Blancpain

A same name for 2 different watches.

One which comes with a dial which turns to brown, another with a " sting ray " dial.

One which bears the Lip Signature on the dial, but also on the case back, the other which only has the Lip Signature on the dial.

But in both cases, some superb watches!







The All Lip Brown dial:











Its sister, with the sting ray dial:

















The 3 / 6 / 9 / 12 dial is changing a lot from all the round or rectangular indexes we use to see on the Classic FF.

In both cases, these Lip Blancpain are full of charm, indeed.

And to wear them is a difficult pleasure to put in words.



How do you likke them?

Best,

Nicolas This message has been edited by amanico on 2009-04-04 05:38:12 This message has been edited by amanico on 2009-04-08 02:40:34

Both amazing pieces.  Great condition, fantastic WABI. Many people's grail.

Dan

Welcome here, by the way!

The problem with the FF is that you can't stop with them.

Once you begin to pay them some interest, you're done.

Will have to put some order in my collection, to rationalize it a bit...



Best,

Nicolas

I really love this watches... this vintage FF are true collectors pieces...

Watches to admire, to wear, to enjoy... true keepers.

You´re a really lucky man....

I love these plexy rare beast. You must show me them.

Best

Emilio

A Cali, and a few others, to be pretty well covered...



You will see them all in the flesh, my friend.

Prepare your pills!



Best,

Nicolas

amazing duo, great pictures and true watch collecting !

Thanks for bringing them here, my friend.

Yep, this is a killing duo, indeed.

Best, Jeff.

Nicolas

back to the 1960's...

Another nice ad, Jeff!

I never saw one in the flesh( I speak of the watch )...

Thanks for sharing, my friend.

If you have some more ads, feel free to post them, they are so lovely and interesting.

Best,

Nicolas

I love that ad!

Even if I more see the FF as a Diving watch, the only one ot be considered as an " Height " watch being the Air Command...

Thanks, Jeff.

Best,

Nicolas

makes me allmost want one LOLOLOL. Yep; awesome watches thanks for showing us.

Best,

Starman

That's what we call ...A Virus, and a serious one!

But I can tell you that each of these FF gives you a lot of pleasure.

There is something magic which happens, each time you put one on your wrist.

Try!



Best,

Nicolas

I see you have a special love for these BPs i can see why   enjoy my friend

I would love to know how you find such wonderful Blancpain. I think we are going to have to work up a trade soon. Great photo. Brian

You knoxw the problem, Brian.

With all the fakes around, you have to take your time, to gather informations, and to find the right seller.

Then, it is quite easy...



But I'm sure that the last I got 2 weeks ago will make you happy...

I'm working on an indepth review, as the watch deserves it...

Best,

Nicolas

My dream is to put side by side a Rolex Sub without crownguards ( 5508, 6536 or 6538 ) and a Tornek Rayville.

Will do it one day, when I find the piece I still miss...

What's not to love these FF and their strong and deliciously retro look?

Best,

Nicolas

Both of them are brilliant

A pity I have to rationalize a bit my collection...

Best,

Nicolas

Nicolas, 

Thanks for sharing these two vintage beauties with us.  There is nothing quite like the profile of these Fifty Fathoms on the wrist.  The shape of the plexi adds another aesthetic dimension to both watches.  Do you prefer these vintage FFs over their modern-day cousins?  I enjoyed your photos of these watches a great deal -- especially those of the "stingray" dial!  

Cheers,

Daos

I love to get the original, and the re edition piece.

I did it with the Polaris, the Longines Diver, the Rolex Red and Green Sub, and a few other...Even these Blancpain:

Here's a quick pic I took just for your eyes, right now:



As you can say, the re edition ( the LE from year 2003 ) is very close ot the original, maybe treated and finished in a more luxurious way.

But the layout of the dial is very close...

As always, the original has something which misses with the modern: The Soul enhanced by the Patina of the radium indexes and the dial, in this case.

But wearing the modern FF is a great pleasure, too.

So I like them both, and I like a lot the idea to gather the modern and the original, too.

Best, Sister.

Nicolas

This message has been edited by amanico on 2009-04-05 01:50:38

I appreciate the time you spend seeking out the vintage companions to many of your (and my) modern favorites.  Your photo illustrates why this endeavor is actually very helpful to our community as a teaching tool, and starting point for discussions of the historical context in which we should view our modern masterpieces.  I like looking at the vintage and modern versions side-by-side as you have them set in your picture.  It helps me to see how the modern version picks up where the vintage left off, or how the modern version chooses to interpret the stylistic cues of its forbears.  I can see why this is a fun game for you.  Although, you must be very committed (and patient) to be able to hunt these vintage treasures down!

Thanks for the insight, Nicolas.  As always, I learn so much from you and my other fellow members each day.  It's very humbling!

Sending you my best,

Daos

The Vintage helps us to understand the Modern, and the Modern makes us love more and more the Vintage.

This is just fascinating.

As for patience, I have a trick:

I have such a long wish list that one day or another, each of these pieces will fall in my collection.



Thanks for your nice words, sister.

Best,

Nicolas

The fascination of the Patina!

Best,

Nicolas

No message body

I´ve enjoyed a lot this nice pics of these marvels.

Both are really impressive watches, and the sting ray dial is simply awesome.

Wear one of these marvels must be a pleasure. these FF are true keepers.

Thanks for your post mon ami.

Emilio.

PS: have you tried to put an ammo strap in one of these marvels?. I´ve saw some pics on the net and the result is really awesome...

Because it won't be a surprise anymore when you come to Paris...



But you will see...

Best, and thanks for your nice words, as always, my friend.

Nicolas

Jeff

I have seen the aqualung catalogs before but i have always seen the smaller 36mm Blancpain but I have never seen the catalogs with the full size Aqualung 1000 41mm. Also i love the print Ad with the Blancpain on a metal band (love the look). I saw a Blancpain on eBay a couple months ago and it was mounted on a Vintage Rolex rivited band and it looks great. Brian

. . . a matching black stingray strap, Nicolas:

I think you know just the place where to find one, too ;-) . . . cordially, Art

But don't you think that this FF is a bit too much a tool watchto require such a sophisticated strap?

I prefer the cotrasr of a tropic or of a rugged calf strap for this one...

I have something to show you, TW...



Best, my friend.

Nicolas