Blancpain

We have a nice summer, which is the promise of great activities and pleasures. No doubt that some of our Fifty Fathoms will follow us in these golden moments. It doesn't matter it is a Vintage or a Modern, it just has to be a Fifty Fathoms. After all, we ...  

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Nicolas I have something special coming next week. Will post then watch arrives!!! Brian

How do you want me to sleep, now that you gave me such an exciting news??? Can't wait, really can't wait to see what you got, Brian. Best, Nicolas

and I would like to see closer pictures of your FF WG Oliver

Oliver thanks, I will post some more/better photos in near future. Best, Christian

Congratulations to your family of four, Christian! I am curious...which one is your favorite? I mean, which one gets the most wrist time? Or lets put in another (cruel) way: if you had to give three of them away, which one would you keep? Best, Stefan

I have been thinking about this a lot as I really want to cut down my collection. The stainless steel 50 Fathoms gets the vote if I had to pick just one ,it was the first love. If the choice was solely based on wrist time though there would be a number of... 

Best, Nicolas...  

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Nicolas Nice FF 50th Anniversary. Is that your watch? I have been thinking about selling my Rolex kermit and picking up a 50/50. I have one hint on my incoming watch. It was made in 1952.

Still don't know if I'll keep it or not, as I have some other projects, and especially an US NAVY.... 1952??? Well...The FF were protos in 1952 if I'm not wrong, and they were released in 1953. So, if it is a FF, it is a proto. Not a Sub, as they were bor... 

I should have bought it when I had the chance. Well, at least I can enjoy your pics. Thanks. Vte

... first around diving... nice poster from an old movie with my avatar.. then my babies... with a newer friend the air command... the wrist shot on tropics... on a party with brothers (nevertheless the left and the right ones are not mine... this beauty ...  

Nicholas I don't think its a prototype but my guess is it is one of the very early Blancpain. When i get the watch i will post some photo and get everyone opinion of the age. Stephan you have photo of some wonderful examples. Brian

How can you date it? By the serial number? 3 or even less digit number? Best, my friend. Nicolas

and a very nice one! Only the customized bezel from Dirk, is still not my cup of tea ;-) Thanks for sharing. Oliver

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and picture! Oliver

And cherry on the cake, the patina is awesome. Thanks for the nice words, Oliver. Best, Nicolas

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Here are my two. Brian...  

Take the picture of the tornek away - it is killing me ;-) !!! The holy gral of all Fifties ! Brian you lucky man! But the hunt is going on ... It is a important part of the game ! Best Stephan

Cheers, Magnus

when it comes to vintage There can be only one devil Cheers Oliver

devil or accomplice, all will be treated equal ,-)! Magnus

Heavy stuff is on the way! Best, 666.

You know the saying: " Never 2 without 3 "... But this duo will be hard to beat. Best, Nicolas

a better place for a FF? ... Well maybe in the deep water.... Great photo... Cheers

Here is my single FF - A Concept 2000: Cheers, Nilo...  

Best, Nicolas...  

Nicolas I need to get a group shot from you. I cannot keep track of your vast collection! Stephan is correct about the hunt. Half the fun is waiting to located something that is very special. May we all find something special this year! Brian

I share your wish, my friend, although this year is already a terrific one. Best, Nicolas

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my favourite...  

is to die for. Beautiful. Oliver

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Perfect old bueauty. Matt

Here's one of the rarest Mil Spec ever made:...  

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really beautiful watch !!!! allways a pleasure to see these two pakistanese FFs !!!! regards Stephan

Definitely, one of my favourite milspec. What a patina! Best, Nicolas...  

they are aged perfectly and perfect balanced - the newer ones never reach it ! best regards Stephan

Let´s see in 50 years Oliver

How close are the two different serial numbers on your Pakistanese. Are they marked exactly same way? Brian PS. Very cool!! Brian

And they both start with 301... Yes, they are marked the same way, except than on my friend's one, the military number is not matching with the serial number... It seems that a digit has been inverted. Best, Nicolas

Very Cool! Do you have any history on the US Navy Blancpain. Any special marking on that watch? Brian

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Cheers Hans This message has been edited by hans_jorgen_1968 on 2010-07-28 01:54:19

Is quite an unique experience! Best, Nicolas

Hello All I would please like to know why this unique and very pretty version of the BP FF is called the ;Pakistanese; version?...is it only called by this name by the members of this website or is that how it is generally referred to by all collectors? .... 

