Blancpain Air Command Chronograph Titanium Green 42.5 mm

Quick specs Blancpain Air Command Chronograph Titanium Green 42.5 mm
Price: $ 21,800 | € 23,850 | approx. £ 18,000 | CHF 20’100 
Size: 42.5 millimeters 
Reference: AC02-12B53-63 – limited to 200 pieces

The Blancpain Air Command Chronograph Titanium Green is a new take on the brand’s vintage pilot chronograph. Of course, it is inspired by their 1950s pilot, initially used by aviators to aid in flight calculations. The 1950 model is basically a pilot-oriented chronograph version of the Fifty Fathoms, the reference 235, produced in very limited numbers. Only 12 to 15 pieces in all probability.

The Blancpain Air Command Ref. 235 is a 42-millimeter stainless steel watch with a bidirectional bezel, a tachymeter scale on the dial, and a Valjoux caliber 222. A flyback chronograph, just like the new one. It was created for use by the U.S. Air Force as the brand already was the official supplier for the U.S. Navy, providing them with the Fifty Fathoms for diving through their U.S. distributor, Allen Tornek.

It is believed that the 12 to 15 models are prototypes and never went into production. Although the new caliber is completely different, the design of the latest Air Command is still closely related to that 1950s model.

Titanium case, camo dial

The case of the new model measures 42.5 millimeters and is from grade 23 titanium. A titanium alloy mixed with aluminium and vanadium for a higher purity and improved mechanical properties. Here the titanium is satin-brushed and topped with a bidirectional bezel featuring a shiny black ceramic insert with beige hour markers and super-luminova.

Its dial is camouflage green, with beige accents, also for the hands and numerals. The flange of the dial has a minute/second track and a tachymeter scale. The hour markers and hands are coated with beige super-luminova for an extra vintage touch.

The Blancpain Air Command Chronograph Titanium Green has a power reserve of 50 hours

Inside the Blancpain Air Command Chronograph Titanium Green is the Blancpain caliber F388B. This movement is self-winding and operates at a high frequency of 5 Hz, offering a level of precision essential in aviation and timekeeping. It features a flyback chronograph function, which allows for faster operation during timekeeping. The power reserve is 50 hours.

This caliber F388B is also noted for its aesthetic appeal, visible through the sapphire case back. Just look at the cool 18-karat gold rotor, shaped like a propeller, obviously a nod to the watch’s aviation roots. The rotor is finely decorated, and the movement benefits from silicon technology, ensuring resistance to magnetic interference.

There is also a 36.2-millimeter option

The watch comes with a green wax-like leather strap, matching the green tone of the dial. It is finished with beige stitching, for more vintage appeal, and it closes with a pin buckle. The price tag is this Air Command is around 18 to 24k, and the model is limited to 200 pieces.

If you want a smaller version, that’s possible, as the same model is available in 36.2 millimeters. However, with another movement, the Blancpain caliber F188B running at 21,600 vph. The price of the smaller ref. AC03-12B53-63 is about 1,300 dollars/euros lower. And it is limited to just 100 pieces. It’s way too small for a regular wrist, and the 42.5 can give a very XL feeling, so it’s time for a 40-millimeter as well…