Blancpain

ThomasM
[PuristS]
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Rekindling an old flame...Part 1

I've long had a soft spot for the watches from Blancpain, going all the back to their pre-J.C. Biver days -

After their revival in the beginning of the 1980's, I was an early adopter, attracted by their classicism and developments in higher complications -

Their dials, fixtures - markers, hands; and cases were truly things of great beauty -

Indeed, Blancpain has always had a special place in my heart, even adorning the wrist of a very special person in my life, featuring prominently in one of my most popular pictures, "Love Affair"

A very special Fifty Fathoms model, this had a factory diamond set bezel.  It is (was) worn by a very special person in my life.  The other watch commemorates surviving a life threatening incident.

Alas, times changed, people and positions changed, relationships changed, and my interactions with Blancpain management went from very warm and cordial to distant and, quite frankly, a bit cold. Frustrations built up over reliability and service issues on the more complicated pieces.  

The special Fifty Fathoms spent more time in the safe than on the wrist because the strap kept wearing out quickly (months, not years) from normal and quite light wrist time - cracks kept developing across the entire rubberized top section that made wearing the watch precarious at best.

And so in my mind, on my wrist, and most sadly, in my heart, Blancpain was relegated to the forgotten corners, just as I and PuristSPro were forgotten by Blancpain.

Funny how life goes. I was recently in Shanghai, of all places,

I was there as a guest of Lamborghini to watch their Super Trofeo Cup Asia finals.

Ironically, despite seeing the Blancpain name emblazoned across each and every car in the series, such was the state of my relations and feelings about the brand that the sponsorship tie in simply did not register on my consciousness.

Funny how life goes...

I was thoroughly enjoying my time in the motorsport world, despite the sad ending of the final race in the career of a good friend of mine, in the Porsche Cup Asia series, when lo and behold, completely unexpectedly (for me) into the Lamborghini hospitality suite come long time media friends, sheparded by old friends from Blancpain Asia. Heartfelt hellos and warm embraces were exchanged; it had been years.  Lots of catching up to do...and I was truly touched, when it was noticed that I was the only one in the group who was not wearing a Blancpain Motorsports jacket, shirt, and ballcap (from the media "gift bag" that was presented to Blancpain guests) an extra gift bag was quickly put together and presented to me so I could feel "one of the family."  What a thoughtful, kind gesture - completely unnecessary, and thus so truly meaningful! 

Thank you, my dear friends...

And so the spark was struck,  rekindling an old flame... it is nice to know that some have not forgotten that, as important as the products are, for they are the anchors of this ongoing passion, especially for PuristS;

as important as the products are, it is the relationships, the people behind the products, that keep the passion and obssession vital and ongoing.

When I got back home, I went in search of the long dormant and nearly forgotten Fifty Fathoms...

Part 2 - a visit to the Blancpain Boutique NYC

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