Neo-vintage Blancpain, and more specifically the Leman line, delivers maybe the best balance of sport and refinement. The watches are pure tool watches with the specs, ratings, and extremely solid feel to back it up, while still being extremely refined with highly executed details and finishing throughout, all making a watch the feels like a lot more than the price would suggest. While extremely solid feeling in hand, it's also clear that it's executed on a very high level of finishing and refinement, everything feels top quality, from the crisp column wheel chronograph action to the articulating bracelet with absolutely no rattle or wobble. If you were new to the hobby and picked this up next to a modern Speedy, you'd most likely assume it costs twice the price, not less than a pre-owned 3861...

Case: The 38 mm stainless steel case appears to be unpolished with light surface scratches present on the signature stepped bezel and lugs. When I first picked up the watch I suspected it might be huge, but the 43 mm long lug to lug length hugs the wrist very well while providing a lot of presence due to the 20 mm lug width and prominent bracelet. The watch sits very well on the wrist due to the lug design and shape and measures just 11.7mm thick including the domed sapphire crystal. It's approximately 9.5mm thick excluding the crystal.

Dial: Like on my personal favorite 7002's, the matte white is such a great texture and provides a ton of depth with the raised center section giving way to a stepped hour track and the further sunken sub registers. The 6 o'clock date is very clean and unobtrusive. The highly polished and faceted hour markers and hands absolutely jump off the dial and provide a ton of visual interest and elegance, further enhanced by the polished rehaut, while the red tipped chrono sweep hand adds a subtle sporty touch.

Movement: The Frederic Piguet caliber 1185 movement is an automatic column wheel chronograph with excellent pusher feel and smooth / correct winding, setting, date changing, and chronograph function. The watch is running at approximately +3.5 s/d, service history is unknown, though the watch does not present any signs it's needed at this time.

Bracelet: I don't think you can overstate just how solid this 5 link brushed and polished bracelet is. With a subtle taper from 20 mm at the lugs to 17 mm at the butterfly clasp, there is absolutely no rattle, wobble, or play, yet it perfectly drapes the wrist for a very refined, yet solid feeling. The bracelet is very long and will fit an approximately 7" wrist.

It's quite difficult to articulate just how versatile and how well this watch balances elegance and sporty design and functionality. It's being offered as watch only, in very nice, honest condition throughout.

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