I was a sworn Rolex fan for almost 15 years but about a year ago I had enough, way to many people have Rolex watches and a lot of tools wear Rolexes. Dont get me wrong, I still like the brand and love vintage Rolexes. I sold my Day Date ( 18038) and bought a Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, the blue one in titanium and I absolutely love it. It is so different from the stuff that Rolex makes, it is more rare, interesting, has a interesting story and is really well made.
I own 7 vintage Rolexes. From a 1940s dress watch to a 116600 Sea Dweller and everything in between, Subs, Explorers, OPs & DJs etc. Also owned many Seamasters. However recently I bought 2 Swatch FF's. I've since been wearing them in lieu of my entire Rolex collection. Comfort & versatility is the reason I ptefer to wear the Swatches. If I wear a Rolex now it feels too heavy and precious. Unnecessary self gratification
The problem is the name. They should've called it the, "SubSwatch." Also, for Christian to say that $600 would've been a fair price to pay for a disposable watch proves how out of touch with the real world he is. Everything's cheap when you're born with a silver spoon in your mouth.
@Yorkiepoocharlie If you're wasteful and want to spend $600 on a watch that will end up in a landfill, go for it. While you're at it, donate to Trump's legal defense fund too.
@@famimame Too many privileged people too. There once was a time when, if you could spend $600 on a watch, it would be your only watch, and you would treasure it forever. Now we live in a throw-a-way culture and influencers look down on anyone who doesn't "flex," be it cars, watches, the list is endless.
@@davidhunternyc1 I agree. $600 is a lot of money to spend on a plastic watch. But then again, why does it surprise you that they think $600 is not a lot? These are the same people who spend over $10k on a Rolex. Both are wastes of money if you really think about it. You can buy a nice Casio digital watch for $30. And you can buy a nice mechanical watch for $500. Anything else is vanity
You can get a hefty price reduction on a 50 Fathoms at retail, which puts it closer to a Rolex Sub. Which is great, but also sends the wrong message re Blancpain's inherent "value", when compared to its competitors.
Christian nailed it. You are paying a premium for a Swatch because of the IP of iconic designs from Omega and now Blancpain. You allow consumers to own a share of that IP at entry level price point. That has to have some intrinsic value. All the haters seem to completely miss that point.
The more I watch you two, the more I appreciate the lack of toxicity and love of horology and deep knowledge base you two have. Truly appreciating the content.
The only sad thing about all of this is that its encouraging the Swatch Group to go in the direction of creating millions of disposable/ plastic landfills instead of improving the marketing on their existing excellent brands. It's fun and all at first... but it quickly gets dark the more you think about it.
It would have been nice if they had made the cases from plastic waste found in the five oceans. Plus a certain percentage from all sales going to protection of marine life etc.
If I get the Pacific Ocian Scuba fifty fathoms (yello and black). I then want a Breguet X Swatch Type X (the flieger style chrono). In bright yellow, to go with my MoonSwatch to the Sun 😂😂😂
And here is everything wrong with the watch 'hobby' in one video. All these 'enthusiasts' will tell you that the thing that matters most in a watch is the movement, the brand heritage, the craftsmanship and quality of materials and that some 17 year old kid buying a Guess or Michael Kors watch that he likes is making a big mistake buy purchasing one. They'll convince you buying a DW is the equivalent of flushing your retirement money away regardless if you like it or not but then the same people will turn around and tell you a $400 plastic watch with terrible craftsmanship, cheap crystal that scratches, a disposable movement that cannot be serviced and a band made from recycled sea garbage which will inevitably find its way back into the sea is excellent and way too cheap just because it has 'Blancpain' written on the dial. To anyone watching this video, don't worry about heritage and/or movement thinking buying something recommended by an 'enthusiast' is more refined or a sign of good taste - just buy what you like and can afford without putting yourself into debt/ a bad financial situation. The same people who look down on an automatic $200 Armani watch with an original design are the same people lapping up the cash grab that is the Swatch x Blancpain hype. Very few in this 'hobby' truly care about an actual good timepiece and will buy whatever is hyped up in the moment. That or these guys are being paid handsomely by Swatch to make this video or they're really just trying to suck up to the brand that hard hoping to get exclusive access in the future. There is honestly no worse way to spend $400 than on this watch and everyone lining up to get these would not even think twice about making this purchase if the word 'Blancpain' wasn't written on the face and this is a fact. If you're a person looking to get into watches - get what you like don't feel pressured by the pretentious people who will convince you they know better about timepieces than you do. They don't.
Bingo! How can one take any of these people seriously. It was the same nonsense with the MoonSwatch. All of the details that were so important when choosing a decent timepiece were conveniently ignored because Omega was printed on the dial.
I've learned that you can't please everyone in this hobby. Wear a cheap watch and collectors look down on you. Wear an expensive watch and get hate from collectors that envy you and call you a snob. I've been in both camps. The advice is to buy and wear what you like but don't listen to the outside noise. Do your own research and educate yourself before spending your hard earned money. Instead of buying a cheap watch perhaps buy some good books or watch auction catalogs
@@oysterman962 I never really understood why this is called a 'hobby' either. If you're someone that mods watches, builds movements, makes straps/bracelets, appraises timepieces that's something you could consider a hobby but to simply be a consumer does not make you a hobbyist. All you're doing is spending money on a consumer good. Does that make people who buy random snacks they don't need to survive while getting groceries 'hobbyists' as well? Don't fall for the consumption hype. Companies will keep finding ways to get people to spend money on more and more consumption. The least we can do is call a spade a spade and realise a $400 made in China plastic watch with a disposable movement and nylon band is a rip off.
