You’re the first I’ve heard explain that this movement IS serviceable…everyone else stating that it’s throw away once life is depleted. I’m still turned off to the Swatch brand because of the MoonSwatch execution, but I could probably be talked into this Antarctic white/gray version!
Serviceable to a degree. You can't disassemble the movement because the parts are welded together (unless you take a saw and cut it open) but what I can see is a "poor man's service", i.e., you take the complete movement, clean it and lubricate without disassembling it. As long as the parts are not broken, it might work...
@@thomasa.243Which really isn't different in practice to any Powermatic 80 movement. Those you could technically service because they aren't fused together but they can't be adjusted and in practice they will be 100% swapped out for a new movement too if they get serviced. So I would argue it doesn't matter.
@@b0nz1official you can totally adjust them but it is a bit harder. The Powermatic 80 has weights on the balance wheel that can be screwed in or out thus changing the speed. But the thing is that Swatch Group has totally been able to take the industrialization of the movements to a new level. Thus, they are relatively cheap to buy while still offering great quality and accuracy. The movements are similar to ETA 2824 (minor differences) and servicing them takes around 2 to 3 hours. Take the cost of a watchmaker plus some replacement parts and you are looking at 300 USD or thereabout. Replacing the movement takes 30 minutes and will cost you a total of 200 USD (time + movement). The old movement then gets sent back to Swatch Group and they service it and are able to resell it again. This is actually not too different from how your electronic equipments (TVs, Smartphones, PCs) are repaired. Minor defects that can be repaired in less than 30 minutes get repaired, else, swap it out, send it away and specialized groups are repairing it and selling it as a replacement part again.
A $400 bio plastic 91-metre suedo dive watch from Swatch as opposed to a $400 stainless steel 200-metre certified dive watch from Seiko. Not exactly a difficult choice is it 😅?
already have a seiko. just got this also for fun. life is short to worry.unless youre on a tight budget and not a collector then this is not for you🤷🏻♂️
Great review thank you.. I have a collection of watches; however I consider myself a watch enthusiast. In Los Angeles the Swatch Omega is not sold locally as far as I am aware which of course makes buying a challenge. A friend did me a big favor today in Las Vegas by picking up locally a Neptune and an Antarctic on my behalf. This completes my Omega Swatch set. I now have my first Blancpain as an added bonus. Over the last year or so it has been a personal challenge collecting the entire Omega set; specifically for display and without going into it I had a lot of fun with it mainly meeting people doing the same. One thing wonderful about the Swatch Omega opposed to spending retail 5k and up for the real thing, a person for a few hundred can enjoy owning a watch as if they own a real Omega - perhaps in a way they do. I have given a few as gifts with recipients who could not be happier. Wearability? When someone has a collection of high-end watches and wants to keep them nice they don't bang them around. This being said, my first dive watch was a Tag/Heuer 1000 Professional purchased sometime in the late 80's. It is used I drove it hard unit it stopped working, never put a second battery in it since it was at the time a throw away. Today it is collectable. Maybe the Omega Swatch will be in someone's collection in 40 years a little banged up with history attached?
I still don't quite get the movement swap...So when you need get it replaced, it will get a new black 'standard' sistem51 movement? Or do you go hunt for one with the correct ocean? Since they are all diffrent or do you loose the 'art' on it?
I paid $425 for a Seiko Prospex King Samurai Dark Manta. I cannot even justify to spend more than $100 for this watch when a basic Casio G-Shock ga 2100 retails for even less. 🤷♂️.
Agreed. Being better quality than the Moonswatch isn't exactly a high bar. My modded Casio Duro (sapphire and strap) is a much better dive watch than this at less than quarter of the price.
I have got an Irony chrono and after 15 years, it works perfectly every 30 months I go to the boutique Swatch to change the battery free of charge 😂😂😂❤❤
I was in the queue in Switzerland and wainting. I was the 5th guy to bought it in the Main Store and meet Alain Villard. He told me a huge success around the world. The watch is for the price impressive, swatch done really good job (maybe Blancpain lift up thw quality at swatch😅)... I always chase for a 40 or 42 mm Fifty Fathoms and I'm happy that now we have a new scuba swatch in FF Format.
When you say there are companies that will service this movement, can you say how do I find those companies? Also concerning the durability of the watch, do you think bioceramic would break in about 10 years or what's your main concern?
Best review of the Blancpain x Swatch watch I have watched so far. I just bought the ocean of storms version (from a flipper), and I agree with almost everything you said. I think the watch is worth its price tag, but for sure not for those who think $400 is a big deal and a watch at this price point should be passed down for generations. It is a fun watch after all, I believe most people buying it should have other watches in the rotation anyway and this is not going to be their everyday beater.
I approach Swatch collaborations with luxury brands cautiously since both the Omega MoonSwatch and Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Scuba - Swatch are designed to compete with smartwatches. While they are constructed from bioceramic materials and may seem somewhat toy-like, their strategy effectively addresses the rising demand for wrist gadgets that are undermining the essence of watch collecting. At least these watches doesn't require any software updates 😅
I think this is for watch collectors who already have everything. Otherwise I find £340 quite a lot for this. - Thinking about the environment it would have been great if they had collected plastic waste from the five oceans and had used that for the cases (separated by ocean).
Sorry to say that the Swatch x Blancpain is not serviceable. You cannot open the case. The one who says so is Gregory Kissling, Vice President of Product at Omega, interviewed by Dan De Groot (Fratello's journalist) in Barcelona. Quoting him: “.....what bothers me a bit is the fact that the Scuba Fifty Fathoms cannot receive a movement swap. I know that due to its simplified construction, the Sistem51 movements cannot be serviced. But because the case back is glued down to provide water resistance to fifty fathoms (91.4m, which is 100m in practice), it can’t be opened to perform a movement swap when needed. There are some rumors that it will be possible in the future, but Gregory simply told us it’s not possible.”
