Does Rolex Owe Its Success to THIS Watch? | Watchfinder & Co.

[@watchfinder]

We know you want more watches…. click here: linktr.ee/watchfinder

[@theonlyredspecial]

I love the rolex submariner, however the blancpain is in a league of its own. the movement with 5 day power reserve is incredible, the domed sapphire bezel, the stunning lume --- all the little touches on the case - the hands are cleaner, the black date window --- all the touches are just pure class. Less text on the dial, cleaner hands. Not knocking the rolex, but I like the way that the 50 fathoms is only really known in certain circles. Most people who see the 50 fathoms in the flesh are blown away. Great video. well researched. Wish your store was as organised and professional in operation as the youtube channel.

[@torontowatches9709]

Minus the 45mm case and the dumb logo on the side of the case saying Blancpain. Also Blancpain is a revived corpse just another SWATCH Reboot

[@goncalogagodacamara513]

I'm afraid the Submariner wasn't launched in 1953 but in 1954. The first divers were the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms and the Zodiac Sea Wolf which were both launched 1953 at the same fair.

[@NiTed199]

I'm a Rolex guy, but the Fifty Fathoms looks stunning. I especially like the domed bezel, which gives it a unique vintage like vibe.

[@vadimdon]

Nicolò Tedesco same here

[@cutdepiefails6596]

They need to make a smaller one

[@Grggeorge]

Anything we can see without no focal is a good long term watch

[@AbdulRWatches]

The Fifty Fathoms is the father of all diver watches and the Submariner is the mother, the seed was sown by Blancpain and executed widely by Rolex

[@MrWimbomahadi]

lol well said..

[@drunkenmasterii3250]

I could explain where babies come from to my kids with that.

[@bigboi3844]

Correct me if im wrong. In rolex history, rolex was the first watch company to invent waterproof watches? Does that mean the diver watch?

[@AbdulRWatches]

Panerai Radomir was the first "dive" watch predates the Sub by 20 years, Omega was a close second with the Omega Marine, but Rolex were the first to create a Commercial "water proof" wrist watch with the Oyster watch, but this was from a patent they got, which was "inspired" by the Swiss watchmaker François Borgel that patented a threaded screw-back case system in 1891. Still the Blancpain was the first watch to have all the diver watch criteria checked out.

[@treedillinger5801]

The Fifty Fathoms is a copy of the Rolex Turn-O-Graph. It was Blancpain who borrowed the design. Panerai and Omega made divers in the 30’s and those Panerais were manufactured by Rolex!

[@joelopic]

The FF is so much nicer. More legible, better clarity, higher quality and simply more beautiful. It is the true and rightful king to the throne. Period.

[@WrongTimeWatch]

I want both and can afford neither.

[@michaelharris4389]

Two word's helson and steinhart

[@iclogtoilets3483]

I've been waiting donkeys for a comparison like this. Pure class. Best regards, Sir Willie Stroker

[@pradeep_sekar]

The Suburban Gentry do you have any shame?

[@iclogtoilets3483]

Pradeep Chand SEKAR Thanks Pradeep for the kind words. Onwards and upwards. Best regards, Sir Willie Stroker

[@pradeep_sekar]

The Suburban Gentry haha..a pretentious troll imitating another... lol😂

[@iclogtoilets3483]

Pradeep Chand SEKAR Prada Chand Seiko. Always great to hear from an adoring fan. Especially from India. Best regards, Sir Willie Stroker

[@pizza.doctor]

The Suburban Gentry leel

[@giii7599]

Blancpain = Patek prestige and quality at Rolex prices.

[@freddiebrookessmith]

Love the videos but it would help the story so much if you inserted photos of the watches you are talking about!

[@BearGryllsSpoofs]

The Urban Gentry is the channel for you.

[@0xss]

Ewww stay away from the trash that is the fake aristocrat TGV and his pretentious channel

[@scotie690]

I'm fortunate enough to have both in my collection. In fact the sub is the LV version. Each one has a unique personality and wear quite differently. Despite that I love how under the radar the FF is. Virtually nobody has a clue about what I'm wearing in my wrist. Again another top video.

