The Strange Story and Return of Tornek-Rayville (MilSpec Blancpain Fifty Fathoms)
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- Опубліковано 4 сер 2021
- A Discussion around the return of the Tornek-Rayville TR-900 / TR-660. A secretive project to import a top of the line dive watch into the United States bypassing the "Buy American Act" of the 1950's. One of the rarest vintage dive watches in the word that has now been re-established. This means that we can finally get the chance to own and experience a 40mm Blancpain Fifty Fathoms that also has a great story behind it.
#TornekRayville #VintageBlancpain #FiftyFathoms
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Received mine in August of 2022. The hype is real. One of my favorites of my collected. I paired it with a black and grey bond NATO, perfect!!!
Rewatching
The Fifty Fathoms & I both turn 70 this year !!
Link to the new TR store if you'd like to learn more: tornek-rayville.us/
Notification bell goes, cup of coffee made, work paused, a thoroughly enjoyable and informative video commences c/o IDGuy 😁👏🥃
An absolute pleasure Mark. It was such a treat talking about this piece and I'm so excited to see how the brand evolves. Enjoy the rest of your week, sir!
This must be the purest design of a dive watch. Very beautiful indeed.
Design is just exceptional... these are models deserving of a lot more love. Thank you for taking the time to watch the clip Cedar! Have an excellent end to your week
I believe the water ingress indicator on this re-issue is just a visual nod to the original and not actual functioning material. I might be wrong. Interesting piece though. Bulova just released one of their own with a moisture indicator. Both watches look superb.
Correct, Bulova Mil-Ships is the 1957 prototype.
Always loved the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms and still do, one of if not my favorite diver/sports watch, it's just so dam cool and different enough that you don't see them all the time and beautifully made as well. This Tornek Rayville is a really cool looking interesting piece for sure.
It's very exciting to see where this goes and I hope by the end of the year I'll be able to review it on the channel to bring some more coverage in. It's the 40mm FF we've always wanted... now with a cooler story ;)
So it's the Thrifty Fathoms?
Stu, you sir are a genius! Love this comment so much!
Funny 🌝
yes.
I am dead
Your story telling is fantastic. I absolutely love your videos.
Delightful watch that!
Thank you for another wonderfully produced vid.
Your efforts are greatly appreciated!
Ah Marcelo, we study up and learn about these things for the love of it. The passion outweighs the effort every time. And thank you for taking the time to watch the clip! You can tell that my love for these quirky divers is fierce ;)
Thank you for the video. The big brands take up so much oxygen it is easy to miss watches like this. I also value your opinion as to design. Though, to be honest, I really didn't need another watch on my "I want list." Oh well.
You just love the MilSub watches and their stories. Thanks for sharing your research.
I'm addicted to MilSpec watches... it's a curse. All I can do to alleviate it is share my illness with everyone else ;) Thank you as always Karl. Really enjoyed putting this one together
If Blacpain doesn’t want to make a 40mm fifty fathoms then someone else will 😎! I’ll wait for a better movement and then pounce!
Exactly... we knew it was going to happen. With the name TR attached to it it becomes even more of a cult watch!
Why do they not want to make a regular production model that is 40mm? There must be a reason for it.
@@summerrr1 They try too hard to rely on the same aging consumer base who used to buy them when the larger size was trending.
Your videos are great, your sincere enthusiasm shows, and your channel and style is so different from other watcc UA-camrs. Thanks so much for creating this content for us all to enjoy.
Excellent! Thanks for this video. Keep at it!
If this has Blacpain FF on the dial it would sell out quickly at 10x’s the price, or more. The history and story make great reasons to embrace this one. And it looks spectacular. Great video as always 👊 keep up the good work!
Love the history.
Very simple yet beautiful watch.
Funky machine, right? It's definitely a true nerds watch ;) Ah, I hope it's successful... we need watches like these in the wild. Awesome history and incredible design. Thanks as always George
Excellent review as always IDGuy. I'm looking forward to taking one getting one the next batches that comes out!
Always a pleasure my friend. So, so excited to hopefully experience one of these... they just hit the mark of what a MilSpec dive watch should be. Expect an email from me over the next few days ;)
Another highly informative and great video--Bravo!
This was such a pleasure to put together. A watch deserving of a lot more attention and now we have an opportunity to experience them ourselves! Have a great end to your week Koji
New to channel, earned my sub 👍
Very informative, obviously well-researched and nice presentarion; excellent production value (shots, editing, sound)
I am glad I saw this video since I did not know about this watch. I hope they come out with more batches soon because I am definitely interested! Beats paying some major $$$$ for a Blancpain limited edition.
