By TLex SIHH 09 saw the pre-release of the new BLANCPAIN 500 Fathoms, but there was one major concern; its silver dartboard style dial. It made what could have been a very worthy big brother to the 50F into a less than fitting addition to the BLANPAIN's legendary dive watch family. A real shame given its 1000m rating and 48mm titanium case. It should have been an instant hit, but it missed the mark by a mile or at least 0.625 of a mile!
Baselworld 09 saw the release of the 500 Fathoms GMT and although in some ways it was an improvement over the 500F it missed the mark again!
Two more limited versions of 500F were then presented to the horological world, but they didn't really fair any better. The first being the 500F Only Watch No.1 / 1. And then more recently the 500F LE for the 2009 Cannes International Boat Show. I wasn't particularly struck by either of them. And I think I even remember commenting on how all the 500F needed was a black dial.
The BLANCPAIN 500F design team have stuck to their guns (or should that be darts) with the dartboard styling, BUT finally came to their senses regarding the use of black on the dial. This latest version of the 500F featuring the much needed black is presented on new BLANCPAIN rubber. It's an appealing and desirable diver truly worthy of the name 500 Fathoms. It's the watch they should have had the pre-release for back in January.
For me the 500 Fathoms story has been series of misses. Missed by a mile, missed, missed, missed again . . . . . HIT! And BULLS EYE! Perhaps the dartboard design does make sense after all!
From BLANCPAIN Blancpain's fifth participation in the Cannes International Boat Show (September 9 through 14, 2009), marks the worldwide launch of its brand-new 500 Fathoms. This deep-sea sports model is surfacing in the Blancpain diver's watch collection that includes the iconic Fifty Fathoms. Also on the city's legendary "Croisette" shoreline boulevard, the Manufacture from Le Brassus is presenting the 500 Fathoms Cannes 2009, issued in a limited edition of 50.
SPORT, “ 500 Fathoms”, date and seconds, luminescent black dial, decompression valve, one-way rotating bezel, self-winding.
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