- Circa 2020
- 42.5mm diameter
- Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
Manufacturer: Blancpain
Year: Circa 2020
Reference No: AC01-1130-63A
Case No: No. 083/500
Model Name: Air Command
Material: Stainless steel
Calibre: Automatic, cal. F388B, 35 jewels
Bracelet/Strap: Leather
Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Blancpain pin buckle
Dimensions: 42.5mm diameter
Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
Accessories: Further accompanied by Blancpain International Warranty dated 17th March 2020, instruction manual, service booklet, hang tag, product literature, outer packaging and travel case.
Catalogue Essay
Originally launched in the 1950’s, the Blancpain Air Command is one of the most sought after and rare vintage chronograph timepieces made by the firm. With its design very similar to the Breguet Type XX, the Air Command was designed to be offered to the US Air Force, with the US Navy adopting the 50 Fathoms diver’s watch. Extremely rare today, the origin of the Air Command can be considered as a myth as there are many stories and rumors stating that the model was never serially produced.

To celebrate the fathomed model, Blancpain introduced a modern iteration of the Air Command in 2019. Extremely well executed, the new model features a slightly larger case at 42.5mm compared to its original 42mm case. Furthermore, the dial is very similar with a contemporized typeface and larger luminous Arabic numerals. To enhance the vintage appeal of the present piece, the luminous Arabic numerals were applied with ecru Super-LumiNova to achieve the aged patinated effect. Whilst the original from the 1950’s featured a black acrylic bezel insert, the new opted for a durable ceramic bezel insert with luminous counters.

Well-executed, the present example preserved in “New Old Stock” condition is unworn and is accompanied by the full set of accessories. The present example is certainly a very attractive contemporary iteration of one of the most acclaimed chronograph models by Blancpain. Furthermore, the present example is the first example of the reference to appear at auction. An example of the original Blancpain Air Command was sold previously at our PHILLIPS & Blackbird: SPORTS auction 27th May 2019 in Hong Kong (Lot 814).
Artist Biography
Blancpain
Swiss • 1735
As the watchmaking brand with the earliest founding date, Blancpain remains close to tradition, concentrating on classical mechanical watches. Established in 1735 by Jehan-Jacques Blancpain, the Le Brassus manufacturer today continues to innovate with the development of high-quality calibres and is proud of their heritage, having never made quartz watches. One of the firm's greatest successes was the Fifty Fathom wristwatch introduced in 1953 — the vintage models of which are now highly coveted by collectors. The earliest dive watch available to the market, Fifty Fathom came out a year prior to Rolex's Submariner. Another key model is the Air Command from the 1960s, considered one of the most mythical collector's watches due to their extreme rarity. Today, the firm specializes in creative innovated complicated timepieces.
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