The Breitling Watch Source Forums

So today I took the morning/afternoon off to hang out with two friends. After a light lunch, what else to do than to go check out watches? So we headed out to a local AD in LA and I got to take a deep look at the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms.

First of all, being Blancpain and all that history behind it, I was very intrigued by the FF and also planning this as my next major acquisition for early next year and I wanted to check it out in the flesh.

The AD had the stainless steel and the "Dark Knight". At first glance, it's got a good size. As mentioned before by other members here, the lugs are short and the 45mm wears actually quite nice. The canvas rubber strap is soft as butter. The entire watch wears beautifully. But here where I was a little disappointed by two things.

First, the bezel turn. Literally and I mean literally had no "heft" or the feel of a superb Swiss timepiece. Felt like a cheap ratchet. Almost a plastic feel in a way. Can't really describe it.

Second, upon closer inspection of the Dark Knight model which had the exhibition back, I checked out the movement and was a bit disappointed that the movement was hardly decorated AT ALL. Nothing. Not even stripes. Wish I took some pics. I can understand the whole "utility watch" bit but even for a 14k timepiece????

Am I overreacting or am I expecting too much? Kinda made me second guess my next buy with this piece.

On a lighter note, my tastes just got more expensive. Two words. Breguet Tradition. What...a...watch.

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"I don't got the bright watch I got the right watch" -Jay Z

Funnily enough a friend of mine from London was also underwhelmed when he saw an Fifty Fathoms in person. I've only seen the steel version myself so can't comment on the decoration on the movement, but I've always personally been very impressed with the FF.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

I thought it was a good looking movement. Not decoated nearly as much as a GO but still a nice movement with a 5 day power reserve and entirely hand assembled by Blancpain.

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"I don't own any watches, I just lease them"

The Rose Gold Leman Dual Time I had, had a very impressive looking movement.

As for Sergio's pic above, about the only thing they could have added was perlage or blued screws, but does that make much of a difference. Seems like BP was focusing on the rotor to carry out the Dark Knight theme.

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SHARKMAN

Thought just crossed my mind this morning...

Do you guys think maybe it's the sapphire and not metal that gives it sort of a lighter "click" feeling when turning the bezel?

Good point about the screws and perlage Mr. Shark.

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"I don't got the bright watch I got the right watch" -Jay Z

No, I don't believe so. I heard that BP had a few issues with the bezel spring on the FF. It has a bit of a plastic-ie sound to it when rotated.

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"I don't own any watches, I just lease them"

When a watch is priced at $14k, I don't think there is a thing as "expecting too much." If I didn't love absolutely everything about a watch at that price, it would not warrant a purchase - period. Whether others are bothered by the same things is beside the point.

In contrast, I finally had a chance the other day to see the Rolex DJII with sunray rhodium dial and diamond hour markers. I almost made a fool out of myself by lusting so openly in front of the salesperson. Now that's a watch I love unreservedly...except for the $11k price tag. However, if I can think of one watch that would tempt me to break the $10k mark, that would be the one. My point is, at this price point, that's the kind of feeling I would have to have if I were to consider an actual purchase: visceral desire that I feel in my gut. Anything less would be unacceptable. So no, I don't think you're overreacting.

I've been in the market for a diver for sometime, as I don't have one yet. I'm still on the fence with this one. Might be one of those pieces where I have to see it and feel one more time.

Personally I think the watch looks awesome. I didn't want to take it off my wrists. And versus a cookie-cutter Submariner (nothing wrong with that though ) I thought Blancpain's sweeping second hand with the subtle red tip looked much better sweeping on the dial than the Sub. The FF gives a much smoother perception of the hand sweep, probably because it looks less top heavy too. Just wish I could play with the bezel one more time.

In terms of the movement, been thinking again I know Blancpain makes superb movements and decoration isn't everything, but as Shark mentioned, it would've been nice if some blued screws, perlage, or striping were tossed in a bit. But on the SS model, you can't even see the movement anyway so who cares...

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"I don't got the bright watch I got the right watch" -Jay Z

I believe the newer brushed version has a display back with blue screws.

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"I don't own any watches, I just lease them"

Same here. The steel Leman I had had a nicer looking movement imo, and that watch retails for around 10k.

Jlee, which store did you check out?

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-RJ

I went to Feldmar on Pico. First time going there. Heard good things about them. The entire store was undergoing renovations. Have you seen the Breguet "room"? Beautiful....

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"I don't got the bright watch I got the right watch" -Jay Z

Doing my own familiarization with the Fifty Fathoms, though I have a 6.5" wrist and am a bit scared by the 45mm case (and I wish it had a display back...).

Did you ever pull the trigger on it and if so, what're your thoughts?