Why don't we talk more about ...... Blancpain?
Blancpain was founded in 1735 by Jehan-Jacques Blancpain. Jehan-Jacques was born in 1693 in Villeret, Switzerland, where he made precision watch parts for other manufacturers from a workshop in his house. Within 12 months, demand was so high that he had to take on several apprentices and move to larger business premises.
He started making exclusive luxury pocket watches, employing local residents and extra staff from outside the area. One famous early customer was King Louis XVI of France, who commissioned a luxury inscribed Blancpain pocket watch in the late 18th century.
The brand's most famous collection is the iconic Fifty Fathoms, widely recognised as the first modern diving watch when launched in 1953. The Blancpain Air Command, also released in the 1950s, was the most important pilots' chronograph of the era.
The most expensive Blancpain model is the ladies' £1 million Blancpain Specialities Tourbillon Diamonds model, boasting a 20-carat diamond.
Blancpain claims to "only manufacture prestigious mechanical timepieces, using the most tried and tested artisanal methods."
My name is Rich and I am building a collection of unique complications. I know it sounds more like the way you start a watch museum and not a personal collection. So far I have a Tourbillion, Retrogra...
Because they refuse to make the fifty fathoms in a reasonable size for most people.
The original 1953 Fifty Fathoms was made in a 41.5 mm case. The current model is 42mm. Just keeping with tradition.
If you can't make the watch fit the wrist, make the wrist fit the watch.
Love Blancpain and the Fifty Fathoms...they are the "other" great watchmaker from Villeret (after Minerva, of course).