This is one of favorite channels. My issues with these price points on Swatch moonswatch/fiftyfsthoms is that it’s inexcusable to have poor quality at this price point when Casio and Seiko have been delivering excellent quality for years at a fraction of the price. That said, I agree that this will in all probability bolster Blancpain sales. I would also add that as someone who owns many Omegas and a few Blancpains, I don’t believe the issuances of these watches depreciates or detracts from the main brand.
It is fast fashion for watches. Plenty of brands out there that make cheap stuff that only last a few months - and yes, they make a big profit. That’s not an excuse to add to the global rubbish heap in 2023.
Agree. Kids lining up for the Swatch are wearing sneakers worth more than this watch. Sneakers and clothes are certainly not made to last 2 seasons let alone the style will be out of fashion after just one season. And the sneakers aren't 91 meters water proof.
No it shouldnt be more expensive. People think they are getting a cheap Blancpain when in reality they are getting an expensive swatch. A swatch that you cannot even service so when it breaks you hurned 400$. The moonswatch is trash but hey at least you can replace the battery.
Exactly. The materials suck, the design isn't new, Swatch limits production and forces people to stand in line for marketing hype and a dopamine hit. For $400, buy a stainless Seiko quartz and call it a day.
The Mad Watch Collector did a video that nicely points out this watch's failings. It's hermetically sealed, it would have to be broken open to service it, which is nuts. This watch IS an overpriced toy. I'd rather buy a second-hand Hamilton or Seiko.
The normal System 51 watches are Hermatically sealed , the blancpain Swatch models all have pressed fit caseback as I think he’s called watchchris pointed out because he got hands on one of the models. So the movement could be taken out and changed. A lot of people on the internet got that wrong
I've been trying to get a straight answer on this for days now. It's interesting, a typical product review always covers these sort of details so the viewer can determine whether it's worth the asking price. I've watched every "all you need to know" video on TH-cam and there's no mention of this in any of them.
No it cannot be. The Mad Watch Collector covered this in his video, but long story short - you'd need to break the caseback to get to the movement at which point you have a broken watch. Once the movement is gone, it's gone. Don't worry though! The 'bioceramic' case will fall apart before the movement does!
So far the collabs have been smart - bringing iconic watches to a younger audience / lower price point. I'm a big fan of Glashutte Original (own one) but don't think they quite fit the bill here. If it hadn't been for the FF, I would have expected another Omega collab, maybe Seamaster (e.g. a BondSwatch). Longines maybe but the price differential from the swatch to 'real' version is a lot less.
I own a seaQ and I can't recommend it enough. It's perfection. I'd be surprised if they did Glashutte Original because it's more unknown than blancpain. If they did do a collab, I think it would be with a dressy watch instead
I was curious with the MoonSwatch but good these were not available otherwise I would have almost certainly bought at least one. I had time to think and I shall not buy one as it is pretty expensive for what it is. Now we have the SwatchBlancpain Fifty Fathoms and it is priced at $400… No chance I buy it as the Swatch Scuba are sooo much cheaper and pretty much the same thing… Not buying one of each of these these I saved myself around $700… I could buy a nice Hamilton field watch for that and if I put more I get one in titanium…
Hamilton are junk. The crown on my Khaki field watch just broke off from a routine winding. They're not worthy of the Swiss made moniker. Probably just scraping it in at the legal limit of 60% Swiss made with Chinese components. I bought 2 Swatch FFs and I can tell you that the 100% machine made & regulated movement is just as precise and reliable as any so called mid tier Swiss made brand. I'm happy to pay $400 for it to wear under the 2 year warranty period. If anything QC or mechanical related happened to it I know Swatch will just give me a new for old replacement. Where as Hamilton wanted a 6 week inspection with forms and postage agreements before they even considered repair under warranty. No thanks. I'll happily pay $400 to avoid the headaches. Also let me emphasize that a watch that can be repaired or serviced by hand is never going to be as reliable as a machine. For example I had a friend who took his Rolex Submariner to the Rolex Service Center for a routine 5 year maintenance. It had to be returned to RSC after the crystal fogged up, meaning the watch was not waterproofed properly. Then the 2nd time he got it back the watch was out of the chronometer accuracy rating. 6 months later he received his watch back and they friggin polished it!!!
I genuinely don't understand how you can say the Fifty Fathoms is better than the sub? The sub is more accurate, much more wearable, way thinner, has better bezel action, one of the best bracelets in the game, a great clasp, better more documented and photographed history, and is obviously way more versatile. Not to mention has longer service intervals, has better shock resistance, and is amagnetic. Platinum coated bezel white gold lume plots and hands. 11.9 mm thick. The only objective thing better about the fifty fathoms is its 120-hour power reserve, but other than that, I'm genuinely curious. In what ways is the fifty fathoms better? More expensive and way bigger for sure, but better... how?
