A Blancpain Fifty Fathoms in Titanium

A multi layered review today, the watch and a bit of controversy over the history. I've linked Perez's article below:

My Rep at Exquisite Timepieces
Ethan Boone: [phone]

Wrist Size: 6.75" or 17cm

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[perezcope]

Thank you for the shout-out! Great timing as well as I'm about to publish a new article on whether Blancpain is truly the oldest watch brand in the world or if their entire history is a fabrication just like their Fifty Fathoms 'first modern dive watch' fairy tale. For this story I dug deep into the archives of the 17th and 18th century with the help of a Swiss historian. Stay tuned!

[brandonwebb]

I own both. The Rolex Submariner in YG and the new Blancpain FF 42+mm in Titanium. I would choose the FF all day every day.

[stevesaka]

I also have owned both for many years, sold my sub but replaced with a SD43, still have my FF... honestly this isn't a fair apple to apple comparison. Calling the FF to be "like a microbrand" is an absurd statement Harrison - it is beautifully finished, is entirely made by hand, has a twin barrel, 120 hour exquisite super accurate movement and the bezel action is far superior imo, but debating how a bezel clicks is a very personal like/dislike. If you are looking for a more practical, multi-use piece, less expensive, very well made watch that will fit more wrists, the Sub makes more sense. But if you are looking for something different, handcrafted, something with that "extra extra", a statement piece, then the FF is a far better choice imo. As for the which came first, I could care less - not like Rolex hasn't stretched the truth over the decades. As far as a diver/tool watch goes, neither makes sense - a Sinn, a Doxa, a Tudor Pelagos, Squale, or a well-spec'd Seiko are ALL more practical choices for far less dollars - these 2 watches are "luxury" pieces, albeit very capable ones, but imo trying to compare these watches head to head is illogical as they are of 2 totally different grades. I could actually make the argument that the FF is a steal for what it actually is "horologically" watch-wise at its price point.

[Bu-]

Same price, no question, Blancpain all the way for me. Meanwhile sitting tight and waiting for the depreciation on the FF.

[clydebridger]

From what I have read, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms was first made available to the French Navy a couple of years before it was ever made commercially available to the general public. So, it was developed prior to the Rolex Submariner. This would account for the claim that it was, and is, the first true diver's watch.

[Chowjunbon]

I own a modern day Sub and only got it for the fact that at the time the FF was only made in the 45mm size which is way too big when I tried it on.
If at the time they had it in the new 42.5mm I’d choose that everyday of the week! It’s a no brainer the FF is far superior in my eyes.
As for the bezel ~ Blancpain used the sapphire on it way back in the mid 2000s I believe way before microbrands were even a thing.

[steves]

Fifty fathoms all day. Movement not in the same league as the sub with regards to finishing and power reserve. I agree it is expensive so I bought a Kermit and will trade it for the fifty fathoms when I find a good preowned one for 14-15k 😁

[vemanavijaygopal]

It should be compared to a titanium Yacht - Master in my opinion. The size, material, price etc everything matches the Yacht-Master closely than the submariner. Also, the movement specs are just better. Blancpain also sits at the top of Swatch group and they mention a lot of hand finishing in the marketing. Unfortunately, when you own more than one brand, due to brand hierarchy and pricing structure, they cannot be priced to compete with a Rolex. I agree with the dubious marketing and I honestly don't understand why they did it.

Finally, sapphire bezels have lume underneath which can potentially help with longevity and it's generally agreed that it's more expensive to make.

[youtube_onur]

120 clicks I think. Definitely too expensive! But they want to be, because of their position in swatch group. Gold rotor unnecessary for a tool watch. But I think it looks better than submariner and has better movement and finishing.

[ronaldcheng]

I have both I like the FF much better ! Better workmanship, better movement finishing, to me it's better looking watch too ! Also if you are new in the watch game no one pays MSRP for it ! You should at least get 25-30% off or wait a few months when the pre-owned hit the market

[GXDoubleX]

I vastly prefer the looks of the Fifty Fathoms over the Submariner, and am hoping to own one at some point now that it is available in a size that should work better for my wrist size. The incorrect history of the Fifty Fathoms is unfortunate, but not something that would sway me one way or another since I'm primarily interested in the design. I'm hoping the apparent lack of interest would drive down the secondary market price in the future so I can snag one at a more reasonable price than the $18k MSRP.

[MrFornicater]

Some brands just don't like making money.

[bt]

I think the only reason Rolex doesn't refute this claim is that it would shine light on their own dubious marketing.

Invicta puts their brand name on the side of the case.

[douglaskrueger]

I think at 18k it’s a no go. The Sub is still the better watch. The FF is nice but at 18K we’re approaching Vacheron territory.

[modulo]

Recalling that Breguet doesn't really make a dive watch, the Fifty Fathoms is the apex predator in the Swatch hierarchy.

[steveshap]

Everyone is entitled to their own preferences, particularly something as unneeded as luxury timepieces, but complaining about Blancpain marketing is just very odd when compared the Rolex, a marketing juggernaut with its own litany of dubious historical claims.

[masanobuyamamoto]

Hey Harrison I am a big fan of the Fifty Fathoms and I respect your opinion on this review even though you said the newest FF looks like a micro brand watch lol
Regards to the origin of the FF, in this day and age everyone entitled to their own truth so we are just gonna stick to our own truth then. I own a preowned FF in stainless steel and it’s my joy everyday

[rickjason]

My days of spending over 10 grand for a watch are long over. The Blancpain is not worth $18, 400 to me. Not even close.

[robynsjp]

Loved their welcome at the Geneva store in 2022 ! Definitely worth a stop if you're on Rue du Rhone. My favourite is the vintage 1960s FF norad nodate !

[nikc]

I love this watch but about 50% of the price is the history which if it's a lie just makes it incredibly over priced.