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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Flyback chronograph

Blancpain Flyback Chronograph

Partially verified

This Blancpain Flyback chronograph, numbered 13 and produced circa 1995, is a self-winding stainless steel wristwatch featuring a round-button chronograph, subsidiary registers, and a date aperture. The watch is housed in a three-body case measuring 38 mm in diameter, featuring a polished finish, a stepped bezel, and a screwed-down case back. It is equipped with a stainless steel link bracelet secured by a double deployant clasp. The black dial exhibits painted luminous Arabic numerals, luminous steel épée hands, and three sub-registers. Internally, the timepiece is powered by the rhodium-plated caliber F185, a movement incorporating 37 jewels, a straight-line lever escapement, and a gold rotor segment. The dial, case, and movement are signed by the manufacturer. Notably, this particular example lacks the word "Flyback" on the dial, a variation hypothesized to be the result of a special order commemorating the original owner's birthday.

Front view of the Blancpain Flyback chronograph on its steel link bracelet.
Front view of the Blancpain Flyback chronograph on its steel link bracelet. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Wristwatch · Flyback chronograph
Maker / attribution
Blancpain
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
85
Source-reported date
circa 1995
Source-reported place
Not established
Source-reported serial
13

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and Dial Design

The watch features a three-body, stainless steel case with a diameter of 38 mm and a thickness of 12 mm. The exterior includes a polished finish, a distinctive stepped bezel, and a screwed-down case back which bears an inscription. The watch is fitted to a stainless steel link bracelet that closes with a double deployant clasp.

The dial is black and marked with painted luminous Arabic numerals. It features subsidiary dials for constant seconds, a 12-hour register, and a 30-minute register, alongside a date aperture positioned at 6 o'clock. Time is indicated by luminous steel épée hands. A notable detail is that this specific dial does not include the word "Flyback," which differs from other examples of the same model documented by the auction house.

Evidence for this section
  • “C. Three-body, polished, stepped bezel, screwed-down case back with inscription”
  • “D. Black with painted luminous Arabic numerals, subsidiary dials for the seconds, the 12-hour and 30-minute registers”
  • “All other Blancpain Flyback chronographs sold by Antiquorum have always had the word ?Flyback? printed on the dial; this example features only the word Blancpain.”

Movement and Mechanics

The timepiece is powered by the caliber F185, a self-winding mechanical movement. The architecture includes rhodium plating and decoration in the style of fausses cotes. The movement is constructed with 37 jewels and features a straight-line lever escapement.

Technical specifications of the movement include a monometallic balance adjusted to five positions, a shock absorber, and a self-compensating flat balance spring. The winding mechanism utilizes a gold rotor segment. The movement is signed by the manufacturer.

Evidence for this section
  • “M. Cal. F185, rhodium-plated, fausses cotes decoration, 37 jewels, straight-line lever escapement”
  • “monometallic balance adjusted to 5 positions, shock absorber, selfcompensating flat balance spring, gold rotor segment”
  • “Movement: 2* Very good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense”

Provenance and History

This watch is historically linked to Peter F. Baumberger, a collector of automobiles and the heir to a Swiss brewing dynasty.

The watch was given to Baumberger as a birthday gift by his friends. Due to the unique absence of the term "Flyback" on the dial, it is suggested that the watch may have been a special order commissioned for the occasion of the gift.

Evidence for this section
  • “This watch was gifted to noted Swiss car collector Peter F. Baumberger, heir to a Swiss brewing dynasty.”
  • “He and two of his friends founded the Swiss Ferrari Club in 1972.”
  • “It may have been a special order by the friends of the original owner who gave him the watch on his birthday.”

Open research questions

  • What specific inscription is engraved on the case back?
  • Can the provenance be further corroborated through existing records of the original owner's collection?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Blancpain Flyback Chronograph
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerBlancpain“Blancpain”
Serial Number13“No. 13.”
MovementCaliber F185“M. Cal. F185”
Jewel Count37“37 jewels”
Case Diameter38 mm“Diam. 38 mm.”
Date of Manufacturecirca 1995“Made circa 1995.”
ProvenancePeter F. Baumberger“This watch was gifted to noted Swiss car collector Peter F. Baumberger”

Visible details

  • Luminous painted Arabic numeral hour markers
  • Three subsidiary chronograph registers
  • Date display window at the 6 o'clock position
  • Polished finish with a stepped bezel design

Research qualifications

  • The absence of the word 'Flyback' on the dial is hypothesized by the source as potentially being a special order, but is unverified.
  • The movement is reported to require an overhaul.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Blancpain Flyback Blancpain, "Flyback ' Chronograph', No. 13. Made circa 1995. Fine, self-winding, water-resistant, stainless steel wristwatch with round-button chronograph, registers, date and a stainless steel Blancpain link bracelet with double deployant clasp.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 0ecf61159e

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

Other flyback chronograph records