Absolutely, this is exactly why I wanted to share it. A great rebirth of a name and the stellar design to match! It's so, so exciting...
Thanks for your excellent video.
An absolute pleasure as always, Mike! These kinds of watches continue to make me smile (and draw me back into the hobby again and again)
Really cool watch, love the story too....& a great price (shame they're all sold out!)
Excellent video, thank you Mr ID 👍🏻👍🏻
We'll be seeing more stock of these in no time I reckon (very exciting) Such a nerdy watch ;) Thank you Steve!
They are not limited edition, 175 sold already but they will be back in stock
What an interesting story!!
It's when you graduate from nerd to super nerd ;) Thanks a lot for taking the time to watch the clip Brian! Love the quirks of this hobby!
Yes 🙌 the modern in bronze would be gorgeous!
great vid..worth a subscription
These are lovely, I really do like what they offer at the price point. Thanks for covering it. Could stand for it to be thinner... but you can't have it all at this price. You juxtaposed the Benrus a few times in this video, but no comment towards it. I'd be interested to hear your take on this revived version.
Great video … thanks!
Incredible video as always IDGuy, I had no idea about this brand and the history. I would love to try this one on one day.
Cool machine, right? It's definitely a graduation watch, proving when you're a super-nerd in this hobby ;) Hopefully I'll be able to share and review one when they're officially released by the end of the year. Enjoy the rest of your week, brother!
Very interesting, thank you 👍🏻
I love this model 😍
"Fifty Fathoms has no competition" - big statement, man ...
Reissuing trend is a actually a good thing for the industry as the micro brands competition is fiercer than ever. Thanks IDGuy for the great video 👍
Couldn't have said it better Abdul! It's so exciting seeing these names reemerge and what they can offer us. My pleasure as always, brother!
See my post above. This is NOT a re-issue. It is not a Blancpain. There is no connection to Blancpain or to the Tornek family.
@@jeffkingston6590 ok, thanks for the clarification, It does look quite similar to both of them, but I guess design has to come from somewhere.
Loved this video my dude...
Such a banger of a watch. The Ultra nerd diver to say the least ;) Hope you're well, brother! We need a catch up call asap!
Are these companies: Tornek, MKII, Rdunae getting their cases from the same manufacturer? A lot of choices. Great to see. Shame some sell out and no longer available. 😮
Interesting topic. The entire watch with exception to the name, has no connection to the original article, but probably because of the name (that it can legally and honestly use) it can command the attention and price it currently enjoys. Makes me ponder Theseus' ship and how it applies to watches.
I am very tempted to get one
Another opportunity to relish an IDGuy video. As usual, your research helps add to the story regarding the brand's return. Nicely done.
Ah, loved putting this one together Reed. They're SUCH cool watches and seeing that the name has returned made me grin the other week ;) Thank you as always, sir!
And I thought Unimatic was going to become my poor man's 50 fathoms.
Also didn't even know Helson made an homage (Skindiver). I do own one of their other watches, fantastic quality, and lume that is both outstanding and perhaps on par with Zelos (?)
Never heard of this brand (Tornek-Rayvile), I'm going to have to check it out!
Edit: ok I think I want one of these, of course once they're back in stock
Thanks IDGuy !
The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms is one of my favorite watches.
Watch Chris just did a review of Tornek Rayvill . I'm hoping to be able to get one .
I signed up for there waiting list last week .
Don't be fooled. This so called Tornek Rayville is NOT a Blancpain Fifty Fathoms. It has no connection at all to Blancpain. Nor does it have a connection to the Tornek family. The vendor has snatched a name and is selling a watch that misleads the public.
@@jeffkingston6590 Thanks Jeff
I'm aware this is a homage but I'm never going to have the money for a Blancpain Fifty Fathoms this watch and the new Bulova Mil-Ships are about as close as I'll get.
@@jeffkingston6590 Does the vendor claim the watch to be a Blancpain Fifty Fathoms? I think not. I don't understand how the vendor is misleading the public. How can a vendor "snatch" a forgotten watch name if he was the only one who had knowledge of it at the time and acted to acquire it legally? If I may suggest, you should direct your ire at the Swatch Group for choking the supply of ETA movements in the market resulting in inflated prices of the once $30 movements.