[@MathieuVuylsteke]

When talking about the oldest Swiss watch brands, perhaps do a video on Favre Leuba? Second oldest Swiss brand, and little known about it!

[@legendus1159]

Yesss

[@adrianboutsias2437]

If only that Blancpain was 40mm!

[@bombazine2]

its not a dress watch

[@adrianboutsias2437]

Nor is the submariner.

[@bombazine2]

It should be 42mm which is its original size. So yes, I’m in partial agreement.

[@theCHEATER141]

Aren't dress watches usually at 36mm?

[@adrianboutsias2437]

@Anything YT, It really depends on wrist size, but traditionally dress watches used to be around 34-36mm for men. Especially in the mid 20th century.

[@R1fanatic112]

This is why I cancelled my subscriptions to the other watch channels months ago.

[@snazzy]

I adore the FF, but it’s far too large and subsequently, I’ll never own one.

[@minusED]

Snazzy Labs not all models. Tribute to mil-spec is even smaller than submariner, or at least it feel so. Sea-dweller grew in size...

[@0xss]

The bathyscaphe is better looking, is technologically superior and is available in a smaller size than the submariner

[@jonathanhadiprasetyanto521]

Snazzy Labs hey, i love your channel!

[@gfunkmoney06]

It is not large at all. It fits my 6.5" wrist perfectly. Reason being, it's got small lugs that taper downwards. The lug to lug is only 50mm! I'm tellin you, try it out before drawing conclusions. Don't let the 45mm scare you off.

[@ispasmihai8643]

Blankpain hands are so beautiful and of course the watch itself

[@SpaghettiKillah]

Weirdly enough I like the Blancpain design more! I find those round balls hour markers on the Rolex very weird and outta place. Am I the only one?

[@SaadHassanRafique1988]

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms would be my choice 100 times out of 100 over Submariner! Beautiful Diver's

[@rofermarca]

-Hands looks better and elegant -Indexes or numerals looks better and amazing well built -Bezel looks better and stylist -Movement has 120h power reserve -The seconds hand looks better its looks and move like "magic" capturing every second Still can understand anybody can compare this 2 watches... BLANCPAIN by a mille

[@andiwang708]

Is the strap of FF good for water? How to clean and dry it after use in underwater? Please advice

[@phmwu7368]

Military divers have been active since the 1890s at 1:25 I agree if You were speaking about recreational SCUBA-diving (Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus). It's a fact that Dr Jean-Jacques FIECHTER (Blancpain) and René-Paul JEANNERET (Rolex) were friends and passionate SCUBA divers, so that's how Rolex learned about the Fifty Fathoms dive watch in 1952... and how the Submariner came to be...

[@WatchReview]

What is the camera in the frame ?

[@antonhallergren588]

Blancpain is my grail diver tbh

[@horologywatchmaking13]

Blancpain is probably the best imo if you're budget free. The father of all modern dive watches. Rolex Submariner was a homage to the great Fifty-Fathoms, so Rolex kinda owe everything.

[@fastman119]

I love these videos so much - there's really no other place on youtube to learn about watch history like this. Love love love!

[@rcelio1]

Awesome videos. Can you review the Patek Philippe ref 3939?

[@Su_Tubbu]

Many are complaining about the Blancpain size but if you check their website you’ll see there is now a smaller version of the FF which should be very appreciated by people with smaller wrist size. They also issued a titanium version of the FF and it hugely improve wearability of the watch especially if you want a metallic bracelet. Another option is to go for the Bathyscaphe which is also smaller and lighter than the original FF.

[@eddiehernandez651]

Blancpain, and Zodiac come out with there dive watches in Basel watch fair 1953, Rolex came out with the submariner in 1954

[@Jeff-mj1nl]

1 or 2 mm less and some better shaped lugs and the blancpain would be awesome!

[@danieldelorme4021]

Your content and the way it is delivered is amazing!

[@impexRQ]

Blancpain, the world’s first diver and the most refined diver in todays market

[@menaseven9093]

I guess the reason tthe Blancpain Fifty Phatoms is not as succesful as the Rolex Submariner despite inventing the diving watch is because Rolex had a better advertising strategy.

