Hands-on: BLANCPAIN Fifty Fathoms Automatique Grande Date. Titanium case & bracelet.
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- Опубліковано 2 жов 2024
- #Blancpain #FiftyFathoms #FiftyFathomsAutomatiqueGrandeDate
With this 4K-video we show you the new Blancpain must-have Fifty Fathoms Automatique Grande Date with a titanium case and titanium bracelet. The huge watch only weighs 162 grams! Would it be made in stainless steel, then the entire watch would probably weigh 500 grams... The light and robust Fifty Fathoms will doubtless appeal to lovers of sporty and elegant watches keen to enjoy daily wear of a generously sized timepiece with a pleasingly light aesthetic.
The new #titaniumbracelet complements the #sailcanvas and #NatoStrap with which the timepiece has been fitted until now. Its production involves a series of demanding assembly and finishing processes. The hand satin-brushed links are joined together by means of transverse pins, endowing them with a fluidity and flexibility that ensure a perfect fit on the wrist. Based on a patented system, the usually lateral screws are placed on the back of the links so as to preserve the smooth look and feel of the bracelet edges. Combining these skills guarantees seamless cohesion between the case and bracelet.
The Fifty Fathoms is endowed with all the attributes of a diving instrument, such as Super-LumiNova hour-markers and hands that remain easily legible in all circumstances, as well as a unidirectional rotating bezel with a scratch-resistant sapphire insert.
The 45 mm titanium case (thickness 16,27 mm) is water-resistant to 30 bar (approx. 300 meters). The Fifty Fathoms Automatique Grande Date model is powered by the Blancpain in-house #Calibre6918B
Insensitive to magnetic fields thanks to the use of a #siliconhairspring the calibre delivers a five-day (120 hours) power reserve provided by three series-coupled barrels. The Calibre 6918B is visible through a sapphire crystal case-back.
The #FiftyFathomsAutomatique remains available with a black or blue sunburst dial, while the #FiftyFathomsGrandeDate continues to be offered with a black dial.
![Часы Blancpain за 10 млн рублей! Fifty Fathoms 2021 [4K]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/wx5mb8ehsbs/mqdefault.jpg)
![Часы Blancpain за 10 млн рублей! Fifty Fathoms 2021 [4K]](/img/tr.png)
I can't believe people are willing to pay premium over retail for a Rolex instead of picking up something like this... Put the heritage and brand prestige aside, even the movement finish is hardly paralleled at this price point.
There is nothing I can add here! LOVE your comment! Thanks for sharing!
In my opinion, the Fifty Fathom is the sexiest dive watch.
I couldn't agree more!
Authority. Just plane old authority. This watch command your full attention!
Classic!
The Fifty Fathoms is the mother of all modern divers, a design icon... Often copied, never equalled!
The rotor is plated with an industrial platinum compound. That is very cool and a great feature.
I like the monochromatic look…
Titanium, Thinner case & 39mm . This would be a dream Blancpain.
Then this would no longer be the Fifty Fathoms, but a Thirty Fathoms... 😉
@@WatchAdvisor So you mean Blancpain Barrakuda & Blancpain Mil-Spec are not Fifty Fathoms?
Of course they are! But they are what they are... special editions... and the Fifty Fathoms is what it is: the Fifty Fathoms... I know this I discussed all over the place and many wish that there would be a smaller “regular” version...
@@JTACTR the originally size was 40 or 41 mm if my memory serves me right. 45 mm came with the 5015 in 2007
@@WatchAdvisor I really do appreciate your content, but sometimes you become to protective with your arguments.. Fifty Fathoms was a smaller watch to start with! I wish you shared our enthusiasm and requests with the Blancpain team rather then becoming a protective wall for the brand. All the best.
Very handsome watch and love the big date on the 6 o'clock
A watch from which you can read the date... some watches you simply can't...
For me it would be have to have a blue dial and it's too big for my 14cm wrist. It's a beautiful watch nonetheless.
