Ornatus-Mundi
[Zenith]
7136
Black: Ceramic-reinforced titanium
The 'black' version of the Bathyscaphe is the first one I'd like to present. It also happens to be the most expensive one of the lot.
The immediately impressive features is its matte 43mm case made of ceramised titanium, giving the watch great resistance while keeping its weight down.
The colour is an almost gunmetal grey appearance which I have not yet seen before.
It absorbs light (almost) like a black hole.
The dial itself is 'almost dark' and has a fine radial brushing which is impossible to capture (the subsequent images if the steel version however demonstrate the patterns quite nicely). Vast parts of the dial area are actually unused, giving the large and simple indices more weight.
At the same time it draws your attention to the shiny black bezel. The bezel has indices made of Swatch's 'liquid metal' technology which is used e.g. at Omega as well.
Note the elaborately designed zero marker with its inlaid luminous dot:
Note the elaborately designed zero marker with its inlaid luminous dot:
The bezel can be turned and is quite slip-prrof.
The dial itself is 'almost dark' and has a fine radial brushing which is impossible to capture (the subsequent images if the steel version however demonstrate the patterns quite nicely). Vast parts of the dial area are actually unused, giving the large and simple indices more weight.
Readability is great as one would expect from a tool watch. Even in darkness one can easily read time thanks to effective 'illumination':
Back to the case. The image below highlights two striking differences to the more luxurious Fifty Fathoms: the matter case and the more common doomed crystal. Particularly the latter is a significant change from the sister watch and effects - according to my guess - a substantial reduction of production costs. Together these two characteristics attribute a great deal towards the 'professional' impression the watch makes. Note also the large crown with the JB logo:
The final exterior detail Id like to show is the olive-coloured textile strap with the chiselled buckle.
Time to turn the tides - literally! The back side is another sweet spot of the Bathyscaphe: it allows unobstructed view on the tried and tested (and well appreciated!) Cal. 1315:
The Cal. 1315 is a splendid movement offering 120h of power reserve. It has itself earned a reputation for both robustness and precision. Thus I think it is a perfect choice for such a serious sports watch.
Blancpain opted for an interesting (and adequate) choice in respect to the decoration. Over a large area you'll find relatively simple brushing patterns…
... but then again there are marvellously polished angled surfaces. Quite surprising with such a watch, but Blancpain I think watched to strike a balance between an engineering and a luxury watch approach. And I think they succeeded!
Anglage includes even the rotor ridges!
Another lovely feature of the Cal. 1315 are the oversized ruby bearings which are true eye-catchers:
One might actually scratch one's head at the combination of 'antimagnetic' and a display back. No worries here, Blancpain used a silicon hairspring to eliminate susceptibility toward magnetic fields, so the term 'antimagnetic' is not misleading. Note also that the balance is free-sprung. A feature which slowly becomes a standard at Blancpain (as we will see later!):
Finally, the 18kt gold rotor with a black treatment. All inscriptions are risen, giving much depth to the otherwise plain rotor surface:
Finally we come to the 'business part of the review - wrist time!
The watch obviously has an aura of seriousness and appears mainly technology-focussed even on the wrist. A great contrast to the remaining Blancpain line, but I for once find this refreshing.
It wears with great comfort - caveat: at least with this strap - and an unexpected refinement (for a technical timepiece that is).
The substantial crown might cause worries about dolorous stress to the back hand. May experience tells that this is unfounded - not problems whatsoever!
So can you accept this as a Blancpain?
Since sports watches have an irresistible appeal to quite a few women I asked my girlfriend Isabelle to act as my wrist model. She happily obliged which I can fully understand given the results:
This is actually one of the great surprises of this watch line: Even at 43mm the timepiece does not look comical or gaudy on a lady's worst (the steel one even more so, see following post!):
This message has been edited by Ornatus-Mundi on 2013-11-15 02:28:10
More posts:
The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe
Blancpain's Bathyscaphe historically was the poor sister of the famous Fifty Fathoms, one of the first really useful diving watches, technically much less demanding and offered at a lower price point. There are countless variations, and poor documentation...
Black: Ceramic-reinforced titanium
The 'black' version of the Bathyscaphe is the first one I'd like to present. It also happens to be the most expensive one of the lot. The immediately impressive features is its matte 43mm case made of ceramised titanium, giving the watch great resistance ...