[@nameunko]

mena seven Rolex is cheaper

[@andyreiter6253]

Yeah like the guy said it was also cheaper ... bp is real luxury ... where as Rolex is a good and expensive watch that is 40 percent cheaper

[@treedillinger5801]

Rolex was producing divers for Panerai and the Italian Navy in the 30’s. The fifty fathoms’ design was borrowed from the Rolex Turn-O-Graph. It’s no coincidence the Sub hit the market a few months after the FF, Rolex had developed the technology and design for decades and Blancpain borrowed the design.

[@brambled8763]

you could do a video comparing the newest speedster racing with the speedy professional. might be fun just to see how far the speedmaster has come...

[@pasquale78]

Your videos are always spot on. Thank you very much for this interesting story.

[@TheJumboJetDriver]

Always the best videos..very informative, and great narration. Kudos to you!

[@markgiles8527]

Wasn’t there an employee from Rolex that was with someone from Blancpain and he saw they were testing the Fifty Fathoms, or Aqualung. Then not long after Rolex had a version of the Submariner? Coincidence? I think not. 😂

[@TenBitTech]

You left out the Zodiac sea wolf which was unveiled in 1953 as well. Because it never became a luxury brand it doesn't receive the credit it should.

[@FeliuJordi]

Waiting for Blancpain to release a version of the milspec (40mm) without the water indicator and the date. Nice video as always.

[@mugensamurai]

I'll be real with you the only reason why I even know what a dive watch is because of the James Bond movies.

[@jakejones6056]

I disagree with the notion that the FF had anything to do with the birth of the Sub. If anything, I'd say that Fifty Fathoms was inspired by the Rolex Zerographe that was made in 1937, and that the Submariner was a natural progression, just increasing the water resistance of the Rolex Turn-o-graph, which was the descendant of the Zerographe.

[@golfpark94]

The Blancpain is one of my favorite dive watches but why dont i just buy one ? Why did i turned to the Submariner and bought that? First of all, the submariner is a very well-known brand of its own, people dont need to say Rolex, just sub is enough. Secondly for me is the size, where the Fifty Fathoms is over 44 mm and the sub, when i bought is about 20 years ago, a more wearable 40mm. Doesnt sound like much but to me this was the reason. My guess is that the Blancpain is simply to big, it is not a shy watch at 40mm but at 44 it shouts like an American President with an orange coupe. And when Blancpain makes this Fifty fathoms in 40mm, called the Mill-Spec is is limited to 500 peices. Weird but tru. I think most people go for the size of a watch aswell as the brand. So that is why i bought the submariner but i love the Fifty Fathoms just as much if it were in a more modest size. Thank you for an other great lesson in the art of watches.

[@kbeightyseven]

Jeroen de jong the cost

[@bigboi3844]

KB Eightyseven the value. Rolex the one.

[@kbeightyseven]

Big Boi rofl, if you want value, you wouldn't buy a rolex

[@pinkfatcap]

tbh the BP makes you feel a bit more special as I never seen one in person but only subs.. oh boy.

[@DanAvasilcai]

Wearing mine ;)

[@axlcrush1954]

Close ups of the edge of the date windows of the Submariner shows poor finishing eg 7:11 vs the better detailing of 50 fathoms at 3:02. Edge of crystal of 50 fathoms at 6:15 shows some blemishes.

[@impexRQ]

As always - great review / comparison. Thank you for your amazing work.

[@galahad9853]

Although tgv posted today you blessed my Wednesday with a short video I can watch while I work on my finals

[@PeO.]

Galahad you can’t compare their videos. This watchfinder is far better than tgv’s I can’t even stand for the dictatorship on the ugwc fb group. If comment something on te opposite you get comment deleted and banned... is this for real nowadays?! I like watches just don’t get along with gurus

[@SoCalWatchReviews]

I haven’t even started the video and I immediately hit the like button. I know your videos are always amazing!

[@slick4401]

Your videos get better every week.

[@whoflungshite4668]

Hi Watchfinder & Co, I have a Rolex Explorer 2 which is only 6 month old. It changes date 4 minutes after midnight every time……..Is this normal for a Rolex Watch?

