Anomalies of "SWISS" Milspec Dials

In its past Blancpain has created a number of iconic dial variations we now have become appreciative of and allowed collectors a reason to chase. Separated mainly into several categories including the early RI, 3/6/9/12, No Radiation, and Milspecs. And within each category, there are numerous variations, each with minimal differences in dial contrast. Rolex collectors have long debated the reason behind Rolex's meaning of SWISS and Double SWISS and for them it intertwines with the underline dial and year 1963. Although there are no hard facts explaining exactly the reason but it is public agreement that it was a transitional piece to signify the use or switchover to Tritium.

Unfortunately, Blancpain has very little documented records and near impossible to date. I have seen the same exact Double SWISS configuration on both a 28xx serial and a 45xx serial case most recently and it is apparent that case serials this far apart were not manufactured in the same year range. An assumption is that Blancpain produced a number of a casebacks in the same era beginning in the 14xx serial to early 5xxx serial with a number of dials and variations and put them together not based on serials but what they had in stock, hence we see these different variations in a sporadic range of serials. Also, may help explain why we see some 3/6/9/12 have matte cases and some polished.

So far I know of two different models of Double SWISS variation. One is the Lower SWISS and the other is the Upper SWISS. The Lower SWISS has the "SWISS" marking right underneath the 6 o'clock marker and the Upper SWISS has the marking right above the 6 o'clock and beneath the moisture indicator. In both models, they have another "SWISS" marking on the lip of the dial.

In comparison to Rolex, we can conclude that for Blancpain it is certainly not for the same reason as Rolex's use of Double SWISS. All of these Milspec dials were still produced with radium even with the double marking. It was not only until the No Radiation and later "civilian" Milspec models where they began using Tritium dials. It will be interesting for those who have a geiger counter to test out the radium levels of each dial. But even with the dial changed to tritium, it is not to fool collectors that the watch is radioactive free. The bezel still is radium strong! 

This is an example of a Milspec dial you normally see on early Milspec variations.

Above is the second variation of the SWISS word placement. Visually, you can see the difference where SWISS is inside the chapter ring and right beneath the 6 o'clock marker. There is also another SWISS wording on the outside of the chapter ring, which is hidden by the rehaut. 

Here is a better picture to demonstrate the Double Lower SWISS dial configuration. Because the outside SWISS wording is right on the rim of the dial, it is most often covered up when on the watch. 

The last configuration I have come across is the Upper SWISS configuration. Also not often seen, the wording is placed right above the 6 o'clock marker and beneath the moisture indicator. 

Finally at the end of the radium dial Milspec production, it is noted that dials were switched from radium to tritium dials. All "civilian" Milspecs are seen with this variation and with some early Fifty Fathoms containing this dial. Questionably, I wonder if those are original to the watch. Anyways, it is apparent that the later dials had a smaller circumference chapter ring along with "T<25" marked on the dial, signifying the use of tritium. 

Of course, there still remains many other anomalies even just with the Milspec variation, but these are the ones I have noticed with the SWISS marking. 

Double Take....better than one!

What's better than one TR?....of course 2 of the rarest Military watches in the world!

FOUND: A Blancpain treasure with Military Provenance

I've recently had the pleasure of obtaining a great 12/3/6/9 Aqua Lung from the original owner who was a Master Sargent in the US Air Force and helped explore the idea of pararescue on their squad!! Like one of my close friend's piece and interestingly enough, this also has a Microbille case versus the much more commonly seen polished case. But compared to his, this has a rather different and unique crown: being the larger crown seen on later No Radiation Fifty Fathom models but is microbille like the rest of the case. Importantly, it also has a 55xx case making me speculate that these all contained microbille cases within the very limited serial range. In addition to the piece, Richard Pambrun, the original owner and an accomplished MSgt of the military, included a narrative of his time in the military and how the Blancpain came into his life....very cool story!! He even states how that crack in the bezel at the 12 o'clock came about in the narrative so just wanted to share with you all Richard's life story. So I'll leave it to the words of the hero himself to tell you the story. 

