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Testing Blancpain’s Fifty Fathom Bathyscape: Finding Ariel’s song in the ‘Big Blue’.

 
 By: 219 : February 12th, 2015-13:27
Hard to imagine that a little over 60 years ago, there was no dive watch market! There were some specialist dive watches developed for military purposes, but to all intents and purposes, these were not available to the civilian population. In today’s mark...  

Thanks for a wonderful review.

 
 By: dr.kol : February 12th, 2015-13:38
I am a diver and a fan of Blancpain. I find Fifty Fathoms a bit too big and especially too thick. I will take a closer look next time I'm in London and walking down the New Bond Street. Best, Kari

I am not a fan of the recent FF watches: I am not

 
 By: 219 : February 13th, 2015-06:08
keen on the polished case, or the raised ceramic bezel. However, I am a fan of the FF Bathyscape for the reasons stated. Try one on, especially with the NATO strap. Still nicely on the wrist. Thanks Andrew H

Fantastic review, Andrew!

 
 By: AlexSunrise : February 12th, 2015-21:42
When the Bathyscaphe was released almost two years ago I immediately fell for it, although once I tried it on, the excitement passed and I convinced myself that the classic FF is the one for me. In any case, I completely agree with your points, in which a... 

Thanks for the kind words. I do get the feeling

 
 By: 219 : February 13th, 2015-06:12
from the watch, the way it looks on the wrist, and the price point that this is direct competitor by Blancpain to the Rolex models. To me, with the same movement as the other FF models, Blancpain are deliberately cross subsidizing the smaller brother to t... 

nice

 
 By: fitz : February 12th, 2015-22:59
love the big crown and the hardware on the nato is top class

I didn't know the origin of the name " Fifty Fathoms "...

 
 By: amanico : February 12th, 2015-23:16
I just thought it was due to the water resistance capacity of the Watch. You taught me something, with Shakespeare. Excellent on the wrist review, Andrew. There is one big point for this Watch: The size and thickness of the case. The dial is not bad, eith... 

Glad I could teach you something Nic! The Fathoms part is

 
 By: 219 : February 13th, 2015-06:36
from Shakespeare, the depth rating is still on the conservative side if you ask me. Fifty fathoms roughly translates into 100 metres. Most of the watches will go further. I think the date window should have been left out (personal preference), but everyth... 

Fantastic Review! An excellent alternative to a Rolex Submariner!

 
 By: patrick_y : February 13th, 2015-15:17
A great high horology alternative to the already excellent Rolex Submariner. The movement finishing is actually fairly impressive for a watch of this price and fits the usual "Blancpain" caliber. The movement finishing has especially nice anglage at the e... 

Thanks Patrick. It is a considerable alternative - and for someone

 
 By: 219 : February 15th, 2015-03:46
into dive watches, a worthy competitor to contemplate! Andrew H

In a completely different class than the "R" watch

 
 By: jkingston : February 14th, 2015-08:04
Great review!!!!! I particularly loved seeing the lume underwater. In so many ways this watch sits in an entirely different class than the R. Consider the sophistication of the movement. The silicium hairspring does more than offer antimagnetic properties... 

Hairspring...

 
 By: gmark2800 : February 14th, 2015-09:00
I'm not sure how much the silicium hairspring will matter. I just checked my FF (the 45mm model). It is +1 sec/2 months!

Thanks Andrew, really enjoyed the costal tour and

 
 By: timerider : February 14th, 2015-11:18
great shots in and out of water. I am very fond of this watch but just do not like the hands, everything else rocks! Take good care, Tim

Thanks Tim. Actually I do like the hands! Similar to the Sinn U1

 
 By: 219 : February 15th, 2015-03:50
and all that, but would argue that Blancpain considered the design first and therefore have the legitimate high ground on usage. Thanks for reading Andrew H

Wonderful post, thanks ! [nt]

 
 By: DrStrong : February 16th, 2015-04:11

Thanks for reading. nt.

 
 By: 219 : February 17th, 2015-13:22
.

Exceptional post

 
 By: BentN : February 16th, 2015-11:11
and so extremely matching environment for the watch. The green water... The clear images... Stunning, Thanks Bent

Thank you Bent! Kind words are much appreciated. Glad you

 
 By: 219 : February 19th, 2015-08:46
enjoyed the read. Andrew H

Inspiring review!

 
 By: fernando : March 3rd, 2015-03:13
So I had to take this baby out for some fresh air. :) cheers fernando ...  

Great pictures and review

 
 By: Quotron : March 3rd, 2015-13:28
Really enjoyed that. Seems like a good time with a great watch!