Your heading covered this topic completely Jeff.
One of the most appealing factors of the original Blancpain was its simple, purposeful appearance. Its a focussed divers watch for the love of God, why complicate it and add all the script on the dial. The designers really should be looking to some of the more successful re-issued watches the market has seen .... Tag's Carrera & Monaco, Omega's Speedmaster & Zenith's Primero all leap to my mind as well accepted homage's that have had success.
In terms of the vintage collectors market we have seen many of these previously mentioned homages elevate the prices of the vintage pieces. Does this ugly new Blancpain have the potential to turn people away from the brand & lower the appeal of the original vintage watches. I hope so, cant wait to buy an original Fifty-Fathoms at under the 500 Euro mark ;-)
Cheers - Darren

: Fifty Fathoms meets Graham, and the Fifty Fathoms is the loser .
: . . painful to see this one.

: Jeff

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