Hands On The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe In Ceramic

First released in the late 1950s, and reintroduced in 2013, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms has become a regular sight these past two years. Appreciated for its vintage-inspired design, Blancpain’s new collection of diving watches is none-the-less full of modern appeal. Last year, the brand added the Bathyscaphe Chronograph Flyback and the limited edition Blancpain Ocean Commitment Bathyscaphe Chronograph Flyback to the collection, introducing ceramic cases in the same breath.

And it looks like Blancpain is taken with the material, since it has decided to return to the model introduced in 2013, and launch an all-ceramic Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe version, as well as a new red gold reference. The new Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe stays faithful to the features that made the 2013 model such a great watch. As they say, if it ain’t broke, don’t change it! Large luminous treated rectangular hands once again indicate hours and minutes, while the date function remains snug between 4 and 5 o’clock.

The big change is the introduction of ceramic cases. Using it makes sense, ceramic being much harder than stainless steel (up to three or four times according to different sources), therefore providing better guarantees against underwater risks.

Resistant up to 300 meters, the new watch looks at home at the surface as well. On the wrist, you’d be hard pressed to find a classier diving watch. The ceramic bezel and satin-brushed black dial look very sharp indeed. The Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe measures 43.60 mm – more than Blancpain’s first diving watch – but within current standards in terms of size.

Powering the new Bathyscaphe is Blancpain’s trusted Calibre 1315, which can be admired through a sapphire case back. And while it doesn’t have the most elaborate finish in the collection – that titles remains with the Blancpain Ocean Commitment Bathyscaphe Chronograph Flyback – the minimalist style of its rotor suits this tool watch. The new Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe in ceramic comes with either a sail-canvas strap or a NATO strap with pin buckle, priced at $12,860. A second model, in 18ct red gold is available with a NATO strap with pin buckle for $26,810.

With the new Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe, Blancpain has introduced a very capable diving instrument that is also well aware that it may never be used as such.

Photo Credit: Haute Time. For more information, please visit the official Blancpain website. Follow Haute Time on Instagram to catch all of the new releases as they happen.

Did You Know? Blancpain made the original diving watch (pictured above). Introduced in 1953, the 41mm Fifty Fathoms would have been one of the largest wristwatches of its day. For the first time, it presented a bezel that could be aligned with the minute hands in order to help divers time the number of minutes elapsed underwater. The Fifty Fathoms has accompanied countless divers and underwater photographers in their adventures, most notably Jacques Cousteau during the filming of “Silent World,” and celebrated its 60th anniversary last year. Blancpain marked the occasion by producing a limited edition collectors’ book chronicling the brand’s diving history with 600 beautiful photographs.