Blancpain Fifty Fathoms & The Relativity of Watch Prices 

There’s a sapphire case back on them because Blancpain’s movement finishing is incredible and should be seen and admired. They’re a class apart from Submariners or Seamasters in that respect.

I own a titanium bathyscaphe on a bracelet and know the FF models by heart. Two things to add/correct :): Firstly: You have actually been trying the 45mm version on and not the new 42. Yes, I am 100% sure of it, because the new 42mm versions dial does NOT have the inner circle on the dial, central to the hourmarkers. This sunburst central portion of the dial on the watch you have shown us the wristhots of, is only featured on the 45mm version. The dial of the new 42mm version is plain. Take a look at the pictures on their website or just google both of them and compare the dials side by side and you will see the difference. Thats why you had correctly the feeling, that the watch was quite big for 42mm :D Well yes, because it was 45 :D Secondly: This I am not 100% but maybe 95% sure is the grade of the titanium. Blancpain have started to use Titanium Grade 23 on FF models firstly with the introduction of mine FF bathyscaphe in titanium, which was in september 2021. Prior to that, all FF models were in Grade 5 titanium. So the watch you were trying on is 45mm version, in titanium Grade 5, as you have said. The new 42mm version is in fact in Titanium grade 23. I enjoy your videos, keep it up :)

Hi horolgy. Higher quality. Style , ckass. Incredible lume too. Omega, tudor or Rolex are not in the same legue. For that matter, either is the AP. This is the true king to the divers throne.

Correct , top class

lovely video. experienced the same feeling around Blancpain in 2018 in a boutique inSwitzerland. Could not justify paying so much money for the piece. Over the course of the years got my submariner, AP diver offshore, was constantly thinking about BP, and eventually went to Dubai last year and got a 50 fathoms grande date. So yes, it's a striking piece where you develop an instant connection but it takes time to accept the price factor ;)

thats definitely the 45mm with the inner circle in the dial . May I know your wrist size please ? just to get an idea for how the 45mm looks on the wrist.

A great discussion re relativity and value. I agree it is all about the emotion and how a watch makes you feel and for that you really do need to see a watch in person. I have a 2264.50 and there is something about the dimensions and feel of the watch that make it very special. I have one of the original Deepsea's from 2010, which has been on a lot of lives adventures with me and for that reason, I value highly. As far as the Blancpain goes, the 45mm version was my grail based on photos but it was only when I handled one that I really appreciated just what the watch is in terms of heritage, impeccable finish (including on the movement) and for me it subjectively it was worth the price, as a retirement from work watch. If I look at all three, I really would struggle to say which is the best value relative to price, I just enjoy wearing them all and to illustrate the point of value even more, I have a Seestern 62MAS homage that has very good finishing and runs at +1 second per day and also holds a special place in my collection. As far as pronouncing Omega, in Casino Royale on the train with Vesper Land, Daniel Craig pronounced Omega as Omeeeega and as they were sponsoring product placement in the film, I'd say that Omeeeega is the way to go!

Hi Mark I do understand where you are coming from I wanted a omega speed master racing but when I tried it on completely changed my mind.so if you're going to spend big money you definitely have to get to no the watch first. sometimes you try on a watch your not particularly interested in and you love it so much you have to own it.that happened when I went to try on a james Cameron deepsea loved the watch but also was offered to try on the bi metal sea dweller not on my radar at the time. loved it that much had to own it took me 18 months on the wait list.own them both great watches.thanks John.

Everything Jean cloud beaver touched is far to expensive

For the Blancpain you are clearly paying for the history and heritage (first dive watch) as the physical hardware simply cannot be justified at that price as you say. The other things is price goes up exponentially with incremental improvements in quality, it is not linear. I think you would admit that your Seamaster is not 10x better than a good Seiko diver. However there is a conflict between the concept of a tool watch which should be functional and rugged and the idea of a "high horology" diver, since some of these are well finished and technically impressive if not delicate. Then again very few of us are diving with these. Someone wearing one of these is definitely a watch enthusiast you would have a great conversation with, whereas it is probably best to avoid starting a chat with someone wearing a submariner as the odds would be against you.

Enjoy your video and perspective. I purchased my new Blancpain 42mm blue recently -pronounced Blan-Pan translates to "white Bread" in French the C is silent I was told. I agree it's a bit tall but the design, materials and workmanship are superb such as grade 23 Titanium, exquisite dial finish with all sapphire crystal and bezel cap, fully lumped, and the iconic 1315 caliber which is partly hand finished but hand assemble! The watch assemble by hand and by one watch maker. BP produces only 10K or less watches annually like Glashutte Original not over 100K like Jaeger LeCoultre and Rolex over one million annually. I'm a BP fan.

Great agreed about emotion as with most luxury items. It is a very very special piece perhaps the most exclusive diver in the world. In my opinion, you’re paying for exclusivity. Yes, the Rolex and perhaps some others have better specs. But there is a certain exclusivity that the 50 fathoms have that other watches don’t.

And here I thought you were going to start talking about time dilation and the warping of spacetime 😊

Liked the discussion. The pronunciation is "white bread" Mon ami. 😂 lol The older versions were bigger at 45mm but had closed case backs. It's an iconic diver. It is a substantial watch especially in steel, but worth it when the price tag was a lot less just 6yrs ago etc. So it was easier to swallow even as an orange, pear or kiwi. Lol.

Blancpain has a high horology movement which is a step above Rolex and omega…I wish u could appreciate that aspect

I tried on the new 41mm monochromatic Tudor last week. They had both bracelet versions in stock too. It’s a good looking watch but it’s still too thick. The Black Bay 58 is still Tudor’s best watch even though it’s an old model. It just has the perfect look size and balance with the perfect thickness for a dive watch.

It's not grade 5! It's grade 23 Titanium only a couple of watches use this special grade. Rolex uses grade 5 on the new GMT Master which are totally machined made barely any human intervention. Blancpain are assembly by hand not robots and by one watch maker, finally BP produces only 10K watches annually in Villeret next to AP.

It is easily worth 5 times more. One is a Mercedes C class and the other is a Maybach.

James Bond pronounces Omega the same way you do, then it must be right.

Omega....Om egg a...Omegga. You Fail. Blancpain ...Blon Pan . . You Fail. Ha ha. 😉😁🤣 . To be honest baring the keyboard warriors , who actually gives a shit ?, pronounce how you see fit mate.

Tudors are way too thick ☹️☹️☹️

When this guy complained about Blancpain’s movement finishing he lost all credibility in horological knowledge. Likely he was looking for the traditional Côte de Genéve but wasn’t able to appreciate the satinated finish or notice the hand applied anglage. Just another RU-vidr thay doesn’t deserve a subscription

You can call it Omeeeega if you want, it’s your right to mispronounce whatever you like but, Omega is the last letter from the Greek alphabet and in the Greek alphabet it’s pronounced with a soft E. But as I said, you do you.