Forums Latest Members

1960 Blancpain FF Bathyscape - is it right?

  1. keepschanging Nov 28, 2017

    Posts
    391
    Likes
    936
    Hi guys, am looking at this bathyscape, but I can’t see any examples of fhe movement online that look the same...Is it right?

    Would be super grateful for any thoughts.
     
    F3612213-623C-4F9D-ADD6-E7BF43F72E9B.jpeg B0E6EC95-254D-4546-8E57-C5720D0BBF79.jpeg 68DFBB0F-C1EE-4579-80C6-F5C1ACCCD58A.jpeg E84BF443-479F-4433-9C1C-83DB5E622165.jpeg
    Edited Nov 29, 2017
  2. X350 XJR Vintage Omega Aficionado Nov 28, 2017

    Posts
    12,585
    Likes
    29,830
    Looks like an AS 1187, which I think is typical for these.
     
  3. keepschanging Nov 28, 2017

    Posts
    391
    Likes
    936
    Thanks! The ones I have seen are signed Blancpain? And generally look more professionally etched...
     
  4. X350 XJR Vintage Omega Aficionado Nov 28, 2017

    Posts
    12,585
    Likes
    29,830
    From the BP website:

    "The year 1932 saw the end of the family's management of the firm, which had lasted for over two centuries. On the death of Frédéric-Emile Blancpain, his only daughter, Berthe-Nellie, did not wish to go into watchmaking. The following year, the two members of the staff who had been closest to Frédéric-Emile, Betty Fiechter and André Léal, bought the business. As there was no longer any member of the Blancpain family in control of the firm, the two associates were obliged by law as it stood at the time to change the company name. Henceforth, the firm would be called "Rayville S.A., succ. de Blancpain", "Rayville" being a phonetic anagram of Villeret. Despite this change of name, the identity of the Manufacture was perpetuated, and the characteristics of the brand were preserved. Betty Fiechter remained director of Blancpain until 1950, when her nephew, Jean-Jacques Fiechter, joined her. Together, they brought fresh impetus to the firm."
     
  5. keepschanging Nov 28, 2017

    Posts
    391
    Likes
    936
    Thanks! Yeah i’m aware of the Rayville connection but the movements I’ve seen say both Blancpain and Rayville, rather than just Rayville like this one, and the letters seem to be machined / engraved to better quality.

    Anyhow, I’m sure it’s original, it’s just nice to have a second pair of eyes!

    :)
     
  6. keepschanging Nov 28, 2017

    Posts
    391
    Likes
    936