How do you get two? Did you went to the two stores in nyc? I only can get one and only. Lmk if you want trade the white one, I got the Pacific hahaha. Do the white one have a ghost date position on the crown or it went straight to time setting?
If you ignore the brand, you can get a MUCH better watch for $400. Plastic watch with a non-serviceable movement for this much money is not a good deal.
At least they did print Swatch on the side of the case and not Blancpain since it is not the latter . I happen to like this watch. Yes, I would change the strap as well. I would not spend 400....500+ here in Canada. Given their popularity despite the haters that price will not come down ever, imo. I am content to watch you Chris enjoy these watches for me. The Antarctic is the winner for me.
So on holiday in Spain. Slowly walk to local swatch store. Line is ñot massive but 25 minutes in 30degees C is a long wait to be told when you get in every piece was sold yesterday. Hey Swatch, maybe learn something from the last debacle. Either load up stores with massive amounts or, at the very least, do jot make your customers line up with no information. At the very least, put up a sign. The irony here is the 4 people in front of me could care less. They all bought a moonswatch. 😂 NB. The demand for moonswatch is still so strong. I hough one 2 weeks ago in Rome and had to line up for that as well. The amount t of people I've seen through Europe wearing some varient of moonswatch has been outstanding....
I personally prefer the MoonSwatch for a few reasons. 1) Better dimensions/thinner 2) Simple battery change on a quartz over a very low-end automatic movement that will apparently last 2-5 years depending on usage. 3) Price. Both are overpriced, but the Blancpain @ $400 is a cash grab based on the MoonSwatchs success. Just my opinion of course.
Don't believe the BS you hear. There are plenty of people that have had this movement with zero problems. The people that say it will last 2 years have never owned a watch with this movement. There are people that have had a Swatch with this movement for 8 to 10 years and it is still running. Negative people stating that it will only last 2 years have never owned the watch. Logically if Swatch was selling watches that only lasted 2 years they would have no customers. That is a ridiculous claim. The collaboration isn't a cash grab nor was a Moonswatch. If it was a cash grab why was neither sold online? Think of all the additional sales that they could make if it was more widely distributed. It is a marketing exercise rather than a short term money making exercise.
How do you know the case back comes off ? I see nothing online about it and also spoke to swatch employees on release day and they confirmed it could not be opened ?
@@alfonsoalvarez8357 That's only on the moon's watch on this watch. You can open the case back. It does snap on swatch. Have confirmed that and there is video on the swatch website showing that it's a snap-on case back
I mostly agree with your review. It's a better quality watch than the MoonSwatch, and it's water resistant. The dial is really great, quite similar to the real Blancpain Fifty Fathoms. I am lucky because I was able to buy one of them after waiting for several hours, the Atlantic Ocean. It's a nice looking watch, even if I don't like the nato strap. It looks bigger than 42mm. It's a big watch, and thickness is important (obviously because it's automatic).
would be happy to hear if the lugpins can be screwed out. I am considering the watch, but the combination of a thick watch WITH a double NATO strap becomes just TOO much.
Despite my persistent pessimism about this new plastic watch I enjoyed watching this video cause this pal here talks fair and unbiased. Great job my friend!
Great watch, so cool to wear. I picked mine up in NYC and have zero regrets. Its worth every penny. The amount of complements alone i got for this watch is insane and i wear Rolex Yachtmaster as my daily wear. Super fun and playful. Any color you pick would work great but I bought mine in blue. Cheers
It’s obviously very light, but how thick is it on the nato? 16mm, 17mm, 18mm? Are there removable spring bars or fixed plastic lugs? I think the ‘cash grab’ view is simply a reflection of the SRP being overpriced at $400. Hype, FOMO and scalpers flipping for a quick profit because eg my nearest Swatch sales point is hundreds of miles away, does the rest.
I really like blancpain, I have a Leman dual timer myself and a fifty fathoms bathyscaphe (was given to me by my grandfather). It's great to see that Blancpain is getting more coverage because of this watch; they are an extremely underrated brand in my opinion. The fifty fathoms is the original dive watch too, and it's extremely iconic, I hope they decide to release a 42 or 40 mm version that isn't a special edition after seeing the hype around this watch. I may pick up the swatch collab at some point, it is a bit of a pain that they don't sell it online though. I just don't know where there is even a swatch store near me. It's nice that the quality seems to be for better than the moon swatch. I can imagine some of the rubber strap companies making rubber straps specifically for these watches.
I’m a bathyscaphe owner too. I bought it this year after ten year loving it. I do think blancpain needs some coverage and I’m happy about this operation. Most critics I hear them coming from people who would never bought a blancpain anyway…
It's not. There's plenty of information available about them including videos where people have attempted to disassemble one. A single screw holds the rotor in place and th rest of the movement is held together with what appears to be rivets. The only way to take one apart is to drill out the rivets. I'm not one of the so called "haters" I happen to own a watch powered by a Sistem51. They are laser regulated during production and entirely machine assembled. Not sur why people are saying otherwise but there seems to be a big issue with people accepting that commonly known fact.
how can you be sure that the caseback can be opened and the watch is serviceable? I am not too sure whether bioceramic case is malleable enough and not break when trying to open the caseback.
