BLANCPAIN Air Command "Petite". Diameter = 36.2 mm. Titanium Grade 23. 18 Carat Red Gold.
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- Опубліковано 1 жов 2024
- #blancpain #BlancpainAirCommand #flyback @blancpain
Blancpain is expanding its Air Command collection, inspired by one of its legendary historical chronographs. The new 36.2 mm-diameter model now joining the Manufacture's line-up of sporty timepieces is smaller than its predecessor, while nonetheless endowed with all the makings of a great chronograph. Feminine watches hold a special place in Blancpain's watch range. Since the early 1930s, the Manufacture has tirelessly developed new movements and introduced innovations on women’s behalf. Blancpain is no stranger to ladies’ chronographs and in 1998 became the first to introduce a flyback chronograph for women. While this function is now found at the heart of several Blancpain models, the Air Command offers a new, sportier and more adventurous interpretation.
The rare 1950s Blancpain chronograph that inspired the Air Command collection is naturally reflected in the vintage look of this new model. The layout of the counters and tachymeter scale on the dial, as well as the shape of the luminescent hands and hour-markers, the piston-type chronograph pushers and the glassbox-type sapphire crystal all evoke the original timepiece.
Exactly like authentic vintage aviation watches, the new Air Command offers two distinct timing modes: a flyback chronograph and a countdown bezel. This model is nonetheless firmly rooted in the 21st century. The blue colour of the dial and the ceramic bezel insert endow it with a blend of modernity and elegance. The refinement continues with the sunburst and snailed dial finishes, as well as the alternating satin- brushed and polished finishing on the case.
Housed inside its 36.2 mm diameter is the finest technology, represented by the F188B self-winding movement whose vertical clutch ensures stutter-free activation of the chronograph seconds hand, as well as smooth and optimal stop/start functions. Equipped with a silicon balance-spring, the movement also features a column-wheel system guaranteeing a smooth feel when starting or ending a measurement and resetting the hands to zero.
The back of the watch reveals the beauty of this high-end mechanism and its openworked oscillating weight, adorned with traditional watchmaking finishes such as circular graining, bevelling and snailing.
Available in grade 23 titanium (Ref. AC03-12B40-63) - an exceptional quality rarely used in watchmaking - or in red gold (Ref. AC03-36B40-63), the Air Command comes with a blue calf leather strap featuring white stitching. This new release, reflecting Blancpain's desire to offer feminine models in all its timepiece collections, will accompany the most intrepid wrists.
Flyback Chronograph · hours / minutes · tachymeter scale · two-way rotating titanium bezel with blue ceramic insert and Super-LumiNova® hour-markers · sunburst blue dial · self-winding
I think 36 looks perfect and Im a guy. Always thought the 42.5 was waaay too big. This is sweet spot and this time they didn't mess up the proportions on the small model, as they unfortunately did with the Fifty Fathoms.
agree great size for men who prefer smaller watches
@@domokun938 Agreed!
I don't see women wanting to wear that as it is very masculine(let's be honest - most women aren't that into watches and Blancpain is niche!) and is a little small for most men. A 39mm would be a big hit - with men.
Thanks for sharing!
You've obviously never heard of the term boyfriend watch. Lots of women like smaller versions of so called men's watches.
I have a 7.5 inch wrist and I love a 36mm watch and this looks amazing.
Many men are wearing 36mm And even 34mm lately
Great review Alexander! I don't think it looks small on you at all! What a wonderful release from Blancpain. By the way - will you let Blancpain know to release a smaller fifty fathoms too? 😂😂
Thanks for sharing our passion and your thoughts with us... My influence on new releases is limited... but I will try 😉
Blancpain continues to waste nearly all of their potential making cases either too small or too big. I'm not sure what management and the product team are missing. They could be the Tudor of the $10-20K market given their incredible back catalogue of horological icons, but they continue to produce Ill-sized watches with awful-coloured lume.
The worst part is, they have the roadmap right in front of their faces in the form of a number of extremely successful limited collaborations that they inexplicably produced in tiny batches and then moved on as if nothing happened.
Here's a free tip to M. Hayek... when your limited edition watch sells for 3-5X the original price on the open market, you may want to take that as a sign of latent demand. I am genuinely befuddled by this brand and can't help but be annoyed with each and every tone deaf release they put out.
Why do I get the feeling you're a Rolex fan boy? What gave you away? The comparison to Tudor which is laughable.
