Blancpain Fifty Fathoms & The Relativity of Watch Prices

Having tried on the Tudor Black Bay 41, and Blancpain Fifty Fathoms this week, I discuss my thoughts on whether any of these watches are good value. Is there any relativity at all in the pricing structures from different manufacturers? Is the Blancpain a better watch than the Rolex Deepsea James Cameron? Is my Omega Seamaster 2254.50 the best value watch of them all?

[@MS-tg6hc]

There’s a sapphire case back on them because Blancpain’s movement finishing is incredible and should be seen and admired. They’re a class apart from Submariners or Seamasters in that respect.

[@joelopic]

Agreed

[@FiXilVer]

I own a titanium bathyscaphe on a bracelet and know the FF models by heart. Two things to add/correct :): Firstly: You have actually been trying the 45mm version on and not the new 42. Yes, I am 100% sure of it, because the new 42mm versions dial does NOT have the inner circle on the dial, central to the hourmarkers. This sunburst central portion of the dial on the watch you have shown us the wristhots of, is only featured on the 45mm version. The dial of the new 42mm version is plain. Take a look at the pictures on their website or just google both of them and compare the dials side by side and you will see the difference. Thats why you had correctly the feeling, that the watch was quite big for 42mm :D Well yes, because it was 45 :D Secondly: This I am not 100% but maybe 95% sure is the grade of the titanium. Blancpain have started to use Titanium Grade 23 on FF models firstly with the introduction of mine FF bathyscaphe in titanium, which was in september 2021. Prior to that, all FF models were in Grade 5 titanium. So the watch you were trying on is 45mm version, in titanium Grade 5, as you have said. The new 42mm version is in fact in Titanium grade 23. I enjoy your videos, keep it up :)

[@TheRandomWatchDude]

Thank you! That all makes total sense to me now! Even the sales associate was adamant it was 42mm, but he was looking on the Blancpain website which is where he must have been looking at the newer model you mentioned! I'm definitely very keen if what I tried on is available in a smaller case size. Thanks for the info

[@shakhbozyusupov6331]

@@TheRandomWatchDude Speaking about specs and movement, the movement on blancpain is the best among dive watches even ap royal oak offshore is not even close to that. the only dive watch with better finishing is singer divetrack which costs 94k unfair comparison. Also u need to try 42 new version on a strap with pin buckle which will costs around 16k yeah very expensive but i am sure these things will be offered at discount in 1 or 2 years.

[@JimJones762x39]

I own the 45mm blue Ti and came here to post the same info FiXiVer is correct. Also the 45mm steel versions used to have a solid case back. I also own the blue version of your Omega nicknamed Electric Blue another amazing watch. Blancpain is so underrated in the watch world and its so nice to have a watch that is different from what everybody else is wearing.

[@paulosullivan3991]

Correct , top class

[@joelopic]

Hi horolgy. Higher quality. Style , ckass. Incredible lume too. Omega, tudor or Rolex are not in the same legue. For that matter, either is the AP. This is the true king to the divers throne.

[@TheRandomWatchDude]

I'm not in disagreement on that, and will revisit Blancpain

[@siddhant46s54]

thats definitely the 45mm with the inner circle in the dial . May I know your wrist size please ? just to get an idea for how the 45mm looks on the wrist.

[@TheRandomWatchDude]

Hello yes my Wrist size is just over 7" Dia. I've since found that's not the 42.3mm Dia that the AD told me it was, but the 45mm. No wonder it felt weird!

[@steveb2042]

A great discussion re relativity and value. I agree it is all about the emotion and how a watch makes you feel and for that you really do need to see a watch in person. I have a 2264.50 and there is something about the dimensions and feel of the watch that make it very special. I have one of the original Deepsea's from 2010, which has been on a lot of lives adventures with me and for that reason, I value highly. As far as the Blancpain goes, the 45mm version was my grail based on photos but it was only when I handled one that I really appreciated just what the watch is in terms of heritage, impeccable finish (including on the movement) and for me it subjectively it was worth the price, as a retirement from work watch. If I look at all three, I really would struggle to say which is the best value relative to price, I just enjoy wearing them all and to illustrate the point of value even more, I have a Seestern 62MAS homage that has very good finishing and runs at +1 second per day and also holds a special place in my collection. As far as pronouncing Omega, in Casino Royale on the train with Vesper Land, Daniel Craig pronounced Omega as Omeeeega and as they were sponsoring product placement in the film, I'd say that Omeeeega is the way to go!

[@TheRandomWatchDude]

I would definitely buy that Fifty Fathoms if I could get a deal on it, and I might still do that. Great watch, just a lot of money! and yes you have made a fantastic point about Casino Royale!!!!

[@swampThaang]

For the Blancpain you are clearly paying for the history and heritage (first dive watch) as the physical hardware simply cannot be justified at that price as you say. The other things is price goes up exponentially with incremental improvements in quality, it is not linear. I think you would admit that your Seamaster is not 10x better than a good Seiko diver. However there is a conflict between the concept of a tool watch which should be functional and rugged and the idea of a "high horology" diver, since some of these are well finished and technically impressive if not delicate. Then again very few of us are diving with these. Someone wearing one of these is definitely a watch enthusiast you would have a great conversation with, whereas it is probably best to avoid starting a chat with someone wearing a submariner as the odds would be against you.

[@TheRandomWatchDude]

So many truths here, I could make a video on the points in your comment!