Great video. I’ve seen a number of other UA-camrs criticising the watch without having personal experience and seemingly just to make a point. It seems to me it’s ok - not great but not bad - all the negative hysteria is just posturing
A sad situation for Omega and BP, a devaluing of quality within the brand. Not Swatch known for very cheap quality. Let them make money, not off me. If want a plastic watch with quality, go Casio! Forget the hype. Swatch is that much lessor. I'd rather buy a homage, with NH35 movement, Saphire, metal case for about 200. Swatch plastic breaks, what the point?
Like I’ve been saying that if you haven’t learn anything from the first “collaboration”, then you’ll never learn. Well, it’s your money so…..go right ahead!!😜😅😁🤣
12:54 You’re SovCit-ing “cash grab”. I don’t think this is necessarily one because of how thought out it is. It’s not just another variation of the FF or Speedy. It’s a new thing Why would this last longer than the Moonswatch? If anything, the Moonswatch has the upper hand with its quartz movement.
It looks like starting from the feedbacks received from the Moonswatch, Blancpain has been quite demanding: " OK, if we are doing this it will be on my terms. " (Automatic caliber, design, quality, ...) In the end, it's good for the customers and the experience. Looks like a 'good' timepiece keeping in mind what it really is. 👍 It's a better way of getting a large number of people into watch collecting and horology than the Moonswatch does. You can't argue with that. Especially getting people to experience automatic movement instead of the usual quartz broadly wear. Obviously, with the drilled lugs this is meant to be a 'strap-monster' + the NATO is hidding the caseback. But still, IMHO, a bit high on the wrist and with the NATO on the top of that. I might give it a try and we'll see... 🤔
Great review with informed by experience and insight after having the watch in hand. Other youtubers are just making ridiculous videos and condemning the watch and collaboration without even having touched the actual product. Also, well balance in terms of the pros and cons. Agree the price should be lower but I reckon Swatch Group needs to make a buck to keep things going.
I agree, balanced, great review. It's hard to know the economics of this particular model, as R&D costs would be a major factor. Are there better options for the same price? Of course. But that's not why consumers buy inessential, luxury products.
I have a lot fun and casual watches in my watch collection. Maybe I will skip this watch as I already have a 46mm JB 50 fathoms In titanium blue. However for those don’t have the original watch, it is good to have one swatch version.
Stood in line today for over 4 hours and finally got me the yellow Blancpain swatch. Unfortunately the blue and white were out before I got to front of line. I also own the Moonswatch and I totally agree that this new Blancpain swatch is much more improved and well built compared to the Moonswatch.
@@pospower I really like it. It was my third choice after the blue and white. It's a bright nice yellow that really stands out but more of a darker shade of the yellow moonswatch which I also bought at same time as well. LOL
Calling someone an insult is not really an argument, if anything you didn't provide any insight or useful information... a watch snob also doesn't have any limits
Hi Chris, I know this would be out of topic on your video. But would you be able to make a history video of Sandoz watch. I have search the entire UA-cam and nobody has a story for Sandoz Watch.
At last - an honest review by someone who actually has had contact with the watch. I agree that the Antarctic and Pacific colour ways are nicest. The use of a colourful material for the case is a good idea, but not sure about the durability to price ratio. I can get behind the use of recycled materials but again query the durability. Perhaps the bold use of colour on a dive watch case is the most inspiring thing here. Maybe there is a way to do that in a durable way. Or maybe I am being unfair to bioceramic. I have a 'polyresin' watch that is light and allegedly durable. But you never know how durable something is until it breaks...
presumably any business that intends to stay in business is selling a product that the business hopes people buy. as you noted, if people decide to spend their own money on it, then so be it. and if not, oh well. thanks for sharing your experience!
I agree with you. This is not a cash grab. To those who say that it is, I say... every watch that is made is a cash grab. There isn't a watch manufacturer that is not in the business to make money.
The term cash grab doesn't mean they're literally grabbing the cash from your pocket. It just means some cynical trick to make easy money. Having said that, I don't think this is a cash grab. I think they're trying to raise the profile of the Blancpain brand with the wider public.
If it was a short term money making exercise they would sell it online. The Moonswatch and the Blancswatch would rake in the money if they sold them online but they preferred to limit the distribution because it is a marketing exercise not a cash grab.
Man when I first got into watches and into the community specifically I couldn’t understand why watch people got a rep of being snobby… until these swatch collabs…
It's not about being snobby, it's about swatch lying (making them available online), crappy material (buttons snapping, losing color from the caseback) and cheap movement
While everything you said is true, it is still snobby. The amount of hate this watches are getting is insane. Just don't buy them. Seeing the same repeated comments every post or video is getting tiresome. Let people be. I got a moonswatch but won't get these ones. Sadly these have a bit better quality than the previous ones (still not worth 270 USD let alone 400 USD)
@@timcarlstrand5890I wouldn’t say it ‘cheapens’ the brand. After the Moonswatch was released, interest in real Speedmasters went through the roof. From the standpoint of Swatch group, this is a cheap introduction to the rest of their companies’ products. That said, I had no interest in the Moonswatch, and little beyond academic interest in this one - but that’s just me.
Maybe this has already been mentioned, I didn't feel like reading all the comments, you indicated these were 60 click bezels when in fact they are 120 clicks I believe. I like these watches and if I can get one at retail price I might pick one up.
I think they are fun and kind of cool looking. But, I am not going out of my way to get one. Maybe if I happen to pass by a Swatch retail store I may drop in to see what they got on these. I'd say it may be an opportunistic purchase, but, if I don't get the opportunity, I can honestly say I wouldn't have missed anything, also. Besides, currently, I think I'd want to enjoy the watches I already have as well as apply that $400 towards a more expensive watch I'd much rather have.. every bit counts.
