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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Blancpain‘s sponsorship of the Monaco Yacht Show resulted in a variety of annual special editions. It started with versions of the Leman Flyback Chronograph, moved on to the Trilogy Air Command and ended with an edition of the new 45mm Fifty Fathoms Flyback Chronograph. Not all MYS editions have been chronographs, there are a Leman Big Date 2150 and even an Equation Marchante.

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Two Air Command Monaco Y.S.

These two editions are from 2003 and 2004. Based on the Trilogy Air Command, each of the two versions offers distinct elements which separate them from the regular collection.

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They were produced in two sizes: a 40mm mens version and a 36mm ladies timepiece. With the 2003 Air Command MYS they were limited to 150/50 pieces, the 2004 edition had 150 pieces for each size.

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It was typical for the Monaco Y.S. chronographs from all series to feature a two subdial configuration, with no small seconds displayed. The watches were powered by caliber F182, which is of course a variant of the famous F185 with column wheel and vertical clutch.

Both editions come in stainless steel on the well known X-71 bracelet.

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The 2003 edition

To explore this timepiece we take a look at the 40mm version, reference 2285FO-1140M-71.

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The characteristic case and bezel of the Trilogy Air Command remain unchanged, as does the solid case back which here shows the limited edition engraving but shields caliber F182 from view.

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The defining element of the 2003 Air Command MYS is the dial, and what a dial it is!

The dark blue color cannot be found in another Blancpain timepiece, I would describe it as midnight blue. The strong contrast of the red accents creates a quite extrovert look.

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The (unofficial) Monaco flag with red/white lozenges is featured above the date at 6 o’clock, perfectly balanced with the red 12 and the red tips of the small chrono subdial hands.

The multi level dial has the typical sunburst finish in its center and the radial finish of the hour index ring. The date window is neatly placed in that ring, again creating a perfect balance of the dial.

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With the help of AR coating on both sides of the crystal, the view on the dial provides an unobstructed pleasure and the full play of light effect.

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The 2004 edition

Here we take a look at the 36mm watch, reference 2485A-11030-71.

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The 2004 Air Command features a more common black dial, the layout however is changed significantly compared to the typical Air Command look.

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The red/white lozenges flag replaces the 12 o‘clock hour numerals and is therefore featured very prominently on the dial.

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It is balanced with the Monaco Y.S. and Air Command signatures, sitting above the 6 o‘clock date window. The entire layout is wonderfully balanced and harmonious.

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This dial of the 2004 edition is more subtle than it’s predecessor’s, due to color and less red accents. Still it offers a plentiful of visual highlights and the benefit of a very unique dial layout.

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Conclusions

All Monaco Y.S. editions have been beautiful variants of standard collection Blancpain timepieces, and the two Air Command MYS are no exception.

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Made in rather small quantities they are an interesting topic for collectors, they also represent a typical Blancpain theme in the first decade of the new millennium.

The Trilogy Air Command however did not root in the tradition of the famous vintage aviation chronograph from 1958. It shared the name, but it actually qualified more as a Trilogy Fifty Fathoms Chronographe. A true tribute to the vintage icon had to wait until 2019 with the Air Command AC01.

Since Blancpain have just introduced the new Air Command AC03 in 36mm (find the introduction here in the blog), the 36mm Air Command MYS featured in this essay proves that this size can not only be considered a ladies watch but also work absolutely fine for slim male wrists.

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You find the new Air Command AC03 here on the Blancpain website. An overview on the Trilogy series can be found here in the blog.

I hope you enjoyed this Flashback essay and the photos.

Cheers

Henrik