Blancpain - Air Command 36.2 mm

Blancpain Air Command 2022 in 36.2 mm diameter cases. Unisex models in titanium and red gold with prices starting from €17,790

Blancpain is enriching its Air Command collection with two new models housed in 36.2 mm x 11.50 mm cases, way smaller than the 42.5 models x 13.77 mm presented in 2019 and 2021.

Inspired by one of Blancpain's rarest chronographs from the past, the Air Command features a flyback chronograph and a countdown-type rotating bezel. Differently from traditional chronographs which require three presses to stop, reset and restart the mechanism, the flyback function enables the user to start a new timing operation with just a single press. 

Thanks to its size, the new Air Command 36.2 mm will appeal Ladies as well Gentlemen who prefer to wear timepieces with not-too-large cases.

The layout of the counters and tachymeter scale on the dial, as well as the shape of the luminescent hands and hour-markers, the piston-type chronograph pushers and the glassbox-type sapphire crystal all evoke the original timepiece adding elegance. 

Available in Grade 23 titanium or in red gold, the Air Command 36.2 mm is characterised  by the blue colour of the dial and the ceramic bezel insert. The sunburst and snailed dial finishes nicely match the alternating satinbrushed and polished finishing on the case. 

Grade 23 titanium is a special titanium alloy with aluminium and vanadium. During the fusion process, interstitial element contents like iron, oxygen and carbon are strictly controlled and limited to achieve higher purity, hence improved mechanical properties and greater resistance to fatigue. 

Visible through the sapphire crystal caseback, the 3 Hz (21,600 vibrations per hour) F188B self-winding movement is equipped with a vertical clutch that ensures stutter-free activation of the chronograph seconds hand as well as a column-wheel system for a smooth feel when starting or ending a measurement and resetting the hands to zero. The silicon balance-spring is insensitive to magnetic fields for greater precision throughout the 40-hour power reserve.  

The openworked oscillating weight makes it possible to better appreciate the  traditional watchmaking finishes such as circular graining, bevelling and snailing.

Completed by a blue calf leather strap with white stitching and water resistant to 30 metres / 100 feet, the new Blancpain Air Command 36.2 mm in Grade 23 titanium (ref. AC03-12B40-63) and in red gold (ref. AC03-36B40-63) have prices of Euro 17,790 and Euro 29,400, respectively. blancpain.com 

Suggested reading:

- The history of Blancpain