BP Fifty Fathoms Aqualung - The miracle walk

[madasboot]

I always loved the FF elegance.

I bought a DSN rep (Tornek Rayville) back in 2007; finding it too far out of the minimal standards to call it an homage.

Found later the "Phong" version but was far off my budget.

That version always stayed in mind though.

 

Two months ago I had a business meeting in Hanoi and ending it earlier than expected I went for a long walk, as I always do.

A couple of watchsmith stalls on the way around the central lake and I find a motorbike repair garage with some "old" watches on display.

All franken; a red ranger, an IWC marked with a king´s arrow dial, some Hamiltons and a black leather pouch branded Bl*ncp*in.

 

I asked to check the pouch and could not believe what was inside.

 

I was asked 4.500.000 VND (around 200USD) pouch included and did not even think of negotiating.

The nato strap was cheap and green and it wrinkled between the lugs (lug space is 19mm and strap was 20mm).

The watch stopped one week after my return.

Mvmt ( A.S Cal. AS1361 as informed by my watchsmith) was dry and full of dirt. 

 

This is the "Phong" FF, with a big difference; the price. 

After service the whole damage was around 320USD.

 

Its a beautiful, beautiful watch.

I had one of the luckiest walks ever. 

[Nanuq]

Holy frijoles! What a score. Beautiful piece! Let's see some more angles.

[madasboot]

On 8/13/2018 at 1:11 AM, Nanuq said:

Holy frijoles! What a score. Beautiful piece! Let's see some more angles.

Thanks Nanuq. Indeed! I will take some decent pictures to share asap.

[madasboot]

On 8/13/2018 at 1:11 AM, Nanuq said:

Holy frijoles! What a score. Beautiful piece! Let's see some more angles.

Nanuq, with some delay, but here they go.

I am not a great shooter though...

[madasboot]

bezel is well fixed but rotates very easily so its difficult to keep aligned.

does anyone have this model or simple advice on how to fix / solve this issue?

many thanks,

M.

[Sogeha]

How simple do you want to go? Redneck solution is simply to wrap a couple of turns of dental floss around it😀

[madasboot]

55 minutes ago, Sogeha said:

How simple do you want to go? Redneck solution is simply to wrap a couple of turns of dental floss around it😀

less simple, please

[RichardH]

3 hours ago, madasboot said:

less simple, please

hahaha :)

Edited September 10, 2018 by RichardH

[Nanuq]

Easiest solution is to send it to me. I'll modify it so the bezel doesn't turn at all.

[madasboot]

16 minutes ago, Nanuq said:

Easiest solution is to send it to me. I'll modify it so the bezel doesn't turn at all.

Cheers B.!

 

[Sogeha]

Easiest solution is to send it to me. I'll modify it so the bezel doesn't turn at all.

Yeah, bezel won’t turn at all, neither will the hands or crown


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[madasboot]

Dial detail

 

 

[Alan72]

Mate, I have the same watch but with dsn insert (trimmed) and hands,bezel was also super loose but I managed to find some thicker bezel wires that fit and make the bezel action much firmer,
Pm me your details and I'll send you one

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[Alan72]

I also did this one , different dial and another dsn insert which looks pretty good

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[Champagnesky]

Mind PM:ing where u got the watch? Going to Vietnam this winter on holidays, always wanted a vintage FF


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[madasboot]

On 9/15/2018 at 8:01 AM, Alan72 said:

I also did this one , different dial and another dsn insert which looks pretty good

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Awesome mod work mate! - I notice you repainted the central red dot on the rad logo?

[Alan72]

Awesome mod work mate! - I notice you repainted the central red dot on the rad logo?

That one was already like it, I did paint the other one a bit tho

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[madasboot]

55 minutes ago, Alan72 said:

That one was already like it, I did paint the other one a bit tho

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Looking wonderful.

[Ephry73]

Such a lovely watch. Always wanted to build a vintage piece using these as a base. Make it dive legit as well. Group buy maybe?

Wear it in great health brother.


E


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[Champagnesky]

Such a lovely watch. Always wanted to build a vintage piece using these as a base. Make it dive legit as well. Group buy maybe?

Wear it in great health brother.


E


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I’ve been in touch with a guy who makes these cases. Can ask him about a group discount.

[Ephry73]

I’ve been in touch with a guy who makes these cases. Can ask him about a group discount.

That would be awesome.


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[Sogeha]

I’m in for one

[Champagnesky]

That would be awesome.


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Can you pm me, i cant pm you for some reason

I’m in for one

Tapatalk pmd you

[Alan72]

So I've made a couple of changes,hands are lightly aged and I changed the dial for a phong date version that I re lumed and aged, also added a red date wheel

[Ephry73]

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