The BEAUTY of BLANCPAIN MILSPECS

(Early Gilt MilSpec 1, Tornek-Rayville TR900, & Civilian Milspec)

Blancpains first produced its most iconic model ever, the Fifty Fathoms, in 1953. Along with Rolex and recognized for designing the very first diver's timepiece, Blancpain eventually led to a much different fate than Rolex as the company ended in bankruptcy during the fad of the quartz movements in the early 70's. Fortunately, the company was later revived in the 1983 and it's popularity has continued to rise. 

Although Blancpain produced many special watches, some of their most unique and limited timepieces were the Milspec variations, all with the moisture indicator located right above the 6 o'clock marker. Amazingly, there was functionality to this design as the indicators changed color with the moisture in the air. These were designed mainly for military use but a number of them also were sold as "civilian" models sold to the general public. Few have survived the time and these are considered extremely collectible today.

A number of different dial variations have been produced for the the Milspec but all consist of a microbille casing. Some had a hacking movement but then some did not. Also noticeable details have been the different crowns seen upon different models and some even have lug holes and others have fixed bars. Some even have TR hands on their Blancpain models!! Similar to Rolex, you never know what you'll discover on your Blancpain making these that much more desirable and collectible!! 

WRUW FRIDAY....a true American military piece

Wearing this uber rare TR900 this week ;)

The MOST ELUSIVE Zenith Daytona of them all.

To many the Rolex Daytona SS 116520 is the most sought after and difficult to source piece in the current lineup but the truth is, they are no longer as in demand as in the past due to the economic crisis. The collectivity factor for SS Daytonas essentially stemmed from the Zenith Daytonas. Before the Zeniths were the Val Joux movement plexi Daytonas and today command a high valuation among them. But at that time, they were a flop for Rolex; they had lots of trouble selling them and appealing to the public. Thus, when the release of the Zenith Daytona came along, Rolex produced a very low number of them especially in the beginning to prevent excess inventory and the same error they made on the prior models. At times, many AD's had trouble obtaining them and in some cases, waiting lists were as long as 7 years. As we all understand the theories of supply vs. demand, there was of course and excess shortage of supply and high demand. And as demand grew, so did the value and reputation of the SS Daytona in the watch world.

But as the newest models became more easily accessible to customers, the demand for them has also declined. Today, many collectors prefer the Zenith Daytona's over the in-house movement. In addition, I believe the dials both black and white represent a much more aesthetically pleasing dial. The color contrast between the dial and sub dials are just gorgeous and simple. I have personally gone through a number of Zenith Daytonas myself and are still one of my most favorite Daytonas ever made. 

The Zenith Daytonas were produced for a little over a decade and during this time there are a range of dials variations that made them very collectible with the mid-90's and later versions on the lower end of the spectrum. The very early models such as the Floating Cosmo, 4-liners, Patrizzis, and Arabic dials are considered the most collectible and valuable of the bunch. But within the bunch, the most elusive and valuable of them all would be the Porcelain 16520 Daytona. These were only produced for a very short period of time and extremely rare.

The R-series being the first of the Zenith's, the porcelains were only produced only at the very beginning of the R-series. Estimates have been estimated about 50-100 pieces ever produced. Of course these are only estimates as Rolex never releases production numbers. But several well known international collectors have stated these numbers. The dial was actually layered with a coating that made the dial look "porcelain" and letters were printed on top of the coating. This made the font and print almost looking floating in mid air when examined closely. In addition, the black font almost looks darker and more vibrant than the regular production dials. The intention of Rolex producing the porcelain was because it made the watch look more appealing when photographing. But after a very short period of production, the process proved to costly to produce and they switched back to the traditional dials without the porcelain layer. 

Over time, the Porcelain 16520 is considered to many as the "Holy Grail" of Zenith Daytonas and there is good reason to that claim. Values of these have remained extremely high and I see it continuing to hold their values for the future. 

MIDDLE OF THE MONTH WEAR...5.15.2012

My latest addition to my recent Vintage Blancpain addiction!! It's the class No Radiation Aqua Lung produced in the mid '60s.