Introducing The Blancpain Ocean Commitment Bathyscaphe Chronograph Flyback

Part of the Haute Time team (the lucky part) is currently at Cap d’Antibes, in France where Blancpain’s CEO Marc A. Hayek debuted the brand’s newest diving watch, the limited edition “Ocean Commitment Bathyscaphe Chronographe”.

The new chronograph builds upon the Bathyscaphe Chronograph Flyback, which we saw earlier this year, when it launched at Baselworld 2014. At the time it appeared as a clear favorite for sports watch of the year, and after seeing it again when visiting Blancpain’s New York boutique, we have to admit our admiration for the timepiece continues to grow. Needless to say we were very excited to learn about the latest addition.

The “Ocean Commitment Bathyscaphe Chronographe” presents a few key changes. It features a deep blue dial, to go with its oceanic theme, as well as a matching blue ceramic bezel. It also becomes the first Bathyscaphe with a matte grey ceramic case, a new material that looks like traditional steel, but it’s lighter and stronger than before.

Otherwise, it features the Bathyscaphe’s new in-house movement, the F385, and its unmistakable Superluminova hands and hour markers. Blancpain’s CEO Marc A. Hayek gave us a private demonstration of the new watch during the special evening, and it’s as sharp as a whistle.

The new chronograph, of which there will only be 250 pieces, reinforces the brand’s commitment to the cause of ocean preservation and protection. To go with the new watch, Blancpain are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Fifty Fathoms with an encyclopedic history of its iconic collection. The specially produced collectors’ book chronicles the brand’s diving history with 600 beautiful photographs.

The Blancpain Ocean Commitment Bathyscaphe Chronograph Flyback will be delivered at the end of the year, and will cost the same as the black ceramic version. However, for each watch sold, Blancpain will be donating €1,000 to its Ocean Commitment charities. To learn more about the limited edition watch and book, please visit the official Blancpain website.

Make sure to follow our live coverage of the Blancpain Ocean Commitment launch on our Instagram account: @hautetime