Saying $600 for a plastic watch seemed ok is insanity to me! But I know you are coming at watches from a different angle than most. I love the 50 fathoms design and it's one of the next homage watches I'm making (I'm currently making a 70's Seiko/submariner homage) but using that awful movement and that material and sticking a $400 price on it is truly awful, the Moonswatch was a unabashed cash grab success but just look at the quality of those watches! If you wore it, it fell apart! I think in the long run it won't help the 50 fathoms one bit :( . Great show as usual!
I just don't understand how the Swatch group can price this higher than their own quartz PRX. In what world is this a better buy than a quartz PRX? There are just so many really cool watches around this price point from Seiko, Tissot, Hamilton, CWC, etc that I can't imagine ever recommending this to anybody. Yes they will sell, but does that mean we should be excited about them?
Tbh I don't think these are being marketed to target someone looking for their first good watch. In that case, def buy the Tissot prx or something of better quality. It's for either non watch people who find it fun and want to rock something outside of their iPhone watch or watch enthusiasts who already have plenty of watches and just want something fun with a little taste of the Blancpain design.
I would actually say that the Swatch x Blancpain is overpriced. The price her in Europe is 390 euro. You can buy a Sistem51 with steelcase and leather strap for around 200 euro here. And I doubt the plastic BP is more expensive to produce. So if you think about that it seems overpriced. Cause Swatch don't need to put that much effort into the design on it either. But we can hope that more people will go buy the original FF.
The MoonSwatch elevated Speedmaster sales because both the bio ceramic and original Omega versions are reasonably priced. Also for a chronograph they have no competition for the price point. But Who is going to fork out $15k for a real FF? They can't compete with a Sub or Seamaster for status and value. And 45mm size is too gigantic. Blancpain need to get their act together.
that's why I love you guys and appreciate your content! thank you for the very rational analysis and not cry about what others cry about. of course you pay for the brandname with the design, come one😅but the pricing is fair imo for what it is (a swatch version of a legendary, traditional horology classic)
Hi this is random but I’ve been watching this channel for a good number of years now and I’ve always wondered who is Theo and Harris named after or how did it get its name
First I thought this MoonSwatch thing is genius move, but it turned out for me as a Marketing Desaster. Waiting in the cold and could not get a watch. Completely unorganized. Now I do not want one anymore, choose a SKINNAVY from Swatch instead. Now they are going after reputation of the Fifty Fathoms Reputation from Blancpain Reputation. Financial success is one thing, but what about reputation and keeping the legacy. I am out of any Fifty Fathoms wishes (saving a lot) - maybe a plastic Breguet is the next scoop - or a plastic Lange / Patek? Greetings from Germany
I have 2 different AliExpress moonswatches. One is a good 1:1 copy with the color being a shade off. But I love it. And then I got the $5 version with painted dials. And those are my favorites. 😂
I want to love these Swatch releases. But everything I’ve seen shows that the quality is lacking. People complain about Seikos that are better at the same price. But somehow these Swatch releases gets free pass just because they are co-branded with a heritage brand. I don’t get it.
Without a doubt Blancpain makes incredible watches. Why aren’t you making more, like Mil-Spec Fifty Fathom homages so we all can enjoy? So your fans can enjoy without now having to pay 2x and 3x MSRP. We support your brand and you crap on us. 😂 A Fifty Fathoms Mil-Spec doesn’t need to beautiful finishing on its movement. Just make it and sell it and we’ll love you for it, FFS. 😅
Looking at the list of companies owned by Swatch I struggle to see where they go next. My money is on another Omega. Unless they think a Jacquet Droz Swatch will be a big hit - haha
Is the non serviceable plastic dive watch with the non serviceable automatic movement better than the non serviceable plastic chronograph watch with the non serviceable quartz movement? Yes. Either way, you're still buying a disposable plastic toy. Enjoy your Happy Meal prize.
Nice, I’ve mainly done Submariner style & Tudor style Seiko mods. Only recently I did a stealth AP Royal Oak, which was a nightmare, ‘cause the movement didn’t stay in the movement holder; in the end I had to tape the movement stuck with dial tags. Anyway, do you have link to this 50 fathoms Seiko mod?
I think if they're gonna continue to do this they have to hit the three tool watch types. They did racing with the speedmaster, diver in the fifty fathoms, now complete the collection with a pilots watch. I would think Longines on that one, but anything's possible.
A brilliant move to get the Blancpain name into the zeitgeist. Really no downside here, if you weren't considering one as a watch enthusiast before you certainly aren't now but non watch enthusiasts who have never heard of the brand might consider it in the future.
@@shahzebnasir4692not many spend 15-20k on one of the first watches they ever own in their life, they build up. And when they’re able to spend 15-20k, they may also still appreciate wearing something fun that they don’t need to worry about wearing out
I woke up early on Saturday to see the hype and potential chaos here in Dallas. I had no intentions of buying one. To my surprise, I was one of the first 50 in line. Thus, since I had the opportunity, I bought one. As a watch collector/enthusiast, why would I pick blue or white? Swatch is about fun and colors. Thus I picked the green Indian Ocean.
Swatch has in its collection full steel auto for £200. So £340 for a plastic one is basically paying for the design. I am a watch geek and I see £340 as stretching it. But more than that? It would be ridiculous. These watches are great to bring people into collecting. But once they go over a price point, it doesn't make sense anymore.
do you guys really think to quote you both...it was a massive success to the point people were stabbed? a global phenomina? id think you could have atleast been a bit more tactful[sensative] im sure being stabbed isnt successful...?
