Editor’s Note: Just need a quick watch fix? This preview of the new Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tourbillon 8 Jours is a GET TO THE POINT (GTTP) review with all the info you want / need to know QUICK. For our actual hands-on reviews, please head to the dedicated section here. Now let’s get to the point.
What Is It
The new Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tourbillon 8 Jours’ oversized case with beautiful satin brushing frames the gorgeous blue dial, a flying tourbillon — no upper bridge to drive its cage — grandly sits atop at 12, the applied and lume infilled indices and numerals at 3, 6 and 9 along with the hour and minute hands ensure practical legibility, and the 60-minute unidirectional domed sapphire bezel ensures real-world usage, all the while harking to the brand’s dive watch legacy courtesy the 300m water-resistance.
It comes in two variations: the ref. 5025-12B40 (titanium body) retailing for 162’300 AUD/164’400 AUD (based on strap material) or ref. 5025-36B40 (red gold body) retailing for 183’400 AUD.
Basic Specifications of the new Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tourbillon 8 Jours
- 45mm diameter grade 23 titanium or 18ct red gold satin-brushed case
- 14.8mm case thickness
- ~50mm lug-to-lug spacing
- 23mm lug interhorn spacing
- 300m water-resistance
- 192-hours power reserve
- First announced on 03 December 2021
- Titanium version is available with a blue NATO, a sailcloth strap, or a titanium bracelet; the red gold watch comes with a blue NATO or sailcloth strap
The Movement
Inside the new Fathoms Tourbillon 8 Jours ticks the 26.2mm x 4.85mm automatic movement, the Calibre 25C.
The movement features 197 components — the tourbillon complication features 60 parts — and 29 jewels, beats at the lower frequency of 3Hz, provides a super-duper impressive 8-day power-reserve, and is finished with finished with Côtes de Genève and circular graining. Underneath the display sapphire crystal, one can also marvel at the satin-brushed and open-worked gold rotor.
Where To Find The New Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tourbillon 8 Jours
Contact a boutique near you. Watches of Switzerland and Shum’s are two ADs I know of in Sydney who carry Blancpain.
How Does It Do
A study in contrasts, the Tourbillon 8 Jours series was first launched in 2007, and sees the brand mix its iconic dive watch aesthetics with contemporary wizardry.
With the technical complexity on one hand, and sporty dive watch elements evident in the design of the hour-markers, hands and bezel on the other, the new Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tourbillon 8 Jours with 300m water-resistance, especially the lightweight grade 23 titanium version, is set to descend upon your watch collection a timepiece that’s practical and a horological powerhouse.
The previous generation model ref. 5025 1530 52A in white gold featured a power reserve indicator on the dial and a black dial. It was a tad bit cluttered if I may.
One of the best aspects about the new Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tourbillon 8 Jours is that not only the dial colour is now a more versatile and striking sun-ray effect blue, but the power reserve indicator has been removed, allowing for the watch face to breathe.
In my opinion, this less busy dial makes for a more handsome model, that also allows the circular aperture at 12’o clock with the flying tourbillon to bask in the limelight. This is an excellent timepiece that can be rocked with confidence, and a tourbillon that’s more than just for show-off; just be sure to work out those forearms though.
To find out more about this and other Blancpain watches, please head to their website here. All images unless otherwise stated are © 2021 Blancpain SA | Le Rocher 12 | 1348 Le Brassus | Switzerland. All rights reserved.
