What time is it? Watches and horology

Ha. Ouch.

And such an original design too.

When was the last time you saw a fifty fathoms on somebody's wrist? At least its a homage to an unusual watch.

I'd even take it a bit further. Its miles nicer looking than an any fifty fathom models from the last 15 years or so and costs £13k less. Whats not to like?

That said, I sold mine. Just didn't get on with the case shape on my wrist.

I just find it boring.

The reason you don’t see Fifty Fathoms on people’s wrists is because they’ve never made many and they’ve always been expensive. It’s still a very famous and well known design. Strong rumours that it could be the next Swatch collab after the Moonswatch - they admitted they already made a prototype of it.

Don’t disagree that the Helson actually looks better than the modern FFs, and definitely in a better size.

It is boring, granted, it’s nice to buy a reasonably affordable watch that a decent homages to the FF, especially now in 38mm with a better L2L.

I mean I find the homage thing boring.

Like the Tudor BB58.

Lovely, would love a vintage daytona one day but at 60k ish i dont know if that will ever happen.

The answer... Seagull!? 😁 (£100)

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That’s a bit like this …..
I mean I’ve always wanted an F40.

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Altho does look a bit like an Omega...

The Chinese copies are actually pretty good. 🤣

Think Blancpain, other than the original Fifty Fathoms and No Rad edition, are sooooo forgettable. 90% of their catalogue is trash.

Grumpy Monday.

Hard agree. Fell in love with the vintage and wanted to own a more recent one. An original is just too spendy to be bought and worn. Its a collectors piece imho. After looking in Blancpain windows for years I finally realised that all of their newer modes are actually quite rubbish looking.

This is why I liked the idea of the Helson so much. Its cheap, wearable and better looking than the newer ones. Tbh, there is an argument that its a better looking watch than the vintage one too. While I do really appreciate it, its not a watch I'd want to see on my wrist from day to day. If I owned one it'd sit in my watch box and never be worn.

In that way the Helson is a true homage. Not a copy. Its an updated improvement imho.

I just don't think the fifty has ever been a stunning watch. IMHO its the historical importance of it that draws attention to it, not the design.

I only like the Bund version for some reason.

Happy sunny Monday!

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So four new straps received on Saturday.

And for sure the out and out winner is the Fostner O type bracelet.

I do like the Vanguard but can't afford to keep both.

I think a leather strap looks a little weird as there is a decent gap between the leather and case.

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Also agree.

The original design is great, big, but great and distinctive. I just think that whoever they have designing the modern interpretations haven't got a solid idea of where to take it.

Looks like everything is pushed right up to the edge, trying to get off the dial, with huge gaps in the middle and horrible composition. Some of the more complicated movements and finishing on those movements looks good but most of the dials look closer to fashion watches when you see them in person.
I'd genuinely want to know what their sales figures are, at an average of £10k and up with the competition at that price point, surely they're not getting a look in.

As you say, the Helson looks better and has all that good core DNA. Not that I could afford one, but I wouldn't buy one if I could because I don't respect the brand at the end of the day. I don't respect where they've taken it and what little they done to elevate it, Blancpain that is.

We all know that AP ride the majority of their success on one watch but at least their iterations are refined and classy.

Blancpain is a straight up mess.

Some optical illusion going on in that first image! Looks like your skin from underneath or some sort of wooden accents on the dial.

The Forstner one looks decent, I'm quite keen on getting one of those. Been keeping an eye out for a second hand one but nothing doing.

For the rubber straps, AliExpress is full of Black Bay ones. I got this for about a tenner.

Found this Seiko M154-4019 T at my family home. It belonged to my granddad who passed away some 8 years ago now. I don't recall him wearing it but he did enjoy a garish gold watch! Chucked a new battery in it and voilà! The year function only goes up to 2009 so naturally I've left on 1970.

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Lol actually my smallest skull ring

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Anyway watches. Got to try one of these on at the airport on the way home tonight. Quite fun in person.

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Boss.

Ah, not an illusion, that’s the lampshade ;-)

edit: its quite an accurate reflection...

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I was on the lookout for ages too, but no go.

This is a belated Christmas gift from the boss. We took back a jumper the other week and she kindly exchanged the funds for strap.