A version in titanium without the Big Date indication exists ... www.blancpain.com/en/fifty-fathoms/fifty-fathoms-automatique-5015-12b40-98
@@WatchAdvisor You've become my 1:1 watch advisor, Alexander!
I have 45 mm diver (17 mm thick, 51 mm lug-to-lug), with stainless steel case, bracelet and crown and it doesn't weigh 500 grams.
It is only 238.
The 50 mm version of the same diver weighs 312 grams.
Don't overexaggerate!
I know! This was of course exaggerated! Wanted to read your various reactions ... 300 or 500... I wouldn’t want to wear such a heavy watch... thanks for sharing !
Hi Alexander. Great review.
Blancpain is an underrated brand imo. But their watcher look great and quality seems very high.
Love them.
Blancpain deserves all our attention! The brand manufacturers wonderful watches in a superb quality ...
Biggest hits against the watch are the size and unadjusted ability of the bracelet. Everything else is spot-on in my opinion.
The size is what it is: The new Fifty Fathoms of Blancpain. But I agree concerning the bracelet...
Also, the exposed springbars connecting the bracelet to the watch are unsightly and unfinished-looking. They need to get like Rolex and make them hidden. But overall, a beautiful watch and having an illuminated bezel is something that no Rolex sports model has. Proper tool watch with movement finishing that almost no one can come close to in the diver category.
@@RB-xv4si You mean the drilled holes on the sides of the lugs where the spring bars are located?
@@dr.emilschaffhausen4683 yes
The FF does not use spring bars, those are little hexagonal screws, which is more secure. And it’s a tool watch that is meant to have easy strap changes. Granted, I know these are all “tool” jewelry, but I actually respect that BP didn’t go the route of Rolex and straight up abandon any pretense of the watch being a workable tool. And let’s be honest...Rolex didn’t go to a “no holes” case for aesthetics alone...it was more part of their evolution to make it as difficult as possible to change bracelets or straps on their watches.
I just love the Fifty Fathoms, my all time favorite diver, the engineering and tolerances of the bracelet is really impressive, there really is nothing like it, I'm a big fan of it in the all brushed finish, is this the X-71 bracelet just in titanium?
Yes. It's now called 98 (not 71)...for example, this model is the 5050-12B30-98...of note the trigger to open the double deployant is made of steel.
@@BenTramer gotcha, thank you for the information.
Mark, thanks for answering! 😉
It’s a beauty ,a legend for sure,but a little bit over size for my wrist,42 -43 mm and yes would be my choice!
True! You are by the way not the only one dreaming about a smaller version of the “regular” Fifty Fathoms...
I will buy this for myself when I turn 50. Gonna roll with IWC and Doxa until then. 😎😎😎
Anticipation is the greatest joy 😉 May your Doxa and IWC always show you happy seconds, minutes and hours...
I think that if was made in stainless steel could weight between 220 to 240gr not 500gr. There is no doubt that the titanium is a good choice for a big watch like this! It's not my favourite Blancpain, i love only the movment of this watch! Nice review Alexander!
I know, of course... that was a rough estimate, a little provocation if you wish... 😜
Another great review. I am tempted.
I am happy to read this! Let me know if you have any questions... Thanks for sharing!
Just a simple reduction of case to 42-43mm range would re-vamp this watch like crazy, it is the most luxurious dive watch along with the AP offshore diver
I know that the Fifty Fathoms was a smaller diver of course. And you are not the first and you will be not the last to demand for a smaller “regular” model. The point is that Blancpain in the moment is only doing special editions in smaller cases and the relaunched Fifty Fathoms with its huge case sets the standard. I told Marc Hayek and not only I did and still it is as it is. So for the moment we have to take the things as they are and maybe in the future there will be one “regular” smaller Fifty Fathoms in the collection...
@@WatchAdvisor well too sad then, don't see the point in stubbornness, times of watches like UFOs on wrists are way behind us...
Needs to be smaller. Too big. 42mm acceptable. Price too high. No more than 15k is acceptable.
Will not be smaller, since it is THE Fifty Fathoms... Will not be sold for less, since it is a Blancpain...
