Founded by Jehan-Jacques Blancpain in 1735, Blancpain is considered the oldest watchmaker in the world and hailed by many watch connoisseurs as the finest.

Among its many achievements is the creation of one of the most complicated mechanical watches in the world, Blancpain 1735. Blancpain is also renowned for creating the Fifty-Fathoms watch (circa 1953), a diving watch chosen by the US Navy and Jacques-Yves Cousteau for his award-winning film, The World of Silence.

After more than half a century, the Fifty-Fathoms continues to be one of the most sought-after diving watches ever. Though the recent variations of the model released revolve around a similar design, the boldest one that has been launched is the Fifty Fathoms Sport “Dark Knight” (5015-11C30-52). The Dark Knight comes in an all black facade oozing with testosterone in a 45-mm steel case with black DLC-coating (Diamond Like Carbon). DLC is a combination of the properties of diamantine carbon and graphite. It boasts of several qualities that make it resistant to wear and tear, corrosion, friction, and proven to have flexible hardness. The unidirectional bezel is made of black sapphire crystal with luminous 60-minute scale beneath.

The Fifty Fathoms Dark Knight is powered by the Blancpain 1315 automatic movement with a 120-hour power reserve. The mechanism is visible in a sapphire crystal case back with shell rotor. Meanwhile, the black dial is simple with luminous blackened hour markers and date indicator between the 4 and 5 o’ clock position. Its rugged and masculine appearance is further enhanced by the black sail canvas strap.

There is no doubt that the Fifty Fathoms will remain to be one of the more popular models of Blancpain which will continue to evolve every year as watch connoisseurs await the innovation and ingenuity that the brand will infuse while retaining the traditions that have made it a legend in the world of horology.

Baselworld 2010, the Annual Watch Festival in Switzerland marks the 275th anniversary of Blancpain since its founder, Jehan-Jacques Blancpain, declared in 1735 he was dedicating his life to watch making.

Jehan-Jacques started small, making watch parts, then once he’d perfected the process of creating every single piece flawlessly, he moved on to design and build complete pocket watches. Over the succeeding centuries, generations of the Blancpain family have taken their turn at the helm of this successful family owned Swiss Watch manufacturer.

As it’s founder did back way back then, today Blancpain still prides itself on producing each watch with a single watchmaker from beginning to end, hence, only producing less than 10,000 pieces per year.

Blancpain also continues to adhere to another of its long time traditions,  Blancpain Watch-Makers will  never produce quartz watches; unlike Rolex which makes about 2,000 watches per day in their assembly line.

Blancpain is also held in high esteem for being the maker of one of the most complicated mechanical watches ever made, The Blancpain 1735, which combines the six grand complications (split-second chronograph, tourbillion, minute repeater, and perpetual calendar with phases of the moon) into one watch.  This timepiece is so special that it was made in a limited edition of 30 pieces only, production of just one piece a year which is truly a masterpiece that is a fitting tribute to the company’s founder.

Blancpain is also known for its Fifty-Fathoms, circa 1953, which is water resistant to 200 meters. It is the watch used by the United States Navy and is also the watch worn by Jacques-Yves Cousteau in his award winning film, “The World of Silence”.

Despite its numerous accolades over the years, Blancpain was nearly doomed to extinction with the influx of inexpensive quartz watches from Japan and China during the early 1970s. Thanks to the intervention of  Modern Swiss Watchmakers Jean-Claude Biver and Jacques Piguet that the company was reestablished in 1983 and put on the path to recovery.

In 1984, Blancpain launched the world’s smallest movement, followed in 1989 by the launch of the world’s thinnest movement and in 992 the company was acquired by Swatch Group wherein Biver headed the board. His strategy was a success as Blancpain’s credo remains rooted in a deep respect for tradition and contemporary values.

Shunning compromise — by mastering every complication and by refusing ever to manufacture a quartz watch, Blancpain remains and by expressing time only in the shape of a circle — and being totally committed to the essential-watch excellence, Blancpain’s philosophy and convictions are as relevant as ever as it remains the standard by which the art of traditional watch making is measured.

Yes, even today at Blancpain’s 275th Birthday, recently celebrated at Baselworld 2010.

For over 250 years Blancpain has been developing and manufacturing high class Swiss Watches that have been tested and proved to encompass time and space. That is why every Blancpain watch is embedded with rich heritage and tradition that is passed on to future generations of watch connoisseurs. As time passes by, Blancpain never ceases to create avant-garde styles that will match the taste of the modern times. Thus the release of the Blancpain Speed Command Chronograph proved that Blancpain has evolved not only into better watch making techniques but also adapted to the trends of sport utility watches

The Blancpain Speed Command Chronograph with reference number 5785F.11D03.63 is made up of brushed steel with Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) coating that matches perfectly with its carbon fiber dial. The Blancpain Speed Command Chronograph is the first among Blancpain chronographs to utilize a tachymeter scale. The sporty appearance of the Blancpain Speed Command Chronograph is further enhanced by its stealthy black design. The monotony is broken by its illuminated orange roman Arabic numeral hour indicators and rotating bezel that are also matched with the orange stitches on its stealthy black strap.

This Blancpain Speed Command Chronograph houses a self-winding F185 movement that is comprised of 308 handmade components that were perfected by the tradition and expertise of Blancpain watchmakers. This Caliber F185 when fully wound, will be able to run for approximately 40 hours. Blancpain Speed Command Chronograph is boasting a flyback function that allows non-stop rapid timing sequences. The chronograph function has a 12 & 30 minute hour counter and a continuously running small second display.

A perfectly crafted mechanical interior is not the only reason why the Blancpain Speed Command Chronograph with reference number 5785F.11D03.63 should be an essential-watch for any serious watch aficionado’s collection. The mixture of both magnificent engineering and work of art makes the Blancpain Speed Command Chronograph an astonishing luxury piece for any lucky owner’s wrist.