Flashback: the L‘Evolution Grande Date 8 Jours

The L‘Evolution line of Blancpain was a rather short-lived excursion of the Manufacture into a more expressive and controversial design language. Today I invite you to explore the L‘Evolution Grande Date 8 Jours reference 8850-11B34-53B, let’s look at a large variety of notable details and the overall impression of this timepiece.

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A perfect pair: two Fifty Fathoms No Rad

A friend and fellow enthusiast had the opportunity to establish a significant pair in his collection: his new Fifty Fathoms Tribute to No Rad 5008 was accompanied by its ancestor, the Fifty Fathoms No Rad RPGA1. Let’s take a closer look at these two beauties, on get together took place in late 2021, the second one just a few days ago. In between the FF RPGA1 enjoyed a full service in the Blancpain Vintage Atelier, so we will see a very interesting before and after comparison.

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Flashback: Leman Quantieme Complet 2863

Today let’s take a closer look at another great example of a 40mm Blancpain Leman from the first decade in the 21st century: the triple calendar Leman Quantieme Complet reference 2863-1130. Among other timepieces from that collection the 2863 has captured a special place in the hearts of seasoned Blancpain enthusiasts.

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Revisiting an icon: the Leman Aqua Lung Grande Date

Since I just received my Leman Aqua Lung Grande Date back from a full service by Blancpain in like new condition I thought it would be a good time to honor this signature timepiece with a dedicated blog essay. So let’s get up close and personal with reference 2850B-1130A, made in a quantity of 2005 pieces and introduced 17 years ago.

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Flashback: the 1993 QP Chronographe 5585

Today let’s go back almost 30 years into the early 1990s. Just prior to the launch of various model lines with more contemporary case sizes, the Quantieme Perpetuel Chronographe 5585 was one of the last references building on the aesthetics defined by the famous six masterpieces. Courtesy of a fellow enthusiast I have the pleasure to feature this timepiece, so let’s get up close and personal with it.

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Flashback: the Air Command Monaco Y.S.

During the first decade of the 2000s Blancpain issued annual special editions for the Monaco Yacht Show. Having started with various Leman and ending with 45mm Fifty Fathoms 5085F based editions, the 2203 and 2004 editions had been based on the Trilogy Air Command. Let’s take a closer look at these in two different sizes.

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Flashback: the iconic Flyback 2185F-1130-71

A designated blog post on this timepiece is long overdue: the iconic Flyback 2185F in the stainless steel version on the fabulous X-71 bracelet. Let’s get up close and personal with a timepiece that is just as beautiful today as it was more than a quarter century ago.

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Flashback: the 2100 Ultra Slim

This watch undoubtedly marks a significant milestone in the modern evolution of Blancpain. Introduced in 1994, reference 2100 started what later became the Leman series. Let’s take a look at this timeless watch in it‘s two basic stainless steel versions with black and white dial.

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Flashback: the complicated Leman 2685F

Welcome to the first blog post of 2022, I hope you had a good start into the new year. To kick off 2022 in style, I had the opportunity to capture a timepiece from past collections, and what a marvel it is! Let’s take a very close look at the Leman Chronographe Flyback Quantieme Perpetuel in red gold, reference 2685F-3630-53B.

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Three not overly feminine women’s watches

When it comes to discussing watches in blogs or fora, the segment of highly sophisticated mechanical timepieces for ladies often falls short. That’s an unfortunate fact, especially in the case of Blancpain who have an even longer tradition of mechanical watches for women than of the popular dive watches. So, let’s take a look at three beautiful examples from three decades.

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Pure class: the Villeret Chronographe Monopoussoir

A little more than 15 years ago Blancpain introduced an utterly beautiful timepiece in the Villeret line: the Villeret Chronographe Monopoussoir reference 6185-1546-55 with its beautiful Havana dial. Now that we get closer with it, you will see the many shades of this dial, depending strongly on the light conditions (direct/indirect daylight, direct sun /shade, artificial LED light) to provide the best possible idea of this timepiece.

Villeret Chronographe Monopoussoir 6185
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