Bathyscaphe

Aug 07, 2014,08:44 AM
 

I took a chance.....


and I think it paid off. To be honest it didn't really attract me when I first laid eyes on it on the computer screen. Looking at the pictures I was instantly put off by the funny (Sinn like) hands, the narrow bezel and the date at 4 etc. The indices also looked a bit too shiny and small in comparison to other dive watches etc.


When I got the chance to see one in the metal, everything somehow worked in its favour. The sunburst meteor grey dial and indices played off each other so well and sparkled in the light. The smooth sweeping seconds hand with the red tip circled the sparse yet brilliant dial with an elegant stride. The tips of the minute and hour hand became an item with the gold surrounds of the indices. The date was actually very discreet and less prominent than what you see in pictures. Add to that the big crown was such a pleasure to use; from winding to locking it displayed characteristics only found in high end pieces. I also understood the purpose of the narrower bezel with the ceramic insert and the liquidmetal markers- it doesn't distract your attention from the dial, which becomes a thing of immense pulchritude under certain lighting conditions and IMO is the jewel in the crown.

I like the way they did the brushed and faceted lugs and also the pin buckle that came with the excellent canvas and rubber lined strap.


The movement is over the top for this type of watch I believe, with a silicon and thus non- magnetic hairspring, a gold rotor that is appropriately PVD'd and a 5 day power reserve! But who am I to complain? It looks and works flawlessly.


After owning the watch for a week I feel I have connected with it and am now fully comfortable including it in my collection. I wish we could test drive watches like we do cars in order to really get a feel for how the interaction would be when its actually on our wrist for hours at a time. Unfortunately, most of us are not in such a privileged position to be given one for a trial run.

I would say most of the time pictures and manufacturers description don't relay the actual feedback that is relevant to each individual's preference.


This is not review per se as I don't believe one can be objective and unbiased with one's new acquisition, so please don't take my word as gospel. I'm clearly trying to show that one can be wrong in an initial assessment based on media coverage and photos. I also take reviews with a grain of salt as everyone's taste and level of expectations are different.


I think I've said more than I wanted to, so here are a few pics. to share:

 

 























Cheers & thanks for looking. smile

fernando


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Thank you so much for having taken the time to introduce us your last catch...

 
 By: amanico : August 7th, 2014-08:48
Well, if you didn't get something else after this one. :) I like the case, the movement, and I am fascinated by the strap. I think I would prefer the dial without DATE.... Which is not a surprise, eeeh? Very nice pictures, my dear ( and Young ) friend, I ... 

Thanks Fernando, for sharing!

 
 By: small-luxury-world : August 7th, 2014-11:17
It still looks good on your wrist and the movement is superb. Yesterday I had the pleasure to see the whole FF Bathyscaphe collection again and this one got my special attention ... Oliver ...  

I have yet to see this one Oliver.

 
 By: fernando : August 7th, 2014-22:42
It looks great on you. Thanks for sharing. :) Best fernando

a great watch

 
 By: cuibono : August 7th, 2014-15:12
i think it's a fantastic watch that has been underappreciated. it's discrete and more obviously a real tool watch. too fancy to be a pure tool, perhaps, but it looks the part. congratulations! chris