[@JohnBowman-ut4dz]

Hi Mark I do understand where you are coming from I wanted a omega speed master racing but when I tried it on completely changed my mind.so if you're going to spend big money you definitely have to get to no the watch first. sometimes you try on a watch your not particularly interested in and you love it so much you have to own it.that happened when I went to try on a james Cameron deepsea loved the watch but also was offered to try on the bi metal sea dweller not on my radar at the time. loved it that much had to own it took me 18 months on the wait list.own them both great watches.thanks John.

[@TheRandomWatchDude]

You've got a great collection!

[@nedflanders3769]

And here I thought you were going to start talking about time dilation and the warping of spacetime 😊

[@TheRandomWatchDude]

Now that would be interesting!

[@nedflanders3769]

@@TheRandomWatchDude gotta love a good physics joke 😜👍🏻

[@RigGeo]

Liked the discussion. The pronunciation is "white bread" Mon ami. 😂 lol The older versions were bigger at 45mm but had closed case backs. It's an iconic diver. It is a substantial watch especially in steel, but worth it when the price tag was a lot less just 6yrs ago etc. So it was easier to swallow even as an orange, pear or kiwi. Lol.

[@TheRandomWatchDude]

White bread!! Of course!! Thanks for clarifying that!!

[@watchmedicine7747]

Blancpain has a high horology movement which is a step above Rolex and omega…I wish u could appreciate that aspect

[@TheRandomWatchDude]

Can you elaborate on high horology though? What physically makes it a better movement please?

[@watchmedicine7747]

@@TheRandomWatchDude oh sure …I mean as a haute horology movement with the chamforred slots …Wide anglage at the edges ..spiral graining of the bridges …When you go up to breguet /blancpain (in terms of the swatch co ) or patek /AP/VC /independents like Laurent Ferrier or Journe that’s the extra haute horology aspect of the movement that is a notch above in finishing as well as in the case design ..That being said mid luxury brands like omega and Rolex have strong durable movements and the machine finishing on the omega is pretty good nowadays …I think value is relative of course but these high horology brands do charge higher ..now if u want to talk retain value /investment talk Rolex or patek or Journe ..Accuracy maybe a 9f quartz or Breitling …It’s all relative

[@trel]

@@TheRandomWatchDude It's about artistry at that point, not specs. A Rolex movement, for example, is entirely machine-made. Human hands do not touch it. (Incredible feat of industrial engineering, that.) Each Blancpain movement is made in the old-style way, by a single watchmaker. It's almost like a purposeful rejection of modernity. All the finishing doesn't appreciably make the movement tougher or more accurate, but it does make it more beautiful. The dollar value anyone attaches to that is, of course, relative. ;)

[@ronaldcheng6753]

Blancpain is one level above Rolex because of the workmanship , a lot of the hand finishing involved on the movement the 1315 movement is one of best in the business and it's a joy to look at ! If you use the micro lens to compare then you know why this is more expensive than the Rolex ! I have been collecting for over 20 years now from Seiko to Patek but I will always keep one FF in my collection ! Of course even you buy from AD you should ask for 25-30% discount or wait a bit for the secondary market then you should get it much cheaper

[@summerrr1]

@@ronaldcheng6753It’s more than one level above Rolex.

[@AS-po9pm]

Everything Jean cloud beaver touched is far to expensive

[@leeharding8306]

I tried on the new 41mm monochromatic Tudor last week. They had both bracelet versions in stock too. It’s a good looking watch but it’s still too thick. The Black Bay 58 is still Tudor’s best watch even though it’s an old model. It just has the perfect look size and balance with the perfect thickness for a dive watch.

[@TheRandomWatchDude]

Thanks Lee and I agree the 58 is still the best case size, and the 41mm is still too thick

[@summerrr1]

It is easily worth 5 times more. One is a Mercedes C class and the other is a Maybach.

[@TheRandomWatchDude]

I hear you, but I didn't feel that on the wrist. A nicely decorated movement maybe but Omega makes nice looking movements too, as do GS.

[@Time_Passages]

James Bond pronounces Omega the same way you do, then it must be right.

[@TheRandomWatchDude]

Do you think Omega would have made sure he pronounced it right? I mean they are paying literally millions for him to say it!

[@matlindell5022]

Tudors are way too thick ☹️☹️☹️

[@TheRandomWatchDude]

Yes they are still too thick, you're right!

[@Emach76]

You can call it Omeeeega if you want, it’s your right to mispronounce whatever you like but, Omega is the last letter from the Greek alphabet and in the Greek alphabet it’s pronounced with a soft E. But as I said, you do you.

[@TheRandomWatchDude]

Thank you! Another member has made a great point that Daniel Craig pronounces it Omeeega in Casino Royale, and that's an Omega sponsored ad, so they clearly are happy with the eeeee!

[@Emach76]

@@TheRandomWatchDude if I was Omega and Bond mispronounced my company name, I’d be inclined to let it slide too.

[@Dr_LK]

@@TheRandomWatchDude check to see how the Omega people, e.g. the CEO, pronounced it! Craig screwed up actually.

[@keithburford8589]

Omega....Om egg a...Omegga. You Fail. Blancpain ...Blon Pan . . You Fail. Ha ha. 😉😁🤣 . To be honest baring the keyboard warriors , who actually gives a shit ?, pronounce how you see fit mate.

[@jasonl-gp7eg]

When this guy complained about Blancpain’s movement finishing he lost all credibility in horological knowledge. Likely he was looking for the traditional Côte de Genéve but wasn’t able to appreciate the satinated finish or notice the hand applied anglage. Just another KZbinr thay doesn’t deserve a subscription

[@TheRandomWatchDude]

Just another troll talking crap. Goodbye troll. Go and be miserable somewhere else.