Help me decide - Blancpain FF No Rad or Rolex Hulk
Finally, the time has come to tick off the grail box in the diver category of my collection, and replace my trusty Oris Aquis. The choice is down to the titled two, and I'm not entertaining any other options. I've tried both on, both look and fit absolutely fantastic, and at a roughly the same price (brand new hulk/slightly used Blancpain in near perfect condition), I've found myself in kind of a state of paralysis re making the final call.
Please let me know your thoughts gang, and preferably some for/against arguments on both. I'm planning to pull the trigger by mid next week. Both choices are fine watches, and I like them both for different reasons, with hardly any arguments against either that I can think of, which makes this choice all the more difficult.
🇨🇦 I have been into watches since I was a kid, started my collection in 2016, at 27, and have been working towards my Perfect 10 watch box since.
I'd go with the Fifty Fathoms. I like the overall design much better, with a full minute track on the bezel and "no radiation" on the dial.
Hulk 💥 for me. Great sunburst dial & for me something extra special. Now I think Blancpain is probably a step up in the horological ladder. Yet I find the no rad symbol a bit ‘tacky’.
IMO, a lot of choices in that price range... I like German.
BP if it were my choice. No contest.
Blancpain personally. No contest.
I love them both so it's like telling me which foot you want to shoot yourself in😂😂😂
Unfortunately (for me, haha), I can’t give any real-world experience with either. I imagine you can’t go wrong with either, both looks like fine watches. That said, the design language of the Fifty has never really spoke to me, so given both options I’d pick the Hulk. Good luck and congrats either way! 🍻
Blancpain
Hulk
HULK💪🏼
Fifty Fathoms all day.
FF
By default, the Hulk. The No Radiation logo ruins an otherwise great dial
I'd go with the Fifty Fathoms. I like the overall design much better, with a full minute track on the bezel and "no radiation" on the dial.
That’s what my heart tells me as well, but being a Rolex collector and a fanboy 😅 that hulk introduces doubt into that otherwise pure love for FF No Rad
I would go with the Rolex because I really like the color way.
The fifty would be my pic. A lot more left field than the Rolex & you are far less likely to get questions about it’s authenticity that wearing a Rolex can sometimes bring (from laymen)
Plus the 50 is really a piece you buy to impress you - the rollie is a bit of a status symbol / victim of flex culture.
Ps: not hating on Rolex - I love them too.
IMO, a lot of choices in that price range... I like German.
This option has been thoroughly considered - I tried on this Glashutte, as well as a couple more divers I’ve been interested in. It’s nice, but doesn’t do it for me enough to spend the money. That being said though, I do like German watches as well, and there is a slot in my watchbox reserved for a traditional bauhaus style German watch. So far that spot is likely to be used for a Dornbluth & Sohn.
Brand new Hulk? Go for it and wear it with pride. Not to be a Rolex fanboy or anything but a Hulk is something special alright.
Also, because I just love tweaking people (sorry @brunofrankelli! 😛) you do you buy (and wear) what you like.
*runs away from that angry guy*
Ill add a vote for a Fifty Fathoms
The fifty would be my pic. A lot more left field than the Rolex & you are far less likely to get questions about it’s authenticity that wearing a Rolex can sometimes bring (from laymen)
Plus the 50 is really a piece you buy to impress you - the rollie is a bit of a status symbol / victim of flex culture.
Ps: not hating on Rolex - I love them too.
I agree. I do like Rolex, got the gmt2 and explorer1, but was actually looking to break out of the Rolex box (Rolex is 33% of my collection but 66% $ value). Idea to get an FF came out of a rebellious desire not to get a Sub as a my main diver:)
I would say, as best as possible, isolate your decision from any kind of dialogue around either watch. It’s not a grail watch, it’s your grail watch. Ask yourself, which watch do you personally think looks nicer. Which watch would mean more to you. Which story or aesthetic or other compelling feature speaks to you. And if nobody would ever know which watch you purchased, which would you reach for and put on your wrist.
I’m not implying that you make decisions for others, just acknowledging that each watch has so much reverence, history, and discussion surrounding each, it’s only natural to factor that part in. Either are truly fantastic pieces. Go with your heart! 🤙🍻
By default, the Hulk. The No Radiation logo ruins an otherwise great dial
FF Barakuda is virtually the same without the no rad logo. I like the No Rad as I think it’s more relevant as a collector’s piece with the history behind it.
I love them both so it's like telling me which foot you want to shoot yourself in😂😂😂
My predicament exactly:) damned if do damned it you don’t
The no radiation is classic and timeless. There are also fewer pieces of the no radiation. For those reasons the Blancpain it an easy choice for me.
This "no radiation" logo is a bit funny. I would go with the Hulk !
Fifty Fathoms
Sub for me, though the green is a bit hard to color match with the rest of the outfit. If it’s not the only watch then probably not a major problem.
Fifty Fathoms doesn’t do it for me design-wise. I tend to pick pieces where the design speaks to me firstly.
It’s not a easy decision to make 🤣🤣🤣 i’ll pick FF first and hulk later 🤣🤣🤣
Look at it this way…if you want to impress people, get the Rolex. If you want to impress watch enthusiasts, get the Blancpain. Not saying either is your goal, I’m just saying 🤓