Blancpain

 I have been reading on the forum about Blancpain and I haven't come across any other model as significant as the FF. I find it hard to believe that for Blancpian, a watchmaking company that exist for so long that there aren't anything else but the FF. Am I missing something?


Best
Tyler
This message has been edited by T.Bean on 2011-03-29 17:28:30

No message body

the complete calendar are having some history behind them.  Aqual Lung is very much associated with Fifty Fathoms and the Complete Calendar is having a strong role re-introducing complicated mechanical watches to the consumers. I like both watches a lot and wear them often.

However, the very long history of Blancpain is pretty much "re-written" like the brand Blancpain would have been with us all the time from 1735 making high quality watches. Nico was refering to Mr. Biver and Mr. Biver must have started the new approach to history as he is really a champion of modern marketing. There is no way of comparing Blancpain's history with "honest" histories of brands like Patek, Vacheron, JLC. Or companies like Rolex - their history is "just" a bit over 100 years but does not contain big holes of tens of years at time.

Best, Kari

 

I have come across someone who hold the same view about the complete calendar as you. It is a fine looking watch. However regarding the Aqualung I haven't had much info on them as is rather confusing to look around the current Blancpain website. At one time the Aqualung took on quite the resemblence of its FF brother being all sporty and and then the next thing I know it's an ultrathin dress watch. Am I making sense?

I think Blancpain as brand is ... how should I say this ... ... well I just don't know what to say! That's the problem.

I just hope someone can clear some of these dark clouds covering my head.

Rgs
Tyler

I think that Blancpain is looking for a "New Direction". I am far too old and too conservative to understand this direction. Earlier Blancpains were very clean watches looking like Blancpains. Today, if I see a L-Evolution (or what ever it's caslled), Richard Mille or new Hublot, I don't any more know which one is which.

But one thing I know for sure: those are not for me!

Best, Kari

No message body

While Blancpain remains one of my favorite brands, I have no idea of what their strategy or design sense is any more. The revisions to the Villeret line are simple gorgeous. They are a bit dressier than what I typically wear, but look very well done from both an aesthetic and technical perspective. They are also share the same design sense with their haute horology pieces which IMO seem very underrated compared to some loftier names. At the other end of the spectrum there is a L'Evolution pieces which I just don't understand. It's like a second brand with in a brand with little design cohesion. They seemed geared for the here and now, being big and bold. I wonder what markets they are truly meant for. While the watches are technical marvels, I just don't see how they share the same audience with the other lines. In between you have the older Leman models which seemed to have been abandoned, albeit still offered, as well as the traditionally inspired Fifty Fathoms. While I prefer the design sense of the older Leman models, I think their hold-over status is just confusing, and doesn't help the brand, especially when you see so many of these models in the grey and secondary markets. The Fifty Fathoms, however, remains a stand-out. IMO, it blends the best of the past, while still appealing to current design aesthetics. I can see why it remains a stand-out among luxury divers. Overall, I still enjoy the brand, but really wonder what it values and how it can maintain such diverse lines.         

...but I suppose it might be one of the explanations that I've only been attracted to the Fifty Fathoms in Blancpain's collection, and the only two Blancpains I've bought are the 50th Anniversary and modern FF...

C

 

Rgs
Tyler
This message has been edited by T.Bean on 2011-03-31 07:41:35

The original buyer of a Fifty Fathoms and the original buyer of an Air Command are hardly going to be mistaking them for the same purpose...

The A.C has a bigger case, slightly differently shaped, but we have a big air de famille between it and the FF.

A bit like on the modern FFs... The Chrono and the time only watch... Not totally the same, but so close.

Of course, you can't compare the two watches from their use, but from their very close aesthetics.

No?

Best,

Nicolas.

But going to the original question, I do consider the Air Command a historical icon 'beside the Fifty Fathoms'.

Aside from those two, as far as I can see,  the Blancpain historical cupboard is quite bare. They weren't much of a watch-maker back then.

And a tough answer to give.

I see your point.

Damn, I have to go back to my homework.

Best,

Nicolas.

This message has been edited by amanico on 2011-03-31 23:40:15

In 1956 Blancpain released the Ladybird model with the cal.615, the smallest automatic movement ever made. This may nor sound like a major hit now, but it certainly was back then.

Also, Blancpain sometimes gets praise for never having produced a quartz watch.

Best,

D.

blancpain.watchprosite.com

It keeps getting weirder and weirder for me.


Rgs
Tyler

and has nothing in common with the older, 'in-house' Blancpain calibres. Except being small, of course! It is, btw a development of Edmont Capt and Nadine Guillemin and is based upon the ultra-small hand-wound Cal. 610 (presented 1992, developed by Bernard Guillaume-Gentil), which itself is based on the Cal. 16 of 1978 (development: Edmont Capt).

For comparison, here is a pic of the Cal. 615:


and an original vintage Blancpain Ladybird movement:


Best,
Magnus

... with difficulties to answer, correct.

Let´s try:

1735 - 1952 no icons; 1953 one icon (FF) plus AirCommand, AquaLung & Bathyscaphe ...
...
1984 the Moonphase Full Calendar ...



... 1991 Six Masterpieces ...



... 1994 Léman Collection - Flyback ...



... only time will tell!