Blanchard Watch Co. had its origin story back in 2006 when owner Robert Blanchard set off to create a watch specifically built for the pilot. Partnered with the Azimuth watch Co. that first initial venture into the watch industry became a success. Now 12 years later with an renewed passion for road racing, Robert Blanchard, now an SCCA competition certified driver in the Spec Racer Ford class is doing it again by bring the racing world a new tool watch series specifically designed for both the Driver and the spectator... The series will begin 2020...
I do… but don’t get me wrong, it looks great on the tropic… it’s just that I have already lost one watch in the ocean and I don’t plan to loose another. The NATO is the most secure way to ware a watch in that type of environment.
The Seiko Willard haunts me, I go back and forth on purchasing it. I missed out on the grey dial, so I'm kind of waiting on another dial color. I like black, but I have a few black dials and thought I need to mix it up some. I really appreciate the your videos, out in the wilds. I'm glad your feeling better.
Got the same watch and same rubber nato. Personally didn’t like the nato as I couldn’t get on with the right angle keeper that was part of the underpass. Removed that as it was only attached by a spring bar. Now it’s a single pass nato and wears much more comfortably imo. Got a lot of the Uncle Seiko bracelets and straps for the Willard too. My favourite is the GL831. Give it a few days and the comfort level once worn in and conformed to your wrist is unsurpassable.
Damn you and your amazing locals. The new camera works well too. The Willard was my first big watch purchase and the beauty of the bracelet being underdone is it makes you explore.
I have a feeling they all come from China might as well just order it directly from the factory LOL I got a tropical strap for less than $3 LOL I'll definitely have to make a video on it
I just followed your advice and changed the case back on my Willard (spb237) and wow… you were right. It just sits much better. Will have it tested for water proof for sake of mind but very happy with the result
The Turtle is often passed over but it truly is an awesome tool watch and it fits very comfortably I have a PADI Pepsi turtle and I love it , but now I want a black one….
Awesome review, I have one of these on the way and an Uncle Straps tropic to go with it. Really thinking about the Tudor. How tall are you? I like the 39mm also. Thank you for your time!
I see several watch reviewers go on about "signed crowns" - I just don't get why this is a criticism - I really can't be bothered if the crown has some tiny etching on it - I have just bought this very watch by the way - the lack of a signed crown is not even on my radar.
It was more a comment on the fact that the ‘original’ crown had etchings on it telling one how to lock it, and I would think that doing the same would be a nice nod to the past. So it’s not a ‘signed’ crown it’s more of an ‘instruction’ 😁
Watching this video in 2024 gave me flashbacks when he said "I purelled the crap out of the package". The world lost it's mind for a little while there, didn't it?
Yeah, that’s what happens when you see to many Hollywood movies and fall into “sky is falling” talking heads. That said, I did enjoy staying home and building a deck😁
I have a ocean one very nice watch but I have a ocean one gmt with a jubilee bracelet watch has bad lume on dial and bracelet is as rough as a bears arse it appears that quality can be very inconsistent never again
Have been enjoying your videos. Would love your opinion on the Rdunae R2 and R2X (Sekio 6105-8000 and 6105-8010 homages). They look like the most accurate recreations of those vintage seikos
Pulled the trigger on it, we will see... Wanted a smaller tool watch to replace my Seiko Turtle. Any recommendations on sports watches you could wear to the office?
@@c..7532 nice! Let us know how you like it. As for ‘sports’ watches… there are a few, Seiko has some lookers but I’m a 1016 guy. So anything that resembles the OG Explorer gets a thumbs up from me. I’d first start with timefactors Smiths Everest there are a few to choose from… I have the gen 1, and they have only become better as time goes on. Only issue is the Miyota movement can wobble and be noisy at times. From there for a more modern look the Steinhart Adventure series (basically an Explorer homage but with colors) I wouldn’t get the black dial because it’s to much “on the nose” they also came out with a white dial 1016 in 39mm which looks promising (but I still think the should have gone with black numerals instead of the fax patina. Hope that helps!
Looking forward to the Rdunae. A vintage seiko expert Spencer Klein had great things to say on that one. Appreciate the recommendations, those are two excellent choices. While currently sold out, I might hold out for the Smiths Everest in honeycomb. I love the small size, vintage look and it might work better in the office. The Steinhart 39 explorer from your channel is pulling me too though. The vintage tool watch is what I gravitate towards.