For claiming to care about the oceans by mass-producing a disposable plastic watch… this collab is borderline criminal and simply unforgivable. I don’t inherently hate this release but the sistem51 not being serviceable is comical and insincere.. dare I say even more disrespectful to mechanical watches than quartz. For the simple fact that sistem51 is not serviceable, this is a hard pass. It’s a “fun” watch and interesting collab, yes, but at $400 and disposable it is a scam. I can forgive plastic, I can’t forgive wasteful. Even if down the road a work-around is made to actually service these things… out of principle alone I don’t think I’ll indulge. I would actually prefer a quartz with a replaceable battery over a mechanical with an inevitable/random lifespan and I can’t help but feel like Swatch/Blancpain did this knowing very well that a serviceable mechanical movement in the watch would be “too good” and actually begin to undercut or devalue the real 50 fathoms… yes despite being in completely different category.
I'll never understand why there would actually be any demand for these overhyped cheap plastics when you can get better and REAL entry level watches for the same price/value. But I guess that's exactly it, people are just buying HYPE and not exactly the product.
I was a sworn Rolex fan for almost 15 years but about a year ago I had enough, way to many people have Rolex watches and a lot of tools wear Rolexes. Dont get me wrong, I still like the brand and love vintage Rolexes. I sold my Day Date ( 18038) and bought a Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, the blue one in titanium and I absolutely love it. It is so different from the stuff that Rolex makes, it is more rare, interesting, has a interesting story and is really well made.
I own 7 vintage Rolexes. From a 1940s dress watch to a 116600 Sea Dweller and everything in between, Subs, Explorers, OPs & DJs etc. Also owned many Seamasters. However recently I bought 2 Swatch FF's. I've since been wearing them in lieu of my entire Rolex collection. Comfort & versatility is the reason I ptefer to wear the Swatches. If I wear a Rolex now it feels too heavy and precious. Unnecessary self gratification
50 Fathoms has always been my favorite dive watch. What a gorgeous simple design.
One fathom=six feet
50 fathoms=300 feet
300 feet=91 meters
"But if you do it in moondust gold..." Michael, you've really grown on me 😂
A plastic unserviceable piece of crap shouldn't be 400 bucks just because it says Blancpain on the dial, when it's not even made by Blancpain
But there’s plenty of suckers to cash in on. Simple equation.
Agreed. Saw them in person, and if we're being honest with ourselves, it's a throw-away plastic POS.
Most cheaper watches, most of the movements are just going to get fully replaced. Cheaper then servicing.
Why would you pay $150 for a watchmaker to service it anyway. Do you bother getting your sneakers resoled?
So much anger for a watch. lol 😂 it can be worked on if needed and there are plenty of crappy watches out there. Buy what you like.
7:44 The Fifty Fathoms version featured at this point with a brilliant blue case exists? I haven’t found anything online.
The problem is the name. They should've called it the, "SubSwatch." Also, for Christian to say that $600 would've been a fair price to pay for a disposable watch proves how out of touch with the real world he is. Everything's cheap when you're born with a silver spoon in your mouth.
@Yorkiepoocharlie If you're wasteful and want to spend $600 on a watch that will end up in a landfill, go for it. While you're at it, donate to Trump's legal defense fund too.
@@davidhunternyc1I'd rather pay $600 to buy Joe Biden some dementia meds. I can't stand having to listen to his mumbling.
True, too many out of touch people are in the youtube space. Including streamers.
@@famimame Too many privileged people too. There once was a time when, if you could spend $600 on a watch, it would be your only watch, and you would treasure it forever. Now we live in a throw-a-way culture and influencers look down on anyone who doesn't "flex," be it cars, watches, the list is endless.
@@davidhunternyc1 I agree. $600 is a lot of money to spend on a plastic watch. But then again, why does it surprise you that they think $600 is not a lot? These are the same people who spend over $10k on a Rolex. Both are wastes of money if you really think about it. You can buy a nice Casio digital watch for $30. And you can buy a nice mechanical watch for $500. Anything else is vanity
You can get a hefty price reduction on a 50 Fathoms at retail, which puts it closer to a Rolex Sub. Which is great, but also sends the wrong message re Blancpain's inherent "value", when compared to its competitors.
Christian nailed it. You are paying a premium for a Swatch because of the IP of iconic designs from Omega and now Blancpain. You allow consumers to own a share of that IP at entry level price point. That has to have some intrinsic value. All the haters seem to completely miss that point.
The more I watch you two, the more I appreciate the lack of toxicity and love of horology and deep knowledge base you two have. Truly appreciating the content.
Totally love the design. Would like to see a black colored one. 😮
Here before the title edit
The only sad thing about all of this is that its encouraging the Swatch Group to go in the direction of creating millions of disposable/ plastic landfills instead of improving the marketing on their existing excellent brands. It's fun and all at first... but it quickly gets dark the more you think about it.
I mean if you think about it a little harder, all this cheap plastic landfill IS improved marketing.
It was nice to hear someone not bash the collabs. I'm not going to get any of them, but I like to see people get into watches.
