Zach Brass
The 45mm case is larger on the other hand. However, the 42mm is still a little big and certainly debatable. However, I have never met anyone who felt that 38mm was not an acceptable size for most wrists. Known as the Goldilocks diameter, everyone will be delighted with the new 38mm Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, which will take part in the Automatique 42 and 45 in regular production. And it’s not just last week’s Mother of Pearl Dial model. Today, Branpine is making his debut more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrlupsj5lti
I’m not going to lie, I have a bit of deja vu here. About a year ago, Blanpine made a splash with a 50 Fathom Automatic 42mm, the most wearable, regular production model. Similarly, we once again have the moment when Blanpine really listens to consumer feedback and further enhances the democracy of the collection’s wrists with the 38mm version. However, as their designs get smaller, watches often have to compromise, so the problem is: Is Blanpine reduced the 50 Fathom to 38mm?
case
Well, as well as the 42mm and 45mm segments, the new 38mm design is available in 300m water-resistant stainless steel, titanium and red gold cases with screw-down crowns. Therefore, there is no reduction in depth ratings. The formula continues with a titanium and red gold case, running with a full brush, with stainless steel in full polish. Additionally, the unidirectional timing bezel with Domed Sapphire insert matches the dial. The only reduction is thickness, which is now clocked at just 12mm, with a lug-to-lag span of 43.9mm.
Movement
Since Blancpain uses an in-house 1150 instead of the 1315 we are used to, this huge drop in thickness can actually be attributed to the caliber switch-up. The 1150 has a movement thickness of just 3.2mm, and is reduced by more than 2mm compared to the 5.65mm of the 1315, allowing for a thinner case.
Place them directly from above, both calibre bracelets are decorated to the same, elaborate level. The 1150 is equipped with a NAC-treated 18K gold-wound rotor, just like the 1315. However, “there is a ‘only’ power reserve compared to the 120 hours offered by 1315, and runs in 3HZ instead of 3HZ. I don’t think anyone of you is making a fuss about a 20-hour loss in the Power Reserve, but 100 hours is still well beyond the grounds of the weekend. When it comes to beat rates, I don’t think most people think it’s a big concession, especially when the result is a case of 12mm thickness.
Dial
Beyond last week’s first black and pink mother-of-pearl dial model, which options are available on the table? The first thing we practiced was a stainless steel model with a completely refined case, a black sunburst dial and a black bezel insert. Next is the Grade 23 Titanium variant with a fully brushed case, and the blue sunburst dial and bezel. Finally, following the titanium model cue, the red gold configuration also features a sunburst blue dial and bezel insert. All dials continue the layout of the 42mm predecessor with the same bold Arabic numerals of 12, 3, 6, and 9. But hey, it matches the dial.
strap
As we saw before, all new Fifty Fathoms Automatique 38mm models are available with Sailcloth canvas straps with tropic rubber, NATO and matching hardware. For elastic and canvas straps, you can choose between pin buckles and folding grip clasps, but steel and titanium models have the advantage that they can also be used in case matching bracelets with butterfly clasps.
verdict
This may seem like a rather lively overview, but to some extent it is. But that’s a good reason. The dive watch icon is still an icon. Yes, the caliber has a little less stamina and slower rates, but everything about this 38mm 50 Fathom stands out for the signature, robustness and quality of the design you request from your collection. I don’t want to start the First World War 38mm, but I don’t think some of the macho guys out there are that excited about this new size.
In the context of the watch media that recently promoted the story of smaller ones better, there is still a wider market than shouting #LargeWristsmatter. But this is ultimately the beauty of where the 50 Fathom collection stands now. Currently, there are all wrist models, with three normal production sizes ranges with power reserves of over 100 hours, various materials to choose from, and a depth rating of 300 meters. I might have shrunk it a bit, and it relates to the mother of the first pearl model, but now there is also a tried-and-proven black and blue dial.
The irony of the 50 Fathom Line is that the most requested size is probably 40mm, but that’s something that has always been reserved for the limited edition. I think some of the people watching want this to be 40mm rather than 38mm. Sales aren’t at your disposal, but if you support the data in the wake of the sizes of 38mm and 42mm, Blancpain insists that you need to flip the script, turn the 45mm into a limited edition and move the 40mm into normal production. With a larger piece like Fifty Fathoms Tech, I think the regular 50 Fathoms at 45mm is a bit redundant.
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Automatique 38mm Pricing and Availability
The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Automatique 38mm is currently available for purchase. Price: Starts at USD 16,700 (see details below)
Brand Blanpine Model 50 Fathom Automatic 38mm Case Dimensions 38mm(d) x 12mm
About Tropic Rubber: US$16,700 (Stainless Steel, Pin Buckle), US$18,200 (Stainless Steel, Expanded), US$17,900 (Titanium, Pin Buckle), US$19,800 (Titanium, Pin Buckle), US$30,600 (18K Red Red Gold, Pin Buckle), US$34,000 (18K Red Gold, Dedge)
Sail-canvas: US$16,700 (Stainless Steel, Pin Buckle), US$18,200 (Stainless Steel, Expanded), US$17,900 (Titanium, Pin Buckle), US$19,800 (Titanium, Pin Buckle), US$30,600 (18K Red Red Gold, Pin Buckle), US$34,000 (18K Red Gold, Deployer)
Bracelet: USD 19,500 (Stainless Steel), USD 21,100 (Titanium)
