In the 1950s, the American Navy was equipping its marines with the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms divers’ watch, sold through the brand’s U.S. distributor Allen V. Tornek. The success of this military instrument is believed to have given Tornek the idea to offer a flyback chronograph to the United States Air Force too. The story goes that Tornek persuaded Jean-Jacques Fiechter and his Aunt Betty, who were at the helm of Blancpain at the time, to provide him with a dozen examples – called the Air Command – to present to the Air Force. Unfortunately, the US Air Force was in the process of equipping its planes with cockpit timing instruments, so they didn’t have a need for the watch, and production didn’t go any further.
No one knows what happened to Tornek’s timepieces. Occasionally one will come up for auction, reaching astronomical sums, much to the excitement of the watch-loving community, but the mystery behind these pieces remains.
To celebrate this fascinating era of Blancpain history, the brand released a revival model in 2019 of 500 pieces with a black dial and orange luminescence. The success of this limited edition has been such that the brand is continuing the collection today with its finest movement technology and artisanal craftsmanship that keeps this aviation timepiece alive and flying!
A couple of weeks ago, Blancpain released two new models in a choice of grade 23 titanium or red gold. Let’s take a closer look.
Flying Functions
The Blancpain Air Command has two distinct timing modes. The first is a flyback chronograph that allows the pilot to reset the chronograph while it is already running and time a new event with just one press of the pusher. Traditional chronographs require the user to stop, reset, and restart the chronograph to do the same operation. This is not usually problematic, but when in mid-flight with gloves on, the flyback chronograph is an extremely practical function to have on the wrist.
The chronograph also features a 30-minute counter in a subdial at three o’clock with three elongated markers that indicate three-minute increments, and there is a 12-hour counter situated at nine o’clock.
The second timing mode is the countdown bezel. This allows pilots to see how much time is left to the destination at a glance. Unlike a diving bezel, where the numerals are featured clockwise, the Air Command bezel markers go in an anticlockwise direction. These timing functions are completed with a tachymeter scale for calculating speed on land, ideal for those take-offs and landings!
In the Spirit of the Original Vintage Watch
In terms of the design, there are a lot of things to point out on the Air Command. The watch is offered in two blue versions – one in 18-karat satin-finished red gold and the other in a high-end grade 23 titanium. Both come in a 42.5 mm size with vintage-style pushers and a knurled grip on the bezel that surrounds a blue ceramic insert.
The dials come in a deep blue colour with a fine sunburst finish, while the counters are snailed to create contrast when they catch the light. This contrast is further accentuated with the use of Super-LumiNova on the hands, hour markers, and bezel. Completing the timepiece, two glass box sapphire crystals, front and back, continue the vintage aviation theme.
The Blancpain Manufacture F388B Movement
The watches are powered by Blancpain’s F388B automatic movement (a variant of the F385). This movement is distinguished by its free-sprung silicon balance that is both anti-magnetic and guarantees greater precision throughout the power reserve. The movement’s design reflects Blancpain’s philosophy of both precision and robustness.
The balance oscillates at a frequency of 5 Hz that not only contributes to improved accuracy, but also enables a clear division of the seconds into 1/10th intervals. The F388B movement comprises a column-wheel system with a vertical clutch, ensuring perfectly smooth starting and stopping.
On the design side, the movement is fitted with a gold openworked oscillating weight with a snailed finish, identical to that of the calibre’s bridges. This aesthetic detail is accentuated by the colour of the rotor, which matches that of the watch case.
If only Tornek was around today, these timepieces would certainly bring a smile to his face. It seems he was onto something after all!