12:58 - - Point taken, well said. Didn't look at it from that angle but makes perfect sense. It reminded me of the 2008-10 Real Estate debacle. People I knew complained to me about being upside down on the homes they had purchased within 5 years of that mess & that they were either walking away from their properties or filing for BK. My immediate response to them: "Did the lender put a g*n to your head and make you sign?" No. "You're still working & generating income?" Yes. "You signed a contract & are obligated to fulfill it. Your stupidity for not using common sense and dismissing my opinion when you asked for it is a YOU problem - own it." I had no problem severing ties with those friends and family.
Just realized I wasn't subscribed, fixed! Great video Chris, my feelings exactly. Most youtubers rushed with their opinions. I think it's a nice tribute reasonably priced. I wish you've shown the lume ;) cheers.
Great so if I want one and since I don't live near a Swatch Store I either have to travel to my nearest Swatch Store that being in NYC from MA or I would need to drop 5x or more for one on the secondary market.
I’m glad you focused more on the positive instead of defaulting to hating on it. I like them but won’t get one. I like the concept and stuff. My big issue is the debacle, the supply and most of all the price. I think all swatches are overpriced but this and the moonswatch were just insane. I also think, as much as the collaboration concept is cool, that they are mostly a cynical money grab by swatch.
I am not particularly impressed by Swatch putting a Blancpain logo on a plastic injection molded watch. What’s the point? $400 is enough to get a ‘real’ automatic dive watch from a well known brand, with decent specs, a nice design, and no pretense. What’s next? Breguet X Flikflak?
Prices here in holland have already gone down from 4500 Euro yesterday (really ... people actually thought to get that.... hilarious) to about 550 Euro today. There are still people trying to sell them for 1500 or 1000 Euro .... that will be a matter of course I assume before they adjust and wake up to reality.
You can get a 40mm Fifty Fathoms from the late 90s early oughts for about $6k, which some excellent watchmaking for comparatively not that much (those were more expensive than a Submariner at the time, now cheaper than a Sub from the same vintage). But since these aren’t available in about 90%, probably more, of the US they’re meaningless here anyway (say within an hour drive, or 60 miles).
You’re the first I’ve heard explain that this movement IS serviceable…everyone else stating that it’s throw away once life is depleted. I’m still turned off to the Swatch brand because of the MoonSwatch execution, but I could probably be talked into this Antarctic white/gray version!
Serviceable to a degree. You can't disassemble the movement because the parts are welded together (unless you take a saw and cut it open) but what I can see is a "poor man's service", i.e., you take the complete movement, clean it and lubricate without disassembling it. As long as the parts are not broken, it might work...
@@thomasa.243 It’s an option at least. But even replacing the movement instead throwing the whole Watch away would be a good choice.
@@thomasa.243Which really isn't different in practice to any Powermatic 80 movement.
Those you could technically service because they aren't fused together but they can't be adjusted and in practice they will be 100% swapped out for a new movement too if they get serviced.
So I would argue it doesn't matter.
@@b0nz1official you can totally adjust them but it is a bit harder. The Powermatic 80 has weights on the balance wheel that can be screwed in or out thus changing the speed. But the thing is that Swatch Group has totally been able to take the industrialization of the movements to a new level. Thus, they are relatively cheap to buy while still offering great quality and accuracy. The movements are similar to ETA 2824 (minor differences) and servicing them takes around 2 to 3 hours. Take the cost of a watchmaker plus some replacement parts and you are looking at 300 USD or thereabout. Replacing the movement takes 30 minutes and will cost you a total of 200 USD (time + movement). The old movement then gets sent back to Swatch Group and they service it and are able to resell it again.
This is actually not too different from how your electronic equipments (TVs, Smartphones, PCs) are repaired. Minor defects that can be repaired in less than 30 minutes get repaired, else, swap it out, send it away and specialized groups are repairing it and selling it as a replacement part again.
@@WatchWitt true but you might lose the decoration on the movement if that specific version is no longer produced...
A $400 bio plastic 91-metre suedo dive watch from Swatch as opposed to a $400 stainless steel 200-metre certified dive watch from Seiko. Not exactly a difficult choice is it 😅?
already have a seiko. just got this also for fun. life is short to worry.unless youre on a tight budget and not a collector then this is not for you🤷🏻♂️
@@snapfire3711 who isn't on a tight budget except the lump of fat called elon musk 😂?
Great review thank you.. I have a collection of watches; however I consider myself a watch enthusiast. In Los Angeles the Swatch Omega is not sold locally as far as I am aware which of course makes buying a challenge. A friend did me a big favor today in Las Vegas by picking up locally a Neptune and an Antarctic on my behalf. This completes my Omega Swatch set. I now have my first Blancpain as an added bonus. Over the last year or so it has been a personal challenge collecting the entire Omega set; specifically for display and without going into it I had a lot of fun with it mainly meeting people doing the same. One thing wonderful about the Swatch Omega opposed to spending retail 5k and up for the real thing, a person for a few hundred can enjoy owning a watch as if they own a real Omega - perhaps in a way they do. I have given a few as gifts with recipients who could not be happier. Wearability? When someone has a collection of high-end watches and wants to keep them nice they don't bang them around. This being said, my first dive watch was a Tag/Heuer 1000 Professional purchased sometime in the late 80's. It is used I drove it hard unit it stopped working, never put a second battery in it since it was at the time a throw away. Today it is collectable. Maybe the Omega Swatch will be in someone's collection in 40 years a little banged up with history attached?
