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Perfect Clone Online Shopping Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronograph Watch Hands-On


Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronograph Watch Hands-On Hands-On

Last year we were thrilled by the introduction of Blancpain’s vintage-inspired Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe dive watch so when I heard that they had released a chronograph version I was both excited and a little worried. As Blancpain watch retailers Replica nailed the balance and proportions of the Bathyscaphe three-hander, I was worried that the inclusion of a chronograph feature might throw the original design off balance. UPDATE: As of October 2014 Blancpain has released a new limited edition (of 250 pieces) ref. 5200-0240-52A version of the Bathyscaphe Chronograph as the Blancplain Ocean Commitment Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback with a blue dial and bezel in a ceramic case.

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronograph Watch Hands-On Hands-On

After seeing the new Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronograph in person, I’m pleased to report that the chronograph version is gorgeous and retains the flair and presence established by the preceding three-hander. With a brand new manufacture movement and some serious dive-ready credentials, the new Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronograph is a fitting follow up to one of our favorite sport watches of 2013.

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronograph Watch Hands-On Hands-On

Limited edition of 250 pieces Blancpain Ocean Commitment Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback watch in blue with a titanium case. Ref. 5200-0240-52A

Still sporting the same 43.6 mm case width and a chronograph-housing height of 15.25 mm, the Bathyscaphe Flyback feels great on wrist and certainly looks the part for a dive chronograph. Available in steel with a grey dial or full brushed ceramic with a matching black dial, there’s not a bad choice in the entire Bathyscaphe range.

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronograph Watch Hands-On Hands-On

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronograph Watch Hands-On Hands-On

Additionally, the steel version of the chronograph (or now the three hander) can be optioned with a matching steel bracelet. The bracelet is heavy and very nicely made, with a brushed finish and a button-release butterfly clasp.

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronograph Watch Hands-On Hands-On

For our money, the Bathyscaphe Flyback is best on the sailcloth strap or the high-quality nato. For boney wrists like mine, I’d recommend the sailcloth option as it was instantly comfortable and kept the head of the Bathyscaphe in an ideal and flat position.

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronograph Watch Hands-On Hands-On

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronograph Watch Hands-On Hands-On

The dial is beautifully executed with a slight dome and the same jewel-like applied markers we loved on the three-hander. Aside from a red-tipped chrono seconds hand, the Bathyscaphe Flyback is a monochromatic affair, with the steel version sporting a lovely sunburst finish on its grey dial.

The bezel is identical to that of last year’s introduction, with a good grip, unidirectional travel and a ceramic insert with a LiquidMetal scale. The new in-house flyback movement places running seconds at six with a 12 hour register at nine and a 30 minute register at three.

Some major watch brands appear to really think highly of ceramic as a case substance and Blancpain luxury watches Replica is among them. Formerly a closely guarded area of experience of Rado and Chanel, ceramic technologies and production techniques have only recently evolved to a stage where more manufacturers are entertaining the idea of a ZrO2 instance, because a lot more control of things such as colors and hardness is becoming possible. The new-for-2016 Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronograph Ocean Commitment II see instance is all in blue ceramic – something the likes of which we have not seen before.Why we have not noticed it before? My perception is that attaining color uniformity and keeping sufficient hardness at the exact same time has become the major challenge of adding pigments to ceramic. That’s why we mostly see black and white (and gray) ceramic (such as, say, this black porcelain Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe). The challenge is that if the mix doesn’t clean up entirely and evenly following the heat treatment procedure, it is going to have discolorations and marks inside that will ruin the look — and the piece itself, because these imperfections cannot be removed.It is correct that we have been seeing an increasing number of colours in ceramic bezels from Rolex, TAG Heuer and a few others, and therefore it was perhaps only a matter of time before coloured ceramic instances came along.

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Replica Watches Free Shipping Watch What-If: Luxury Swiss Star Wars Watches


Watch What-If: Luxury Swiss Star Wars Watches Watch What-If

Star Wars fever is back this year, as later in 2015, the popular science fiction movie franchise sees its seventh film with Star Wars: The Force Awakens. We recently learned that Nixon from California will be producing some exclusive Star Wars watches, and it is no secret that many modern, avant-garde luxury watches were inspired by story universes such as Star Wars and Star Trek. To that end, we wanted to see what it might be like to have Star Wars watches produced by some of the more popular and “mainstream” luxury Swiss watch makers – which is the subject of this installment of “Watch What-If.”

Once again, the art and concepts are by Niklas Bergenstjerna – who worked with us to create these five fantasy Star Wars watches by Swiss watch brands you know. The idea is that the characters who inspired these watches might very likely actually wear them (if either were to exist). I hope that these fit into the almost religious “Star Wars canon.” Here are words directly from Mr. Bergenstjerna:

Omega Jedi-Master Watch: Yoda

Above, you’ll find a minimalistic classic watch for Jedi Master Yoda, that is ceramic and made to last for a very long time. No fuss, just the time in the Jedi-Master watches. Less is more. Though, an additional digital ”wood-cord-watch” is useful when leaving Dagobah for other places in the universe. The crest of the Jedi Council and Yoda’s personal crest are on the dial, and there is a classic Yoda quote on the bezel.

Watch What-If: Luxury Swiss Star Wars Watches Watch What-If

Bell & Ross Death & Star Pocket Watch – Darth Vader

Classic timepiece for an elderly villain, so Darth Vader gets a pocket watch. The watch has a Force detector, just in case your own abilities should fail. Design is inspired by the Death Star.

The motion has some extra interesting elements that merit discussion. These include being produced from 367 components, employing a silicon balance spring (for accuracy) and employing Blancpain’s brilliant “under lug correctors.” Look closely under the lugs and you’ll notice small pushers that you can operating with your fingers. These have a few added benefits. First is that the watch doesn’t have to rely on unsightly inset pushers on the face of the circumstance. Second is that you don’t need a particular tool in order to correct the GMT or calendar settings. On most watches using in-set pushers, you want a stylus to operate them – and if you use a metal, then you risk scratching the watch. This is simply one of the many little ergonomic marvels you see far too infrequently in the world of high-end watches.As you can see, the relative simplicity of the Blancpain Villeret Quantieme Annuel GMT watch hides a few appealing details once you take a closer look. That isn’t true with all Blancpain models, but Blancpain is a brand which tends to be pretty bad at explaining its own best virtues (so we strive our best to perform it to get them when possible).
Watch What-If: Luxury Swiss Star Wars Watches Watch What-If

Hublot Big Bang Bounty Hunter – Boba Fett

A bold digital daily beater for the bounty hunter in need of keeping deadlines. Boba Fett would approve. The symbols in the center and the upper left corner are from Boba Fett’s armor: a Mandalorian crest and skull.

Watch What-If: Luxury Swiss Star Wars Watches Watch What-If

 Blancpain Naboo Watch – Queen Amidala

Queen Amidala’s make-up was the inspiration for the overall white design with details in red. The Naboo royal crest is in the center of the dial, along with details in lace.

Watch What-If: Luxury Swiss Star Wars Watches Watch What-If

Zenith Star Pilot Parsec – Han Solo

A transparent Zenith “modern” pilot watch with a Han Solo quote. Parsec meter subsidiary dial is for racing, and no need for a crown, since it’s adjusted by touch on the right side of the case. Large asteroid crater dial and Rebel Alliance strap.

Niklas Bergenstjerna is a freelance graphic designer and watch lover based in the south of Sweden. niklex.com

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Replica Watches Free Shipping Blancpain Villeret Shakudo Ganesh & Coelacanth Engraved Dial Watches Hands-On


In 1815, Frédéric-Louis Blancpain, the great-grandson of Jehan-Jacques, modernized production methods and transformed the traditional craft workshop to the sector that was capable for serial production. He also brought a radical innovation into the watchmaking sector by replacing the crown-wheel mechanism with a cylinder escapement. In the mid 19th century, the House of Blancpain became the most substantial enterprise in Villeret.The first Blancpain automatic wristwatch was fabricated in 1926 and four decades later, the manufacturer accommodated the system to watches of small dimensions, and launched the rectangular “Rolls” which became the world’s first women’ automatic wristwatch.