A truly fantastic review!
I remain puzzled at the cold reception this watch has received, particularly because it was love at first sight for me. In fact, it was so much so, that rather than being a question of whether or not to buy one, it was a question of which case/strap combi...
"the ceramised titanium has already been discontinued"
I find nothing of this on their website (but then again they were never really good in online marketing ;-)). I am curious to obtain an official statement from them. Thanks for the nice words! Magnus
It's already been changed online...
Note that the description of the case on the site has changed from "Ceramised titanium" to "Satin-brushed titanium". Also, the model number for the case has changed from 5000-12C30 to 5000-1230 ; I assume that the "C" denoted the ceramised titanium. In an...
Thanks, that change must have occurred after I wrote the article...
as I sourced my info from their website… Cheers, Magnus
Really enjoyed the review!
Thanks for sharing your impressions about this watch. Great watch! Great review! And great photos! I want one. And the movement finishing is actually very good judging by the most beautiful and fat anglage I've seen on a non specialty watch. Thanks for sh...
most beautiful and fat angle...
combined with most beautiful and fat rubies… ;-) Cheers, Magnus ...
Silver: steel from the toolbox
Probably the most true-to-the original (but with modern concept and technologies) version of the Bathyscaphe , the classic choice with a case made of traditional steel and combined with a NATO-type of strap: Let's get a bit closer to the precious: Togethe...
Ladies: a tool for the tough ones!
Last but not least comes the Bathyscaphe 38 (!) mm version for ladies: Looks tine, right? More on that later. But first one might ask - is this necessary ? I think it is and there is indeed a very good reason for a ladies version: This is a vintage ladies...
Conclusion: A dream come true - and now?
I keep coming back to my opening statement: "...So what I would like to see is a 'budget' Fifty Fathoms with a less elaborate bezel, a more basic case and less expensive finishing but built to withstand the elements as the current one […] WAIT – there was...
Great report
Fantastic and very comprehensive report. I do like the stainless steel model. These watches do fall clearly into the tool watch category, but it is less clear as to whether they would fall into the diver category. One thing I do not understand is the 18k ...
"the 18k gold rotor"
It´s because of the weight needed and some companies even use platinum.
This I understand
But why colour the beautiful gold rotor black? Would anyone colour a diamond black? Dean
"why colour the beautiful gold rotor black"
Blancpain always did it like this when there was a sapphire back, because the rotor had to match the case. When I bought my first Blancpain´s in the past, me especially loved that kind of attention to details. Other brands like (e.g.) GO (still) don´t do ...
Not always, Oliver, not always...
there are exceptions… On non-display-backed watches the rotor was in natural yellow gold: Best, Magnus ...
Dream come true ...
Finally a modern FF that I can wear. Looking forward to see this one on my next trip overseas (no A.D. Here where I live). Thank you very much for this amazing journey to this new product line from Blancpain. Cheers, Nilo
Superb report Magnus.
I have the wish to write a review of the Bathyscaphe and I will do it next year. But at this stage I have mixed emotions. Sometimes I love it, sometimes, I find it too simple. I'm still looking for my final point of view about it. Sure that your review wi...
You pleaded the Batyscaphe cause with talent, Magnus.
There are some positive things: - The case, which I find to be very nice, with its bevels and the shape of the lugs. - The choice of titanium, which makes me think of a Milspec. - The movement, because a toolwatch can also have a great movement, why not! ...
"less expensive finishing" Yes, but still some outstanding ...
details/qualities and I didn´t expect less from Blancpain. Me had the pleasure to see it already twice (even not at home like you ;-) ) and I did my own (less comprehensive) report after Basel, but still I appreciated your pictures and thoughts a lot. Tha...
"beauty & oddness at the same time"
Yes Oliver, I guess that's it. A cocktail that needs to be digested slowly and appreciated calmly. Otherwise its message may be lost.. Magnus
Thanks for a great report Magnus!
I have been curious about this piece for some time and looking forward to seeing one in the metal. I am in two minds about it now as I can't figure the category it should fit in. As a tool watch it's too refined and yet it tries to look the part. I do lik...
Watch aficionados are a strange breed...
calling a watch 'too refined'! Declaring myself guilty as well! Magnus
Great review Magnus, thanks!
I like the look of the ti model, but suspect I would pick the ss in reality Can't wait to try them for myself!