Did you actually remove the caseback? How do we know it’s a snap on?
First really objective review I’ve seen. Thanks.
I still don't quite get the movement swap...So when you need get it replaced, it will get a new black 'standard' sistem51 movement? Or do you go hunt for one with the correct ocean? Since they are all diffrent or do you loose the 'art' on it?
I paid $425 for a Seiko Prospex King Samurai Dark Manta. I cannot even justify to spend more than $100 for this watch when a basic Casio G-Shock ga 2100 retails for even less. 🤷♂️.
Exactly! Better made, better construction, better materials, better execution, more features.
Agreed. Being better quality than the Moonswatch isn't exactly a high bar. My modded Casio Duro (sapphire and strap) is a much better dive watch than this at less than quarter of the price.
It’s a garbage plastic Lego watch, Seiko. Is a better buy.
Should be $200 MAX. You can get some VERY nice watches at that price point.
Completely correct, it is a MoneyGram when you get a citizen automatic for less money
$200 introductory price.
$150 discounted price (several months after the release)
I have got an Irony chrono and after 15 years, it works perfectly every 30 months I go to the boutique Swatch to change the battery free of charge 😂😂😂❤❤
The worst part about the Blancpain x Swatch collaboration is that every UA-cam watch channel I enjoy is going to be talking about it for months 😭
Aye, and most of them will be paid shills, funny how they all say the same shit, I wonder how that plastic will be after a few months of ware.
Makes a change from talking about Rolex
Wow chill dude, that's what these watch channels are supposed to do, cover all the watch news, not just the stuff you like
I hate the strap.
Not me 👍🏼
I was in the queue in Switzerland and wainting. I was the 5th guy to bought it in the Main Store and meet Alain Villard. He told me a huge success around the world. The watch is for the price impressive, swatch done really good job (maybe Blancpain lift up thw quality at swatch😅)... I always chase for a 40 or 42 mm Fifty Fathoms and I'm happy that now we have a new scuba swatch in FF Format.
Wow lucky. He is Swatch CEO
When you say there are companies that will service this movement, can you say how do I find those companies?
Also concerning the durability of the watch, do you think bioceramic would break in about 10 years or what's your main concern?
Best review of the Blancpain x Swatch watch I have watched so far. I just bought the ocean of storms version (from a flipper), and I agree with almost everything you said. I think the watch is worth its price tag, but for sure not for those who think $400 is a big deal and a watch at this price point should be passed down for generations. It is a fun watch after all, I believe most people buying it should have other watches in the rotation anyway and this is not going to be their everyday beater.
I approach Swatch collaborations with luxury brands cautiously since both the Omega MoonSwatch and Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Scuba - Swatch are designed to compete with smartwatches. While they are constructed from bioceramic materials and may seem somewhat toy-like, their strategy effectively addresses the rising demand for wrist gadgets that are undermining the essence of watch collecting. At least these watches doesn't require any software updates 😅
¡hello chris, i have a few questions... ¿what is the diameter? ¿is the crown screwed? and finally.. ¿is the strap 20mm, 21mm or 22mm? ¡greetings!..
*Quartz Casio guy here. I believe this is my first review that I’ve watched by you. Respect my man. 👊🏾*
I think this is for watch collectors who already have everything. Otherwise I find £340 quite a lot for this. - Thinking about the environment it would have been great if they had collected plastic waste from the five oceans and had used that for the cases (separated by ocean).
Agree this is just a fun watch. It's definitely not something that you're going to wear every day and if you try to eventually it's going to break
Sorry to say that the Swatch x Blancpain is not serviceable. You cannot open the case.
The one who says so is Gregory Kissling, Vice President of Product at Omega, interviewed by Dan De Groot (Fratello's journalist) in Barcelona.
Quoting him: “.....what bothers me a bit is the fact that the Scuba Fifty Fathoms cannot receive a movement swap. I know that due to its simplified construction, the Sistem51 movements cannot be serviced. But because the case back is glued down to provide water resistance to fifty fathoms (91.4m, which is 100m in practice), it can’t be opened to perform a movement swap when needed. There are some rumors that it will be possible in the future, but Gregory simply told us it’s not possible.”
How do you get two? Did you went to the two stores in nyc? I only can get one and only. Lmk if you want trade the white one, I got the Pacific hahaha.
Do the white one have a ghost date position on the crown or it went straight to time setting?
If you ignore the brand, you can get a MUCH better watch for $400. Plastic watch with a non-serviceable movement for this much money is not a good deal.
This would have been really cool at around $200. I mean, should this really be only 50% less than a Sinn 556 or 75% of an Alpinist?
Thank you for speaking straight when everyone else is spewing nonsense. Excited about these!
At least they did print Swatch on the side of the case and not Blancpain since it is not the latter .
I happen to like this watch. Yes, I would change the strap as well.
I would not spend 400....500+ here in Canada. Given their popularity despite the haters that price will not come down ever, imo. I am content to watch you Chris enjoy these watches for me. The Antarctic is the winner for me.
So on holiday in Spain. Slowly walk to local swatch store. Line is ñot massive but 25 minutes in 30degees C is a long wait to be told when you get in every piece was sold yesterday. Hey Swatch, maybe learn something from the last debacle. Either load up stores with massive amounts or, at the very least, do jot make your customers line up with no information. At the very least, put up a sign. The irony here is the 4 people in front of me could care less. They all bought a moonswatch. 😂
NB. The demand for moonswatch is still so strong. I hough one 2 weeks ago in Rome and had to line up for that as well. The amount t of people I've seen through Europe wearing some varient of moonswatch has been outstanding....