Blancpain Villeret Shakudo Ganesh & Coelacanth Engraved Dial Watches Hands-On Hands-On

I have a soft spot for meticulously hand-engraved watch dials. For me, it is the epitome of being able to wear traditional hand-made art on your wrist. Of course, it is true that watch movements when produced properly are highly artistic, but I am talking about more traditional “representative” art which is meant to depict the real (and fantasy) world around us. So with that said, you’ll understand why I am so keen on these new Blancpain Villeret Shakudo watches that incorporate the Japanese metal alloy and engraving technique into the brand’s Swiss watches.

Blancpain Villeret Shakudo Ganesh & Coelacanth Engraved Dial Watches Hands-On Hands-On

Blancpain is no stranger to watches with hand-engraved dials. The company has been producing some of the most amazing hand-engraved watches (and movements) that are available today. Blancpain often works with extremely skilled artists both in-house and commissioned to produce a series of fine limited edition watches that come in so many varieties. The new Blancpain Villeret Shakudo collection also has a few versions meant to showcase with special craft, and each is a piece unique. In this article, we show you hands-on images of the Blancpain Villeret Shakudo Ganesh, as well as the Blancpain Villeret Shakudo Coelacanth. These are, of course, in honor of the Hindu god as well as the endangered ancient fish species that in some of their sponsorship efforts Blancpain is seeking to help protect and study.

Blancpain Villeret Shakudo Ganesh & Coelacanth Engraved Dial Watches Hands-On Hands-On

Blancpain Villeret Shakudo Ganesh & Coelacanth Engraved Dial Watches Hands-On Hands-On

Shakudo itself is not a technique, but more a material. It is a metal alloy that is mostly copper with about 4-10% gold. What is special about the alloy is that it can be treated to achieve a black patina which in many ways looks like lacquer. Why is this important? It is about being able to engrave something with a rich level of detail as well as a lot of visual contrast. Black against the copper color offers that level of contrast but without the special black patina properties of shakudo that black could only be achieved by adding black color. The addition of such pigment (using lacquer for example) reduces the ability for an artist to show off fine detail.

Blancpain Villeret Shakudo Ganesh & Coelacanth Engraved Dial Watches Hands-On Hands-On

Blancpain Villeret Shakudo Ganesh & Coelacanth Engraved Dial Watches Hands-On Hands-On

Blancpain Villeret Shakudo Ganesh & Coelacanth Engraved Dial Watches Hands-On Hands-On

Thus, shakudo allows for the display and engraving of extremely fine detail in small spaces with an amazing level of contrast. In other words, images engraved in shakudo really pop. Even these two Blancpain Villeret Shakudo watches offer unique presentations of the technique, which means that there is variety in this set.

Mechanically, these Villeret watches are perhaps the most basic things you can get from Blancpain. Here are the in-house made caliber 15B manually wound movements which have forty hours of power reserve. What can I say about these? Well, they are wide, which is nice, and rather flat with just 2.2mm of thickness. That isn’t record breaking, but it is nice. There is also a good amount of finishing, just in a really utilitarian sense.

Blancpain Villeret Shakudo Ganesh & Coelacanth Engraved Dial Watches Hands-On Hands-On

On the dial, the 15B movement only offers the time with hours and minutes. The case is wide, at 45mm in 18k rose gold. At 8.30mm thick the cases feel good and bold on the wrist. This is exactly what you want from a piece like this because it is all about showing off the dial. There is no other reason to wear these watches. It is like wearing a small painting on your hand.

Blancpain Villeret Shakudo Ganesh & Coelacanth Engraved Dial Watches Hands-On Hands-On

Blancpain Villeret Shakudo Ganesh & Coelacanth Engraved Dial Watches Hands-On Hands-On

As someone who rather relishes in the idea of wearing art like that on a watch, I really enjoyed wearing the Blancpain watch movements Replica Villeret Shakudo models. If you find one with a dial that is meaningful to you and these are the level of watches you collect, then I think you’ll really enjoy them. Price for each of the Blancpain Villeret Shakudo watches is $160,600. blancpain.com

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Replica Trusted Dealers Blancpain L-Evolution R Chronographe Flyback Grande Date Watch Hands-On


Blancpain L-Evolution R Chronographe Flyback Grande Date Watch Hands-On Hands-On

We continue to believe that with enough attention, Blancpain diamond watch Replica will truly make something out of the L-Evolution timepiece collection. Intended to connect to the world of high-end auto racing, the L-Evolution family of watches continues to receive refinement, and the Blancpain L-Evolution R Chronographe Flyback Grande Date might just be the most suitable of the entire lot so far.

The last time we looked at a Blancplain L-Evolution watch, it was with the L-Evolution Split Second Flyback Chronograph (hands-on here). It was released in 2012, and in 2013, Blancpain watches dubai Replica followed-up with this more simple Blancpain L-Evolution R Chronographe Flyback Grande Date. Aside from the visual cues, they each have very different movements. The main difference of course being that the former model has a split-second chronograph and this one does not.

Blancpain L-Evolution R Chronographe Flyback Grande Date Watch Hands-On Hands-On
In addition, the 913 includes a glucydur equilibrium wheel with gold micrometric regulating screws, which makes it flexible and also more shock-resistant than its predecessor. There’s also an improved winding system which employs a ball-bearing mounted rotor. The sapphire case back shows the rotor, which can be red gold with a snailed bevel, polished chamfers and straight and round C?tes de Genève patterns. It is evidence of Blancpain’s commitment to producing size-appropriate high-grade calibers devoted to ladies’ watches at its own elite collections. The date is elegantly spaced out just inside the hour trail, signaled by a red-tipped pointer. The bezel is set with 48 diamonds and there are eight diamond indicators in addition to four employed Roman numerals in the signature Villeret font. Even as purveyors of possibly one of the world’s first truly purpose-built dive watches, there is no denying it’s been a very long time since Blancpain has even been remotely close to the tool watch realm it once initiated. That being said, it’s still neat to see the brand revisit those days with a marked degree of panache in the newly declared Tribute to Fifty Fathoms Mil-Spec — a watch that may cost $14,000, but it is still every bit the competent tool once relied upon by battle divers from the late fifties.

Blancpain L-Evolution R Chronographe Flyback Grande Date Watch Hands-On Hands-On

So the Split Second model has the Buy blancpain watches online Replica Calibre 69F9 automatic, and the model we are talking about today as the Caliber 68F5. Would you believe that the 69F9 has about 90 additional parts and is 6mm wider? Yeah, all that for a split second mechanism and four more hours of power reserve. The 68F5 is also built well and a bit more simple. In addition to being an automatic, it has a 12-hour chronograph and big date complication. There is no running seconds hand, which means you can use the chronograph seconds hands for that purpose, if you wish.

I’ve always gotten a kick out of the “digital” style font of the date. In the past, I commented that it was a nice little connection between old and new technology. I still think it works here. I don’t, however, think the hands require any skeletonization. While the dial is pretty easy to read, there is only lume on the tips of the hands, and I think bolder hands would help improve the dial. See, for example, the hands on the Blancpain watches official website Replica Fifty Fathoms (which would be ideal here, given their similarity).

Blancpain L-Evolution R Chronographe Flyback Grande Date Watch Hands-On Hands-On

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Perfect Clone Online Shopping Blancpain Villeret Quantième Annuel GMT Watch


Blancpain Villeret Quantième Annuel GMT Watch Watch Releases

For Baselworld 2016, Blancpain is introducing a stainless steel version of their Villeret Quantième Annuel GMT watch, providing a cleaner and more contemporary look. When I’ve looked at this watch in passing as someone rather fond of GMT complications, it took me some time to figure out why the Blancpain Villeret Quantième Annuel GMT just wasn’t giving me the same feeling I get from most GMT watches. Then something clicked in my conscious, and I was sucked in. Basically, it’s because this is a GMT watch that, well, does not look like a GMT watch. Without that additional central hand and accompanying scale, it would be easy to misinterpret the GMT sub dial at 8 o’clock as a sub-seconds dial. Of course, the lack of movement and the scale betrays that, but still…

Blancpain Villeret Quantième Annuel GMT Watch Watch Releases

For me, that is the hook with the Blancpain Villeret Quantième Annuel GMT, in that it sort of hides it’s functionality in plain sight. Then we get into the other complications on the watch. Along with time and GMT time, calendar-related stuff is high on my list of usable functions on a watch; here, on the Blancpain Villeret Quantième Annuel GMT, we have an annual calendar complication. This complication requires adjusting the calendar once between February and March, as opposed to a perpetual calendar where that wouldn’t be necessary.

