Hands-On With Three New Ceramic Blancpain Bathyscaphe Models
Blancpain has been hard at work filling out its Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe collection. Earlier this year, we saw the introduction of two new ceramic Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet models. Several months later, we were treated to the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet Phases de Lune and Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback, both in 18K red gold. In what will most likely be the last expansion of the lineup this year, we see the introduction of a ceramic Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback in blue. Additionally, the brand releases two ceramic versions of the three-hand Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe in green and blue. Let’s find out how they complete the collection.
The Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe lineup has become quite extensive. As these three new models round out the ceramic Bathyscaphe offerings, it might be good to review the different options. Blancpain offers basic versions of the ceramic models — a flyback chronograph, a time-and-date model, and a complete calendar. All are available with a blue, green, or black dial. On top of that, each model comes with the choice of a ceramic bracelet, a NATO strap, or a sailcloth strap. A quick bit of math reveals that there are 27 references.
The extensive Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe collection
But that is not all. The blue-dial versions are available with either a black or blue bezel insert. Add a small number of limited editions, and we end up with 33 ceramic Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe references. That is a surprisingly large number. Of course, different strap options do not create entirely different models, but you will understand that there are quite a few options. The three watches in this review complete the lineup. Let’s go over them in more detail.
Let’s kick things off with the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback in blue. It has a 43.6mm black ceramic case with a 15.25mm thickness and a 23mm lug spacing. I reviewed the green version of this model back in 2020, so witnessing it up close wasn’t uncharted territory. I must admit that I prefer the blue version over the green one, though. As I mentioned in my review of the latter, I wasn’t a big fan of the green shade Blancpain chose for the series. I am a bigger fan of this blue, though. Combined with the black ceramic bezel, it looks a lot better. In my opinion, it’s a more stylish watch with a crisper look.
A minimalist dial that works well as a chronograph
From the moment I put the watch on my wrist, it was my immediate favorite of the three here today. The Bathyscaphe’s almost minimalist aesthetic lends itself well to a chronograph complication. Because of its dial’s substantial size, the chronograph sub-dials integrate so nicely. This creates a nicely balanced dial that stands out with its blue gradient color and sunburst motif. Contrasting this are black applied hour markers and black hands, both filled with light green Super-LumiNova.
The dial features a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock and a 12-hour counter at 9 o’clock. Both chronograph counters stand out immediately because they are recessed into the dial and have a concentrically grained finish. The small seconds counter complements them at 6 o’clock with a slightly different feel. It’s a little more airy in its design and features a different hand with a large luminous circle to ensure that you can also read the seconds in the dark.
Lastly, there is a date window located between 4 and 5 o’clock. Considering the rather refined overall design of the dial, it stands out immediately. Of course, that is for functional purposes, but let’s just say it’s not my favorite element on the dial. What I do love is the overall readability of the dial. Also, thanks to its large size, there are no cut-off markers, and all the elements have room to breathe.
An integrated high-beat chronograph movement
If you turn the watch around, you will see Blancpain’s caliber F385. It is an integrated chronograph movement fitted with a column wheel, a vertical clutch, and an antimagnetic silicon balance spring. The caliber consists of 322 parts, operates at 36,000vph, and offers 50 hours of power reserve. The different parts of the movement reveal themselves once you move the black NAC-coated 18K gold oscillating weight. That’s also when you will get glimpses of the technical finishing that fits the overall style rather nicely.
As this is a high-beat caliber, it allows the chronograph to measure up to 1/10th of a second. On top of that, the chronograph features a flyback function that allows you to stop, reset, and start the chronograph hands with just one press of the pusher at 4 o’clock. Operating the chronograph is a true joy as it starts, stops, and resets with firm, affirmative clicks. It is perfect proof of the skill and craftsmanship that went into its creation.
Wearing the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback
On the wrist is where this blue Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback truly shines. It fits my 18.5cm wrist super well despite its substantial size. Crucially, the lightweight materials make it super easy to wear and soften the impact of the size. Overall, I enjoyed this new version over the green version I reviewed in 2020, and it would be my pick out of the four color options.
The sailcloth strap is of great quality and wraps itself comfortably around the wrist. I like the look of it and prefer it over the more expensive ceramic bracelet and the NATO strap. Plus, the angular pin buckle is just as impressively finished as the case, making it a nice finishing touch.