[@Todd.T]

No.

[@bombazine2]

Yes

[@altabaldyburrito]

Maybe do a review of Bremont in your future vids?

[@sunchaser999]

As purely a diver blancpain is the better watch. As an all around day to day sports watch the sub is better. Both beautiful!

[@ajaxforever5473]

This channel deserves an Oscar

[@davec3651]

Lol I always though 50 fathoms was some insane depth, not 91 meters. Not that I'm ever deeper than 3 meters.

[@treedillinger5801]

Fifty Fathoms is a copy of the Rolex Turn-O-Graph, the precursor to the Sub. Those Panerai divers in the 30’s were produced by Rolex. Sub came to the market slightly after the FF, but Rolex had been developing both the technology and the design for decades, it was Blancpain who “borrowed” the design.

[@sbaddison]

Are those vintage pieces? I noticed hand to dial marks on the BP.

[@Towert7]

I think the Fifty fathoms is a more elegant design than the sub. I like it's design much better.

[@DavidChow]

Beautifully made video. Well done whoever it is scripting and filming it.

[@sbogajce]

Please review the Oris Aquis 2017, blue dial. Thank you. Best regards

[@SunsetSheen]

Blancpain need to release a 40mm no date version. It would be an absolute hit

[@kwakekamdivasi591]

Quality videos.

[@shaneybhoy2154]

Kwakeka Mdivasi as per

[@kwakekamdivasi591]

What kind of nonsense are you asking me? I'm complimenting the channel, smart ass.

[@Madmanmarque]

As usual, excellent content and photography.

[@scottt.4596]

Another stellar video on two great watches! Thanks!

[@enderz4770]

That’s a great story! Both are very simillar for some, but there are alot of diffrences visible on the first look already. If I went for a dive tho I would take the blancpain, just becouse It’s bigger and easier to read It. Something you forgot to mention was the crystal thickness of the blancpain, or maybe I just didn’t hear it.

[@christopherderrick3745]

ok I know this is nit picky (and it may have already been said) but pressure is supposed to be expressed in force per unit length squared. The devil is in the details...? Still enjoyed the video.

[@juncruz3866]

Pressure is also height multiplied by density. Different materials density will cause different pressures. The dive watch is measured in terms of water density since it is intended for water service.

[@Nexus.Achiles]

Very nicely told, thanks a mil.

[@impexRQ]

Thank you so much as always for your wonderful reviews - i was very much sold to the Blancpain but now came the Glashütte SEAQ in the picture and now I really don’t know which one to go for (Rolex is out of the pictures as I own already the sub which I want to sell as they are everywhere) - have you see the SEAQ?

[@jarodstevens2710]

How do you know how many turns you can wind your automatic watch and what's an indicator that it's full when there's no power Reserve it's killing me I got to know

[@andrewbrown5636]

Used Fifty Fathoms have gone up in price steadily over the last 12 months. Great watch but expensive

[@badlarry172]

p.s. how could 14 people dislike this ? its beyond me

[@poulwinther]

14 people in the Rolex office found the video.

[@terryboston3292]

The Fifty Fathoms is the true winner the real cream of the crop of Dive watches as they say.

[@WildlifeMoto]

Sadly the modern Fifty Fathoms has absolutely no direct line to the original, whereas the Rolex does. They both have a great history but only one is the real deal. Blancpain (these days) is just an expensive Swatch.

[@abdullahalmoqbali2455]

If possible , Pleae Corum Golden Bridge and orher skelton watchs

[@TimG--]

Nice review mate

[@annekedebruyn7797]

I love the Blancpain but the Submariner is so much more wearable. I mean, I see many people using it a dress watch even.

[@sarahmcmahon1045]

The Blancpain was on someone’s wrist one year before the sub you’re only comparing Baselworld launch dates, the Rolex does owe everything to this watch especially first gen from Bezel to Lume to design don’t lie to yourself by saying otherwise. The GO SEAQ invented the glide lock lol no love for that watch either

[@320sln]

Please do not compare blancpain with rolex

[@Miklos667]

It seems to me the Fifty Fathoms is the kind of watch captain Nemo would wear. Everything in that watch reminds me of an era of adventure at the sea.