Blancpain Villeret Quantième Annuel GMT Watch Watch Releases

Now, this sort of complication is not something new or rare. On the Blancpain Villeret Quantième Annuel GMT, what stood out for me is, first, how the display windows are implemented. The date shows up at the normal position, but the day and month take up non-standard positions on the dial, rather than just up at the top. Yes, this unbalances the dial a little bit, but I’ll give that a pass for the uniqueness of the execution. The second thing that stood out for me was where Blancpain put the adjustment pushers. Rather than having these on the left side of the case, they actually hid them under the lugs.

This is a clever option, and I am surprised more brands have not tried this. By putting the calendar adjustment pushers of the Blancpain Villeret Quantième Annuel GMT under the lugs, we are left with a very clean case. Frankly, you will not be fiddling with those pushers very much, provided you keep the watch wound, so why not tuck them away where they are not noticeable?

Blancpain continues to be a strong provider of unique and intriguing movements in what seems like a sea of mechanical genericism, even at the luxury watch industry. Look carefully and you will find in Blancpain watches official website Replica watches genuinely innovative efforts that are creating new assortments of present ideas, in addition to some novel ones. Now, I’d love to look at the Blancpain Villeret Quantieme Annuel GMT watch which we first covered here. It comes from 18k white gold, 18k rose gold, as well as in steel – all with various dial designs. It is upgraded for 2016 based on a movement which started in 2011. In its heart, this watch is about offering a unique design for two negative sets that you don’t frequently find together. That’s a subsidiary GMT hand to indicate a second time zone, in addition to an yearly calendar complication. The latter is rather elegantly laid out with the calendar information being indicated via three distinct windows on the dial. Underneath is a string of three disks which overlap. What’s interesting is that despite the quantity of information on the dial (period, next 24-hour time period, date, day, and month) that the face of the Blancpain Villeret Quantieme Annuel GMT is comparatively sparse and clean.Lovers of only symmetrical dials will probably find the eccentric design on the Blancpain Quantieme Annuel GMT dial bothersome, and people who like a bit of asymmetry in their watches will appreciate the appearance in addition to the pristine legibility. This metal version of the Blancpain Quaniteme Annuel GMT is the cleanest looking of the sequence. The 18k red gold variant has a “sunburst grey” dial, while the 18k white gold model has the maximum intricate-looking dial which is “stamped flinque opaline.”
Blancpain Villeret Quantième Annuel GMT Watch Watch Releases

So far, it would be fair to say that we have not discussed much with the Blancpain Villeret Quantième Annuel GMT that has not appeared for the line already – so what’s new for BaselWorld? Here, it’s the case material. This is the first time that the 40mm case has appeared in stainless steel. Paired to a white dial and black alligator strap (22mm, for those wondering), you have a very classic sort of a look in terms of the color palette. If, for some reason, you want a splash of color, you will get that via the exhibition case back, where you can see the decorated rotor in yellow gold.

On the whole, I like the looks of the Blancpain Villeret Quantième Annuel GMT with its 6054F movement. I am a little uncertain about the Roman numerals on the dial, and I cannot make my mind up if I’d remove them or make them larger, but the rest of the look, and particularly the layout, really have me hooked on the Blancpain line. Price for the Blancpain Villeret Quantième Annuel GMT in steel will be $27,300blancpain.com

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Replica Suppliers The History Of Dive Watches


The History Of Dive Watches Featured Articles

There are many things we take for granted when speaking about modern timepieces, and one of those is water resistance. There are no “water proof” watches, as that implies water would not be able to enter them under any circumstances, so we use the term “water resistant.” The history of water resistant watches really began in the 1920s, but it was not until later that the serious water resistant diving watch came into existence. Today dive watches are the most popular type of sport watch, not necessarily because people use them to dive, but because of their style, promise of durability, and utilitarian value.

Regardless of whether one pays a few hundred or several thousand dollars for a watch, they rightfully expect reliability, accuracy, and comfort. Having said that, we are rarely reminded of just how much time it took wristwatches to transform from fragile pieces of art into workhorse instruments that can put up with most of the challenges we expose them to during our daily lives. Today we are looking into the history of water resistant and diving watches.  We will discuss the most important historical models, their respective design elements, as well as the challenges they have faced and conquered.

Much like in the case of our article on the History of ETA, the Swiss movement maker, we have to begin with a disclaimer, noting in advance that there is no one source that would list all relevant information. Instead, there is a great number of different–and superb–sources that detail different aspects at length, often revealing contradictory information. With that said, let’s dive head-first into the more than a century deep history of waterproof watches.

The history of the wristwatch deserves a dedicated article which it will receive another time, but for now we will say that it was not off to an easy start. The first men’s watches worn on the wrist were created from pocket watches that had lugs soldered onto their cases. Soldiers of the late 1800s and then of World War I sought a faster, easier, dare we say, “hands-free” way of telling the time while in combat. In general, however, wristwatches were considered to be womanly jewels that needed to be handled with excessive care. Consequently, men did not really care for early examples of these timepieces. The issue was their notoriously poor reliability: they were prone to breaking as they were exposed to a significantly greater amount of shocks, humidity and temperature changes when worn on the wrist and not inside the pockets of coats and vests.

The History Of Dive Watches Featured Articles

It had been clear that wristwatches would never gain popularity unless these issues were gone for good. Among the primary sources for all these problems were water, humidity and dust, all easily finding their way into the movement through the gaps around the crown and in between the inaccurately machined and assembled case elements. They would make components rust, cause lubricants to not function as they should and ultimately force gears and pinions to lock up and springs to deteriorate. So, first of all, if watches were to be worn on the wrist–giving them much greater exposure to these elements–there were some considerable makeovers to be performed as far as the manufacturing and assembling processes were concerned.

In harmony with what we have seen so many times while discussing the history of watches, it was the ingenious ideas of some engineers as well as the increasingly fierce competition in between key companies that led to the birth of some of the most important technological developments. Over the years, several great minds set to work to ultimately create revolutionary solutions which banished old ideas of the past. They engineered new designs that would serve to keep watches running throughout the following decades, or centuries even, designs on which we oftentimes rely even today.

The first step was to realize the source of the problems and then identify possible solutions so as to permanently rule them out. Pocket watches of the time–and note that we are talking about early 20th century here–and especially their cases were not crafted with high resistance and durability in mind. They were cherished and highly valued items and hence they spent incomparably less time exposed to nature’s elements than wristwatches did and do today. As we pointed out above, their cases bore little to no seals around the crown and universally they were made and assembled in a way that allowed fine dust and humidity get into the case and the movement.

The History Of Dive Watches Featured Articles

Shown here is the Rolex Hermetic (or Submarine) with its “lid” removed, revealing the crown and the inner case of the watch. Source: rolexblog.blogspot.com

Paving the way to the creation of the first waterproof wristwatch was one of the most important brands of today: Rolex, and most notably its founder, Hans Wilsdorf. Among the most obvious and easy-to-perform solutions were the use of additional, external cases, ones that would hermetically seal the “real” case of the watch. A great example of this is the Rolex Hermetic or Submarine from 1922 (not to be confused with the Submariner which is a completely different watch from three decades later). What the Hermetic offered was a small round-cased watch with a chunky external case around it, which had a “lid” that would screw down onto it. It worked like a jar where once you screw on the top, the jar is sealed for good. This made sense here as there were no properly developed crown sealing systems and the lid covered that as well. The problem this created was that every time the hand-wound movement was to be rewound or the time needed to be set, the lid had to be removed and then put on again. The frequent use meant that the grooves on the side of the brass lid and the threads on the inside of it wore out quickly, necessitating repairs.

