Blancpain Gets Deeper Into Ceramics With A New Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet And Bracelet
Blancpain introduces a new Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet in black ceramic and two dial colors as well as a brand-new bracelet in full ceramic. The Maison is doubling down on its zirconium dioxide offerings to great effect. The new bracelet will be available as an additional option to several existing ceramic Bathyscaphes, broadening your range of choices. Let’s have a look at these releases from the watchmakers from Le Brassus.
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe
Blancpain is perhaps most famous for its trailblazing Fifty Fathoms. The Bathyscaphe version of it debuted in the late 1950s. Blancpain intended it to be a more wearable counterpart to the pretty hardcore regular Fifty Fathoms. After all, the original measured 41mm, which many considered positively gargantuan in the early ’50s. The first Bathyscaphe versions measured around 35mm, making them much more palatable to a broader range of wearers.
The modern Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe debuted at Baselworld in 2013. Again, in line with the model’s history, it was a subtler iteration of the Fifty Fathoms theme, more suited to daily wear while retaining hardcore diving performance. The series has become quite important for Blancpain, with many versions having followed the 2013 release. These included a chronograph and several iterations of the time-and-date model. Additionally, 2018 saw the release of a version housing caliber 6654.P with its Quantième Complet (complete calendar) complication.
The last is the version that receives the ceramic treatment today. It also gets two new dials in sunburst blue and sunburst green, both with white gold details.
Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet Ceramic
The Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet is an emblematic watch for Blancpain. For starters, it is a Fifty Fathoms, which is arguably the brand’s biggest claim to fame. However, the calendar and moonphase complications aren’t to be underestimated in their importance to the Maison from the Vallée de Joux. After all, these were the complications that formed the heart of the brand’s revival after the Quartz Crisis. Thus, they were key to Blancpain demonstrating its relevance in changing times.
So to put those things together and then add the use of a modern, high-tech material can be seen as something of a statement. This is the future of Blancpain. What you get is a 43.6mm black ceramic Bathyscaphe with a triple calendar and moonphase complication. The case measures 14.1mm thick and will comfortably go as deep as 300 meters underwater. It also offers a sapphire crystal surrounded by a ceramic bezel inlay with liquid metal markings. This means the surface of the inlay is perfectly smooth, so there are no worries about dirt gathering in recessed markings.
On the dial, you are greeted by a friendly-faced moon over 6 o’clock. There is a central pointer date combined with dual apertures for the day and month below 12 o’clock. Naturally, the discs perfectly match the color of the sunburst dial. Under that dial, we find 321 components making up Blancpain’s caliber 6654.P. This movement is visible through the sapphire window of the case back, displaying a sweeping grained finish and anglage on its bridges.
A new ceramic bracelet
Previously, all ceramic Bathyscaphe models came on sail-canvas or NATO-style straps. Today, Blancpain adds a fully ceramic bracelet to its offerings. This new bracelet measures 23mm wide, fitting the 43.6mm ceramic case of the Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet.
It will be offered as an option on several other models too, including the 5000-series three-hand models and 5200-series chronographs.
The bracelets, like the cases, are produced entirely in Switzerland. If you know anything about ceramic, you know this is a very challenging material to work with. It requires heating to 1,400° Celsius, and up to 25% material shrinkage has to be taken into account. That is a lot in any field, but it is particularly significant in watchmaking. Applying Blancpain-level surface brushing is another challenge, which is why most ceramic watches are fully glossy. It takes dedicated diamond abrasives, a lot of experience, and time.
The bracelet features cam-shaped pins to ensure solidity and fluidity where needed. Its butterfly push-button deployant clasp is non-sequential, meaning you can close it in any order.
Initial impressions
I have to say I find these new releases from Blancpain quite impressive. The bracelet is incredibly high-end and beautifully made and finished. At the same time, it is eerily light, making it extremely comfortable. Admittedly, I like the gloomy look of the three-hand Bathyscaphe ref. 5000 0130 01S on this new bracelet the most. Then again, you may know I am a bit of a sucker for simple watches.
Regardless of my tendency to lean toward base models, I cannot help but admire the new Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet. I particularly like the combination of both dial colors with black as well as the way the dial is laid out. It is busy but perfectly legible and intuitive. Blancpain nailed the visual hierarchy of these dials, effortlessly guiding the eye to the right information.
I also feel these watches perfectly represent what modern-day Blancpain is all about. They are simultaneously classical and modern. They combine the diving template with Haute Horlogerie complications and finishing levels. These are seemingly incompatible features that come together in a cohesive and congruent manner.
Pricing and availability
The new Blancpain Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet in ceramic is priced at €28,350 on its new ceramic bracelet. If you opt for a NATO-style or sail-canvas strap, that number drops to €20,050. The new watches and the bracelet are available as of today.
What do you think of the new Blancpain Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet Ceramic and the new bracelet? Let us know in the comments below!
