The Blancpain Air Command 42mm and 36mm, now available in Green

First presented in 2019 as a steel limited edition, the Blancpain Air Command Flyback Chronograph was a re-edition of an elusive vintage watch that barely made it to reality. Yet, using one of the rare prototypes as a blueprint, the brand known for the elegant Villeret collection and the historic Fifty Fathoms diving range did introduce a stunning chronograph with retro design elements. Soon after, the AC came back in titanium with a more modern style, followed by an appealing 36mm edition. This year, both versions will be available in limited runs with a more vintage character and a trendy green dial. 

Let’s go back to the origins of this Blancpain military chronograph… As we’re not talking about a mainstream model known by a wide audience here. The story behind the Blancpain Air Command can be traced to the creation of the Type 20 standard for the French Ministry of Defence, which was looking for a high-precision chronograph capable of meeting demanding specifications, including the all-important flyback or retour-en-vol feature. While not selected by the French Navy, other armed forces began looking for a similar instrument. Blancpain, which had already won over the American Navy with its Fifty Fathoms diver’s watch, drew inspiration from it to develop a chronograph for the United States Air Force. This timepiece was offered to American military pilots through the distributor Allen V. Tornek, for whom Blancpain is thought to have created a dozen watches as prototypes.

According to Phillips Watches, “there is no official documentation about this model and scholars are of the opinion that it was never commercialized or produced in series” and “no orders were placed and the Air Command project was not pursued”. The few existing examples of vintage Blancpain Air Command can be described as a pilot-oriented chronograph version of the Fifty Fathoms, with which it shares similarities in the design. The original model was a 42mm steel watch with bidirectional bezel, tachymeter scale on the dial and Valjoux 222 Flyback.

The comeback of the Blancpain Air Command Flyback Chronograph was done faithfully, yet with traditional modernization of the materials and technical features. The overall concept, that of a pilot chronograph watch with a rotating bezel and a flyback function, was kept intact. Following the success of the inaugural steel limited edition (a stunning-looking watch, to be honest), Blancpain decided to bring it into the permanent collection with two blue versions, in titanium or red gold. Technically identical, these versions however have a modern modern touch with colder colours. Soon after, a reduced 36mm version was introduced, again in titanium or red gold with a blue dial, yet with a different movement inside.

The retro touch and the green dial

What’s new for 2024…? Two editions of the Blancpain Air Command Flyback Chronograph 42mm and 36mm, respectively limited to 200 and 100 pieces, both housed in grade 23 titanium cases. Nothing new here, save for one important detail; the dial colour. While the blue/titanium editions were rather technical and cold, these new Air Command models bring back the vintage flair and warmth of the original steel model with their matte, almost military-green dial. A fitting colour in this context, it adds some charm and retro feelings, without compromising legibility and contrast.

Some more adjustments have been made to these green Air Command watches, to remain consistent with the old military touch of the dial. First, the bidirectional bezel is back to a glossy black ceramic insert (just like the steel LE). Second, all markings, printings and luminous inserts have been here rendered in cream – call it patina-like – which works particularly well with the dial’s colour. Last, the strap is done in a brownish-green waxed tone with beige stitchings.

The 42mm edition

True to the original version of the 1960s, the large edition of the Blancpain Air Command is housed in a lightweight titanium case of 42.50mm diameter, with a relatively fair thickness of 13.7mm (not bad for an automatic chronograph with external bezel). It is a fairly large watch on the wrist with long lugs but the overall comfort must be noted… Not the 30m water-resistance, which is on the lower side.

Inside the case is the Calibre F388B, an advanced high-frequency, integrated automatic chronograph movement with column-wheel, vertical clutch and flyback function. Running at 36,000 vibrations/hour (thus capable of recording elapsed time to the 1/10th of a second), it is equipped with a free-sprung balance wheel in silicon regulated by inertia screws and a silicon hairspring, which is insensitive to magnetic fields. The power reserve is rated at 50 hours. The decoration is deliberately clean, with a snailed pattern, rhodium-plated part and polished bevels, and this new green limited edition is equipped with a propeller-shaped rotor (different from the titanium edition).

Limited to 200 pieces, the Blancpain Air Command Flyback Chronograph 42mm Green will be available at CHF 20,100 with a folding clasp. A pin buckle can also be ordered.

The 36mm Edition

If not seen on the wrist, it’s quite hard to spot the difference between the 42mm and 36mm – the less detailed seconds track is the main clue… While a reduced version of the Air Command, this smaller edition retains everything that made the success of its bigger brother, just in a far more compact case – here also in grade 23 titanium – measuring 36.2mm in diameter with a very decent thickness of 11.50mm. A joy to wear on small wrists, both men and women, the new limited edition of 2024 retains the same green dial, cream lume and black bezel attire.

Inside is a different movement, adapted to the smaller case, the calibre F188B. Despite its reduced dimensions, it is still a high-performing engine with a column-wheel and flyback function. The main concession compared to the large version of the Air Command is a return to a classic 21,600 vibration/hour regulating organ (3Hz frequency), which is still equipped with a silicon hairspring. The power reserve is rated at 40 hours and the rotor is also propeller-shaped.

Limited to 100 pieces, the Blancpain Air Command Flyback Chronograph 36mm Green will be available at CHF 18,900 with a folding clasp. For more details, please visit blancpain.com.