Great shots! This is a promising new direction for Blancpain

Feb 03, 2015,04:05 AM
 

Hi Blomman,

Thanks for posting these fine images of the best new Blancpain in years. It successfully captures the character of the marque; this is the kind of upscale contemporary sports reference that Breguet, for all of its heritage, cannot provide within the Swatch Group.

I feel that Blancpain has been struggling to define itself since Breguet came aboard the Swatch wagon and received the lion's share of the attention among the haut-de-gamme brands. While Swatch succeeded in reviving Breguet and defining its public image, the original haute horlogerie house, Blancpain, lost much of the momentum that it built during the late 80s and 1990s with the Leman models.

While the 2007 Fifty Fathoms was a tour-de-force, the demise of the Leman and halting steps with the misguided L-Evolution series seemed to cost Blancpain its identity in recent years. I feel that this Bathyscaphe Chrono's combination of elegance, original technical innovation, and everyday durability gives the company another pillar on which to build alongside the Fifty Fathoms.

I can see the Bathyscaphe line becoming what the Leman line was to Blancpain for years; a versatile and sporting contemporary haute horlogerie platform.

Best,

Tim


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A few shots of the BP FF, Bathyscaphe Chronograph

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : February 3rd, 2015-03:55
Hi, Just wanted to share a few shots of the Bathyscaphe Chronograph. Since I have not started to explore the Vintage World of Blancpain I can't say anything about the historical correctness or significance of the Bathyscaphe.... But I do like this case a ...  

Great shots! This is a promising new direction for Blancpain

 
 By: Tim_M : February 3rd, 2015-04:05
Hi Blomman, Thanks for posting these fine images of the best new Blancpain in years. It successfully captures the character of the marque; this is the kind of upscale contemporary sports reference that Breguet, for all of its heritage, cannot provide with... 

My pleasure, Tim!

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : February 3rd, 2015-12:36
I must confess that my knowledge about Blancpain or Breguet for that matter is too limited to have an opinion about the "Swatch effects".... Both brands are on my "learn before go into" list... Let's see what the others may chip in. Best Blomman

a new direction..

 
 By: ramon74 : February 4th, 2015-17:18
upon reading your very well written thoughts , Tim_M, I realized that this new chronograph movement would be an excellent base for a new blancpain sports line. If it isn't in the plans then why bother sponsor the Blancpain Endurance Series? After all, the... 

There is no historical connection, with this one.

 
 By: amanico : February 3rd, 2015-06:28
It is a rather pleasant offer, with no historical connection. I prefer it to the Bathyscaphe time only, to be honest. Best, Nicolas

Hope to have a chance to ....

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : February 3rd, 2015-12:37
Take some shots of the time only soon... Will come back if I do! :) Best Blomman

Always on the hunt..?! ;) [nt]

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : February 5th, 2015-12:35

Very nice! Question

 
 By: 2redbulls : February 3rd, 2015-18:19
It has real nice wrist presence. It looks better on the wrist to me then just by itself. Can the pushers be used under water?

They say that the pushers can be used under water....

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : February 4th, 2015-13:46
But I would not try it! Best Blomman

Re: They say that the pushers can be used under water....

 
 By: Quotron : February 4th, 2015-23:53
Why wouldn't you try it? Do you not trust Blancpain? Why buy a watch from a company whose claims of WR you do not believe?

Has nothing to do with trust or Blancpain for that matter....

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : February 5th, 2015-12:39
Yes, pushers are water resistant when the watch leaves the Manufacture. But if you don't test the water proof each year you risk damage your watch while diving/swimming... Still even if testing, there might be dust/sand/dirt that gets into the pusher seal... 

Snap on back

 
 By: gmark2800 : February 9th, 2015-15:25
You'll be really dismayed with the ceramic bathyscaphe chrono. It has a snap on back(not screw on).

Anyone put a deposit on the Ocean Commitment version?

 
 By: K-Lo : February 5th, 2015-07:37
I did and the NYC botique says it will be delivered around March, just wondering if I anyone is looking to buy that version

Yes! And others should hurry

 
 By: jkingston : February 8th, 2015-08:29
I am told that all 250 have been ordered. Now that does not mean that the retailers have already sold them. It means that Blancpain will have no more in stock itself. So I jumped to place my order.

Glad to see I am not the only one interested!

 
 By: K-Lo : February 9th, 2015-14:28
Did you reserve at a boutique or retailer? I am wondering if I jumped the gun and made mistake in paying full price, I called a couple of retailers but they were unsure whether they could get it so I locked mine in at the NYC boutique.