
20mm.
By: joenghenry : December 23rd, 2020-04:15
thanks
By: Briandumais : December 23rd, 2020-05:56
Even the Hodinkee ones?
By: MZHammer : December 15th, 2020-13:37
I just got a notice mine is being delivered tomorrow...
Wrong Hands
By: Treiz1337 : December 16th, 2020-18:23
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...
The big question is...
By: sebks : December 15th, 2020-14:05
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...
Hodinkee says...
By: MZHammer : December 15th, 2020-18:33
"this specific iteration of the caliber 1150 offers a no-date execution and a lovely view via the sapphire display case back."
I missed out.
By: Treiz1337 : December 16th, 2020-07:38
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...
Mine just landed
By: MZHammer : December 16th, 2020-10:36
mid-conference call so couldn't take a great pic but it is AMAZING www.instagram.com
I know it will come across as blasphemy but...
By: agyzace : December 16th, 2020-12:43
...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...
Not Blasphemy! Horses for courses, my friend
By: MZHammer : December 16th, 2020-15:11
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...
I actually agree with you
By: dte2 : December 16th, 2020-22:46
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...
I agree. The 5015 is the best diver there is, bar none.
By: agyzace : December 17th, 2020-00:20
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...
Definitely.
By: dte2 : December 17th, 2020-08:45
In my opinion the FF design ethos is superior to most contrary opinions and their justifications.
Hodinkee has the right formula
By: JohnFM : December 16th, 2020-15:08
... 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 ...
I'll agree
By: MZHammer : December 16th, 2020-15:47
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...
Correct
By: MZHammer : December 17th, 2020-05:51
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.
No
By: MZHammer : December 17th, 2020-10:27
It's just soft and black... neither of which I personally like in a Nato.
I owned the original
By: 2redbulls : December 16th, 2020-21:27
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.
Mine is on order...
By: MiguelFlash : December 18th, 2020-20:36
How could I not? I think it is spectacular. Then again, everyone knows I am a BP FF fanboy😉
Staggeringy overpriced... on a NATO...
By: Mostel : December 20th, 2020-20:25
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...
The short answer?
By: MZHammer : December 21st, 2020-09:49
Yea, you're out of the loop haha
It's possible I am... but I haven't seen the huge aftermarket
By: Mostel : December 21st, 2020-17:56
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 believe last years’s Barakuda and Air Command LEs are over list
By: MiguelFlash : December 23rd, 2020-10:19
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...
It's a great collab
By: PhinneyWood : December 26th, 2020-17:17
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...
No hacking seconds?
By: YpJ : December 27th, 2020-10:52
Does this particular movement lack hacking seconds in all its iterations?
Yes
By: PhinneyWood : December 27th, 2020-13:31
Yeah the 1154 lacks hacking seconds it would seem.