I personally prefer the MoonSwatch for a few reasons. 1) Better dimensions/thinner 2) Simple battery change on a quartz over a very low-end automatic movement that will apparently last 2-5 years depending on usage. 3) Price. Both are overpriced, but the Blancpain @ $400 is a cash grab based on the MoonSwatchs success. Just my opinion of course.
Don't believe the BS you hear. There are plenty of people that have had this movement with zero problems. The people that say it will last 2 years have never owned a watch with this movement. There are people that have had a Swatch with this movement for 8 to 10 years and it is still running. Negative people stating that it will only last 2 years have never owned the watch. Logically if Swatch was selling watches that only lasted 2 years they would have no customers. That is a ridiculous claim. The collaboration isn't a cash grab nor was a Moonswatch. If it was a cash grab why was neither sold online? Think of all the additional sales that they could make if it was more widely distributed. It is a marketing exercise rather than a short term money making exercise.
@@almac9203 Relax buddy. Your job as a cashier @ the Swatch store isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Just breathe.
Mine did only last just under 2 years, and thankfully it was still under warranty. About a year in with my replacement now, let’s see how that goes.
Is the movement automatic?
@@unokoito yes.
How do you know the case back comes off ? I see nothing online about it and also spoke to swatch employees on release day and they confirmed it could not be opened ?
Swatch have video on their website of the snap on case back. Also swatch confirmed this.
@@WatchChris interesting I’ll have a look , are you willing to make a video and show us 😂?
Haha I have thought about it... lol I have scratches steel watches trying to remove a case back.... imagine plastic!
You cannot open the case back without destroying the case mate
@@alfonsoalvarez8357 That's only on the moon's watch on this watch. You can open the case back. It does snap on swatch. Have confirmed that and there is video on the swatch website showing that it's a snap-on case back
I mostly agree with your review. It's a better quality watch than the MoonSwatch, and it's water resistant. The dial is really great, quite similar to the real Blancpain Fifty Fathoms.
I am lucky because I was able to buy one of them after waiting for several hours, the Atlantic Ocean. It's a nice looking watch, even if I don't like the nato strap. It looks bigger than 42mm. It's a big watch, and thickness is important (obviously because it's automatic).
would be happy to hear if the lugpins can be screwed out. I am considering the watch, but the combination of a thick watch WITH a double NATO strap becomes just TOO much.
@@dino2400 I don't know. Apparently bracelet bars are different. May be with some tools?
Despite my persistent pessimism about this new plastic watch I enjoyed watching this video cause this pal here talks fair and unbiased. Great job my friend!
Great watch, so cool to wear. I picked mine up in NYC and have zero regrets. Its worth every penny. The amount of complements alone i got for this watch is insane and i wear Rolex Yachtmaster as my daily wear. Super fun and playful. Any color you pick would work great but I bought mine in blue. Cheers
A fair and balanced review. Thank you, Chris.
Thank you Mark!
My understanding was the movement was swoppable. What do you bet Breguet next?
Thank you for the review. If one was to remove the Blancpain word on the dial, this watch would be worth 50 bucks. Personally don't care for it.
It’s obviously very light, but how thick is it on the nato? 16mm, 17mm, 18mm? Are there removable spring bars or fixed plastic lugs?
I think the ‘cash grab’ view is simply a reflection of the SRP being overpriced at $400. Hype, FOMO and scalpers flipping for a quick profit because eg my nearest Swatch sales point is hundreds of miles away, does the rest.
Are you sure you can swap out the movement? I haven't heard or read anyone else mention that
Yes I spoke with people at swatch on this and the removable case back
I was told in shop the humidity indicator works on the grey one 😉
Wow he actually included bezel audio from plastic clicking against plastic… even amongst us watch nerds that’s a stretch 😳
I really like blancpain, I have a Leman dual timer myself and a fifty fathoms bathyscaphe (was given to me by my grandfather). It's great to see that Blancpain is getting more coverage because of this watch; they are an extremely underrated brand in my opinion. The fifty fathoms is the original dive watch too, and it's extremely iconic, I hope they decide to release a 42 or 40 mm version that isn't a special edition after seeing the hype around this watch. I may pick up the swatch collab at some point, it is a bit of a pain that they don't sell it online though. I just don't know where there is even a swatch store near me. It's nice that the quality seems to be for better than the moon swatch. I can imagine some of the rubber strap companies making rubber straps specifically for these watches.
I’m a bathyscaphe owner too. I bought it this year after ten year loving it. I do think blancpain needs some coverage and I’m happy about this operation. Most critics I hear them coming from people who would never bought a blancpain anyway…
Love it got the Atlantic today …lume is amazing and feels great
Question. Counterfeit 50 fathoms or Swatch 50 fathoms for quality at $400?
swatch… Never get counterfeit watches or technology
Are you sure about Sistem 51 being “repairable”?
It's not. There's plenty of information available about them including videos where people have attempted to disassemble one. A single screw holds the rotor in place and th rest of the movement is held together with what appears to be rivets. The only way to take one apart is to drill out the rivets. I'm not one of the so called "haters" I happen to own a watch powered by a Sistem51. They are laser regulated during production and entirely machine assembled. Not sur why people are saying otherwise but there seems to be a big issue with people accepting that commonly known fact.
how can you be sure that the caseback can be opened and the watch is serviceable? I am not too sure whether bioceramic case is malleable enough and not break when trying to open the caseback.
A lot of mix information out there, and onions. But appreciate the facts stated. I overall am happy with the mindfulness created to make this watch.
