Blancpain

2013 - Blancpain presents the Bathyscaphe version(s).

 

(Ref. 5000-1110-B52 A and 5100-1127-NAW A; just two examples)

 

The contours are as sharply defined as those of their predecessors. The hands feature the traditional look of the vintage watches and the date appears through a dedicated aperture. Loyal to the original Bathyscaphe version, the luminescent dot on the bezel serves to ensure the permanent readability of diving times.

 

Before we look in detail I would like to mention the thoughts/wishes from above. Did someone listen? More on this later.

 

FF Bathyscaphe, date and seconds, satin-brushed steel case, meteor grey dial, unidirectional ceramic bezel and self-winding cal. 1315 with 120 hours power-reserve.

 

The diameter is 43mm, the thickness is 13,40mm, the water-resistance is 300m, it comes with a sapphire crystal back and the interhorn space is 23mm – like the Ref. 5015 and therefore we finally have a fitting Nato strap …

 

Live pictures :

On the wrist :

But, there is more and some of you may already have detected it.

Yes, indeed there are two different “men” versions. The one on the left you already know, but the one on the right is the Ref. 5000-12C30.

 

The latter is FF Bathyscaphe with almost the same specifics except a black dial and a ceramised titanium case.

 

Live pictures :

On the wrist :

For comparison (and because of beauty) …

… on a lady´s wrist.

 

(Note for the wrist model: Thanks! Still think the steel version looks even better on you )

 

So far I showed you the two “men” versions, if we can call it like this today, and now we come to the white “ladies” version.

FF Bathyscaphe, date seconds, satin-brushed steel case, white dial, unidirectional ceramic bezel and self-winding caliber 1150. The latter is well-known from the Blancpain collection and approved. This time it comes with a silicon balance-spring.

The diameter of the “white” is 38mm, the thickness is 10.77mm, the water-resistance is 300m, it comes with sapphire crystal back and the interhorn space is 20mm.

 

Live pictures :

Pictures on female wrist :

Comparison – “old” versus new :

Final conclusion & more :

 

The 60th anniversary was a great opportunity to add something new to the Fifty Fathoms family. For some it probably was a big surprise to see the resurrection of the Bathyscaphe.

For me it was more than welcome, especially when I think about some nice details of both Ref. 5000. It is 2mm smaller (compared to Ref. 5015), comes with the same movement (which is a big surprise and a very good move), shows strong FF Bathyscaphe DNA and the price is competitive – Ref. 5000-12C30 is below € 10k and Ref. 5000-1110 is below € 9k.

 

Did someone listen? Yes, I think they did and for me it is a winner. Instead of replacing something really good, they have chosen to add.

 

The Ref. 5100 is nice as well and probably slightly better fitting to ladies wrists, even when it can be super sexy to see a 45 or 43mm watch on a female wrist

 

Lucky owners of the Ref. 5015 have now the option to add a black or green Nato strap, because 23mm was almost impossible to get.

 

Additional I would like to mention some new cuff-links for the Fifty Fathoms family:

They are available in white or red gold, the diameter is 20mm and the oscillating weight is moving.

 

That is all for today and from the Fifty Fathoms family.

 

Oliver

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