It would have been nice if they had made the cases from plastic waste found in the five oceans. Plus a certain percentage from all sales going to protection of marine life etc.
Next: the Bathyscaphe in aluminum. Baltic sea,north sea,red sea n black sea.
€750,-
Deal me in big time!!
If I get the Pacific Ocian Scuba fifty fathoms (yello and black).
I then want a Breguet X Swatch Type X (the flieger style chrono). In bright yellow, to go with my MoonSwatch to the Sun 😂😂😂
And here is everything wrong with the watch 'hobby' in one video. All these 'enthusiasts' will tell you that the thing that matters most in a watch is the movement, the brand heritage, the craftsmanship and quality of materials and that some 17 year old kid buying a Guess or Michael Kors watch that he likes is making a big mistake buy purchasing one. They'll convince you buying a DW is the equivalent of flushing your retirement money away regardless if you like it or not but then the same people will turn around and tell you a $400 plastic watch with terrible craftsmanship, cheap crystal that scratches, a disposable movement that cannot be serviced and a band made from recycled sea garbage which will inevitably find its way back into the sea is excellent and way too cheap just because it has 'Blancpain' written on the dial.
To anyone watching this video, don't worry about heritage and/or movement thinking buying something recommended by an 'enthusiast' is more refined or a sign of good taste - just buy what you like and can afford without putting yourself into debt/ a bad financial situation. The same people who look down on an automatic $200 Armani watch with an original design are the same people lapping up the cash grab that is the Swatch x Blancpain hype. Very few in this 'hobby' truly care about an actual good timepiece and will buy whatever is hyped up in the moment.
That or these guys are being paid handsomely by Swatch to make this video or they're really just trying to suck up to the brand that hard hoping to get exclusive access in the future.
There is honestly no worse way to spend $400 than on this watch and everyone lining up to get these would not even think twice about making this purchase if the word 'Blancpain' wasn't written on the face and this is a fact. If you're a person looking to get into watches - get what you like don't feel pressured by the pretentious people who will convince you they know better about timepieces than you do. They don't.
Bingo! How can one take any of these people seriously. It was the same nonsense with the MoonSwatch. All of the details that were so important when choosing a decent timepiece were conveniently ignored because Omega was printed on the dial.
I've learned that you can't please everyone in this hobby. Wear a cheap watch and collectors look down on you. Wear an expensive watch and get hate from collectors that envy you and call you a snob. I've been in both camps. The advice is to buy and wear what you like but don't listen to the outside noise. Do your own research and educate yourself before spending your hard earned money. Instead of buying a cheap watch perhaps buy some good books or watch auction catalogs
@@oysterman962 I never really understood why this is called a 'hobby' either. If you're someone that mods watches, builds movements, makes straps/bracelets, appraises timepieces that's something you could consider a hobby but to simply be a consumer does not make you a hobbyist. All you're doing is spending money on a consumer good. Does that make people who buy random snacks they don't need to survive while getting groceries 'hobbyists' as well?
Don't fall for the consumption hype. Companies will keep finding ways to get people to spend money on more and more consumption. The least we can do is call a spade a spade and realise a $400 made in China plastic watch with a disposable movement and nylon band is a rip off.
@@oysterman962 Excellent advice.
@@shahzebnasir4692 Amen
This is one of favorite channels. My issues with these price points on Swatch moonswatch/fiftyfsthoms is that it’s inexcusable to have poor quality at this price point when Casio and Seiko have been delivering excellent quality for years at a fraction of the price. That said, I agree that this will in all probability bolster Blancpain sales. I would also add that as someone who owns many Omegas and a few Blancpains, I don’t believe the issuances of these watches depreciates or detracts from the main brand.
There were 300 people in line in San Fran on opening day.
250 flippers. 50 social media lemmings
300 idiots more like it
It is fast fashion for watches. Plenty of brands out there that make cheap stuff that only last a few months - and yes, they make a big profit. That’s not an excuse to add to the global rubbish heap in 2023.
Agree. Kids lining up for the Swatch are wearing sneakers worth more than this watch. Sneakers and clothes are certainly not made to last 2 seasons let alone the style will be out of fashion after just one season. And the sneakers aren't 91 meters water proof.
No it shouldnt be more expensive. People think they are getting a cheap Blancpain when in reality they are getting an expensive swatch. A swatch that you cannot even service so when it breaks you hurned 400$. The moonswatch is trash but hey at least you can replace the battery.
For the price asking, you can buy a real watch, not a plastic toy homage.
Exactly. The materials suck, the design isn't new, Swatch limits production and forces people to stand in line for marketing hype and a dopamine hit. For $400, buy a stainless Seiko quartz and call it a day.
exactly - the other Swatches with this movement are half this price and less. This bezel looks like a gel sticker, not a fan at allllll
The Mad Watch Collector did a video that nicely points out this watch's failings. It's hermetically sealed, it would have to be broken open to service it, which is nuts. This watch IS an overpriced toy. I'd rather buy a second-hand Hamilton or Seiko.
The normal System 51 watches are Hermatically sealed , the blancpain Swatch models all have pressed fit caseback as I think he’s called watchchris pointed out because he got hands on one of the models. So the movement could be taken out and changed. A lot of people on the internet got that wrong
Can the case back be opened and the movement swapped out or not? I need a definitive answer on this. Surprised it wasn’t brought up in this video.