[@pierre1600]

First, enjoy your slant on horology and love your presentation. Sorry to stir the pot but two things come to mine one is the original dive watch was 44 mm now I have a 7 and a quarter inch wrist. I have some Flieger watches in my collection that are 44mm I also own 32 to 40 mm watches. I have no problem wearing those either. I never got this hole size thing and how one, two or four millimeters is going to prevent me from purchasing or wearing a watch. So if we have established that the fifty fathoms was the first dive watch does that make the Rolex Sub a copy or homage to the 50 fathoms? Just would seem to be a logical conclusion. Look forward to more of Watchfinder Co.

[@goldendawn7]

Peter Werle theres only so many ways a company can execute a round cased watch with rotatable external bezel. Its kind of like saying every car subsequent to the first Benz Motorwagen in 1880 whatever is a homage or knock off. Keep in mind all the worlds first cars looked remarkably similar to each other.

[@pierre1600]

I am in total agreement with you. In the automotive world quote on quote the Mustang was the first Pony car then came the Camaro and the Challenger all share similar architecture. My point being is many watch collectors are too sensitive about all well this looks like... yes it does but it does not make it either a homage or knock off.

[@m3chris1]

Problem with the 50 fathoms is the size, too big for my tastes do love the look though and didnt look too bad when on.

[@TheKestevon]

The first watch with thick rotating bezel.

[@jannikmeissner]

I love your videos, but please please, make sure the seconds are synced when showing multiple watches. It drives me mad on my own watches, too… they have to be perfectly synced. (and if they aren't one of them is not set correctly, being German, it is hard for me to not have perfect time ;) )

[@charlesdaspermont]

could you please make a video about Royal Oak and AP ? thank you very much

[@batino80]

Please video about jlc polaris

[@badlarry172]

super interesting thanks

[@adamthomas7232]

If it me or is the second hand of the Fifty Fathom moving much faster than the second hand of the Rolex?

[@TheDerisavi]

Would you review the Seiko Tuna?!

[@bigboi3844]

TheDerisavi i didnt mean to offend you. Archie paul pluta said its a shitter

[@TheDerisavi]

Big Boi he was saying this kind of things about GrandSeiko too but now.......! Actually it's among the best divers watches out there.

[@pukenanginang]

Atlast! Great comparison including history rather than reviewing what is actually visible to all viewers. Luv to own FF but gmt master is next on my list. As always great review!

[@richardsherwin3259]

Excellent video 👌👍

[@ginofranco7797]

The name BLANCPAIN sounds Original and better than ROLEX to my opinion. The FF is just a gorgeous watch.

[@HardImpactInc]

Liking before I even watch the video because I know it will be excellent as always!!!

[@johnestoce1503]

I would gladly appreciate if you review the patek 5950a.

[@andreassiregar4820]

Are you using original Rolex Submariner for comparison?

[@clyde2801]

Why does everyone phorget about Zodiac Sea Wolph?

[@johnsrajasingh]

Another awesome video and the origin of my favorite diver watch the submariner

[@marcelocantu4186]

Great video as always but why no love for the Zodiac Sea Wolf in this story.

[@Mase251]

The 50 Fathoms is really great - but also huge, will never fit my wrist, which is a real pity giving its fantastic design, imho THE diver.

[@KevinSmith-tn7xr]

Can we have a review of the TAG Heuer Monaco Men’s Club Japan Watch please

[@stationplaza4631]

It just goes to prove , that this coincidence came about because great minds really do think alike. Thanks for yet another fascinating story Watchfinder.

[@martinkulik9466]

rolexes are nicer, but are everywhere. i would go for blancpain, oldest watchmaker & first diver watch...

[@alexhoksbergen6161]

Got them both, love the FF, lot's of curves, beautiful and delicate, but it is not an everyday watch for me. The Rolex is just more rugged, less delicate. I dive almost daily, and have no hesitation to take my SD43 on dives. I wouldn't do that with the FF. Both gorgeous watches!

[@joseangelmedinavelez30]

This year hope I can buy the Blackpain my favorite watch ❤