@@garyboyle695 fair enough
I agree, why is it so hard to make a none limited Fifty Fathoms in 40.5mm??? Would take out all competition in that price segment. I suspect Swatch group don't want blancpain to eat into Omega sales? I don't know.
@@alectang1614 I think it is a result of poor leadership at Blancpain. Marc Hayek is the nephew of Nick Hayek, who leads the Swatch group, and grandson to Nicholas Hayek, who is one of the most important figures in the history of Swiss watchmaking. It is the downside of nepotism... I see it all the time in the corporate world... the first and often second generations are talented and innovative and then in comes a grandkid who is incompetent and messes the whole thing up.
Nice for Marc... I'm sure he enjoys a very nice lifestyle, but bad luck for the brand he gets parachuted into running... it makes me think there will be no improvement any time soon. It's a shame, because I would be the first person in line for a faithful reissue of the fifty fathoms.
Tastes are different! Blancpain is very successful, has a clear positioning, is not a lookalike brand and there is no reason for Marc Hayek bashing - sorry! One could get the impression that you are jealous.
This watch has me dreaming of a 39mm Fifty Fathoms 😂
Well that's a different story...
You forgot to mention, although it is plainly obvious, that the numerals on the bezel are in reverse order. This is a great, but rarely seen, feature to have. It makes counting down the time you have remaining so much easier. This would make more sense for a diver watch, in my humble opinion.
True I forgot, my apologies! Thanks for sharing!
If you come across the CEO of Blancpain, tell him we need another Fifty Fathoms in 40mm or smaller! Make Fifty Fathoms smaller, again!
I will let Mark know…
Yes please! I don’t understand why they only make them in special editions. I would buy a Fifty Fathoms 40 mm over a Sub any day.
@@WatchAdvisor Haha, thank you, Alexander. I'll hold you to that for real! and thank you for bringing us top notch watch reviews all the time.
Looks kinda thick somehow
The best is to try it on your wrist…
Alexander, please tell Marc Hayek and the folks at Blancpain the story of the Three Bears: 42mm is too big, 36mm is too small. 38 or 39 would be just right for this and an FF.
42 is okay for a diver imo. But yeah I get you. Make their non limited Fifty Fathoms in 40.5mm!!
Fully agree - 38 to 39mm would have been a perfect alternative to the larger (but not overly massive) 42mm version.
for you!
Tastes are different! At least for me the existing sizes are good and I don't mind wearing a huge watch...
I Am wearing my 36 mm right now and in my opinion it is perfect for me! lug length and watch thickness are important!
I’m a Blancpain fanboy also but the proportions seem off to me. To thick for the size and the lug angle is pointed down too much?
It is a very small calibre... it is an automatic calibre and a chronograph... there are no miracles in terms of thickness ...
Great watch! It is so rare to see a chronograph with minute and hour counter but no running second. Looks less cluttered and is much more useful than just a 30 Minute counter.
If you want a running second, then start the chronograph...
Finally something 36mm for small wrists!!!!
Titanium or gold?
@@WatchAdvisor Ｇｏｌｄ
Thanks for sharing!
Great review, Thanks. 36mm is cool. And "the trend is your friend" says Elox Replorer. 😉
Thanks for sharing our passion! “Says Elox Replorer” 🤣👍🏻🤣👍🏻
You should never buy this watch without trying on BOTH the 42.5mm and the 36mm. 42.5 sounds huge, and I usually prefer my watches in the 38 to 40 mm range. But the Air Command 42.5 really looks about 40 when you put it on. It doesn't look any larger than a IWC Mark XVIII or a Submariner. I think it's all those concentric circles on the dial and the bezel that cause this effect. It's a big, thick watch but I assure you it does not feel big or thick, not if you have a wrist above 16 cm in circumference. Normally I would be singing the virtues of a small watch but with this offering, most men should confidently go with the 42.5. And yes, I own one myself.
Interesting read, thanks for sharing with us!
Almost missed this sleeper watch and review. Only other similar vibe I got was from a Patek 7234G rocking a whopping 37 mm, also with massive wrist presence. Love the details including the 3:00 register on the minutes counter and the fact that this a 12 hour two register chrono. Wouldn't have it any other way if you're going to wear a two register. Same approach taken for Cartier Ronde Chrono and JLC Sector Chrono, sadly both now discontinued. Yes, 36.2 mm seems small but looks good and seems to wear well on your wrist. IMHO a sleeper of a timepiece and maybe meant to be appreciated more by connoisseurs...
