For the Mission: Meet Blancpain’s Air Command in Camouflage Green

With two new limited editions of the Air Command collection, Blancpain will delight collectors with a penchant for watches with a storied past combining authentic vintage style with the latest technology and cutting-edge materials. Inspired by a legendary Blancpain chronograph from the 1956s, the “Air Commanders” feature a sophisticated aesthetic and offer two time-measuring modes: a chronograph with flyback function and a countdown bezel. Coupled with a tachymeter scale indicating ground speeds, these functions proved extremely advantageous in the air. Back in those days, this chronograph was produced in very small quantities and attracted a great deal of attention. The same rings true for the new Air Command watches that enhance the vintage feel with an original color combination, which are 200- and 100-piece limited editions. 

It was important to Blancpain to authentically recreate the technical charm of the First Air Command, so the marque chose the same diameters as its predecessors – 42.5mm and 36.2mm. They are housed in satin-brushed and polished grade 23 titanium cases that are water-resistant to 30 meters. Both feature a bidirectional countdown bezel, likewise formed of titanium, and notched for god grip, with a black ceramic insert. Their luminescent numerals and markers, arranged in counterclockwise order, match the Arabic numerals and tachymeter scale for measuring speed in kilometers on the camouflage green dial. They are coated with vintage Superluminova, as are the hour and minute hands and numerals. Thanks to its instrumental style, the dial, which is covered by a characteristic glass-box shaped crystal, is a beauty to behold.

Their genuine self-winding calibers, the F188B with a 40-hour power reserve for the 36.2mm model and the F388B for the 42.5mm iteration with a 50-hour power reserve, offer an ingenious flyback function. Invented in the early days of aviation, this function combines the three steps of stopping, resetting to zero and restarting into a single step, allowing consecutive time measurements.

Thanks to the refined column-wheel mechanism combined with a vertical clutch, the chronograph runs smoothly, with perfect starts and stops, without any stuttering. The F388B caliber deserves special mention: its 5 Hz frequency guarantees accuracy to tenths of a second. Both movements are equipped with a magnetic-resistant silicon-balance spring enhancing the performance.

It goes without saying that they are finished to a very high standard, with great attention to all details. The 18K gold rotor, shaped like a vintage aircraft propeller, takes center stage when you look through the transparent case back. Combining technical excellence and time-honored craftsmanship it is a with a lovely nod to history.

Pricing is marked at $21,800 for the 42.5mm model and at $20,500 for the smaller version. Both come with a color-coordinated leather strap with beige stitching.

To learn more, visit Blancpain, here.