Blancpain Air Command

Blancpain Air Command model family, one of the most successful representatives of the classic military chronograph theme, is here with a modern warrior identity with a vintage spirit.

A little history. 12 Blancpain chronographs, exclusively prepared for the USAF are delivered to the USA. The names of the models are inspired by the 1955 movie Strategic Air Command. After these 12 hours, the name Air Command made its second appearance on the scene with the Fifty Fathoms Trilogy series produced in 1996. Of course, since these watches are produced with a Fifty Fathoms diver case and bezel, they cannot adequately reflect the spirit of the original Air Command. When the calendars show the year 2019, Blancpain brings the iconic Air Command back to the stage with a flawless operation.

Photo by Phillips Auction House

What does iconic mean? It is quite possible to come across this word, which is used to mean symbolic, paving the way for the formation of a category, in the world of watches. It is impossible not to use this adjective when describing Blancpain Air Command. The vintage spirit is one of the most prolific sources of inspiration in today's watchmaking. From the 1930s to the 80s, such "iconic" designs were made that we can still come across watches that we admire and dream of (new but old). It is up to watch manufacturers blend this interest with today's modern technologies and present them to their enthusiasts.

The debut of the newest version of Blancpain Air Command took place in 2019. I still remember the excitement I felt while writing the introductory article for this watch.

A watch with a bi-compax chronograph layout, produced in a limited edition of only 500 pieces by a brand like Blancpain, which has not been closely marked by large masses, has not fallen into the lap of advertising and marketing activities and focuses solely on high watchmaking, meticulous craftsmanship and legendary designs, naturally excited me.

The stylish model came with a stainless steel case measuring 42.5mm x 13.75mm. The case, which was manufactured to withstand 30 meters of water pressure, was accompanied by a ceramic bezel and an aged-look calfskin strap measuring 22mm. The tachymetric scale surrounding the dial, large vintage-looking numerals, flawless Blancpain craftsmanship, and many more details were enough to make the Air Command one of the most successful chronographs ever.

Air Command's case was equipped with the in-house Caliber F388B. The 297-piece/35-jewels automatic chronograph movement beats at a frequency of 5Hz (36,000vph) and can offer up to 50 hours of power reserve when fully wound.

Following the black and ecru colors limited edition version, Blancpain launched titanium and 18K pink gold versions of the same watch with a blue dial, this time without any production limit. The models, which are completed with leather straps matching their blue dials with metallic texture, are equipped with the automatic flyback chronograph Caliber F388B movement, just like the previous version.

Our topic today is the latest Blancpain Air Command models introduced recently. The Air Command models with a case size of 42.5mm are the perfect combination of the old and the new. Taking advantage of all the possibilities of technically modern technology, automatic chronograph watches combine every feature that should be in a new model with the romantic spirit of the past and deliver them to their enthusiasts. Well, don't you think the dimensions of the watch were a bit too big for those who want to experience the romance of the past at its peak?

Blancpain must have heard our voice because the newly launched Air Command watches, available in titanium and 18K red gold options, measure 36.2mm x 11.5mm. The lug-width has been reduced from 22mm to 18mm. Watches with metallic blue dials with a bi-compax chronograph layout are complemented by a ceramic bezel with Super-LumiNOVA. The automatic Caliber F188B is used in the watches, which are presented with a blue, aged-look leather strap with a folding buckle. Developed on Frederic Piguet's legendary movement Caliber F185, the bi-compax chronograph movement measures 26.3mm x 5.5mm, consists of 255 parts, has 35 jewels, beats at a frequency of 21600vph, and offers a power reserve of 40 hours.

We know that Blancpain listens to its users, so I have a request; Air Command is such an important and successful watch that it can be taught as a lesson on how an aviation chronograph should be, we accept that. We also understand that the 36.2mm case is a strategic move for the trend of reducing watch sizes and for entering the Far East market more. So how about subtracting an intermediate measure of the same model? A version with a diameter of 39mm, a steel case, and a black dial with a 20mm lug width, just like the limited edition you produced for the first time, will surely impress many Blancpain and chronograph enthusiasts. Yes, there is a problem, the chronograph hands of the new Caliber F388B are too long for a 39mm diameter case. Even if the Caliber F188B used in the 36.2mm version is used, the chronograph sub-dials will be too close to the center than they should be. In that case, it can be a great solution to take the tachymetric scale to the bezel and continue with the new caliber. A Tri-Compax version maybe? Like in the Bathyscaphe models. Just saying...