It’s never too late… 😉 thanks for sharing your thoughts and passion with us …
Another beautiful video as always, Alexander. These are some beautiful watches, but some drawbacks for me. The size is rather small for me - while I hated the huge sizes of the last few years and welcome the return to more manageable sizes, 36.2 is a bit too small - if they were 38-39mm, they'd be perfect. The second issue I have are the straps. I wish Blancpain had gone with a curved spring bar drilled closer to the case. The shots on your wrist make the strap look like it's barely clinging on to the lugs, unfortunately accentuating the thickness of the case and making the watch seem thicker than it actually is.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us!
This watch is awesome.. Last 2 weeks I just test it at Blancpain Boutique.. Almost to buy it.. Case size is good.. Just the dial a bit small and make watch look be small watches
Try it again 😉 and keep us posted please ...
Now make a petite fifty and you've got something!
Will happen next year 😉
@@WatchAdvisor A petite fifty fathoms is coming this year? That would be amazing! I am considering this watch (tried it on and loved it), but prefer black watches to blue, and divers to chronos, so a smaller black FF would blow my watch addled mind!
I collect watches for my self, not for other people! Size is a personal choice! No one Size Is" Normal"!
I agree!
I saw "air command" and feared another 46mm case. But damn, this looks quite nice at the reduced size.
No, 36.2 mm! Would you wear it?
@@WatchAdvisor Absolutely, sometimes a smaller diameter is just what's called for. That low height is great as well, especially for an automatic chrono.
It looks perfect for your wrist. It's is not too small. The only criticism is the poor 30m water resistance, poor 40hr power reserve and quite frankly ridiculous price. Apart from that, great. It could be Blancpain's best seller if they address these points.
WR could be better, yes... More PR is difficult to realize with such a small calibre...
Your joking,that s a very big looking 36mm,that would be lovely on my wrist,nicer than the 42mm,a lot classier.
Although I very much like that chronograph, for me it would be too small...
I have a wrist size of Six And a half American And I find The new 36. mm good for me personally!
Once you tried it please share some thoughts with us…
I am wearing 36 mm watch right now and it is perfect for me ! lug length and thickness is just right It is an Invicta automatic pro diver with a Seiko NH 35A mvt!
I hear you! May your Invicta always show you happy seconds, minutes and hours…
May your Blancpain always show you the Happy right time also!
@@davidcrandall4958 I actually own a Bathyscaphe and a Fifty Fathoms… but in normal “huge” sizes…
this is a great size for both women and man imo! It looks really good on your wrists alexander! Thank you for doing this!
In fact it is great offer for both, women and men.... Blancpain clearly positioned it to be an offer for women though...
@@WatchAdvisor YES for sure, but I do see it, but I think those models similar to patek 7234 left an option to experiment the real market trend where more men are starting to buy those smaller options, otherwise they would make the dials more feminine or change the straps to pink or white like the baby fifty fathoms. Leave the design as the mens version is extremally smart imo
Hello Alexander
Blancpain my favorite watch brand 👍 Always enjoy your reviews 🙏
Thanks for sharing our passion and your thoughts with us!
Really really stunning! Perfect dimensions! Looks beautiful on your wrist Alexander!!!
May look good - yes.... but for me it would be too small end of the day
I love this watch!!! Such a beautiful design. But I’m a Blancpain fanboy so I might be bias.
No worries! Why not just loving this chronograph?
Blancpain makes the most beautiful watches in the world and for anything other than their Villerets have the most asinine sizing options conceivable. unreal company.
The Air Command as shown is meant to be a woman’s watch…
@@WatchAdvisor right, but 36 is probably too big for most women, and 42.5 is too big for a lot of men given the lug-to-lug. They're not really for anyone. Usually when a company has 'options' they tend to cover...somebody.
The chronograph is meant to be a sports watch and not a jewelry watch… therefore the size for women is good and the 42,5 mm version fits perfectly even on my small wrist… I have tried it several times … tastes are different and I DO LIKE big watches….
@@WatchAdvisor Sure. I'm just bitter because I'm always in-between (a little over 16 cm wrist).
Anyways, it's moot because I'll never be able to afford it anyway! :D appreciate your videos.