I've been trying to get a straight answer on this for days now. It's interesting, a typical product review always covers these sort of details so the viewer can determine whether it's worth the asking price. I've watched every "all you need to know" video on TH-cam and there's no mention of this in any of them.
The movement can neither be swapped nor serviced, it´s a throw away watch!
No it cannot be. The Mad Watch Collector covered this in his video, but long story short - you'd need to break the caseback to get to the movement at which point you have a broken watch. Once the movement is gone, it's gone. Don't worry though! The 'bioceramic' case will fall apart before the movement does!
WatchChris has bought two of them and YES THE BACK CAN BE POPPED OFF he stated it in His video
@@shahzebnasir4692The bezel being the biggest concern ...
Should be way more expensive? I want what you guys are smoking.
for real
18:42 these aren’t spring bars. They’re screw bars.
What watch does Christian have on the wrist?
Solid takes imo. Mark my words, the glasshute SeaQ will be the next collab - and it’ll look great
My guess would be a Rado X Swatch Captain Cook or DiaStar.
So far the collabs have been smart - bringing iconic watches to a younger audience / lower price point. I'm a big fan of Glashutte Original (own one) but don't think they quite fit the bill here. If it hadn't been for the FF, I would have expected another Omega collab, maybe Seamaster (e.g. a BondSwatch). Longines maybe but the price differential from the swatch to 'real' version is a lot less.
I own a seaQ and I can't recommend it enough. It's perfection. I'd be surprised if they did Glashutte Original because it's more unknown than blancpain. If they did do a collab, I think it would be with a dressy watch instead
Omg. I hope not. I have a GO SeaQ panorama date in my collection. To me, these plastic things degrade whatever brand they “replicate”
@@TheWatchDoggg I’d love to see how they pull off a “dress” swatch
50 fathoms is 91 meters, not 91 feet, just fyi.
i only lasted untill 9.14 min before i got sick of the sell outs
I was curious with the MoonSwatch but good these were not available otherwise I would have almost certainly bought at least one. I had time to think and I shall not buy one as it is pretty expensive for what it is.
Now we have the SwatchBlancpain Fifty Fathoms and it is priced at $400… No chance I buy it as the Swatch Scuba are sooo much cheaper and pretty much the same thing…
Not buying one of each of these these I saved myself around $700… I could buy a nice Hamilton field watch for that and if I put more I get one in titanium…
Hamilton are junk. The crown on my Khaki field watch just broke off from a routine winding. They're not worthy of the Swiss made moniker. Probably just scraping it in at the legal limit of 60% Swiss made with Chinese components. I bought 2 Swatch FFs and I can tell you that the 100% machine made & regulated movement is just as precise and reliable as any so called mid tier Swiss made brand. I'm happy to pay $400 for it to wear under the 2 year warranty period. If anything QC or mechanical related happened to it I know Swatch will just give me a new for old replacement. Where as Hamilton wanted a 6 week inspection with forms and postage agreements before they even considered repair under warranty. No thanks. I'll happily pay $400 to avoid the headaches. Also let me emphasize that a watch that can be repaired or serviced by hand is never going to be as reliable as a machine. For example I had a friend who took his Rolex Submariner to the Rolex Service Center for a routine 5 year maintenance. It had to be returned to RSC after the crystal fogged up, meaning the watch was not waterproofed properly. Then the 2nd time he got it back the watch was out of the chronometer accuracy rating. 6 months later he received his watch back and they friggin polished it!!!
I like this episode and Spot on
I kinda don’t like it when you said Omega don’t like the MoonSwatch but the parent company told them to do it. (without the evidence)
I genuinely don't understand how you can say the Fifty Fathoms is better than the sub? The sub is more accurate, much more wearable, way thinner, has better bezel action, one of the best bracelets in the game, a great clasp, better more documented and photographed history, and is obviously way more versatile. Not to mention has longer service intervals, has better shock resistance, and is amagnetic. Platinum coated bezel white gold lume plots and hands. 11.9 mm thick. The only objective thing better about the fifty fathoms is its 120-hour power reserve, but other than that, I'm genuinely curious. In what ways is the fifty fathoms better? More expensive and way bigger for sure, but better... how?
Saying $600 for a plastic watch seemed ok is insanity to me! But I know you are coming at watches from a different angle than most. I love the 50 fathoms design and it's one of the next homage watches I'm making (I'm currently making a 70's Seiko/submariner homage) but using that awful movement and that material and sticking a $400 price on it is truly awful, the Moonswatch was a unabashed cash grab success but just look at the quality of those watches! If you wore it, it fell apart! I think in the long run it won't help the 50 fathoms one bit :( . Great show as usual!
Should micro brands mimic this and go for their high sellers and turn them plastic on a smaller collab? Is it even a possibility?
I just don't understand how the Swatch group can price this higher than their own quartz PRX. In what world is this a better buy than a quartz PRX? There are just so many really cool watches around this price point from Seiko, Tissot, Hamilton, CWC, etc that I can't imagine ever recommending this to anybody. Yes they will sell, but does that mean we should be excited about them?