Wears like a 42 trust me
Danke sehr, aber ich mag keine Titanuhren. Sie ist sehr schön, aber das sind Sie alle die Fifty Fathoms.
Die wiegt nur 162 Gramm! In Stahl wäre die viel zu schwer...
Look at that double date, it has a 0 for the first number instead of nothing (like ALS and GO). Take note of Blancpain, this is the way. Just an amazing watch overall.
Yup. I find the blank date lazy on the big date displays.
That's of course an option! Wondering if this would be the favorite way of a Big Date for a majority of buyers or not...
I wish it had bracelet adjustment, the watch looks like it's more wearable then other 45 mm watches
I said this in the video... That folding clasp is not my thing... With only weighing 162 grams it is very wearable in fact...
Just tried it on this afternoon. Just a bit to thick and big for my 16cm wrist. I have pretty much decided to go with the Bathyscaphe. Now it's down to which one. Great watch and presentation Alexander.
Thank you and thank you for sharing! Robert let me know if you need help and/or have questions...
Hi Alex, Totally agree with you about the bracelet. There should be more sizing options. As it is, if you are lucky it fits you perfectly. If not, it could either be a little bit too loose or a little bit too tight. Of course the sail cloth strap will will solve the issue BUT I really like the titanium bracelet.
Therefore Blancpain must change the clasp ... a folding clasp with a micro length adjustment would be it ...
Amazing how the date change - pure art
Thanks for sharing our passion!
Thank`s for another brilliant video of my favourite brand. Blancpain makes the most beutiful watches in my opinion and I`m the happy owner of two models, one Bathyscaphe and one Lèman flyback big date. 5015 will be the next and the big date titanium are really tempting.
BlancpaiN is my favorite brand too...I have a 2885F-1130-71 myself and the 5050-12B30-98 will probably be my next watch. Good to hear from other BlancpaiN enthusiasts.
I am happy to read this! Please let me know if you any questions and/or need help ...
Love it! Not as colorful as the desert Bathescape, but this is much more business like. All this and a haute horology finish, too much!
That's a huge watch! "Business like" could therefore be challenging... especially when you want to wear the watch under your sleeve ...
@@WatchAdvisor well, that’s part of the magic of trying it on the internet, besides, at $18K, there’s not much chance of me buying it!
What is the accuracy? Within COSC?
Much better than COSC!
More accurate in 6 positions than all my Rolex’s and more tooly
I slowed the video down to see the date change and was surprised to see that it doesn’t appear to flip over till about 12:03/12:04. Even the best are still human and therefore imperfect. It’s one of the many reasons I love this hobby; the craftsman’s touch.
You want to be on the safe side and make it only happen after midnight... So of course you need to implement some reserve... and since all of this is mechanical certain rules apply...
Um the all platinum royal oak offshore is under 500 grams. So no way steel this would way 500 grams in steel. Come on, you should know this is impossible to weigh 500 grams in steel.
I know, of course... that was a rough estimate, a little provocation if you wish... 😜
A great review Alexander. I have a current wavy line black ceramic face Omega diver 300 chronograph (9900 movement) and if I recall correctly and my left arm is probably a bit now longer than my right arm due to its weight but I don't think I could sell on as the aesthetic and engineering are superb. I have no issues with the size. Unless of course my knuckles of my left arm end up dragging on the ground I may have to consider other options (put it on my right wrist maybe?)
The Fifty Fathoms is close to the same dimensions as my Omega but is so much lighter and the large date looks so muck better than a cyclops in my humble opinion. My preference is for a watch has to have a date it should be at the 6 position for symmetry. Day and date at 3, well I can live with that depending on the execution of the complication and visuals. Being a twin disc date complication at the 6 really looks almost perfect.
The dive bezel looks fantastic and as for the lume, that's almost unreal and I really like the added depth to the look with the sapphire cover. I'd like to see it compared to the Tudor Pelagos titanium in low light although the latter is heavier if I recall it has a more flexible bracelet but that date complication is at 3.