Hey,
Always loved all your videos... Particularly the ones where you make changes or design some of the watches on your own. And ofcourse your ID commentaries.
May I suggest looking into vostok watches, they are Russia, affordable, raw yet interesting solutions, have a LOT of interesting variations, and have a unique story of origin. I feel you would enjoy digging into the brand.
Cheers, here's to a hopeful mil-spec watch (tudor/rolex mil sub for me)
Absolutely Abhishek! I'll be digging into the brand one day soon. At the moment I'm falling further and further down the Seiko Rabbit hole but once I emerge, I'll get right on it ;) Great suggestion man and thank you!
Ever get your hands on one to try out and current thoughts on the TR-660? Or did the Pelagos FXD scratch the itch for a milspec diver?
I missed the boat on the first batch however am very tempted to get one. Only downside it’s the case thickness. Maybe if they have with Swiss made movement in the future, that might bring it down and make it perfect.
This is not a re-issue. It has no connection to Blancpain. No connection to the Tornek family.
@@jeffkingston6590 The Blancpain brand of today is owned by the Swatch Group and has no connection to the Blancpain family whatsoever. The brand itself has not been connected to the Blancpain family since 1932. I really don't get your point about family connections though. This Tornek Rayville watch is 99% identical in looks to the original Tornek Rayville of the 1950s, which I think is a million times better looking than what Swatch did to its own reissue.
I noticed that in some pics, the new watch shows minute markers on the bezel (6:03) and in some pics, no markers (5:37).
Good eye, sir ;) The bezel with the minute markers is the Aluminium insert and the one without is the Acrylic (with lumed plots) I should've highlighted this in the video
Hello my friend
I couldn't find your video on the Longines Big Eye Chronograph , I'm considering buying one i have a 6.75 in. Wrist do you think it would be too big ?
Almost identical case/watch is sold on AliExpress for years under the brand name Steeldive Fifty Fathoms. Same dimensions , but with a Seiko NH35 movement and $150,- price tag.
Very interesting, until this video and the comments I never knew a model like this existed. I guess the one thing we could compare between the two be the build quality and maybe the quality of materials? But an NH35 and similar design for that price is impressive! Just goes to show what happens when you manage to sell thousands of these models ;)
The TR has always been my grail watch.
Where did you buy the compass from minute 7:31? Thank you!
Wooo!
Great seeing you Gel ;)
SW200 or even 300 would be superb.
Something tells me it'll be happening by the second generation, at least we'll maybe be able to choose the movements that are fitted in the watch (hopefully)
there is an amazing quality homage of this on Ali express for £110!
I love your videos, great stuff! However maybe you might consider to replace the white splash screen in the intro with something else less aggressive to the eyes because it can be hard to handle in many conditions and contexts, such as watching your videos on a big TV or during the night when it's dark, or both together. Also I find it a bit tacky compared to the content, but that's just a personal consideration.
I was lucky enough to preorder one of these. An impulse decision based on the fact I love the old Blancpains but doubt I'll ever manage to obtain the real deal, and it's a fairly compelling thing to have the old Tornek Rayville branding on the dial. My big decision now is whether to opt for the acrylic or aluminium bezel...
Lucky man! These pieces are going to be fun to own, no doubt. Question on the bezels... are you looking for something that'll age or something that's more "period correct"? It's a difficult one... Hey! Flipping a coin and deciding on the best of 3 is always an option ;)
Kind of depends what matters to you. It is NOT a Blancpain and has no connection to Blancpain. Does it make you feel good that someone put the name Tornek Rayville on a dial to mislead you into thinking you had bought the real thing.
@@jeffkingston6590 the same could be said of the current Blancpain. it's just a name resurrected by Biver and friends
@@jeffkingston6590 You know, I am aware that it's not a Blancpain. I mean, it's around $1k as opposed to $10k. And I'm also aware that it's not the original Tornek Rayville which I don't know the current market value of but I'm guessing is way beyond my current means. It is, however, a *reasonably* faithful homage to the TR so yes, I'm sure it will make me feel good as I'm a fan of mil spec divers.
@@marcusm3600 Sorry but this is like those phony replica cars that aren’t. You see Cobras that are made to look like the real thing but aren’t. In short this is a shameless rip off. If you want a less expensive watch, buy one that’s real and that doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not.
IDGuy - again great video. The movement is a bit disappointing for such a well designed piece, however, for the price it‘s appropriate.
