You might bash me over the pinnacle with a stable brick of faux-aged lume and I might in all probability say thanks. When obsession bites, it bites arduous. And, on this case, it hasn’t let go of me. The brand new Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Barakuda watch has simply dropped on the Swatch Time to Transfer occasion in Geneva and it’s an absolute magnificence.
The Fifty Fathoms star is burning as shiny as ever and we are able to anticipate the frenzy for this restricted mannequin to be extra a stampede than an orderly procession. With simply 500 models obtainable and a comparatively (comparatively) affordable retail, the chance of this one shedding a piece of change the second you drive it off the forecourt is minimal. This piece seems to be set to be bought out within the blink of an eye fixed, and given its household’s heritage and its up-to-date throwback styling (which sounds contradictory however is completely applicable) there’s no surprise why.
Blancpain launched the Fifty Fathoms vary in 1953. Designed by Captain Robert Maloubier and Lieutenant Claude Riffaud for the French Navy, it’s uni-directional timing bezel was a recreation changer. The styling of the watch has since knowledgeable numerous dive watches by means of the years, and the Fifty Fathoms – and it’s many iterations – has been the selection of many an expert physique.
The Barakuda itself was a mannequin used first by the German Navy throughout the 1960s, earlier than it went on common launch. The mannequin is recognisable for its superbly heat radium luminant. Fortunately, the faux-aged lume within the trendy model received’t flip you right into a radioactive mutant (hooray). The odd, two-toning of the hour markers received’t be for everybody, however the pink dashes on the base of every lume block do add an attention-grabbing distinction. When considered from sure angles, the curvature of the glass makes it seem as if the dashes are intersecting the markers however this isn’t really the case.
Speaking of instances, this new restricted version from Blancpain is, amazingly, smaller than the unique (how usually do you hear of that occuring!). At 40mm it is a actually enticing, wearable reissue that may, at these dimensions, come throughout as very interval applicable. The watch has a 300 meter water resistance and is delivered on a rubber strap as per the unique. The replace options the extra trendy sapphire bezel insert, which was first launched by the model in 2003. That is one change that’s unequivocally welcomed from an aesthetic and sturdiness perspective.
Inside is an automaticFrederic Piguet cal. 1151, pushed by twin barrels that supply a 95-hour energy reserve.double barrels for a 95-hour energy reserve. A sapphire case again reveals an 18ok gold rotor that options the basic cut-out seen on many classic Fifty Fathoms fashions.
The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Barakuda will retail for CHF 13,200 incl. VAT and can be restricted to 500 items (so hurry!). blancpain.com