The History Of Dive Watches Featured Articles

An old advertisement showing Borgel’s patented case construction, circa early 1900s. Image Source: VintageWatchstraps.com © David Boettcher

It was clear then that these oversized (because these chunky cases actually fit the term oversized) cases had no real future, at least not for the civil consumer. A more practical and more durable solution was needed and this meant there was no other way but to integrate all waterproofing into the watch’s case. François Borgel, a Genevan master case maker had filed two patents, in 1891 and 1903, respectively, for two slightly different watch cases that had threaded parts. A major upside of this design was that it omitted the external case. Instead it would enable the “normal” case to achieve same levels of isolation. Speaking about the more advanced 1903 patent, it comprised a threaded ring that would go around the movement and bezel, and the case back would be screwed onto the outer, threaded surface of this ring. This resulted in a superior seal, without having to use a chunky external cover.

The History Of Dive Watches Featured Articles

Seen here is the patent for the early screw-down design by Perregaux and Perret. The part marked 16 is the seal, located on the outside of the case. Image Source: VintageWatchstraps.com © David Boettcher

While this meant a huge leap forward and major manufactures like IWC and Longines have used Borgel’s cases for some of their watches, another major issue remained an unsolved mystery: the sealing of the crown. Humidity and fine dust could still find its way into the movement, albeit now at a slower rate, thanks to the threaded case design. The original idea–or at least the first patent–for a waterproof crown is credited to Paul Perregaux and Georges Perret. In October, 1925 they applied for a patent for a screw down crown, as seen on the extract from the patent above. As in the case of most breakthrough developments, the two watchmakers’ design also showed some imperfections.

To begin with, the unscrewing of the crown happened in the same direction as the winding of the mainspring. To secure it again, the crown was to be turned the other way around, against the winding ratchet. Once the watch was fully wound and the crown was set in its secured position, it could not be unscrewed again until the mainspring wound down to some extent. Furthermore, the black component marked with number 16 on the image above is the sealing which the crown (once screwed onto the case) would push against, to actually create the seal. However, this sealing–owing to the limited manufacturing abilities of the time–could not have been made of more durable materials, so it was leather, cork or felt. Since it was installed on the outside of the case, it would quickly lose its isolating properties, making frequent replacements necessary. Without getting much too nerdy, let’s briefly look at what–and who–made this already great idea perfect.

The History Of Dive Watches Featured Articles

Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf’s patent for the improved screw-down crown design. Image Source: VintageWatchstraps.com © David Boettcher

Cost however, there’s a lot to appreciate about this brand new limited-edition entry into the Fifty Fathoms lineup — which is likely why the watch is currently enjoying dive watch buff “sleeper hit” standing post-Baselworld. Largely released without significant fanfare, part of the Blancpain Tribute to Fifty Fathoms Mil-Spec see’s appeal are its conservative measurements and faithful adherence to the design codes of their original Mil-Spec. However, a vital measurement of its appeal is probably Blancpain’s addition of a critical feature of the first: a working replica of this “watertightness” moisture indicator at 6:00. Back in the early days “when sex was safe and diving was harmful,” dive watches were not the rugged, reliable tools we’re knowledgeable about today. Though paramount into a diver’s safety, the earliest examples were still susceptible to damage by shock, plagued by poor visibility in low light, and constructed with instances ill-equipped to take care of great sea depths. Unsatisfied with issued watches which could not (quite literally) function under stress, French combat swimmer corps commanders Captain Robert Maloubier and Lieutenant Claude Riffaud hunted from the grandfather of the Fifty Fathoms, Jean-Jacques Fiechter, who had been already hard at work on a layout that would address these very symptoms.But the opinion that became standard-issue into the UDT teams commanded by Maloubier and Riffaud wasn’t Fiechter’s first provincial Fathoms layout, but one which contained an added safeguard: a unique watertightness indicator that would alarm the wearer when their watch was compromised. Now, it’s worth clarifying that such an index is a little bit like a smoke sensor — it merely points out the obvious, and does little to protect against the flame. But again in 1957 when the design was pioneered and shortly adopted on all dive watches issued to combat swimmers, a diver just wanted to know if his view could be reliable or not.

It was Hans Wilsdorf, founder and then-director of Rolex, who saw the potential in Perregaux’s and Perret’s invention as he realized that this idea coupled with the threaded case designs could ultimately create the first truly waterproof watch. He moved quickly and purchased the Swiss rights from the inventors and applied for the patent in the US, UK, and in Germany as well in 1926-1927. In the image above you see the results of a year’s additional development in the form of Wilsdorf’s own patent for the screw-down crown. Patented as CH 120848, one of the major improvements was the relocation of the seal from the outside of the case into the crown tube itself, while also making it from lead to enhance its durability.

Furthermore, the engineers of Rolex–and those working at C.R. Spillman SA, the case supplier of Rolex at the time–found a solution concerning the winding of the movement when the crown was being unscrewed: the crown initially rotates free from the stem and engages with it only when fully pulled out. This was achieved with what is marked with 9 (in red) and 12 (in yellow) on the image above. It is difficult to judge from the image, but these are two rectangular parts that engage once the crown is in the extracted position, hence enabling the wearer of the watch to set the time even if the mainspring is fully wound.

The History Of Dive Watches Featured Articles

The Rolex Oyster next to the Daily Mail headline with long distance swimmer Mercedes Gleitze who wore the watch in an attempt to swim across the English channel

Rolex combined its improved crown design and the threaded case in a new model that became the first durable and reliable waterproof watch. Called the Oyster, it was a remarkable achievement, albeit one against which the general public remained skeptical. To learn more about this iconic piece check out Ariel’s article about the Oyster here. For now, we will concentrate on the process of how it turned into the legendary watch that it is and the way it managed to change people’s attitude towards waterproof watches. It was in 1927 that the perfect opportunity arose to publicly prove the abilities of his watch and Wilsdorf was again quick to react. It was then that the young British secretary and long distance swimmer Mercedes Gleitze set herself the challenge of swimming across the English channel–for the second time. Why the second? Well, the story goes that Mercedes actually swam across the channel once, only to be “topped” by another woman who claimed to have done the same feat considerably quicker, around 13 hours instead of Gleitze’s 15 hours.

At the time this attracted significant media attention and Wilsdorf wanted to have his share of it. Without going into much detail, we will just say that the other lady turned out to be a liar who admitted that she had not swam across the channel at all; a claim that made the media and the public question whether Mercedes’ previous achievement was a fabrication as well. At last, Wilsdorf agreed with Gleitze that she would wear the Oyster on a necklace throughout her “vindication-swim,” where she would prove the nay-sayers wrong . It is a lesser known fact that on this second attempt she actually did not make it all the way across the channel, but at this point it didn’t matter. A few days later the story of her and her watch were discussed on the first page of the Daily Mail, bringing the general public the first tangible proof of a waterproof watch.  To make a more lasting impression Wilsdorf also arranged with retailers to have the Oyster showcased in their windows, set in a fish tank full of water. In conclusion, thanks to the exceptional developments and of course the witty marketing moves of the founder, Rolex–and with it the waterproof watch–made its first steps on the road that ultimately led it to prevail around the world.

The History Of Dive Watches Featured Articles

The Pasha de Cartier with its trademark crown cup and its tiny chain. Credit: Sotheby’s

Around the 1930s several other brands wanted to get their share from this new market segment.  Turn your attention to two interesting interpretations of the waterproof watch, conceived by two already major brands: Omega and Cartier. Even at this time Cartier had been known as the go-to brand for the kings, monarchs and the world’s elite in general. This is exemplified by an order Cartier received in 1932, placed by the Pasha of Marrakech who, as the legend says, wanted a waterproof watch which he could wear during his occasional swims. Cartier answered the Pasha’s needs with a unique piece equipped with a round waterproof case as well as a little screw-on cap that served to seal the crown, hanging on a tiny chain fixed to the case itself. From 1943, and then from its 1985 “re-issue” up to this day, the watch is known as Pasha de Cartier, an iconic watch that is seldom recognized as one of the earliest examples among waterproof timepieces.

