Ornatus-Mundi
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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 make it really challenging to (i) catalogue and (ii) authenticate them. Here are a few I found on the net:
Many of us had the same feelings towards the Fifty Fathoms - a superb 'but' luxurious sports watch - to precious to be used in rough waters. Thus this report starts with a flashback almost three years into the past: in our Basel 2011 report on Blancpain we, Magnus & Oliver:
"Let’s face it: The ultimate legitimation for the modern Fifty Fathoms would be its certification for any military, explorative or other physically demanding operation.I am sure that such a certification would drive the watch world crazy. But I am also certain that this will not happen. Not because the Fifty Fathoms would not stand such a test (I assume it would), but it would be much too expensive.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 - this does not really fit into Blancpain's haute horlogerie philosophie, doesn't it?WAIT – there was once a watch called 'Bathyscaphe'...? We almost pray in unison: Hope, is there hope?" [stated here]
On BaselWorld 2013, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Fifty Fathoms, our wish became reality:
Blancpain presented a range of three Bathyscaphe watches, two 43mm models for the gentleman, one in steel with an anthracite dial and one in ceramised titanium, respectively, and one 38mm model in white for the sporty ladies:
We got what we (and may others) wanted, simplified, smaller and more affordable, but the reactions were quite mixed, including our own personal feelings. I'll get to that later in the conclusions, as I think that's an interesting experience.
So I was very surprised (and very excited as well) and one day in late summer I got a phone call from Swatch Group Germany asking me whether I wanted to have a Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe for a couple of days for a photo-shoot!
Of course I accepted and a few days later a parcel arrived - not with one, but with all three versions:
What follows are image-heavy posts (thanks to the fact that I could use the atelier of Jakob Kirchmayr in Vienna as shooting location and source of inspiration), but I hope going through them is worth your time and bandwidth!
What follows are image-heavy posts (thanks to the fact that I could use the atelier of Jakob Kirchmayr in Vienna as shooting location and source of inspiration), but I hope going through them is worth your time and bandwidth!
Best,
Magnus
This message has been edited by Ornatus-Mundi on 2013-11-15 11:16:08
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!
