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Well, dear Michael, let’s respectfully disagree...
Mar 16, 2021,06:10 AM
... to me the Hodinkee MIL-SPEC, although clearly being a beautiful timepiece, is actually the least attractive between all modern 40mm FF editions.
There are some reasons for my personal sentiment: the hands of the Hodinkee MIL-SPEC are too wide and way too long, not matching the otherwise perfect aesthetic balance the FF usually has. Also, the brushed case, although closer to the inspiration timepiece, is the second best choice for the rounded 40mm case.
I think it really depends of what you want from the watch: shall it be as close as possible to the vintage predecessor? Then the Hodinkee MIL-SPEC is clearly the one meeting that criteria more than the others. If one wants a blend of old and modern Blancpain, a Tribute not a re-edition, the Tribute to MilSpec, the Barakuda, the Anniversary and also the Tribute to FF No Rad are meeting that wish to a larger degree imho.
One thing we can most likely agree upon: if you’re into vintage timepieces, neither a tribute nor a re-edition will ever meet your expectations 😉
Cheers
Henrik
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Live impressions of the Tribute to FF No Rad
By: shortys home : March 15th, 2021-06:34
As promised here are some live shots of reference 5008D-1130-B64A, also in comparison to some previous 40mm LEs. Hope you enjoy the photos! Cheers Henrik ...
Great comparison pics -- thanks!
By: JohnFM : March 15th, 2021-11:06
I like it -- a lot going on with the dial (between the date, No Rad, color variations, etc.) and close to jumbled, but it hangs together well and is interesting. Though I'm unsure of the faux lume overall, I prefer the hands of the No Rad over the Hodinke...
Two unforgivable questions ;-)
By: JohnFM : March 15th, 2021-11:29
First, do you have a favorite among them? And, second, I so want to own a FF, but they are a bit out of my price range. What factors justify the relatively high prices -- e.g., materials, workmanship, testing, small volume production, or all of the above?...
Those questions are indeed unforgivable... 😉
By: shortys home : March 15th, 2021-11:52
... my answer to the first one is: probably the 2003 Anniversary and the 2017 MilSpec. The second question warrants some longer discussion, I think. A short economic answer would be: demand. But that doesn’t necessarily cut it... Cheers Henrik
Thanks for photos Henrik. But all credit to Ben Clymer & Hodinkee...
By: MichaelC : March 16th, 2021-05:40
They managed to have Blancpain produce the best piece in the past few years in a very limited number for their website. Really, their version looks much better than any of the public "LE" releases. That is what astounds me the most. Maybe they own part or...
Well, dear Michael, let’s respectfully disagree...
By: shortys home : March 16th, 2021-06:10
... to me the Hodinkee MIL-SPEC, although clearly being a beautiful timepiece, is actually the least attractive between all modern 40mm FF editions. There are some reasons for my personal sentiment: the hands of the Hodinkee MIL-SPEC are too wide and way ...
Well, I defer to you on this brand.
By: MichaelC : March 16th, 2021-16:36
I would simply say looking at this group of watches together, agreeing that some are tributes and some are closer to originals (while still being fully modern production), the Hodinkee design "looks" the best. I remain surprised the brand would make that ...