It is called Pakistanese because it is! It belonged to the Pakistanese Army in the mid sixites. The story? In the mid sixties, the Pakistanese army trained with their US Homologs, in the US. They saw the US Army military watches, and specially the TR 900 ... 

Best, Nicolas...  

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this watch hurts ! best regards Stephan

I was really amazed to see it in the flesh. A very rare bird. Best, Nicolas

Stunning piece indeed ...But who where these gold birds made for? Cheers Hans

But I'm looking for an answer... It seems that each brand wants to keep its mystery. Best, Nicolas.

... are there (it seems IMHO) so many hidden details and information on the Blancpain FF....! Well, with years of dedication and a few watches I might be more knowledgeable on the topic than today. But the FF are so d*** interesting Cheers Hans

I heard that explanation which also was confirmed to me by a friend of mine who knows a lot about the FF history. Too sad! Best, Nicolas

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really nice fishes ! Best FF

I love the Barracuda! They are such a cool watch. I don't think a collection is complete without a Barracuda. Brian

And if they were military or not. There are so many contractitory informations about it... Best, Brian. Nicolas

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Which faded into a bronze color... Like the US NAVY we'll see further. Best, Nicolas...  

There is a 2d one, which comes with a slightly different case... To be followed. Best, Nicolas...  

with a GMT brother side by side ... Trilogy Concept 2000 Fifty Fathoms & GMT...  

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Polished case, and not correct crown:...  

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The one on the left... Best, Nicolas...  

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Nicolas Great photos. Its very hard to choice. But i think i really like the US Navy because of the rarity and the great dial layout and the beautiful bronze patina. Magnificent! Brian

Which one could be my favourite? The Pakistanese is very high, as well as may Military Milspec... Then the TR 900;, the AM... Difffcult question. The US Navy? One of the rarest FF, still, I don't know if it is the rarest. Take the example of the AM...How ... 

A Trio of TR 900s: A Dream Duo: What about this Quintett? Stacks? Best, Nicolas...  

...Stunning pictures of stunning watches Thankyou my friend Cheers Hans P.S. I think my favorite is the Tornek-Rayville and second of the MilSpecs. For the looks, the dial, the bezel. I know the US Navy is rarer, but actually I dont like the case color...... 

With their own pictures of these historical beauties. I had a great pleasure to launch this thread, and to post these marvels. It is difficult to say which one would be my favourite among all these unbelievable watches. I hesitate between the Early Milspe... 

...to contribute to this threat myself Cheers Hans

AMAZING WATCH!!!!! congrats......

Take your time, swallow the hunt, and you'll fall on YOUR FF! Ciao! Nicolas

Vintage Fifty....  

Very nice " No Rad " specimen. Any pic of the case back? Best, and thanks for attending! Nicolas

verry nice watch ! please more pics from all sites ! best regards FF

I've inherited a FF that looks identical to yours and I'm trying to find out it's age/value. Could you tell me what year your watch was made? Cheers!

. Gruesse/Regards/Salute Konrad Knirim PS: Have a look at my books on Military Timepieces: . www.knirim.de e...  

did you notice I may be addicted to those ;-) cheers Henrik...  

Aqualung and tr900...  

Well, there are many Vintage FFs which are more than tempting, I agree. But these two are marvellous. I just have to dind this damn 3/ 6/ 9 / 12 which still escapes from me. Enjoy your beauties, my friend. Nicolas.

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i thought tr900 bigger so i know it is affected by the lug width perhaps. thanks

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Started late ................ but started BLING !!...  

My fifty fathoms, modern version. One of my favorite watches, and the history behind it makes it even more enjoyable. Cheers, Stewart...  

.. Otherwise though willst be lost " .. That's what I somehow thought, when after a while of purposedly self-inflicted restriction, I again started to tinker in the FF- undercurrent.. Those waters have started to haunt me a while ago, slowly first, being ... 

Nicolas, I am responding a little late but better late than never. Here is my Blancpain Aqualung 1000 which indirectly belongs to the FF family...  

My new Milspec I (Civilian) ... And with my special 3-6-9-12 ......  

Very clean, superb condition. And ... A very interesting case number. Huge congratulations, my friend. Now, keep on working on the 3 / 6 / 9 / 12! Best, Nicolas.

This message has been edited by mscott842 on 2015-05-12 12:54:11 ...