DEAR ALEXANDER,
GOD BLESS YOU MY FRIEND. I AM VERY PROUD OF YOU AND VERY HAPPY FOR YOU. I HOPE ALL OF YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE. I HOPE YOU HAD THE BEST AND HAPPIEST CHRISTMAS OF YOUR ENTIRE LIFE AND THE BEST AND HAPPIEST 2022 OF YOUR ENTIRE LIFE. I LOVE YOU. 🙏
SINCERELY PETER
🙏🏻
Nice pieces and a good size as well
You definitely need small wrists as a man to wear this chronograph…
wow what a package. thin with many features. other brands need to take notes.
This Blancpain is T H E cool watch for ladies and/or small wrists!!
Omg this watch is just amazing 😍
Would you wear it? And which one?
@@WatchAdvisor I am 185cm tall and 87kg. Not a fan of small watches, but this chronograph is exquisite in every way. Specs, material. High horology. Would 100% rock it!
I love the Titanium due to it’s resistance to scratches & this alloy being so light weight.
Great video 👍
Titanium Grade 23 is probably the best you can get...
Titanium is not so resistant to scratch, isn't it?
I have a 7” wrist and I believe I’d go for the 36.2mm variant. I’m not a fan of the all watch look on the wrist.
Which one will you choose?
@@WatchAdvisor It turns out, neither. I just purchased the new JLC Polaris today. 😆
Ooh fantastic watches, really very nice. I do prefer the gold.
Would you wear it?
@@WatchAdvisor the gold yes for an occasion but then would probably put it on display.
I lovw the Air command. Hared the fact that it was a limited edition. Maybe I will get myself a mini? Will need to try both the limited edition 45mm and the mini 36mm.
No, this chronograph is NOT limited! Keep us posted please and share some thoughts once you tried them...
Sir, as an Anglo in Canada your accent alone makes me want to purchase it.
I wish that my accent sounded half as delicious.
Best!
Thanks for sharing our passion! I am Austrian so I don’t know which accent I speak. I am “just” me in our videos … my English improves steadily but I will never be perfect, nor will I ever pronounce all the words correctly…
Beautiful. But I can't help but look forward to a high polished steel/black 42mm version with white/greenish lume and (here's the idea) a sapphire bezel! That would team so will with the 50F... But these are great and an excellent option for the smaller wrist/lover of smaller chronos.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us!
I would love to see ladies wearing it. Such a great option. The presence would show a confident person, being only 36mm wont look silly.
Yes, yes, yes! I fully agree!
Beautiful both
They are!
I don't like the ridges on the crown, but otherwise, it's fabulous looking.
Thanks for sharing!
1:42. Looks huge on him.
It is a very small calibre... it is an automatic calibre and a chronograph... there are no miracles in terms of thickness ...
A bit smaller than my Leman Flyback, but thicker so I think it will look fine for men as well as women.
The best is to try it on your wrist… only then you will know…
Very nice review and watch, it would be great for the next iteration to get higher power reserve 70hrs+
Thanks for sharing our passion and your feedback. More power reserve with such a tiny calibre will be difficult though…
3:42 Jus like G shocks. Insanely light😅
I prefer the Blancpain though
Stunning watches but way too small for me, I can see it appealing to lots of women.
Your opinion!!
It is a Blancpain offer for women...
Beautiful watch!
Which one would you choose?
@@WatchAdvisor the gold is a beauty but I’d go with the titanium 👌🏻
what is the diameter of the woman wrist?
16 cm
Great awesome review Alexander!!!
Thanks for watching and sharing our passion!
مرحبا ماهو السعر
It is mentioned in the video!!! Please watch it again…
As has been stated very intelligently by Teddy Balthazar and TGV and others,the size of the watch for your own wrist relies on several points! personal preference,wrist size and others! The lug length,the size of Bezel etc!
In three words: tastes are different
In one word Absolutely!
Awesome watches!
Thanks for watching and sharing our passion!
Great review!
Thanks for sharing our passion and your kind feedback!
Stunning
Which one would you choose?
No,no,no.
Why, why, why?
Great for women.
And small wrists… 😉
@@WatchAdvisor that would fit the wrist of a man with a relatively average wrist. The only thing odd about it from what I see here is it’s height relative to the diameter. It’s not tall for a chronograph, but it is a bit tall for a 36mm watch.
Anything under 40mm will make the insecure men scream womans watch. Its lovely.
@@dangerpowers5939 Yes, lovely for a woman.