Great video. I’ve seen a number of other UA-camrs criticising the watch without having personal experience and seemingly just to make a point. It seems to me it’s ok - not great but not bad - all the negative hysteria is just posturing
It's hard for me to be okay with a $400 plastic watch.
Why? This doesn't affect its functionality at all and it's more interesting than just another bog-stamdard steel watch.
A sad situation for Omega and BP, a devaluing of quality within the brand. Not Swatch known for very cheap quality. Let them make money, not off me. If want a plastic watch with quality, go Casio! Forget the hype. Swatch is that much lessor. I'd rather buy a homage, with NH35 movement, Saphire, metal case for about 200. Swatch plastic breaks, what the point?
Like I’ve been saying that if you haven’t learn anything from the first “collaboration”, then you’ll never learn. Well, it’s your money so…..go right ahead!!😜😅😁🤣
12:54 You’re SovCit-ing “cash grab”. I don’t think this is necessarily one because of how thought out it is. It’s not just another variation of the FF or Speedy. It’s a new thing
Why would this last longer than the Moonswatch? If anything, the Moonswatch has the upper hand with its quartz movement.
I’m curious if they plan on releasing the other two seas as limited editions similar to the gold accented moonswatch
If Fisher Price made luxury watches that's what they would look like lol
You beat me to it!
Is the strap completely removable?
If I want plastic, I’ll buy gshock with 200m wr and I won’t have worry about breaking it 😁
Congrats Chris! You were successful this time on opening day 😆 incredible review , you know your Blancpain’s!!
I'm pleasantly surprised. The quality is better than I expected.
Hi Chris,
Did you ever live in Western Australia?
Really the price isn't that bad if you look at luminox which is a plastic watch with a quartz movement and a rubber band for around the same price
It looks like starting from the feedbacks received from the Moonswatch, Blancpain has been quite demanding:
" OK, if we are doing this it will be on my terms. " (Automatic caliber, design, quality, ...)
In the end, it's good for the customers and the experience.
Looks like a 'good' timepiece keeping in mind what it really is. 👍
It's a better way of getting a large number of people into watch collecting and horology than the Moonswatch does. You can't argue with that.
Especially getting people to experience automatic movement instead of the usual quartz broadly wear.
Obviously, with the drilled lugs this is meant to be a 'strap-monster' + the NATO is hidding the caseback.
But still, IMHO, a bit high on the wrist and with the NATO on the top of that.
I might give it a try and we'll see... 🤔
Great review with informed by experience and insight after having the watch in hand. Other youtubers are just making ridiculous videos and condemning the watch and collaboration without even having touched the actual product.
Also, well balance in terms of the pros and cons. Agree the price should be lower but I reckon Swatch Group needs to make a buck to keep things going.
I agree, balanced, great review. It's hard to know the economics of this particular model, as R&D costs would be a major factor. Are there better options for the same price? Of course. But that's not why consumers buy inessential, luxury products.
I have a lot fun and casual watches in my watch collection. Maybe I will skip this watch as I already have a 46mm JB 50 fathoms In titanium blue. However for those don’t have the original watch, it is good to have one swatch version.
Seems like a fair and reasonably objective review to me.
Best review so far!
Thanks you appreciate it!
If Swatch is a "second watch" in order to take care of your special watches, then Casio is a "first watch", it makes sense to me
Stood in line today for over 4 hours and finally got me the yellow Blancpain swatch. Unfortunately the blue and white were out before I got to front of line. I also own the Moonswatch and I totally agree that this new Blancpain swatch is much more improved and well built compared to the Moonswatch.
How do you like the color? I ordered one from ebay paid too much but wanted it now..
@@pospower I really like it. It was my third choice after the blue and white. It's a bright nice yellow that really stands out but more of a darker shade of the yellow moonswatch which I also bought at same time as well. LOL
Einstein was right about the infinity of a certain human feature. He was not entirely sure about the infinity of the universe.
Calling someone an insult is not really an argument, if anything you didn't provide any insight or useful information... a watch snob also doesn't have any limits
Hi Chris, I know this would be out of topic on your video. But would you be able to make a history video of Sandoz watch. I have search the entire UA-cam and nobody has a story for Sandoz Watch.
So, are you making a video of Sandoz watch? If you are, I appreciate it…. And more power to you…
Found a bunch of very useful informations here, tnx a lot!
At last - an honest review by someone who actually has had contact with the watch. I agree that the Antarctic and Pacific colour ways are nicest. The use of a colourful material for the case is a good idea, but not sure about the durability to price ratio. I can get behind the use of recycled materials but again query the durability. Perhaps the bold use of colour on a dive watch case is the most inspiring thing here. Maybe there is a way to do that in a durable way. Or maybe I am being unfair to bioceramic. I have a 'polyresin' watch that is light and allegedly durable. But you never know how durable something is until it breaks...
I watched a video where a guy said the people at the swatch store told him the moisture indicator does function like it’s supposed to
presumably any business that intends to stay in business is selling a product that the business hopes people buy. as you noted, if people decide to spend their own money on it, then so be it. and if not, oh well.
thanks for sharing your experience!
Your vintage FF is 🔥
I agree with you. This is not a cash grab. To those who say that it is, I say... every watch that is made is a cash grab. There isn't a watch manufacturer that is not in the business to make money.
My nice wants one ,I think a lot better than the moon swatch,I might buy one for myself as well.
The term cash grab doesn't mean they're literally grabbing the cash from your pocket. It just means some cynical trick to make easy money. Having said that, I don't think this is a cash grab. I think they're trying to raise the profile of the Blancpain brand with the wider public.