The titanium band would require some thought if I was in the market fir this watch. Being titanium and light I could live with it being a little loose but having got used to the on the fly adjustment on my much heavier Omega band I'd look into the other band options.
Love your sense of humor. Love your input/feedback. Love your constructive criticism. Thanks for sharing!
Alexander show us your watch collection
Will not do ... Sorry! But there are so many other watches I will show you instead...
Between the Blacnpain fifty fathoms and the Glashutte seaq panorama date which one do you think is more durable?
They are both 100% eye to eye... One is "Made in Germany", the other "Made in Switzerland" ...
great watch great engeniering , Blancpain is very very niche and for a finesse gentleman
And don't forget how exclusive the brand is compared to others... just think of production numbers...
Sehr schönes Video Herr Linz. Die Uhr gefällt mir sehr gut bis auf die Schmetterlingschliese und den Preis .Aber trotzdem tolle Uhr👍
Die Schmetterlingschließe fand ich auch nicht gut, das habe ich klar gesagt...
Nice bracelet - Blancpain should offer this option for more of their diving watches, IMO
Must then be the titanium version though... steel would be to heavy...
Way too big and thick.
That's the Fifty Fathoms! It was and is a huge diver!
Only if you have a puny wrist. I tried it on my 16cm wrist and it almost works. Bigger wrist and yours fine.
A little bit too big. A little bit too pricey. So nice, but not a watch I would buy.
The mother of all modern diving watches... 😉
@@WatchAdvisor Well then, Mom’s a little overweight and needs to drop a few pounds.
😂
A real statement piece! Thank you Alexander for another great review
That's exactly what the watch is! A very cool and huge statement on the wrist!
Stunner!
What do you like particularly ?
Another nice video Alex. You should start an ASMR channel, your watch reviews are relaxing.
Can we agree on an ASWMR channel? All Should Watch My Reviews channel... 😆
Blancpain............the most german of all swiss watchbrands!
Interesting remark! Can you specify why you think so? I am interested to learn more...
@@WatchAdvisor the restrained design and simple uncluttered dial is more akin to german watchbrands (sinn, glashütte original SeaQ, junghans etc.). Blancpain also puts a lot of effort in the bracelets and even the straps which are so comfortable; Only blancpain puts a piece of leather in between two synthetic layers to increase comfort. i have lots of books on watches......and just before this video i was reading up in a book specifically on german watchbrands and this comment came to mind. Most people would say IWC is the most german of all swiss watchbrand because of their pilot watches.......but i think its blancpain........a high quality brand that punches way above its weight without yelling and screaming it from the top of the mountain or asking ridiculous prices. Just like Glashütte original which in my opinion is so superior to rolex. German watchbrands dont have the fame that swiss brands have and sometimes abuse to their advantage. German watchbrands still want and have to proof their worth to customers. They dont have the advertising budgets that swiss brands have. I have always said it and continue to say it: If Germany had not waged so many wars in the 19th and 20th century.......then the German watch industry would be the world's number 1.......not the swiss who benefitted enormously from no wars and destruction to their production capacity and having to rebuild over and over again!.........in fact, many swiss brands today would have been german watchbrands instead....including rolex and breitling and iwc and jlc and breguet etc.
@@rezamotori5709 It's funny that a Swiss brand that has invented the first commercial diving watch in the world as well its unique design is called the most "German" watch brand and then to saying that it is more 'akin' to a brand like Sinn who was founded 226 years later. Swiss brands have had to prove themselves just as much to customers as any other brands over the past decades - regardless of what country they're based in. The amount of innovation (Blancpain was reduced to a value of just 22'000 Eur in 1981 - it was basically almost dead) that was done by such extraordinary people such as Jean Claude Biver was astonishing and deserves all the respect many Swiss brands built for themselves since the crisis.
