r/BlancpainWatches

I have a ton of these cheap and comfy cns cotton natos. Red was the combo I was most surprised by. Probably my favorite.

Dear Blancpain network

I am the proud owner of a stainless steel Fifty Fathoms, ref.: 5015-1130-52.
I acquired the watch before losing 120 kg, and it is now too large for me. So, I would like to trade it for a smaller version with a case diameter of around 42 mm.

Do you know of any obvious forums or websites with a focus on trading Blancpain watches?

Thanks for the help!

Best regards,
M

Hi All -

There is a common sense that the 5015 Fifty Fathoms is only suited for much larger wrist sizes. But I’ve owned a 5015 for three years now - first in steel and now in titanium - and can confirm that this one works very well in titanium for a 6.7 inch wrist. The 42mm version is amazing, but I would not trade the 45mm one for the 42mm, due to the presence this watch has, and how legible it is when diving.

I thought it would be interesting to put these two next to each other because, despite both being Bathyscaphes, they feel like quite different interpretations of the same design language.

On the left is the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Hodinkee LE 5100-1130, and on the right the Bathyscaphe 70th Anniversary LE 5903-1110.

The Hodinkee LE is the more distilled and utilitarian watch. Interestingly, it actually has the slightly larger case diameter and wider bezel, but its shorter lug-to-lug makes it wear more compactly. Combined with the matte black dial, oversized Arabic numerals and sparse layout, it has an almost field-watch quality. There is very little visual luxury to it. It feels modern, functional and deliberately anonymous — probably one of the most understated Blancpains.

The 70th Anniversary LE, by comparison, feels more connected to the historical Bathyscaphe vocabulary. The rectangular lume plots, date, more elaborate dial treatment and slimmer-looking bezel make the dial feel more expansive. Its proportions also give it a little more length and presence on the wrist, despite the slightly smaller nominal diameter.

What I find interesting is that they don't really feel redundant despite sharing the same basic architecture.

To me:

5100 = reduction / functionality / modern tool watch
5903 = historical / texture / luxury sports watch

The 5100 almost disappears as a luxury object, while the 5903 invites you to notice the finishing and details. I originally wondered whether owning both would be too repetitive, but side by side they seem to occupy quite different territory within the Bathyscaphe family.

Happy weekend gents,

Just got my hands on the new bathy 70 anniv., and so considering selling my bathy 38.

And as I do with most watches I part with I experimented with a few strap options, including the OEM bracelet for my mark xvi.

Turns out it's a decent fit but not perfect. For one the bracelet sits too low against the vertical case. See first pic.

What I did hear though is that the mark xviii bracelet fits way better. Anyone ever try this combo out?

Summer is coming to an end, I have been using this one in the water and it’s a lot of fun!

Got to try on this beauty earlier today. And man what a feeling this one brought!

Blancpain Leman Chronograph 18k gold, from early '90s.

I am looking for a gold dress watch and keep coming back to the Blancpain Villeret. I tried on the beautiful Blancpain Villeret 6224 3642 55B. This one is currently out of budget and a vintage might be an option. Ideally around €3.000 which is quite tight, especially for the larger watches. 38-40mm would be the best for me but I think 34-36mm could work (wrist 18.5cm).

Picture 2 and 3 showing a 34mm Blancpain Villeret from ~1990. Would you dare buying something like this? Anything specific to look for?

I don’t have a dress watch in my collection, and this one has stayed on my mind since trying it on. I love the subtle salmon dial, thin case, Roman numerals and date.

I’m still weighing it against other directions for my collection both upmarket and more budget friendly. For anyone who owns a calibre 1150 watch, how has the accuracy been? I understand it doesn’t hack, and I couldn’t find a stated COSC certification. Has either mattered to you in daily use?

(Okay, it’s the East River in Manhattan, but still.)

Who else is closing out the work with a Fifty Fathoms?