Actually i post on 3 forums to gauge the popularity. According to the responses, Blancpain 50 Fathoms was more popular compared to JLC Navy Seals Alarm. Thanks for all your comments!
There's an ANZ rebate promotion that provided an additional push factor to get my first watch in 2012 (with few more months to go before a new year begins). Rebate of 13% or $780 whichever is lower (on ny watches and rebate is given for every watch purchase charged to the card). With 3 slots in my watch box to fill up, I needed to be very selective of the incoming timepieces into my collection.
It took me half an hour to decide which piece to get. I knew I would be happy walking away with either one and likely to miss the one I left behind. I’ve always been impressed by BP FF and JLC models with alarm complications. It’s a tough decision and it didn’t help when the price difference between BP FF and JLC NSA was less than S$1k (after the discount plus rebate), BP FF being slightly more expensive. Also, to my pleasant surprise, Cort*** was able to match the discounts for BP & JLC extended to me by their competitors (where I usually get my watches). Tried on the watches, worked out the sums and with the advice that the salesperson gave, I finally decided on taking this piece first (yes I’ve asked the salesperson to hold the other piece for me). It’s a bargain getting this watch with the matching discount and rebate from the credit card.
Below are the wrist shots of both watches on my small, woman-like wrist.
I went with JLC NSA for the following reasons:
1. Although the size is 44mm, it looks less imposing on my wrist. The titanium makes JLC NSA significantly lighter than BP FF. It’s also slimmer in thickness in comparison. It felt more comfortable to me. I’m sure both watches look big on my wrist but BP FF seems a bit more awkward?
2. I still couldn’t tell the quality of the finishes, one being titanium and the other stainless steel (brushed vs shiny). Both seem pretty well done in my opinion. Both come with solid case back hence I couldn’t admire the movements. With the improved movements, ceramic bezel and ball bearing, alarm and 2 straps…JLC seems to offer greater bang for my bucks.
3. With the rebate of $780 using ANZ credit card, it worked out to be of a higher discount % using it on JLC compared to BP (and JLC has a more “controlled” discount compared to BP).
BP FF next? BP FF is indeed more pleasing to the eye...it’s started to creep up on me…but I’m hesitating because it seems big on my wrist.
Cheers
James
