Blancpain has unveiled its new chronograph in a red gold or titanium case that encloses a handsome blue dial. The Air Command Flyback Chronograph brings forth the charm of a vintage pilot's watch yet remains contemporary with its mechanism and materials. The watch features a flyback chronograph and a countdown-type rotating bezel. This pilot's watch is designed to take on skies with its flyback function that enables pilots to reset the current timing operation and start a new one while the chronograph is running in a single press.

The Air Command collection takes inspiration from a highly sought-after 1950s Blancpain chronograph that was produced in limited quantities. With its conventional chronograph, each new measurement requires three presses -- on two separate pushers -- to stop, reset, and restart the mechanism. The dashing chronograph also has a tachymeter scale indicating ground speeds, a 30-minute counter with three elongated markers marking three-minute increments, and a 12-hour counter.

Its modern aesthetic is defined by its deep blue colour that has been further enhanced by a fine sunburst-pattern dial, which remains super legible courtesy the use of Super-LumiNova on the hands and hour markers. The luminescence extends to its bezel too which incorporates a scratch-resistant ceramic insert matching the colour of the dial. The back of the watch offers a view of the Manufacture F388B movement, distinguished by a free-sprung silicon balance oscillating at a frequency of 5Hz, a setup that promises fine adjustments and increased shock resistance.

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Instead of a metal balance spring, Blancpain has gone for a silicon balance spring to ensure that the movement is insensitive to magnetic fields and delivers great precision throughout the power reserve, which is marked at around 50 hours. The 5Hz frequency not only chips in improved accuracy, but also enables a clear division of the seconds into 1/10th intervals, augmenting the scrupulous engineering of the craftspeople at Blancpain.

The new 42.5mm model is available in red gold or Grade 23 titanium case, both water-resistant up to 30 metres approximately. The pilot's chronograph has been paired with a blue calfskin strap featuring white stitching that amplifies the sportiness of the timepiece.

The titanium model is priced at Rs 1,516,000 (approx.) while the red gold model is marked at Rs 2,439,000 (approx.).

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Technical Specifications:

Case material: Red gold/titanium
Case diameter: 42.5mm
Case thickness: 13.77mm
Water-resistance: 30 metres
Dial colour: Blue
Movement: Caliber F388B
Power reserve: 50 hours (approx.)
Frequency: 5Hz
Complications: Flyback chronograph
Strap: Blue calfskin

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