The war didn't stop the German watch industry to restructure successfully very quickly after WWII. It was the way the Swiss managed to come up with a strong survival model during the quartz crisis that made them who they are today. An incredible amount of innovation over the past decades have made them survive too. Unfortunately and in contrast, the watch industry in the Black Forest, once the heart of the German watch industry, nearly disappeared completely altogether during the quartz crisis. In Pforzheim, the attempt was also made to form a group based on the Swiss model, but in the end the local watch industry went bankrupt. Does that make German watch brands worse than Swiss watch brands? Is history fair? No. Things are just the way they are.
Further, what do you mean by "many Swiss brands would have been German"?? Erm ...No! IWC, to name one of the brands you mentioned was founded by an American because he thought there were a lot of skilled watchmakers in Switzerland and because at the same time the average pay level in Switzerland in the mid 19th century was one of the lowest in Europe. Low pay, many skilled workers. To reduce the reason for the domination of a particular industry in a particular country to something like "oh but they had fewer wars" is to ignore a million other complex reasons. History is not that simple. Also, I'm always a bit disturbed when people try to do the whole "this country would/should be better than the other country, if only..." - the most successful watch brands in the world, among them German and French ones too, are doing a fantastic job keeping the industry alive and passing on passion for mechanical watches. Without their marketing power we'd all be wearing quartz now. So thank you Rolex, Breitling, Tag Heuer and co for spending so much money to make people actually wanting to own something antiquated like mechanical watches.
I think that would be IWC....
Great watch, its a shame they dont have smaller version od this one, to big for me
From time to time Blancpain makes a special edition in a smaller size...
Thank you for a nice review Alexander! Such a beautiful dial but the size is too extreme for my taste. It reminds me of one of my all time favorite watches, my absolute dream, Blancpain Leman aqua lung grande, which unfortunately is not produced any more.
That’s Putin’s favorite watch 😉 Google it and you will see..
@@WatchAdvisor yes 😂
Это нормально не волнуйся
One day!
The greatest pleasure lies in the anticipation! 😉
Superb video. Really enjoy your analysis. Please tell me, what grade titanium is used on this watch? Thank you.
the case is grade 2 ... some parts of it are grade 5 ...
@@WatchAdvisor That's too bad...a watch of this caliber deserves grade 5 titanium. What do you think? Thank you.
@@BenTramer I don’t know why they decided to use grade 2. It was for sure a clear technical reason and NOT a monetary decision ... What in your opinion is the disadvantage of grade two titanium? Scratches?
@@WatchAdvisor My understanding is Grade 5 is harder and would scratch less which would make sense for a luxury watch...however, my understanding is Grade 2 is more corrosion resistant, which makes sense for a dive watch...the Fifty Fathoms happens to be both a luxury watch and a dive watch complicating the choice
@@BenTramer The new Seamster Bond watch is also made of Titanium Grade 2 ... again a decision taken not for monetary reasons but esthetics ... If you bang any watch on a hard surface there will always be a damage. Using a watch and thereby observing the watch to build up some patina is part of the watch’ life. I have many being slightly and more scratched and I love it. I remember every event that caused the patina and it is fantastic to have these flashbacks... We all should not overdo it by wanting to protect our watches against daily use... They are made exactly for this... a watches locked in a safe suffers 😉
Me ! as its an instrument made for the job that will appreciate financially and because of its weight it will assist in taking you to its Fifty Fathoms. The loud clicking sound on the bezel will also attract Dolphins...Lol
... 'The loud clicking sound on the bezel will also attract Dolphins' .... 😁 Love this one!
Initially thought:
‘You can buy a VC Overseas for such a price!’
But oh sh.. Overseas doesn’t have an instant date change ‘complication’.
So, reasonable price for a great watch!
Blancpain plays in the same league as Vacheron Constantin does... Tastes are different... both watches are excellent... no doubt...
I like the big date. Reminiscent of Breguet big date
They are sister companies and do also share the alarm calibre...
@@WatchAdvisor The big date looks great on both brands. The font is what I picked up on as similar or identical.
Fifty Fathoms in steel= 215g. Just so you know.
Thanks for sharing!
@@WatchAdvisor lol. Thanks for sharing incorrect information. And thanks, Alastair for giving us the correct information.
