Blancpain Air Command Flyback Chronograph

If there’s one thing we’ve learned over the years, it’s that we shouldn’t underestimate Blancpain – whether that’s their ability to design a beautiful dive watch or their potential to expand beyond their core diver catalog.

Want some proof?

Behold, the Blancpain Air Command chronograph. You read that correctly – a pilot’s watch adorned with the Blancpain namesake! Introduced in 2019, the Air Command — with its robust, stainless steel case, heritage-styled dial, and Fifty Fathoms-esque bezel — surprised many, but it didn't spring out of nowhere. Rather, the model was a reissue of a long-forgotten, deep catalog piece that was nearly adopted by the U.S. Air Force. Limited to just 500 pieces, it was quickly gobbled up by eager collectors.

This particular Blancpain Air Command takes the idea of the debut model and elevates it to a more refined level, featuring a 42.5mm, 18K rose gold case with a sapphire crystal, matching barrel pushers, and a signed crown. Complimenting the rose gold case tones is a blue ceramic timing insert fixed to a bidirectional bezel. (Bonus points are awarded for luminous markers on the dial and the bezel. )

A sunburst blue dial features a set of highly legible Arabic numeral indices, a pair of radial, subsidiary chronograph registers, and a matching ‘syringe’ handset. Meanwhile, beating away within the case is an automatic Blancpain Calibre F88B flyback chronograph movement. Fitted to an Analog:Shift Milano Gray suede strap with white contrast stitching and a signed, rose gold pin and buckle, this example comes with its factory goodies.

Blancpain a name for themselves by conquering the deep – now they have their sights set on total air superiority... and they're doing a bang-up job of achieving it!