Blancpain Barakuda...

Blancpain have introduced one more watch into the fifty Fathoms collection. This time it is the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Barakuda. 

Photograph: Phillips

The original watch from the 1960s.

Some would say reissue but I think it is more a homage then a reissue. The new watch, a Limited Edition run of only 500 pieces borrows much from its iconic predecessor. It features a date complication at the 3 o’clock position, a matte black dial with the Ecru rectangular markers with red accents. Additionally, got to love the pencil hour and minute hands.

Photograph: Blancpain

The watch is powered by the Frederic Piguet caliber 1151 automatic movement and has a 95 hour power reserve. And best of all, it comes in at a modest 40mm stainless steel case and with the added touch of being fitted with a tropic style rubber strap, much like the original. 

The watch is priced at CHF14,500.

For more information:

Blancpain Barakuda

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 2019

One of my all time favorite watch is the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Automatique reference 5015. I like its rich history, design and size. Yes, it does not look like the Fifty Fathoms of the past but I take it as Blncpain modern interpretation.

This year, Blancpain will add to the collection with the introduction of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Automatique Titanium. It will be awesome.

There is no release date or pricing at the moment. We know that Blancpain (well the Swatch Group) will not be attending Basel 2019, so I guess your guess is as good as mine as to the release date. 

The watch will be available with the sail cloth strap and with the increasingly popular NATO strap.

Reference 5015-12B30-B52A

The display back. Awesome.

Reference 5015-12B30-NABA.

Photographs: Blancpain

I wonder if the NATO strap is as good if not better then the ones Omega have. :)

Watch photography

Just testing out....

Some photographs..

Still learning to use the camera. There is (at the moment) no dedicated lens with Macro function for the camera. So, I am learning to use Macro lens with adapters on the T. Here are some photographs from the camera....

Some early experiments...

Using close up lens..

As I progress..

Using Macro lens with adapters instead of close up lens..

And a few more...

Photography experiment...

I am trying out some macro photography with my Fuji X-E2 and the Fuji 60mm lens. I am trying to hand shoot with the following settings: 

ISO100 (the lowest I can get on the Fuji)

Flash (build in and finger held to bounce)

Aperture set at f2.8

Shutter speed at auto

The results...

A tad dark me thinks...

Close up. From my understanding the 60mm is not a true macro lens, but I think the results is not bad. 

Overall, I am impressed....

Lume shot..

It has been some time since my last lume shot..

Latest acquisition.

Captain Robert Maloubier

To Captain Robert Maloubier...

Thank you and God Speed...

Captain Bob Maloubier

I shall wear my Fifty Fathoms with pride...

History of the Fifty Fathoms

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tribute to Fifty Fathoms Aqua Lung

Yet another limited edition Fifty Fathoms. This time BLANCPAIN have released a special edition of the Fifty Fathoms for 2011. This follows the highly popular Fifty Fathoms Tribute to Fifty Fathoms with its iconic No Radiation logo.

In this new watch, the Fifty Fathoms 'Tribute to Fifty Fathoms Aqua Lung' comes with changes to the current Fifty Fathoms in the details on its dial, bezel and strap. It simply bears the text 'Aqua Lung' as its predecessors did at the 12 o’clock position. The only other changes over the current Fifty Fathoms include new hands, hour markers, removal of the minute markers (first 15 minutes) on the bezel and a new strap. The new strap comes complete with circular holes, the way many original Aqua Lung's straps were typically designed.

Photographs: Blancpain

The original Aqualung 1000 from the 60s.

Photograph: watchdeco.com

Blancpain "Tribute to Fifty" Fifty Fathoms Update

I was told by a little bird that the Blancpain boutique here in Taiwan will only be getting one piece of the Blancpain "Tribute to Fifty" Fifty Fathoms. I was also told that there are many inquiries about the watch. All the best to all those interested.

The watch.

Photograph: Watchprosite

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tribute to the Fifty (Taiwan)

Just some news on this watch. This is the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tribute To Fifty watch introduced in Basel 2010. I understand that this watch is a limited edition watch of only 500 pieces. Anyway the watch will be coming to Taiwan (Blancpain Boutique, Taipei 101) sometime in September or October. They cannot confirm how many pieces will be coming in (well at least 1 will come in). The retail price is about NTD 513,000 (USD 15,900).

The watch.

Photograph: Blancpain

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tribute to fifty

Well I have to say that the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms is one of my dream watch. I love the design and the simplicity of the watch. Now Blancpain have introduced in Basel 2010, the 'Tribute to Fifty' Fifty Fathoms watch. This watch is a beautiful watch. In fact my dream watch has shifted to this model. I just love the dial. Maybe one day....

This watch is based on the Blancpain issued between 1950 to 1970. It is based on the 'No Radiation' model that Blancpain issued under the Aqualung model or the 'Bund No Rad' watches issued to the Polish and or German military.

You can read more about vintage Blancpain Fifty Fathoms in these great websites:

http://ninanet.net/watches/launchpad.html

and

http://www.watchdeco.com/Welcome.html

The watch.

Photograph: Watchprosite

Compare to the current Fifty Fathoms.

Photograph: Blancpain

The specifications:

Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds and date

Case: stainless steel

Crystal: sapphire

Movement: Blancpain Cal. 1315 with 5 day power reserve

Price: USD 16,000

New Blancpain Boutique Taiwan

The new Blancpain Boutique in Taipei 101 is now open. Great. The boutique is nice and has a fine selection of Blancpain watches. Sadly I forgot to take a photograph of the new Boutique. The sad news is that the prices of Blancpain watches will be going up tomorrow. The price is expected to go up about 7%.

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Edition Book

The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Edition Book is a magazine that will feature the works of 4 underwater photographer. The photographers featured are Ernest H. Brooks II, Helmut Horn, Udo Kefrig and Maurice Shimlock & Burt Jones. The Fifty Fathoms Edition is Series 3 in a 3 series Editions Fifty Fathoms book. Series 1, limited run of 50 books will be delivered with a special edition of the famous Blancpain Fifty Fathoms. Series 2, a limited run of 1,829 copies will be available from Blancpain boutiques. Series 3, is a 1,000 copies limited run and will be available via the Internet. The book retails for 50 euros. Each book will be individually numbered and may be signed by one of the photographers.

For more information:

http://www.fifty-fathoms-edition.com/

I will review the book when I get mine.