Around the mid-twenties, diving, an activity dedicated solely to scientific, military or “adventure-related” causes, started to become increasingly ubiquitous, brought about by the special breathing equipment developed by Yves Le Prieur in 1926 and then in 1933. The point of these diving related inventions was to make diving easier, less dangerous, while allowing them to happen for longer intervals, at greater depths. It is as complex of a challenge as it sounds, and then some. And while it took quite a few more years until diving could become more widespread, it had already been obvious that there was a need for wristwatches developed with the unique needs of this dangerous activity in mind. This is where Omega comes into the picture.

The History Of Dive Watches Featured Articles

See, while the original Rolex Oyster and the Pasha de Cartier (and other lesser-known, albeit similar waterproof watches of the time) performed rather well when it came to keeping moisture, sand and relatively small amounts of water out of the case, they were not at all worthy of consideration when it came to the much more demanding, deeper dives. The first watch which was designed to tackle greater challenges, and hence to work with divers, was Omega’s Marine from 1932. This model brought the external, hermetically sealed case to the forefront again, something with Rolex’s innovations in mind may seem to be an outdated choice. Still, it actually was the fact that Rolex had those patents to its name that Omega had no other choice but to go with the external case, not to mention the fact that where they were going only a strong external shell could be used. With all that said, Omega’s final product turned out to be rather modern anyhow, as the Marine proved to be true to its name and became the world’s first diving watch, i.e. the first watch to successfully complete some seriously deep dives.

What made the Marine so unique and so capable was this two-part case, which had its top and bottom pieces connected to the straps, while a large clasp locked them securely on the case back. Furthermore, the Marine was the first watch to have a synthetic sapphire front, clearly an important step forwards in terms of reliability compared to any other material used at the time. The “package” was completed by a seal leather strap which, by Omega’s claims, were extremely resistant to salt water. The concept was ready so it was time to put it to its paces: Omega, likely “inspired” by Rolex’s marketing successes, set out to prove the special capabilities of their watch by testing through a series of challenges, challenges which were of previously unimaginable difficulty. In 1936 a couple of Marine watches spent minutes in hot water (of 85 degree Celsius) and were then quickly submerged to a depth of 70 meters in the 5 degree Celsius cold waters of Lake Geneva for thirty minutes. When they were taken out, all pieces (two complete watches and a case with no movement inside) were functioning perfectly, showing no traces of water inside.

The History Of Dive Watches Featured Articles

Vintage ad for the Omega Marine, circa 1940s. Source: timezone.com

Three years after the successful tests, in 1939, Omega revealed the Marine Standard. It was a slightly redesigned version of the Marine from 1932, as this new piece served to transfer the Marine and most of its abilities into the publicly available collections of the brand. The case had become less complex to reduce manufacturing costs, but it retained the rectangular shape of the original. It was due to this angular shape that–quite obviously–no threaded case components could have been used. Instead, in order to properly seal the sapphire crystal and the case, they went on to use rubber gaskets, a solution still used today!

On the first series of Marine Standards the sapphire crystal was fitted from below the bezel (i.e. from the caseback side). With that done, Omega would install the dial, the movement and the crown. The problem this construction created was that while as pressure built up it pressed the case onto the caseback, and pushed the crystal towards the inside of the watch, weakening the seals. This decreased the Standard’s water resistance to a mere two atmospheres (around 20 meters), which was incomparable to its predecessor’s performance. For the following generations, however, the crystal had been installed from “above,” a process that, although widely used today, at the time (during the early ’40s) was a novel idea that substantially increased water resistance.

Looking back at the earliest generations of waterproof watches we can conclude that some of the greatest companies have all developed their own answers to the same problem: sealing the gaps between the case, the bezel and the crown. And while they were quick to top their latest developments with even more efficient ones, they were also unaware at the time that collectively they had most of the puzzle pieces which would ultimately make up the modern diver’s watch. Let’s discover the transition and see what exactly led to the dive watch, as we know it today.

The History Of Dive Watches Featured Articles

One of the first Blancpain Fifty Fathoms on the wrist of Bob Maloubier, founder of the Nageur de Combat

In many ways, diving watches mean the pinnacle of modern watchmaking. We saw watches being worn on the Moon, exceed the speed of sound, but defeating the immense pressure that prevails only at the deepest points of our planet is a completely different challenge altogether. This is best proven by the process of how watches sneaked out from our vest pockets and onto our wrists, to ultimately become instruments capable of performing in tens or hundreds of thousands special military actions and scientific dives alike, withstanding extremely demanding conditions. It is no wonder then, that dive watch enthusiasts have a special feeling when strapping a watch with such pedigree on: as weird as it may sound for “outsiders,” it does grant a feeling of indestructibility when your only and most important accessory has stood the tests of such demanding conditions. So let’s take a closer look at what led from the first “waterproofs” to the engineering masterpieces that made it to the Mariana trench–and back.

For a kick-off, it is important to clarify that the Rolex Oyster indeed was the first properly waterproof watch–as validated by Gleitze’s swim and the time it spent in fish tanks. However, it was with reason that she wore it on a necklace and not on her wrist: this way the watch had been not subjected to the rather brutal forces of it splashing into the water with every motion of her arm, for hours on end. The first step towards improved durability was the already discussed Omega Marine, but even so, it saw little use as professional diving (not to mention its much later developed, hobby-inspired alternatives) had not been fully developed at the time. In fact, it took the better part of another decade or so until underwater activities became more ubiquitous; the primary reason being that diving equipments were very heavy, not very safe, and limited in availability. This radically changed with the 1942 invention of Jacques-Yves Cousteau and Émile Gagnan: the aqua-lung.

This is important as it greatly affected the future of dive watches, so let’s briefly discuss what this new equipment was. The aqua-lung was the first open circuit breathing apparatus that allowed dives up to depths of 60 meters (or around 180 feet), all without direct connection with the surface. The most important consequence of it was that it helped accelerate developments in the fields of both professional, scientific, and hobby diving, hence making them more widely available around the world. As a result of World War II, warfare and the following popularization of diving, more refined and more durable accessories were required, items such as depth meters, compasses and, of course, wristwatches.

It would make things a lot easier if we could start discussing the history of dive watches with a single model, but things are never so straightforward, unfortunately. Many brands wish to–and can rightfully–claim that they were the first, albeit all in different ways. With that said, once we start digging deeper than mere marketing communication allows, the picture starts to clear up and the truly revolutionary watches and brands become more easily identifiable.

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Replica Watches Free Shipping Blancpain Villeret Pulsometer Flyback Chronograph Watch


Blancpain Villeret Pulsometer Flyback Chronograph Watch Watch Releases

If your heart has a desire for a watch that combines a very fine and new in-house Blancpain chronograph movement with their Villeret-style case, then this new Blancpain Villeret Pulosmeter Flyback Chronograph timepiece might be for you. Among Blancpain’s many watches, the company states that the Villeret is its most classic collection. According to them, double-stepped cases, Roman numerals and an understated aesthetic are hallmarks of its Villeret watches. Indeed, if one was to browse the collection here, it would be very hard to disagree. One of my personal favorites is the Calendrier Chinois Traditionnel, which has a perpetual calendar function that follows the Chinese calendar.

New for 2014 is the Blancpain watches hong kong Replica Villeret Chronographe Pulsomètre (Blancpain Villeret Pulosmeter Flyback Chronograph), which combines a flyback chronograph with a graduated pulsometer scale. The pulsometer lets the wearer quickly determine the pulse of someone else. As a result, such watches are also sometimes known as doctors’ chronographs.

In keeping with tradition, the Blancpain Villeret Pulsometer Flyback Chronograph features a cambered white Grand Feu enamel dial. The Roman numerals are enamel-painted as well and are surrounded by the graduated pulsometer scale. The Chronographe Pulsomètre is also a time-only watch as its two registers indicate elapsed hours and minutes and there is no register for running seconds. The hands are all made out of gold and there is a date window at 6 o’clock. It comes in a 43.6mm red gold case and a sapphire exhibition case back that shows off a brand-new in-house movement.

