Blancpain Fifty Fathoms - parts of the family (Part 3)

Fifty Fathoms – Concept 2000

Based on the Trilogy, but with:

·         Steel and rubber bracelets – links of steel and fiberglass-reinforced rubber. Enduring yet utterly stylish bracelets provide exceptional suppleness and wearing comfort.
(Those have been changed after some years, because the former ones caused some problems with the rubber. Never heart about problems with the later ones)

·         Steel and rubber bezel – framing and enhancing the bezel figures, rubber also provides a more comfortable grip on the bezel´s ribbed rim

·         Steel and rubber push pieces and crown – softer and more pleasant to the touch. Improved handling ease and all-round protection

Introduced: 1999

Case diameter: 40.3mm

Movements: same as the brothers from the Trilogy collection

Ref. 2200 Fifty Fathoms

 2200-6530-66 (ST & black rubber, black dial)

2200-4430-44 (PT & black rubber, black dial, LE 10) 

 2200 (WG & blue rubber, blue dial, LE 10) 

Ref. 2250 GMT 24

2250-6530-66 (ST & black rubber, black dial) 

 2250 (WG & blue rubber, blue dial, LE 10) 

Ref. 2285F Air Command

Those are water-resistant to 200 meters, as you can see at the dials.

 2285F-6530-66 (ST & black rubber, black dial)

2285F (WG & blue rubber, blue dial, LE 10) 

If somebody asked me what I think is missing in the Fifty Fathoms family:

Well, I could imagine a FF Bathyscaphe with a “simpler” caliber 1315, case diameter 42mm and a price tag about € 7K. From my point of view, those should sell very well. Some nice vintage Bathyscaphe designs have been done in the past and could be used for inspiration …

For example:

 

 Final conclusion

Both series have never been part of the regular collections (LeBrassus, Villeret, Leman), at least Blancpain assigned them under Specials. The movements used have been the same as available in the Villeret and Leman line and those are so called Ultra-Slim movements. They are more luxury than tool watches. Personally I never had any trouble with mine, but for sure the outstanding reliability/toughness of the latest development – caliber 1315 – is hard to beat for the older ones. The FF Sports collection chronographs (introduced in 2007 and later) still use the same “old” movement – caliber F185. It was claimed to be “The World´s First Women´s Flyback Chronograph” – thickness: 5.5mm; diameter: 26.2mm. Nothing is wrong with the movement and I like it a lot, but does it fit into a 45mm sports watch? Final judgement is up to the buyer. Personally I would have preferred a later introduction of the new FF Sports chronographs, with a new developed movement.

Trilogy & Concept 2000 watches are out of production for some years, but still can be found NOS (seldom, but possible) and are not that difficult to find in the second market – at least in steel. From my observations, some of the “Beginner´s” start with one of those watches – these days. Recently the Fifty Fathoms “bug” gets stronger and because of the rarity of high-quality vintage pieces and the big size/price of the latest one, more people are getting interested and prices increase (slightly). Back in 1998/99 the all steel Fifty Fathoms was too heavy for my taste and therefore two watches of the Concept 2000 line have been my daily companions for several years. The superior finish and the design is still one of my favourites.

This report was prepared based on my collected knowledge and my personal experiences. Credit for some of the knowledge and pictures goes to Blancpain, the internet (forums, blogs, …), brochures, catalogues, books, but I can´t name them all - sorry. I don´t claim to be correct in all the details and would appreciate it to get better/more detailed ones.

Let me close with some personal pictures: