The Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe is not the most complicated watch in Blancpain’s collection. But it may be the one it's the most attached to. The first diver of the modern era, it was backed heavily by diving enthusiast and then CEO of the brand Jacques Fiechter. For that reason, Blancpain has been approaching its beloved icon with some caution, making only subtle changes over time. This latest variation brings the introduction of a plasma gray ceramic case – a material which looks like brushed stainless steel, but is in fact a much lighter, harder and stronger substance (and much more resistant to corrosion than stainless steel, which can pit if exposed to salt water and not rinsed properly).
Blancpain experimented with the material in 2014 with the release of the limited edition Bathyscaphe Chronograph Flyback Ocean Commitment, and they gave the Fifty Fathoms a satin-brushed black ceramic case 12 months later.
Blancpain have now adopted the grey version for the model's 43 mm case, and it looks really good. The watch itself features the hallmarks of the modern day Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe (post 2013 re-launch). It's a prototypical three-handed diving watch with a unidirectional bezel, oversized indexes and hands filled with SuperLuminova, and with the addition of a date window sandwiched between 4 and 5 o’clock.
Combined with a deep blue dial and a blue ceramic insert, the grey case works really well. What was once a great professional tool watch is now a great high-end professional tool watch. The new Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe is powered by Blancpain’s sturdy Calibre 1315, a self-winding movement developed for the maison’s sports watches boasting an impressive 5-day power reserve. The watch is water resistant to 30 bar/300 meters.
The Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe comes with two straps options. Choices include a three-ring NATO strap or a sail canvas version. The watch will be priced at $12,800, a $2,500 bump from last year's stainless-steel model.
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe; Case, plasma gray ceramic, diameter 43 mm, height 13.83 mm; Movement, manufacture made Caliber 1315, 120-hour power reserve, free-sprung Glucydur balance with gold regulation screws, 227 components; Functions, hours, minutes, seconds, date; Strap, NATO, or sail canvas.
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