If it was a short term money making exercise they would sell it online. The Moonswatch and the Blancswatch would rake in the money if they sold them online but they preferred to limit the distribution because it is a marketing exercise not a cash grab.
No one is being tricked. All the information is out there about it, so we can all make an informed choice to either buy it or not.
Very nice watch! Tempted to get one after all the hype dies down... don't understand the negative outlook, at the end of the day it is a swatch...
I want to buy, but there is no Swatch boutique in south California...
Invicta also puts their name on the side of the sub case, think about that!
Best review I have seen so far. Great job, Chris.
Man when I first got into watches and into the community specifically I couldn’t understand why watch people got a rep of being snobby… until these swatch collabs…
It's not about being snobby, it's about swatch lying (making them available online), crappy material (buttons snapping, losing color from the caseback) and cheap movement
While everything you said is true, it is still snobby. The amount of hate this watches are getting is insane. Just don't buy them. Seeing the same repeated comments every post or video is getting tiresome. Let people be. I got a moonswatch but won't get these ones. Sadly these have a bit better quality than the previous ones (still not worth 270 USD let alone 400 USD)
With any other name on the dial it would be viewed as a $40 AliExpress watch.
So right. This whole "it cheapens the brand" gatekeeping is ridiculous.
@@timcarlstrand5890I wouldn’t say it ‘cheapens’ the brand. After the Moonswatch was released, interest in real Speedmasters went through the roof. From the standpoint of Swatch group, this is a cheap introduction to the rest of their companies’ products. That said, I had no interest in the Moonswatch, and little beyond academic interest in this one - but that’s just me.
Maybe this has already been mentioned, I didn't feel like reading all the comments, you indicated these were 60 click bezels when in fact they are 120 clicks I believe. I like these watches and if I can get one at retail price I might pick one up.
Why care about bezel clicks? I bet you don't count how many calories you consume.
Did you find Hard to get hands on any of them?
Not difficult if you are prepared to sleep overnight outside the store 😂
I think they are fun and kind of cool looking. But, I am not going out of my way to get one. Maybe if I happen to pass by a Swatch retail store I may drop in to see what they got on these. I'd say it may be an opportunistic purchase, but, if I don't get the opportunity, I can honestly say I wouldn't have missed anything, also. Besides, currently, I think I'd want to enjoy the watches I already have as well as apply that $400 towards a more expensive watch I'd much rather have.. every bit counts.
12:58 - - Point taken, well said. Didn't look at it from that angle but makes perfect sense.
It reminded me of the 2008-10 Real Estate debacle. People I knew complained to me about being upside down on the homes they had purchased within 5 years of that mess & that they were either walking away from their properties or filing for BK. My immediate response to them: "Did the lender put a g*n to your head and make you sign?" No. "You're still working & generating income?" Yes. "You signed a contract & are obligated to fulfill it. Your stupidity for not using common sense and dismissing my opinion when you asked for it is a YOU problem - own it."
I had no problem severing ties with those friends and family.
Just realized I wasn't subscribed, fixed! Great video Chris, my feelings exactly. Most youtubers rushed with their opinions. I think it's a nice tribute reasonably priced. I wish you've shown the lume ;) cheers.
Thanks for sharing a different perspective on this release, Chris
I wonder if the underside of the bezel has a metal insert / spring, to reduce wear.
You snagged both of my favourite colours, very nice!
I like the upgrades on this. Wish it was a sapphire sandwich.
Enjoyed that honest review. Honestly thinking of picking one up just cus of the colors, wish it had come out earlier in the summer though
Can you confirm that the bezel is 60 clicks? A different video said 120, and I thought your audio recording sounded like 120 to my untrained ear.
Never bothered with the moon swatch, but the specs on this is way better and now that you have hands on, I’ll get one. Won’t stand in line though.
Watch looks great to me. Hopefully this is a good selling piece.
Imagine how many they would sell if you could buy online instead of a boutique
Great so if I want one and since I don't live near a Swatch Store I either have to travel to my nearest Swatch Store that being in NYC from MA or
I would need to drop 5x or more for one on the secondary market.
I’m glad you focused more on the positive instead of defaulting to hating on it. I like them but won’t get one. I like the concept and stuff. My big issue is the debacle, the supply and most of all the price. I think all swatches are overpriced but this and the moonswatch were just insane. I also think, as much as the collaboration concept is cool, that they are mostly a cynical money grab by swatch.
I am not particularly impressed by Swatch putting a Blancpain logo on a plastic injection molded watch. What’s the point? $400 is enough to get a ‘real’ automatic dive watch from a well known brand, with decent specs, a nice design, and no pretense.
What’s next? Breguet X Flikflak?
Great review, but all I think of when I hear your background music is the A.I. Balenciaga Harry Potter videos. Take a min and look them up. Lol
I’m all in on these. Waiting for the hype to die down so I can buy one in person.
Prices here in holland have already gone down from 4500 Euro yesterday (really ... people actually thought to get that.... hilarious) to about 550 Euro today. There are still people trying to sell them for 1500 or 1000 Euro .... that will be a matter of course I assume before they adjust and wake up to reality.
If offered, I will consider only
So... does that mean it's moddable into a metal case?
It needs to be pointed out it is still just a swatch! And they will sell them for a while.
Will this fit a 9" wrist?
You can get a 40mm Fifty Fathoms from the late 90s early oughts for about $6k, which some excellent watchmaking for comparatively not that much (those were more expensive than a Submariner at the time, now cheaper than a Sub from the same vintage). But since these aren’t available in about 90%, probably more, of the US they’re meaningless here anyway (say within an hour drive, or 60 miles).