The blue sailcloth my preferred option, and the watch costs €20,050 on this strap and the NATO strap. If you want it on the ceramic bracelet, that will bump up the price to €28,350. That is a significant step up that is understandable in terms of the materials and the bracelet’s finishing. Each of the three options will have its fans. I was pleasantly surprised by the design and colors of this new addition, while the overall joy of wearing and operating this watch was a great reminder of the craftsmanship and quality that already won me over four years ago. Those aspects combined make this my solid number-one pick of all the ceramic Bathyscaphe models.
The time-and-date Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe
The other two versions we had for review were two color variations of the three-hand models. They both feature the same 43.6mm black ceramic case. With its 13.83mm thickness, it is slimmer than the chronograph’s case, and it maintains the 23mm lug spacing and 300m depth rating. We had the green-dial variant on the ceramic bracelet and the blue-dial version on the NATO strap.
What stands out immediately is that both dials are big. These gradient sunburst dials have the same Super-LumiNova-filled applied black indexes as the chronograph and a date window at 4:30. However, there is a huge portion of the center that is only contrasted by the modest text on the upper and lower halves. It took me some time to get used to this look because it can come across as rather empty compared to the chronograph.
As you will know by now, I much prefer the blue version over the green one. It’s not just a matter of the colors and shades of the dials. What also plays a part is that I like the black bezel insert in combination with the blue dials over the double-green aesthetic of the other model. The blue and black combo looks super classy, and it’s one that I would love to see done well more often. Regardless of color, though, the black ceramic case features a large crown on the right side that stands out more than on the chronograph due to the lack of pump pushers. Because of that, I noticed that the oversized crown is a nice element that adds visual balance to the watches and keeps them from becoming too minimalist.
The stunning ceramic bracelet
Blancpain’s recently introduced ceramic bracelet is a work of art. While I am generally not a fan of ceramic bracelets because they can feel and look rather plasticky, that is not the case at all with Blancpain’s ceramic bracelet. All the links are different in shape and size to ensure maximum comfort based on ideal ergonomics. Each of the parts is also finished by hand, which makes it even more impressive. The brushed links are connected with cam-shaped pins for greater resistance to wear. Lastly, it features a titanium butterfly clasp with double push-button release. Seeing the bracelet up close will make you understand why it is so much more expensive than the strap options. While I prefer the look of the strap, I must say that the bracelet’s craftsmanship is impressive.
Wearing the ceramic Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe
Just like on the chronograph, the sapphire crystal in the case back allows you a view of the movement. For the time-and-date models, Blancpain uses its in-house caliber 1315. The automatic movement has a 4Hz frequency, and thanks to three series-coupled barrels, it offers an impressive 120-hour power reserve. Furthermore, like the chronograph, the movement is equipped with an antimagnetic silicon balance spring and a black NAC-coated 18K gold oscillating weight.
On the wrist is where you get a good idea of the quality of the bracelet. It is lightweight, very comfortable, and beautifully finished. While it might not be my favorite based on its presence, I do recognize the sheer superiority in comfort and quality compared to the straps. And it also explains why this option is so much more expensive. Blancpain went to great lengths to make this bracelet special. The three-hand ceramic Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe models come in at €14,950 for both strap options and €23,250 with the ceramic bracelet.
Final thoughts on the new ceramic Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe models
Overall, it was great spending time with these three watches. I have a huge soft spot for Blancpain’s Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe collection. While the vintage-inspired Bathyscaphe Jour Date 70s and Bathyscaphe Day Date Desert Edition are still my favorites in the lineup, these ceramic models show a completely different side of the series. They represent a far more modern and innovative side of the Bathyscaphe. The brand created a new line highlight with the blue-dial version of the Chronographe Flyback in ceramic. I loved wearing that for a couple of days.
While I was initially somewhat intimidated by its size, that feeling quickly faded. I prefer smaller watches, but it made perfect sense once I put the chronograph on my wrist. I was a bit more unsure about the time-and-date models.
While they are also perfect proof of Blancpain’s incredible horological skills and craftsmanship, the design combined with the watches’ substantial size doesn’t work as well as on the chronograph. But, then again, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe truly offers an option for everyone in a variety of sizes and cases made from stainless steel, titanium, ceramic, or gold. So it is almost impossible not to find a watch you like. Mine happens to be the latest flyback chronograph in that extensive lineup. What’s yours?
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