I agree Patrick, it was a bit of a surprise (we'd think it would be using an ETA or Selita) but things could change by the time it reaches its second generation. Ah, we'll have to wait and see. Something tells me its going to be a big success
Another fantastic video. IDGuy handing out free cash again... looking at you Blancpain. I know it's been out for a while, but have you ever had a review of the Timor Heritage Field? Love your penchant for military heritage timepieces.
My pleasure Nicholas! And no I haven't had time with the Timor model (know a few in our community who own it though) With field watches it's all about those aesthetics and picking out what you like. The WW2 style can be a bit vanilla for some (small seconds included) Over the next few weeks I'm going to be reviewing a Seiko I just picked up that's going to blow peoples minds ;)
@@ID-Guy Looking forward to it.
If they make a 45mm version with a swiss movement, I'd be interested to one to take diving
The Helson Skindiver began a similar revival of case form some 8 years ago. Their present stock features Miyota 9015s and ETA 2824s, but also 14.5mm thick. Frustrating as a benefit to those movements is how thinly they can be case. Respecting the expectations of stated 300m water resistance I presume.
While their name is good for an Asian Pacific micro brand, it is missing the cache of Tornek Rayville.
Technical improvement I'd enjoy on future TR models is a lumed sapphire bezel insert. Visual charm of the acrylic, but modern durability.
I read somewhere that the TRs will be about 13,7mm's thick (a great improvement) and I must admit, those Helsons are sturdy pieces. But you're right about the name and the "prestige" surrounding it. At this stage it's an entry microbrand that only the die-hards would know anything about BUT you never know, there could be some great developments on the horizon (movements included) ;)
Blancpain fifty fathoms is boss‼️
Better than a cross over plastic watch.
Want one, where do I get it
I’ve been trying to acquire one of these. 😂
This is an outstanding design execution. Simple dial design and made with plain stainless steel. This right here is what I call the perfect design of a dive/field watch. A quick flick of the wrist and you got the time.
To make this in any other case material will ruin the design.
100% sir, bead blasting and such incredible lugs that compliment the dial... Ah, I hope these are extremely successful regardless of what they add or change. Nothing beats and original though ;) These first generation models are sublime...
@@ID-Guy one of the annoying things watch makers do is over branding and loading the dial with a bunch of text. It takes away from the main purpose of the watch in reading the time/date. Over branding comes off like a teenage girl begging for attention. Rolex being the main culprit.
Possible to buy a homage from Ali Rdunae and Thorn made some clean homages. Decent looking.
Sold out on their page. Lucky for me otherwise I would have bought one 😃
Their pre-orders went by fast and furiously about a week ago BUT there is still a chance for us ;)
@@ID-Guy yeah but my philosophy is, the less watches your collection consists of, the more happy you can be. I'm not a one watch guy but I think five is my upper limit. Beyond that, the passion becomes more of an addiction. At least that's the case for me.
@@Ossory88 I feel you on this. My collection has turned into a handful of pieces that all share the same / similar aesthetics (numerals on dials etc.) As a group they all look fairly similar when bunched together. Crazy how our brains operate right?
@@ID-Guy yeah I think watches can cannibalize wrist time from other watches of your collection when they are too similar to each other. So for me, as my core collection is kind of settled (Lange + Explorer II) im really only looking for outliers, special watches that might not be my only watches, but they make the whole collection just nicely diversified.
don't care about the movement all that much in a watch like this, but i wouldn't mind a swiss made one to keep it "closer" to the original (a soprod newton, perhaps? if serica can have the top grade at a slightly higher price, than the T-R could have the not-top grade at a lower one, closer to the current, no? it's a 2824-sized movement, but with a nice full balance bridge for added shock protection)
i'll definitely get one when there'll be an option for a "classic FF" 3-6-9-12 numerals dial. i was THIS close to getting this one, but 3 divers with the same old markers is too much (for me, of course :))
Which Seiko movement?
The NE15, their 6R15 for 3rd party use.
NH:4R::NE:6R
@@alexandersmith855 thanks Alex- never had good luck with the 6R15 movement.
@@alexandersmith855 Thank you for this Alex
@@underachievingwatchcollect1878 I'd like to know your experiences with them! My Prospex has been running well (albeit slow) with hold on... Maybe I'm thinking 6R35? Movements...
@@ID-Guy I had poor accuracy in the 6R15. I’d love a decent Swiss movement with regulation.