Blancpain Villeret Pulsometer Flyback Chronograph Watch Watch Releases

The movement, called the calibre F385, is made up of 322 parts and has a silicon balance spring, which helps it beat at a fast 36,000 bph. And as you would expect of a high-end chronograph movement, it also features a column wheel and a vertical clutch. Blancpain also mentions that it measures 13-lignes wide. The power reserve is rated at 50 hours and the movement also features a flyback function, which means activating the pusher at 4 o’clock will cause the chronograph seconds hand to reset and immediately start timing a new event.

Where else have we seen the new F385 movement? In the also new for 2014 Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronograph watch that was one of our top 10 favorites from Baselworld 2014. Those looking for the excellent new movement in a dressier watch didn’t need to wait long for a viable option.

Blancpain Villeret Pulsometer Flyback Chronograph Watch Watch Releases

Blancpain is still a strong provider of unique and interesting movements in what often feels like a sea of mechanical genericism, even in the luxury watch market. Look carefully and you will see in Blancpain watches really innovative efforts which are producing new assortments of existing ideas, as well as some novel ones. Today, I’d love to look at the Blancpain Villeret Quantieme Annuel GMT watch that we first covered here. It comes from 18k white gold, 18k rose gold, in addition to in steel – all with different dial styles. It’s updated for 2016 according to a motion which launched in 2011. In its heart, this watch is all about offering a unique layout for two complication sets that you don’t often find together. That is a subsidiary GMT hand to indicate another time zone, in addition to an yearly calendar complication. The latter is quite elegantly laid out with the calendar data being signaled via three distinct windows on the dial. Underneath is a series of three disks which overlap. What is interesting is that despite the volume of information about the dial (period, next 24-hour time zone, date, day, and month) that the surface of the Blancpain Villeret Quantieme Annuel GMT is relatively sparse and clean.Lovers of only symmetrical dials will likely find the eccentric design on the Blancpain Quantieme Annuel GMT dial bothersome, and those who like a bit of asymmetry within their watches will probably appreciate the look in addition to the immaculate legibility. This steel version of the Blancpain Quaniteme Annuel GMT is the cleanest looking of the sequence. The 18k red gold variant has a “sunburst grey” dial, while the 18k white gold version has the most intricate-looking dial that is “stamped flinque opaline.”

All in all, the new Blancpain heart watch Replica Villeret Pulsometer Flyback Chronograph is unmistakably a member of Blancpain’s Villeret family. The double-stepped case, large roman numerals, and enamel dial makes for a very classic looking watch. And despite the pulsometer scale, the dial remains relatively clean and uncluttered. However, the skeletonized hour and minute hands look a little out of place and I’m pretty sure some would be unhappy at the “VI” being cut off by the date window.

The Blancpain copy watches Replica Villeret Pulsometer Flyback Chronograph comes in a red gold case and a matching brown alligator strap and is also water resistant to 30 meters. It will retail for 29,500CHF or $31,600 USD. blancpain.com

Technical Specifications from Blancpain

  • Case: Red gold
  • Bracelet strap: Leather
  • Buckle: Folding buckle
  • Waterproofness: 30 m
  • Size: ø 43.6 mm
  • Thickness: 13.5 mm
  • Movement: Self-winding mechanical
  • Power reserve: 50 h, 36’000 variations / hours
  • Functions: Date, Flyback chronograph, Hours, Minutes
  • Reference: 6680F-3631-55B
  • Year: 2014
  • Collection: Villeret
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    Blancpain Replica Watches

    Grade 1 Replica Watches Blancpain L-Evolution Tourbillon Carrousel Watch For 2015 Hands-On


    Blancpain L-Evolution Tourbillon Carrousel Watch For 2015 Hands-On Hands-On

    Blancpain has released a brand new high-complication timepiece in its L-Evolution collection that I think finally answers the question of “what is the L-Evolution watch family all about?” For 2015, we have the Blancpain L-Evolution Tourbillon Carrousel whose in-house made caliber 2322V2 movement contains both a carrousel and tourbillon which are visible on the dial – something which Blancpain did in the past with a more conservative timepiece in 2013. Now, the same concept and a revised version of that movement exist in a modern-style ultra-watch that might finally point to where the exotic Blancpain L-Evolution watch collection is going.

    Blancpain L-Evolution Tourbillon Carrousel Watch For 2015 Hands-On Hands-On

    Blancpain L-Evolution Tourbillon Carrousel Watch For 2015 Hands-On Hands-On

    The movement has some extra interesting elements which merit discussion. These include being produced from 367 components, using a silicon equilibrium spring (for accuracy) and employing Blancpain’s brilliant “under lug correctors.” Look carefully under the lugs and you’ll notice small pushers that you can operating with your palms. All these have a few added benefits. First is that the watch doesn’t need to rely on unsightly inset pushers on the face of the case. Second is that you don’t require a particular tool to be able to correct the GMT or calendar configurations. On most watches using in-set pushers, you want a stylus to run them – and if you use something metal, you risk scratching the watch. This is just one of the many small ergonomic marvels you see far too rarely in the sphere of high-end watches.As you can see, the comparative simplicity of this Blancpain Villeret Quantieme Annuel GMT watch hides a few appealing details once you take a closer look. That isn’t true with all Blancpain versions, but Blancpain is a brand which tends to be pretty bad at describing its own best virtues (therefore we strive our best to do it to get them when possible).

    It all started years ago when Blancpain watches of switzerland Replica decided the tourbillon was becoming a bit too popular for its desired pedigree of exclusive timepieces. For a short period of time, Blancpain decided that “its own” tourbillon would actually be a similar concept known as a carrousel – which differs in construction but essentially does the same thing as a tourbillon. That is to create a spinning cage within which the oscillating balance wheel spins around. Visually impressive, the concept is based on a several hundred year old invention by Abraham-Louis Breguet meant to average out the negative pull of gravity on balance wheels in pocket watches.

    Blancpain L-Evolution Tourbillon Carrousel Watch For 2015 Hands-On Hands-On

    Over the years, Blancpain seemed to vacillate between making tourbillon and carrousel watches, and in 2013, Blancpain released the Villeret Carrousel Tourbillon which simply contained both mechanisms in the same movement (hands-on here). To make a long story short, I don’t think that the carrousel beat the tourbillon as the preferred luxury complication of choice at Blancpain, but the brand continues to produce both – in limited numbers, at least when it comes to the carrousel. Movements such as the caliber 2322 are so interesting and collectible, in my opinion, because they act as a statement from the brand to a select number of dedicated movement lovers. I was actually quite surprised to see a revival of the 2322 movement in 2015 with the new and modern looking 2322V2.

    Blancpain L-Evolution Tourbillon Carrousel Watch For 2015 Hands-On Hands-On

    Blancpain L-Evolution Tourbillon Carrousel Watch For 2015 Hands-On Hands-On

    From a functional perspective the Blancpain caliber 2322V2 is more or less the same as the existing 2322. What is different is the orientation on the dial, as well as the design of the bridges and the finishing which is much more modern compared to the classic looks of the 2322. The manually wound movement is comprised of 350 parts and has a power reserve of 168 hours. On the rear of the movement is a small hand which acts as a power reserve indicator, and on the dial, you have the time as well as the exposed tourbillon and carrousel mechanism.

    Blancpain L-Evolution Tourbillon Carrousel Watch For 2015 Hands-On Hands-On

    Blancpain L-Evolution Tourbillon Carrousel Watch For 2015 Hands-On Hands-On

    The Blancpain watches ebay Replica caliber 2322V2 movement follows their evolving L-Evolution design codes which blend horological classicism with a very distinct, modern approach which is meant to be extremely masculine and a bit aggressive. To that end, the movement has dark matte gray anthracite coloring with a sort of rough texture mixed with shades of brushed steel. Legibility is really good, considering the totally skeletonized dial, and in my opinion, the entire concept looks cool. Further, I finally feel that Blancpain has hit a nice design groove with the L-Evolution collection which for years has seen a series of false starts and semi-refined designs.