Shows you how much people care about projecting wealth to other others hence brand names and labels
Tbh I don't think these are being marketed to target someone looking for their first good watch. In that case, def buy the Tissot prx or something of better quality. It's for either non watch people who find it fun and want to rock something outside of their iPhone watch or watch enthusiasts who already have plenty of watches and just want something fun with a little taste of the Blancpain design.
I see more Moonswatches than Rolexes in public here in Calgary.
That's because all the Rolex stock is locked up in the safe of the ADs. Swatch group sell watches. Rolex ADs hoard them.
Forget the watches. What kind of shirt is Christian wearing?? I need to know!!
Wonder what your thoughts are on the perezcope article about the fifty fathoms?
Does BP make any money off these? Seems like it’s just helping out Swatch.
You can get a 38mm FF Bathyscaphe at retail for less than a Sub... Patek quality for Omega money.
I would actually say that the Swatch x Blancpain is overpriced.
The price her in Europe is 390 euro.
You can buy a Sistem51 with steelcase and leather strap for around 200 euro here.
And I doubt the plastic BP is more expensive to produce.
So if you think about that it seems overpriced.
Cause Swatch don't need to put that much effort into the design on it either.
But we can hope that more people will go buy the original FF.
The MoonSwatch elevated Speedmaster sales because both the bio ceramic and original Omega versions are reasonably priced. Also for a chronograph they have no competition for the price point. But Who is going to fork out $15k for a real FF? They can't compete with a Sub or Seamaster for status and value. And 45mm size is too gigantic. Blancpain need to get their act together.
Bathyscaphe has a 43 mm and a 38 mm. The 38 mm is perfect!
I also saw it somwhere as 600e watch and thought it was too much. 400...hm that seems ok. Still i want a seiko sport 5 first
Would have really considered this watch if it was actually serviceable. Can't defend spending 400 for something disposable.
Bringing back the Leman line would make be buy another Blancpain, not a plastic dive watch.
WHO ARE THEO AND HARRIS? ARE THEY SAFE?
I have ADHD and can't stop looking at the mic thingy. It's a personal issue. I'm working on it.
Dyslexic title. Wonder how long it takes for Mike to fix it. 😅
DAMNIT
Lol!! I saw that too good catch have been awaiting this video about this release!!
Fifty fathoms is 300' (91 meters) NOT 91'
that's why I love you guys and appreciate your content! thank you for the very rational analysis and not cry about what others cry about. of course you pay for the brandname with the design, come one😅but the pricing is fair imo for what it is (a swatch version of a legendary, traditional horology classic)
Hi this is random but I’ve been watching this channel for a good number of years now and I’ve always wondered who is Theo and Harris named after or how did it get its name
First I thought this MoonSwatch thing is genius move, but it turned out for me as a Marketing Desaster. Waiting in the cold and could not get a watch. Completely unorganized. Now I do not want one anymore, choose a SKINNAVY from Swatch instead. Now they are going after reputation of the Fifty Fathoms Reputation from Blancpain Reputation. Financial success is one thing, but what about reputation and keeping the legacy. I am out of any Fifty Fathoms wishes (saving a lot) - maybe a plastic Breguet is the next scoop - or a plastic Lange / Patek? Greetings from Germany
Wait till the do the Swatch Freak! The Swatch Jacob & Sons Bugatti! The Swatch tri-bridge!
come on, the Moonswatch and this new one are a little bit pricey. You're just used to buying Rolex and Cartier
Here before the edit
Damnit
Im gonna go with the better quality $15 AliExpress version when they come out. 😂😂
Give it a month haha
I have 2 different AliExpress moonswatches. One is a good 1:1 copy with the color being a shade off. But I love it.
And then I got the $5 version with painted dials. And those are my favorites. 😂
I want to love these Swatch releases. But everything I’ve seen shows that the quality is lacking. People complain about Seikos that are better at the same price. But somehow these Swatch releases gets free pass just because they are co-branded with a heritage brand. I don’t get it.
Without a doubt Blancpain makes incredible watches. Why aren’t you making more, like Mil-Spec Fifty Fathom homages so we all can enjoy? So your fans can enjoy without now having to pay 2x and 3x MSRP. We support your brand and you crap on us. 😂 A Fifty Fathoms Mil-Spec doesn’t need to beautiful finishing on its movement. Just make it and sell it and we’ll love you for it, FFS. 😅
Lol i see the title got fixed
Christian can you pay Michael enough to get a hair cut every 2.5 weekss
Bioceramic Breguet ?
Looking at the list of companies owned by Swatch I struggle to see where they go next. My money is on another Omega. Unless they think a Jacquet Droz Swatch will be a big hit - haha
How about for the next collaboration, a 96 metre Swatch x Big Ben? Totally made of plastic, and selling for $495?
It ain’t a phenomenon ‘til someone gets stabby.
Great video guys! Love your takes. I agree 💯
It's not for me, as I'm not going to pay that kind of money for what to me amounts to a novelty/toy watch. 100 bucks maybe, but 400 I'm out.
Wait is that the guy Michael from Iron snail.... dude then who the efok is Theo and Harris? What
Who are Theo and Harris?
Newsflash Christian: the vast vast majority of men are not looking for "fun" watches, yet you mention it every video LOL
If I hear 👂 the term it's a "FUN" watch one more time. I'm gonna puke coat hangers. 😅that term is soo over used it's not even funny
they should have done a tintin, ultraman, snoopy etc special editions
Is the non serviceable plastic dive watch with the non serviceable automatic movement better than the non serviceable plastic chronograph watch with the non serviceable quartz movement?