@@RB-xv4si Obviously I had said something wrong... please remind me!
@@WatchAdvisor lord knows you need it. Otherwise you will just spit out whatever thought your mind creates instead of doing the work first and educating yourself.
@@RB-xv4si ?????
A dream....
May I ask you to discuss your dream with us a little bit?
Spectacular watch.
And as I mentioned for its size pretty lightweight with only 162 grams...
Wow beautiful
More details please! 😉
I love its classic silhouette.The way its very traditional on the design side but very modern in terms of sizing material, movement and craftmenship is just good.
it's totally a tool watch, it's too big and I don't like the bracelet 👎😑 sorry
Would you consider wearing it with a canvas or nato-strap?
@@WatchAdvisor maybe a nato-strap I'm not sure
The watch is also available with a canvas or nato-strap...
Nice watch😍😍😍
Thanks for sharing your passion with us!
Are there reports of the sapphire bezel cracking when knocked? As a tool watch, I wouldn't want to have to worry abouy such things.
You can crack EVERY sapphire crystal... But it is VERY difficult! There are of course limits of what a tool-watch still can "digest"...
Glorious !
What exactly do you like?
@@WatchAdvisor - I like that they released the Grande Date in Ti with a black dial . Wasn’t a fan of that particular shade of blue which used to be the only o ptiob
Even though I am a huge fan of blue I must say that the original Fifty Fathoms should have a black dial... same applies, at least for me, for the Submariner...
@@WatchAdvisor I liked the blue on the previous LE fifty fathoms , but prefer the black over the current catalog titanium model
in this color I feel that the bezel looks too big
The huge turning bezel was and is part of the DNA of the Fifty Fathoms. This is a unique design, often copied never equaled...
.....so rotor is plated or not?
Yes! It is an 18 carat gold rotor and it is plated to keep the technical look of the entire movement...
Love it! And 50mm lug to lug is very wearable. Grail watch!
The original Fifty Fathoms always fitted and fits good on the wrist despite its size...
☕️🔥
I understand the "hot" ... but what does the cup of coffee mean?
Would be awesome in platinum. ;)
That's a good one! What do you expect, how heavy the watch would be?
@@WatchAdvisor I expect it to be about 500 grams, since that's the weight of an AP Royal Oak Offshore 25721PT in platinum.
@@hasininan5501 Crazy! Change it from one arm to the other on a regular base ... 😆
@@WatchAdvisor The only watch I can actually afford is a Seiko 5. 😆
Yeah, it would make a nice diving weight 😂
Amazing watch. But you know what? My Tudor pelagos Lhd looks quite similar. At least from the picture. I know, the Blancpain is lot bigger. But the proportions are comparable.
Anyway, nice watches, both.
Sorry I have a blue Pelagous and just tried this one on this afternoon. The only similarity between the two is there titanium watches..
@@robertsullivan4773 Thats because you have the blue Pelagous. The LHD has the patina hour markers and on the bazel. Thats the difference. And thats a huge difference. The overal appearance of the Pelogaos LHD makes it really a special watch. Maybe Alexander can make a good video to compare both watches side by side :-) But ok, thats a subjective impression which I have when see the video. Maybe in reality its not that similar.
The lug to lug distance is definitely similar i.e. 50mm.
Beautiful watch but who would go diving with a watch that beautiful and expensive? 🦀
Of course you go diving with it! Thats what the Fifty Fathoms is made for... it is tool watch!
I suppose you’re right, I mean if you use gold toilet paper why not?
@@lesgillard985 I wear and use all the watches of my collection... Years ago I sold all of them not being made for a daily use... today I buy only watches that are ready for life. A watch must be on the wrist and NOT in a safe for all its life...
That is a great to hear😎 I am trying to do the same with my 🏍 s
@@lesgillard985 Do always drive carefully my friend 😉
3:14 - That is the best bezel clicking action on a diver watch I've ever heard in my life. Swiss mechanics baby!
That's true!
a mans watch
That's for sure!
Yes it is puny wrists like mine need not apply. 😁