The original submariner 👏👏👌⌚
The dive watch that did it all first ;) Thanks for taking the time to watch the clip Nicholas!
@@ID-Guy 😁no thank you for making these amazing informative videos really do appreciate the history behind every watchmaker and the effort you put in making these videos stand out ... I'm really learning alot ⌚👌🤙 keep up the outstanding work that you do .
@@ID-Guy Yes, the REAL Blancpain Fifty Fathoms was the first modern dive watch and it has an unmatched history. Blancpain’s then CEO Jean-Jacques Fiechter was a diver and his insights into what a dive watch had to be developed the core designs and features that have defined the genre ever since for the entire watch world. Sadly, this replica watch seeks to trade off this rich history. Frankly replicas are disgusting and speak poorly about the people who sell them as well as the people who buy them.
Make watches in bulk so all who want one, now and in the future, can get one. What a notion. Crazy hey. Thank goodness, the vehicle manufacturers, and the builders, farmers, etc etc don’t operate like watch manufacturers. Else the world would be EFFED!
Sorry, but the use of the NE15 movement is a no-go for me. It's Seiko Instrument's designation for the 6R15 found in many Seiko Pressage, Prospex, and the SARB watches. The general consensus seems to be that they suffer from low amplitude and significant positional variance.
My SARB017 Alpinist (yes that one) is the least accurate watch that I own and this includes an SKX and a Vostok.
I've found it unfortunate that Seiko now to uses this movement in $1000+ watches.
Thank you for this John! I think my Prospex uses a 6R35 movement? Maybe that's the reference. But I get what you mean about positional variance, think my Seiko 5 suffers from that quite a bit hahaha! If these take off I'm sure the evolution of the TR's will be getting updated movements (hopefully)
@@ID-Guy Yeah, I'm not a fan of the 6R family of movements since they seem to be 7S26 with extended power reserves hacking and hand-winding. Their underperforming timekeeping is similar. I think they should have used a good old Seiko NH38A (Seiko 4R family) for probably cheaper, or spent more and gotten a Miyota 9039.
Seiko movement, at exorbitant Seiko prices.....at least the build quality seems okay.
Stop please stop I can't get another diver, even if it's a poor man's 50 fathoms that I've been lusting after for a few years now😊. Blancpain just posted on its instagram account about the 50 and again I blasted them in the comments to give us a production 50 in 40mm. I'm not crazy about this one having the Seiko movement. But as you said maybe that will change next year. Thanks for making up 50 fans in the loop on this release.
As an aside on creative problem solving look into how the United States go the titanium they didn't have for the SR71 spy plane from Russia without them knowing.
The FF we've always wanted... as said by Stu in the comments, the "Thrifty Fathoms" - It's understandable why they went with Seiko I guess (to keep costs down) maybe it's been modified slightly? But by the later generations I'm sure we'll see some improvements around there. As for the SR71, I love that story hahaha! Russia didn't even know they were supplying parts for the build. Classic ;)
Tornek Rayville, this company, I don’t know what their problem is. They can’t seem to produce watches. What good is it? It’s a shame the original company was sold to someone that’s not interested in making watches.
And... they're gone!
Ah, the good old days ua-cam.com/video/-DT7bX-B1Mg/v-deo.html
Just get the Bulova Mil ships
Awesome video. And incredible watch. Not bad at $450. I've signed up to be notified when it's available again. I was tempted to get the STEELDIVE 1952, but I'd rather get this.
I've learnt over time Barry that finding watches that pay homage to the design do look great (for a while) but they never fully scratch that itch as hard as they try. It's a strange thing... maybe it's in the head, but after finally receiving that original design it changes the game. These TR's look like such satisfying models. Hopefully I'll be able to get one in hand to review when they're out. And thank you for the comment, brother!
450 is just for deposit, they cost 949
Essentially perfect apart from the movement.
rayville does not spell villeret
I think it's more of a phonetic anagram (if there's such a thing?) "Ville-Ray"
I have a Blancpain fifty fathoms Bathyscaphe and a gorgeous DOXA aqualung carbon.. i don't want anything else
But sold out!!
Comparing this to the fifty fathoms makes very little sense. It's a POS.
We're not comparing movements etc. for sure. I just found it interesting that we're now getting to experience a design through a "microbrand" that owns the TR name for a great price. This might give BP a kick up the arse to pump out more of their 40mm models for the masses ;)
How is it a POS? Is there any technical information that backs up your post?