The obsession with watch thickness has become overplayed. The BB GMT wears awesome and has a pop of color that is a nod to the Pepsi GMTs of yesteryear. It also has its own identity. I feel like the BB Pro is more of a homage watch especially with the faux tinted lume plots. People love to hate on the BB GMT but it’s destined to become a future collectible/classic. Rumor has it that Rolex may be cancelling Pepsi GMT due to production issues/ difficulties specifically breaking of the bezels during production.
Thank you Andrew… yeah, the BBPro is one heck of a watch. Currently working on minimizing my collection to a perfect 5 watch collection… next up… buying my grail … the 1016 Explorer!
Watched your first video on the BB pro and am really enjoying the second you responded to my comment the other day and i wish you the best, keep on collecting my friend 🎉🎉
It is a great tool watch! I have the SRPH55 “King Turtle”. Sapphire crystal, ceramic bezel insert and it came with a steel bracelet and silicon strap. I was able to get it on sale (20% off retail) and it represents great, great value. Durable and comfortable. It gets a lot of wrist time when I am working or at the gym.
So good to hear someone else go gaga over a Steinhart. I sold all my Rolex watches when their prices got just plain stupid and replaced them with Steinharts - and never looked back or regretted that for a moment. AMAZING watches...and not just "for the price." They'd be amazing watches at two or three times the price.
Awesome video.. I've got mine on the metal bracelet.. Best travel watch ) This is my first luxury watch.. what are your thoughts on the watch taking a beating? I've hit and dropped it a few times and sometimes I worry the bracelet will suddenly come undone one day from the case or clasp .. lol am i completely wrong ? I want to use this watch for everything so will definitely continue to get hit and caught in places haha
Well, my bezel has sustained some nice scratches, and it bothered me for a few days but the next scratch made me forget about the previous one and after some time mine is developing a wonderful character 😁I wouldn’t worry to much about losing a spring bar… the supplied Tudor spring bars are pretty hefty. Since I originally bought mine on the rubber strap and I knew it was going to be cold plus I don’t have the adjustable clasp (third party bracelet) I thought it would be wise to put it on the nato. And I was right to do so more for the cold than anything else. That said I think if I had it on the original bracelet with the T clasp I don’t think I would ever need to take it off that bracelet…. But it sure looks the part on the NATO😉
@RobertBlanchard haha it definitely looks fantastic on the Nato! Thanks for the response and very true.. it builds more character for sure!! All the best my friend!
Well Mr Blanchard, you've just picked up another subscriber... That looks a wonderful place where you're staying, somewhere where you can destress and have a lot of fun. I love the description of the Pro as being like an old friend: my 58 gives me a similar feeling, and right now I'm getting closer and closer to buying a Pro. How do you find the accuracy? My Tudor GMT varies between 0 and -0.5 seconds a day, which isn't too shabby... Congratulations on passing the 1,000 subscribers landmark. 👍🍻
Thanks for subscribing! The Pro is a slow burn... around the year mark I was contemplating on selling it but something just kept me coming back to it... it was then that I figured it out... an old friend is a person that you will not see for months or even years but when you do see them it was as if then just left a day ago... and when I throw the Pro on the wrist I always get that warm feeling. I haven't checked the accuracy yet, but I'll put it on the time grapher and let you know in a bit (thanks for reminding me to check it) have a great new year!
@@RobertBlanchard I'm sure that you won't be disappointed actually: I have 2 Tudors with Kinessi movements and they perform well within Chronometer limits... 🙂
Hat is from Hagarty Porsche Rennsport Rally (at the tail of the dragon in NC) the most beautiful roads I have driven on. If you ever do get the chance go there in October I highly recommend it. Drove up from Miami in my 98 Porsche for a total of 2800 miles round trip... And yes, Im doing it again next year!
I came close to buying it for him but I decided to get him a Saint Martin 1016 for college... I just cant trust giving a kid a 3K watch at a place where it can easily "Get lost" I think I'm going to leave it for when he graduates from college. Vail is a beautiful place, I lived in Colorado for 9 years back in the late 80's early 90's and the mountains were my home on the weekends. but now at 54 I realize I'm not 20 anymore and the altitude takes its toll especially when climbing (I used to be a rock climber and hiker/camper in the summers and skier snowshoer in the winter), But being there for just a week is not long enough to acclimate for this older guy.
