New (GEN) Release Fifty Fathoms Automatique 42.3mm

[Dj3381]

Ok sorry for taking forever. I thoughht I would share my views on the gen FF 42mm Ti that my AD called me about.

I confirm (having had the 45mm blue in Ti) that the case width of 42.3mm is just right. However, perhaps, unusrprisingly, the fact that the thickness remains at 14.3mm means that the watch feels like a mini Seiko Tuna on the wrist. The proportions are all wrong. This all shows that things are relative in this life.... I may get the ZF rep if it decent but I doubt I will be forking out 12K euros for the gen (οn Chrono24).

Pics below

 

[Reaps]

Ok sorry for taking forever. I thoughht I would share my views on the gen FF 42mm Ti that my AD called me about.

I confirm (having had the 45mm blue in Ti) that the case width of 42.3mm is just right. However, perhaps, unusrprisingly, the fact that the thickness remains at 14.3mm means that the watch feels like a mini Seiko Tuna on the wrist. The proportions are all wrong. This all shows that things are relative in this life.... I may get the ZF rep if it decent but I doubt I will be forking out 12K euros for the gen (ον Chrono24).

Glad you share your opinion.

For me, I really do love Blancpain, but I feel that they're still 10-15 years behind on design. Yes they have real horological pedeology and their movements are really quite excellent, but they lack design thought and fine details that make other brands better....

The example you pointed out is one of those things,

Other things, such as the gaudy BLANCPAIN engraving on the side of the case, the cheap FKM rubber straps that they use, date window at 4:30, they just seem to lack some critical design thought behind their design.

 

[ward1991]

Glad you share your opinion.

For me, I really do love Blancpain, but I feel that they're still 10-15 years behind on design. Yes they have real horological pedeology and their movements are really quite excellent, but they lack design thought and fine details that make other brands better....

The example you pointed out is one of those things,

Other things, such as the gaudy BLANCPAIN engraving on the side of the case, the cheap FKM rubber straps that they use, date window at 4:30, they just seem to lack some critical design thought behind their design.

I feel that's part of mystique, they're so fancy they've come full circle to cheap rubber straps. It's like horrible modern art exhibits. A dead squirrel In a plexi glass box: "art".

The same ol' design trick works cuz..well..Rolex.

 

[Horace_Derwent]

A detail of Caliber 1315

 

[Horace_Derwent]

New photos of the 42 mm FF from the official BPN newsletter

 

[Got20Mate]

Looks great this - How thick is it?

 

[Horace_Derwent]

Looks great this - How thick is it?

14,3 mm , 34.300 $ (!!!!!!)

Fifty Fathoms Automatique - 5010 36B30 B64B | Blancpain

www.blancpain.com

 

[Got20Mate]

14,3 mm , 34.300 $ (!!!!!!)

Fifty Fathoms Automatique - 5010 36B30 B64B | Blancpain

www.blancpain.com

Pretty hefty, wow. Does look the part mind, but that price is taaaaaaaaaaaaasty

 

[Reaps]

Hope it's repped.... but my hopes not high. Looking at homages instead...

 

[Horace_Derwent]

New Fifty Fathoms releases in Gen !

Two 38 mm models, 5007 is the model number.
On the Blancpain website, these are advertised like a 'ladies' Fifty Fathoms.

First one in Black, 38 mm case, tropic caoutchouc band, rose gold, MOP dial.
34,700 EUR.

Second one is in Pink, Titanium ,white and pink MOP dial, NATO band.
18,550 EUR.

 

[Reaps]

New Fifty Fathoms releases in Gen !

Two 38 mm models, 5007 is the model number.
On the Blancpain website, these are advertised like a 'ladies' Fifty Fathoms.

First one in Black, 38 mm case, tropic caoutchouc band, rose gold, MOP dial.
34,700 EUR.

Second one is in Pink, Titanium ,white and pink MOP dial, NATO band.
18,550 EUR.

This would truly be the best size for me. I hope rep factories make it. The MOP model is right up my alley but I would prefer a steel/blue original variant.....

 

[Horace_Derwent]

The second one gives me Blancpain + Swatch vibes....it is like the Hi End version of the Scuba Pink Ocean...

 

[JayBee0815]

The second one gives me Blancpain + Swatch vibes....it is like the Hi End version of the Scuba Pink Ocean...

That was exactly my first thought ;-)

And the first model reminds me of Seiko mods with the MOP dial ;-)

 

[Horace_Derwent]

That was exactly my first thought ;-)

And the first model reminds me of Seiko mods with the MOP dial ;-)

These watches...all really similar to each other!

 

[JayBee0815]

This would truly be the best size for me.

Have you ever worn a smaller Fifty Fathoms? Here you can see the 40mm Barakuda on my 17mm wrist. As you can see it wears very small and 40mm is at least for me the absolute minimum for a FF, which is by design (like most Panerais) intended to be a slightly larger diver watch. Therefore, I believe that Blancpain is correct in classifying it as a ‘ladies' watch.’

 

[Reaps]

Have you ever worn a smaller Fifty Fathoms? Here you can see the 40mm Barakuda on my 17mm wrist. As you can see it wears very small and 40mm is at least for me the absolute minimum for a FF, which is by design (like most Panerais) intended to be a slightly larger diver watch. Therefore, I believe that Blancpain is correct in classifying it as a ‘ladies' watch.’

I got 6.3in wrists

38mm is my sweet spot. 40mm is fine, 42mm is pushing what I like, 44mm is the edge / very big and I only make exceptions for Panerai or watches I love.

Luckily I got a big frame so big watches are balanced out but still

I might try the ZF 40mm Milspec/Hodinkee/Ocean Committment but I haven't gotten around to it yet. Need to unload more pieces.

 

[JayBee0815]

I might try the ZF 40mm Milspec/Hodinkee/Ocean Committment but I haven't gotten around to it yet. Need to unload more pieces.

I can help you with the choice ;-)

 

[Reaps]

I can help you with the choice ;-)

I know it's silly but some what I prefer the more "true" design of the original Bathyscape with the sword hands/triangle markers/3-6-9, I think it's more true to the Bathyscape design, I'm at the stage of the rep game where I am very particular about watches now

Old Reaps 2 years ago would have bought both ZF versions