The biggest improvement on the dial is the removal of the large 12 and 9 o’clock hour indicators. They made the dial look a bit off balance and didn’t really add anything that should exist in a mature high-end watch. Blancpain finally got the message and produced the Blancpain L-Evolution R Chronographe Flyback Grande Date without them. It is still very much an L-Evolution given the case and dial, but with a much more refined and attractive dial.

I hope you like carbon fiber. Enough people do and about 10 years ago it started to become mega popular before ceramic started becoming more important. Carbon fiber makes up the face of the Blancpain L-Evolution R Chronographe Flyback Grande Date watches and also much of the case for the limited edition. As you can see, there is both the limited edition version and the more subtle non-limited edition version of the same watch. The limited edition model continues the use of carbon fiber as the material for the entire bezel. There is a bit more carbon fiber inlaid into the strap’s deployant clasp.

At 43.5mm wide the case wears a bit smaller than its width might suggest, but it isn’t a small watch. It is also thankfully not very thick at just under 13mm – which is pretty good for a sporty chronograph watch. The rest of the case is produced from a deeply gray titanium, which applies to the pushers a well. I think the case is very interesting and the matte finish does fit the automotive world theme well. I think out of context, it might not look “expensive enough,” but it is a nicely conceived and comfortable case all around.

The limited edition model, of course, has a unique strap with (you guessed it) more carbon fiber. If you find yourself wearing a racing helmet and track suit on a regular basis, it might go with your outfit quite nicely. Though some may argue it is a bit loud for most Blancpain customers. The non-limited version of the Blancpain L-Evolution R Chronographe Flyback Grande Date is perhaps a better option for more regular wear. I think the hardest thing for most people to reconcile about this watch is that name on the dial. Blancpain has been trying to be too many types of watches for too many people over the last few years. With another brand name on this, I think the L-Evolution might have more life, as it would not need to compete with the stately producer of Villeret and Le Brassus collection models. The Blancpain L-Evolution R Chronographe Flyback Grande Date limited edition was produced as a set of 88 pieces. Prices are $18,600 for the titanium version and $20,200 for the limited edition version. blancpain.com