    Blancpain L-Evolution Tourbillon Carrousel Watch For 2015 Hands-On Hands-On

    Blancpain L-Evolution Tourbillon Carrousel Watch For 2015 Hands-On Hands-On

    What is the Blancpain watches usa Replica L-Evolution collection, anyways? No one at Blancpain has ever really explained it to me, per se, but for me, it is their Lamborghini car-inspired collection. Blancpain is not exactly the official timepiece maker of Lamborghini, but in a sense, they are by default. Blancpain sponsors the Lamborghini Super Trofeo racing series (hands-on experience here), and Lamborghini has more or less expressed to me that given Blancpain’s excellent and trusted partnership, they would not work with another watch brand. The Blancpain L-Evolution Tourbillon Carrousel watch is, in my opinion, the best designed Blancpain L-Evolution watch ever, and most closely follows the modern Lamborghini design codes seen in vehicles such as the Aventador.

    Blancpain L-Evolution Tourbillon Carrousel Watch For 2015 Hands-On Hands-On

    Blancpain L-Evolution Tourbillon Carrousel Watch For 2015 Hands-On Hands-On

    First of all, many of the previous Blancpain villeret watch snob Replica L-Evolution watches have not been symmetrical, and finally with the ref. 92322-34B39-55B, Blancpain L-Evolution Tourbillon Carrousel watch for 2015, we have a cool and symmetrical case and dial approach. There is, of course, some asymmetry on the dial in regard to the orientation of the movement, but I think it looks cool. It adds just a bit of tension to the design which is part of its aggressive stance.

    Blancpain L-Evolution Tourbillon Carrousel Watch For 2015 Hands-On Hands-On

    Blancpain L-Evolution Tourbillon Carrousel Watch For 2015 Hands-On Hands-On

    The Blancpain pocket watches Replica L-Evolution Tourbillon Carrousel case isn’t small, with a diameter of 47.4mm. However, the case is on the slimmer side, being just 11.66mm thick. Stick to driving with it, as it only has 30 meters of water resistance. Also note that this ref. 92322-34B39-55B is going to be rather heavy, since the debut of this L-Evolution case comes in entirely in platinum. That makes sense for a high-complication piece such as the Blancpain L-Evolution Tourbillon Carrousel, but I think that this case design will work well in titanium with more simple movements that don’t require $300,000-plus price tags. If all goes well, we can expect to see this “evolved” L-Evolution design in more watches, perhaps starting as soon at 2016 or even late 2015, should Blancpain decide to come out with mid-year new watch releases.

    Blancpain L-Evolution Tourbillon Carrousel Watch For 2015 Hands-On Hands-On

    Blancpain L-Evolution Tourbillon Carrousel Watch For 2015 Hands-On Hands-On

    The Blancpain watches replica Replica L-Evolution Tourbillon Carrousel watch is not for everyone, and it certainly isn’t meant to be. I like that Blancpain continues to refine the collection but also retains a distinct sense of niche-appeal to the L-Evolution watch collection. The timepiece very much feels like a fancy toy for boys who like their cars, and that is exactly what Blancpain (along with so many other brands) is going for with the concept. The era of mainstream tourbillon watches is over (if there ever was one). The strategy for brands today is to hyper focus on specific niches of potential customers and create timepiece products created especially for them. These watches can appear odd or misguided until you realize that they are being produced for you – and then, you are hooked.

    Blancpain L-Evolution Tourbillon Carrousel Watch For 2015 Hands-On Hands-On

    The Blancpain L-Evolution Tourbillon Carrousel reference 92322-34B39-55B in platinum will be limited to 50 pieces with a price of $373,130. blancpain.com

    Keep up with our pre-, post-, and live Baselworld 2015 coverage here.

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    Replica At Lowest Price Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Watch In Ceramic For 2015 Hands-On


    Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Watch In Ceramic For 2015 Hands-On Hands-On

    Having a well-established brand in the world of watchmaking is often enough to shift new products. When that brand is primarily associated with an iconic model referenced by said new products, you can all but bank on a favourable reception. 2015 sees the release of the Blancpain watches prices in dubai Replica Bathyscaphe in ceramic. This material update brings the Blancpain Bathyscaphe, originally designed to be the Fifty Fathoms’ kid brother, screaming into the modern market. Given that Blancpain is owned by the Swatch Group – a conglomerate with considerable experience in the field of ceramics exemplified by the new Omega Speedmasters and the ever-present ceramic stalwart Rado – we should expect good things. So does the Blancpain Bathyscaphe live up to the hype? Have Blancpain managed to evolve the much loved DNA of the Fifty Fathoms into something that balances the old and the new, or have they messed-up a classic formula?

    Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Watch In Ceramic For 2015 Hands-On Hands-On

    The Blancpain Bathyscaphe is inextricably linked to the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, which was a trailblazer in its day. ISO 6425, the modern standard for dive watches since 1996, was visibly informed by the marriage of features and novelties first seen in the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms. Before its release, no one had ever seen a unidirectional bezel. Along with that (essential) feature, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms featured water resistance to (surprise, surprise) 50 fathoms (about 90 meters), automatic winding, double O-ring gaskets on the crown, and luminous markers and hands, most notably the seconds hand, which acts as a running indicator. It was not born as a luxury item, but as a genuine tool. The result of a 1953 collaboration between Blancpain CEO Jean-Jaques Fiechter (who ran the company between 1950 and 1980), and French combat divers Captain Robert “Bob” Maloubier and Lieutenant Claude Riffaud, the 42mm master-stroke went on to sire an entirely new design principle that is now as comfortable in the boardroom as it is on the sea bed. If you’d like to learn more about the history of dive watches, check out this article.

    Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Watch In Ceramic For 2015 Hands-On Hands-On

    One of its closest descendants in terms of genetics if not appearance is the Blancpain new watches Replica Bathyscaphe. First released in the late Fifties and re-imagined for Baselworld 2013, the Bathyscaphe aimed to capitalise on fans of the Fifty Fathoms and to attract new purchasers. The Blancpain Bathyscaphe does not look like a scaled down version of its forerunner, and were it not for some subtle design nods and a pointed marketing campaign referencing this new incarnation’s heritage, it would not appear related. It does, however, tick all of the boxes as a dive watch and is a serious, if less blunt instrument.

    Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Watch In Ceramic For 2015 Hands-On Hands-On

    The Blancpain watch bands Replica Bathyscaphe could be used as an underwater timer, but it isn’t really meant to be. For starters, it has a glass back, which although not preventing it from reaching a very impressive 300 meters of water resistance, is not a common feature on serious dive tools, as any exposed gasket provides more of a risk of water ingress than a closed case back. The watch is anti-magnetic but is clearly devoid of a Faraday protection plate. It manages this aesthetically pleasing omission by utilising a silicon balance spring. Not only is silicon appealing for its anti-magnetic properties, but its molecular stability is exceptional. It is highly resistant to deformation when exposed to extreme temperatures. The only downside to silicon in this role is its brittleness. Where a classic Nivrox balance spring will bend, one made of silicon could break. It is uncommon for this to happen, though, and would require quite a serious shock to the case. In regards to the ceramic version, it is probably more likely that a shock significant enough to break the balance spring, would chip the case first.

    Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Watch In Ceramic For 2015 Hands-On Hands-On

    Therein lies the problem with ceramic. It is an attractive material, smooth and organic in appearance, comfortable to wear, and atmospherically resistant in composition, but brittle and irreparable when damaged. There is no sensible way to fix a ceramic case once it’s been damaged due to the manufacturing process (cases start life much larger than they are on the wrist, before being “shrunk” during the finishing process). For this desirable material, every wound is effectively fatal. It’s a great shame that ceramic has this inherent weakness, as it is otherwise ideal for the rigours of diving.

    Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Watch In Ceramic For 2015 Hands-On Hands-On

    For all those who think ceramic is an awesome new material that offers hitherto unseen aesthetic possibilities in watchmaking, there are just as many (perhaps more) that dislike it for its somewhat “cheap” appearance, its brazen modernity, its susceptibility to irreversible damage, and, however speculatively, its unknown capacity to hold value over time.

    Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Watch In Ceramic For 2015 Hands-On Hands-On

    And this is not a small watch. The case measure 43.6mm excluding the crown, and the lugs are spaced a very generous 23mm apart. There are two strap options available with the Blancpain ganesh watch Replica Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Ceramic: either a sailcloth pin buckle variant, or the choice of a webbing NATO. One common criticism of NATO straps is that they make the watch stand up very proud on the wrist. Fortunately for fans of the wrap-around strap, this watch is only 13.6mm thick, thanks in large part to the slimness of the movement, which measures just 5.65mm. Now, 13.6mm is not amazingly slim, but given the width to height ratio, the watch appears light and elegant. One major difference from the Fifty Fathoms is the low-profile ceramic bezel with liquid metal numbers sported by the Blancpain Bathyscaphe. Despite being a large watch itself, it does look positively contained in comparison to the egregious Fifty Fathoms.

    Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Watch In Ceramic For 2015 Hands-On Hands-On

    Another way in which the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe reveals its self-confident independence from its famous relative, is the design of the hour markers. Relatively small, inlaid dots filled with high-quality luminant mark the hours, with 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock flagged by wedge-shaped markers with a thin strip of lume down the middle. The sweeping bevelled lugs are a thing of beauty. The whole profile of this watch is professional and pleasing to the eye, especially the crown, which is a good size and stamped with the Blancpain initial logo.

    Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Watch In Ceramic For 2015 Hands-On Hands-On

    The calibre 1315 is an in-house Blancpain movement that has featured in the Fifty Fathoms range for some time. With 120 hours power reserve, the 35-jewelled engine keeps this watch ticking in extreme conditions and, thanks to the glass case back, engraved rotor, and traditional frosted finish performs just as ably under the scrutinising eye of would-be admirers. When this watch was first released, it was priced as an entry-level Fifty Fathoms model. With these material advancements, that is no longer really the case. It is still cheaper, but by most standards, it now bears a luxury price tag to compete with its more established peer. The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe ceramic model has a price of $12,860, while the rose gold version comes in at $25,200 on the stitched sail cloth, and $26,810 on the NATO. If you’re wondering why the NATO strap is $1,610 more than the standard strap, look no further than the rose gold retainers, that certainly add a bit of sparkle to a strap made of web – an odd combination and a clear indictment of the times: this watch is more likely to see action in the city than the sea, but that doesn’t stop it from doing a job and doing it well. blancpain.com

    The moon phase function has evolved from the traditional role as a accompaniment to men’s perpetual calendars to some “poetic” complication, used more often in women’ watches. It has been reimagined in many ways that leave from the classic blue-sky-gold-moon-and-stars configuration, but Blancpain finds out a means to keep tradition whilst updating the function to get a contemporary ladies’ watch. The Blancpain Villeret Date Moonphase, introduced at Baselworld 2017, sports the traditional moon phase colours and configuration — as it should in a conventional collection like the Blancpain Villeret — but with a few little tweaks to make it female, even poetic.If you look carefully, you will see that the moon has lashes, lips that seem as if lipstick has been applied and, what is that? — a beauty spot. The artificial mole or beauty area (known as a mouche for its resemblance of a fly) was regarded in 18th century France as representing a playfully teasing attitude. Mouches were used by coquettish women of the Court as messages for their suitors that differed based on where they were placed.The movement is a next-generation caliber made by Blancpain especially for ladies’ watches and is a good instance of the commitment being produced by luxury watch brands to come up with a steady of calibers sized for ladies’ watches that are outfitted with all of the progress in watchmaking which are frequently reserved just for men’s movements. The Caliber 913QL is the evolution of the women’s Caliber 953, a 21mm-diameter motion that’s been a staple of ladies’ watches at Blancpain. It remains exactly the identical dimensions but now has a high-performance silicon balance spring. Silicon’s low density makes it lighter and thus more shock-resistant. It is also impervious to magnetic fields and generally more stable, with improved isochronism.

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    Blancpain Replica Watches

    Replica Watches Free Shipping Blancpain Villeret Pulsometer Flyback Chronograph Watch Hands-On


    Blancpain Villeret Pulsometer Flyback Chronograph Watch Hands-On Hands-On

    The reason why the Blancpain nato watch strap Replica Villeret Pulsometer Flyback Chronograph watch is worth knowing more about is because it is the first attempt by Blancpain to incorporate their new high-beat mechanical chronograph movement into a dress watch. This is an opportunity for movement lovers to enjoy Blancpain’s answer to Zenith’s El Primero movement in a more formal, versus sports, watch.

    In focus here is the new for 2014 Blancpain villeret watch box Replica in-house made and designed caliber F385, which debuted in the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronograph watch (hands-on here). As a sports watch guy, I was happy to see Blancpain including their exciting new movement in a Fifty Fathoms bathyscaphe as a new chronograph, but I know a lot of people are going to want to experience it in a dress watch, as part of Blancpain’s Villeret collection. We first covered the Blancpain Villeret Pulsometer Flyback Chronograph watch when we debuted it recently here.

    Blancpain Villeret Pulsometer Flyback Chronograph Watch Hands-On Hands-On

    Blancpain Villeret Pulsometer Flyback Chronograph Watch Hands-On Hands-On

    You will most likely immediately notice that the dial layouts of the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronograph and the Blancpain Villeret Pulsometer Flyback Chronograph are a bit different. Blancpain merely decided to remove the running seconds hand above 6 o’clock to offer a cleaner, more simple layout on the Villeret model. So if you want to measure seconds on this watch, you’ll need to run the chronograph. Also, the space left open by the subsidiary seconds dial’s absence leaves room the date window, which feels more symmetrical being over 6 o’clock than between 4 and 5 o’clock, as it is on the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Chronograph model.

    Interestingly enough, both the Blancpain Villeret Pulsometer Flyback Chronograph and Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe models have the same case size of 43.6mm wide. That works just fine for a sport watch, but not everyone likes larger dress watches, so that should be noted about the Villeret model. If you do like a bold, yet clean, classic look, then the Blancpain Villeret Pulsometer Flyback Chronograph is certainly worth looking at. While not a limited edition, the debut reference 6680F-3631-55B version of the Blancpain Villeret Pulsometer Flyback Chronograph will be available exclusively in 18k red gold.

    Blancpain Villeret Pulsometer Flyback Chronograph Watch Hands-On Hands-On
    The cost on the bracelet is $14,100. Since 1735, Blancpain watch bands Replica has already been creating mechanical watches which set standards of excellence. The Swiss manufacturer is known for breathtaking improvements in the watchmaking world and it can be called the innovative brand that knows how to differ from others.An intriguing fact about Blancpain is that it has never produced quartz timepieces previously and according to their own commercial slogan, they never will. Also, this adventurous watchmaker asserts that it will never create watches with digital displays.The Blancpain brand was set at the beginning of the 18th century by Jehan-Jacques Blancpain who launched his first workshop on the upper floor of his house in Villeret, Switzerland. That is the way the story of the world’s earliest watchmaking brand began.

    Blancpain Villeret Pulsometer Flyback Chronograph Watch Hands-On Hands-On

    To keep things interesting, the otherwise polished bezel on the case is stepped – which actually helps reduce visual mass a bit. I like the shorter lugs and the elegant oval chronograph pushers. The rear of the case has an expansive sapphire crystal caseback, offering a view of the F358 automatic chronograph movement. Note the design of the strap deployant – which has a tension spring which allows it to snap into place when closed and open.

    Not everyone is in love with Blancpain’s Villeret dress watch collection, but I have increasingly become a fan over the years. Blancpain made a conscious decision to make their dress watches appear just a bit different than most of what is on the market, so they employed leaf-style hands (often skeletonized) and a special font for the Roman numeral hour markers that is either a hit or miss with collectors. The dials are also white enamel – which is a step up from most others, which are lacquered white. While the hands are elegant, there is no lume and the skeletonization does have an effect on legibility. Having said that, most dress watches of this ilk aren’t going to be as purely legible as simple-dialed sports watches, and the Blancpain Villeret Pulsometer Flyback Chronograph isn’t really any less legible than most of its competition. Certainly something easy to live with and rely upon.

    Blancpain Villeret Pulsometer Flyback Chronograph Watch Hands-On Hands-On