Earlier this week Blancpain introduced the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe “Blue Abyss” in two different versions. Both watches feature blue ceramic cases, blue ceramic bezel inserts and blue sunburst dials, the sole difference is the lume color, but this detail has a significant effect. So let’s get up close and personal with both.

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The previous watches with blue ceramic cases

The first blue ceramic case appeared in 2016 as part of the Ocean Commitment limited edition series. The  Bathyscaphe Chronographe Ocean Commitment II combined a blue ceramic case with a meteor grey dial and was limited to 250 pieces.

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Two years later the Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback Bucherer Blue Editions appeared, this time the blue ceramic case was paired with a blue dial. This edition was not limited to a specific number of watches, but it is safe to assume that the total number produced is lower than 250.

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The two Bathyscaphe Blue Abyss versions 

Let me start this introduction with the detail that not only separates both watches but is also a significant difference to all other Bathyscaphe models since 2013: the lume.

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The Bathyscaphe reference 5000A 0640 O52A features bright blue SuperLuminova, with the color being very pronounced also during daytime under bright light. Reference 5000 0640 O52A on the other side has traditional off white lume, a way less colorful and way more restrained look.

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Now here’s the catch: for the first time these two Bathyscaphe timepieces carry lume for the numerals and indices on the bezel, giving the Bathyscaphe a totally different appearance at night. 

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The dial and hands are known from other Bathyscaphe versions. The blue dial with sunburst finish has been used for the grey ceramic Bathyscaphe 5000 0240 and the black ceramic Bathyscaphe 5000 0140. 

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Another familiar part of the watch is of course caliber 1315 with its 5 days of power reserve and beautiful finish. The 18ct gold rotor with its blue coating is however new in this version.

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A highlight of Blancpain’s ceramic cases has always been the sublime brushed finish. This is no different with the blue ceramic case of the Bathyscaphe Blue Abyss, albeit it’s not as obvious as with the black ceramic case. The intensity of the blue color dominates a bit over the satin brushed finish, but all virtues of the Bathyscaphe case are still evident.

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Blancpain chose to give the sailcloth straps a contrast stitching, matching the lume color. This was a very good decision, it is exciting to see how much more attention Blancpain recently puts on straps. The blue ceramic tang buckle is rounding up the package perfectly.

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Conclusions

Having a blue ceramic Bathyscaphe as part of the regular collection has to be welcomed as it’s broadening the options for the customer. The fact that this new addition features a fully lumed bezel is exciting, it shows that even after 12 years the Bathyscaphe can still surprise and new versions can offer real added value.

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You find the new Bathyscaphe “Blue Abyss” here on the Blancpain website. If you wish to get familiar with the previous blue ceramic editions, you find the Bathyscaphe Chronographe Ocean Commitment II here and the Bathyscaphe Chronographe Bucherer Blue Editions here in the blog.

I hope you enjoyed this hands-on and the photos.

Cheers 

Henrik