So today I took the morning/afternoon off to hang out with two friends. After a light lunch, what else to do than to go check out watches? So we headed out to a local AD in LA and I got to take a deep look at the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms.
First of all, being Blancpain and all that history behind it, I was very intrigued by the FF and also planning this as my next major acquisition for early next year and I wanted to check it out in the flesh.
The AD had the stainless steel and the "Dark Knight". At first glance, it's got a good size. As mentioned before by other members here, the lugs are short and the 45mm wears actually quite nice. The canvas rubber strap is soft as butter. The entire watch wears beautifully. But here where I was a little disappointed by two things.
First, the bezel turn. Literally and I mean literally had no "heft" or the feel of a superb Swiss timepiece. Felt like a cheap ratchet. Almost a plastic feel in a way. Can't really describe it.
Second, upon closer inspection of the Dark Knight model which had the exhibition back, I checked out the movement and was a bit disappointed that the movement was hardly decorated AT ALL. Nothing. Not even stripes. Wish I took some pics. I can understand the whole "utility watch" bit but even for a 14k timepiece????
Am I overreacting or am I expecting too much? Kinda made me second guess my next buy with this piece.
On a lighter note, my tastes just got more expensive. Two words. Breguet Tradition. What...a...watch.
) I thought Blancpain's sweeping second hand with the subtle red tip looked much better sweeping on the dial than the Sub. The FF gives a much smoother perception of the hand sweep, probably because it looks less top heavy too. Just wish I could play with the bezel one more time.