greg_r 81 Posted January 22, 2015 I've long been a bit obsessive about the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms. I've done the Seiko FFF thing (blue version, in my case) and had been contemplating building another - but I'd also seriously considered buying a gen FF sometime in the next couple of years. For that reason, I've been holding off on buying the rep. Until now Last week I spotted that digger2 had a thread up in M2M:WTB, wanting to swap his FF for a PAM 382. As it happens, I had two 382s so it seemed like a bit of a no brainer. A few days later and here it is: The FF is one of the more recent super-reps - up there with the Cartier Santos XL, the Breit SOH and some of the recent Panerai models. It looks very close to gen, being beautifully finished and with great lume. The domed / lumed sapphire bezel has always been one of the features that separates this watch from the rest of the traditional dive watches, and it's been well reproduced here. The watch comes on a slightly padded sailcloth strap which certainly looks the part, but feels rather flimsy. I'll have to replace it with something else at some point - a gen strap is a possibility. Will I still save up for the gen? Hmmm... I dunno. I suspect that, with the right strap, this will end up being good enough for me to talk myself out of it. I certainly expect this watch to get a lot of wear. My thanks to digger2 for the trade - it was a real pleasure to do business with him and I hope he enjoys the 382 as much as I'm enjoying the FF! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Realism 72 Posted January 22, 2015 if you buy THE gen... you can join chronomag... and maybe become the admin too Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wqleow 1 Posted January 22, 2015 Now if you ever want to let go of your Seiko FFF mod, my puny wrists will be waiting... Great watch and wear in good health Greg! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RichardMiami 4 Posted January 22, 2015 nicely done! Wear it in good health Greg! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Waipio Jeff 0 Posted January 22, 2015 Greg, Try a Brady Sailcloth strap. Looks like the OEM with much better quality than the rep strap. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg_r 81 Posted January 22, 2015 Greg, Try a Brady Sailcloth strap. Looks like the OEM with much better quality than the rep strap. I already have a couple of Brady straps (there's one on my FFF, the other is on a Sea-Gull 1963 chrono), but the problem is two-fold. Firstly, Brady do not make a strap in the correct width (23mm) and secondly their pre-fitted quick-release springbars don't fit. If I buy a 24mm and remove the bars, I could probably squeeze it to fit, but it's not quite ideal... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cannibal 0 Posted January 22, 2015 VERY nice pick up! I considered this one as the 50th b-day prezzie from my wife, until I got her to get me a Magrette Dual Time (on order). Congrats and wear it well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BentleySharp 0 Posted January 22, 2015 Looks fantastic Greg. Just fantastic. Shiny in all the right spots. Wear it well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pseudonym 0 Posted January 22, 2015 The only option IMO is gen sail cloth with deployant. £200ish but fuck me; it'll be amazing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daywatch 4 Posted January 22, 2015 Congrats on The Blancpain FF. It´s beautifully done in all aspects. The 24mm Brady actually is a perfect fit. The original Brady pin is easily removed with the help of 2 screwdrivers. It doesn´t look "squeezed in" and moves freely:) pic with 24mm Brady Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
341701 0 Posted January 22, 2015 I'm almost there on one of these - looks superb.... Are the ones on offer all from Noob? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sbybbuser 0 Posted January 22, 2015 Anyone know where to get the gen strap for this? Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg_r 81 Posted January 22, 2015 Congrats on The Blancpain FF. It´s beautifully done in all aspects. The 24mm Brady actually is a perfect fit. The original Brady pin is easily removed with the help of 2 screwdrivers. It doesn´t look "squeezed in" and moves freely:) pic with 24mm Brady Cool - thanks for the info. I'll get a strap ordered then Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Del 4,435 Posted January 22, 2015 Very nice indeed! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Member X 91 Posted January 23, 2015 Nice I want a blue one!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pharmo 33 Posted January 23, 2015 Beautiful pick up there G..I am getting very tempted.. Time to get my seiko fff out to keep the cravings away for a while Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Newbie17 44 Posted January 28, 2015 Gorgeous pictures. Blancpain is such a small volume company, I'm impressed such a great super rep exists...but then again, look at the cool factor of that watch... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
watchlvr91 0 Posted January 29, 2015 I love this watch! Can't wait for mine to arrive! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sharkey_lsu 0 Posted April 7, 2015 Why did I click on this link?!! I have been wanting this watch ever since I saw it at the Galleria in Houston for the first time. It is on my list but I have not convinced myself to spend the $460 to purchase one. If you get bored of it and want to give it a new home I would certainly be willing to adopt. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hkbob 0 Posted April 8, 2015 (edited) I have heard so much about this watch !! There are lots of (rep) pictures posted of this watch, but never in blue. I got a blue one coming in the mail soon, will post pictures to share when I get it Edited April 8, 2015 by hkbob Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skipjordan 0 Posted July 15, 2015 Has anybody fitted another replacement strap other than the Brady on their FF? I love my FF but the rep strap that came with it is too short and I am looking for some good options. Having a hard time finding 23mm straps that I think would look great. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wiggindude 0 Posted July 15, 2015 what do you guys think of this? Good price? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Seiko-5-Automatic-Diver-Sports-Watch-SNZH5-FFF-Fifty-Five-Fathoms-USA-Seller/281745220870?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131003132420%26meid%3Dfc39807206c74f98bad511bb61bb5c72%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D171854896691 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stewart 0 Posted July 15, 2015 what do you guys think of this? Good price? http://www.ebay.com/...%3D171854896691 I think it is a great price. If my wife wasn't about to kill me for buying so many watches I would buy it. If you don't like is you could sell it here quick. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