Yes.
Either way, you're still buying a disposable plastic toy. Enjoy your Happy Meal prize.
You guys must be high. A plastic swatch for $400. I have an automatic swatch I bought for $230 and that seems fair.
Why would you buy this when you can get a Kamasu or a promaster for less?
The Blatch is s better dive watch release than the Paneri Due…. But still like my Fifty Five Fathoms Seiko 5 mod better:)
The Seiko 5 is absolute proof the BP Swatch is overpriced.
@@fontyyy yup and all metal for half the cost!
Nice, I’ve mainly done Submariner style & Tudor style Seiko mods. Only recently I did a stealth AP Royal Oak, which was a nightmare, ‘cause the movement didn’t stay in the movement holder; in the end I had to tape the movement stuck with dial tags.
Anyway, do you have link to this 50 fathoms Seiko mod?
I'm over Seiko mods. They are Frankenstein monsters for people who never grew up playing with Lego. Move on kids. Get a real watch.
@@oysterman962 i have plenty of Patek and Lange, etc for grown up time. That doesn’t make fun watches any less fun.
I think if they're gonna continue to do this they have to hit the three tool watch types. They did racing with the speedmaster, diver in the fifty fathoms, now complete the collection with a pilots watch. I would think Longines on that one, but anything's possible.
Blanc pain literally means white bread in french, what a strange name for a watch brand. 😂
Founder’s last name: Jehan-Jacques Blancpain
@@CrookDanny I’m guessing he was French then
White bread in French is pain blanc, not blanc pain.
Whitbread is an English surname too
I know it’s not in the stable, but what do we think a Swatch x Piaget Polo would look like
A brilliant move to get the Blancpain name into the zeitgeist. Really no downside here, if you weren't considering one as a watch enthusiast before you certainly aren't now but non watch enthusiasts who have never heard of the brand might consider it in the future.
agree
Yes the $400 watch crowd are definitely the ones who will line up to get $15,000-$20,000 dive watches
@@shahzebnasir4692not many spend 15-20k on one of the first watches they ever own in their life, they build up. And when they’re able to spend 15-20k, they may also still appreciate wearing something fun that they don’t need to worry about wearing out
I woke up early on Saturday to see the hype and potential chaos here in Dallas. I had no intentions of buying one. To my surprise, I was one of the first 50 in line. Thus, since I had the opportunity, I bought one. As a watch collector/enthusiast, why would I pick blue or white? Swatch is about fun and colors. Thus I picked the green Indian Ocean.
Swatch has in its collection full steel auto for £200. So £340 for a plastic one is basically paying for the design.
I am a watch geek and I see £340 as stretching it. But more than that? It would be ridiculous.
These watches are great to bring people into collecting. But once they go over a price point, it doesn't make sense anymore.
swatch x swatch coming up next :P
Why should it be more? I can get a steel diver from Seiko or Phoibus that is tough as nails for $300?
do you guys really think to quote you both...it was a massive success to the point people were stabbed? a global phenomina? id think you could have atleast been a bit more tactful[sensative] im sure being stabbed isnt successful...?
Disposable plastic watch not a fan.
In the know.$400 buys substance
It's a plastic watch FFS. A throw away item just like plastic straws.
Plastic straws bad plastic watch good.
Nice title… I mean Title nice.
HOW DARE YOU
hmm Michael I didn't know you were Hungarian
fix the title to "Should be way more expensive." have a good one
For claiming to care about the oceans by mass-producing a disposable plastic watch… this collab is borderline criminal and simply unforgivable. I don’t inherently hate this release but the sistem51 not being serviceable is comical and insincere.. dare I say even more disrespectful to mechanical watches than quartz. For the simple fact that sistem51 is not serviceable, this is a hard pass. It’s a “fun” watch and interesting collab, yes, but at $400 and disposable it is a scam. I can forgive plastic, I can’t forgive wasteful. Even if down the road a work-around is made to actually service these things… out of principle alone I don’t think I’ll indulge. I would actually prefer a quartz with a replaceable battery over a mechanical with an inevitable/random lifespan and I can’t help but feel like Swatch/Blancpain did this knowing very well that a serviceable mechanical movement in the watch would be “too good” and actually begin to undercut or devalue the real 50 fathoms… yes despite being in completely different category.
I ❤ BP
50 Fathoms = 91 METERS = 300 FEET
METERS = METRES. in the King's English
I'll never understand why there would actually be any demand for these overhyped cheap plastics when you can get better and REAL entry level watches for the same price/value. But I guess that's exactly it, people are just buying HYPE and not exactly the product.
91 meters, not feet.
Resellers are sitting on moonswatches like sneaker resellers sit on shoes they can’t sell. These will sit as well until resellers any hold anymore
I'll wait for the Chinese to copy them and then buy one. It'll probably last longer.
Wait, this is a junk movement. I've been told its not even serviceable.
I'm thinking “There has never been a plastic Blancpain watch and there never will be” might have been more appropriate JC!
A Brilliant advertising stunt to non watch people wereing a apple, Samsung or nothing known of watches