Just after my recent encounter with the first modern Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe in Ceramized Titanium, I now have the pleasure to share some exclusive hands-on impressions of the brand new Bathyscaphe Titanium 5000-1210-NAGA. So let’s get up close with a new watch which will undoubtedly be a huge success.

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I took the photos under natural and artificial light, aiming to show you the lively responsiveness of the timepiece to varying light conditions. Sometimes the dial looks grey, sometimes brown. Sometimes the case looks like steel, sometimes like grey or even black ceramic. Nothing ever rivals a live impression of a timepiece, but hopefully the photos in this essay are the next best thing.

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A not at all usual Bathyscaphe titanium

This is not only the return of titanium to the Bathyscaphe lineup, this timepiece is made of Titanium Grade 23, which is the Extra Low Interstitials version of Titanium Grade 5. Ti Grade 23 is considered the cleanest titanium alloy. Due to it’s anticorrosive properties, Ti Grade 23 is a preferred material for use in saltwater, but also often used for medical and dental applications.

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The new Bathyscaphe titanium is also available on a Titanium Grade 23 bracelet in the shape of the X-71. This is the first time that the X-71, well known from the 45 and 40mm Fifty Fathoms, is fitted to a Bathyscaphe case, although it is named 98S. Notably the Bathyscaphe typical X-70 bracelet has not been chosen to be crafted in titanium. I have not yet seen the new ref 5000-1210 on the bracelet and I am very curious how the X-71/98S will suit the non-rounded shapes of the Bathyscaphe. But let’s get back to the watch on the no less attractive Nato strap:

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Extending the brushed look to dial and bezel

The new Bathyscaphe Titanium features the first ever vertically brushed dial by Blancpain. The dial has a beautiful anthracite color, the brushed finish is very pronounced.

The dial responds very sensitively to changing light conditions. In a darker environment the dial also appears darker and the vertical brush is a bit less obvious, in the direct sunlight the dial turns to a lighter/medium grey and the finish is more pronounced.

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It also reflects on warm or cold ambient colors, which is typical for anthracite. Together with the black polished hands this creates a very interesting face of the watch.

It’s a typical virtue of Blancpain to match the color of the date disc to the dial. The new Bathyscaphe Titanium is no exception to this:

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The dark grey ceramic bezel insert also has a brushed finish (another first), but with a more subtle execution. The finish needs exposure to direct light to be fully revealed.

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A very convincing new appearance

Reference 5000-1210 adds a new dimension to the Bathyscaphe family. It combines the signature design elements of the Bathyscaphe with new and previously unseen details and therefore provides a distinct look.

The watch I had the pleasure to capture in photos came on a grey Nato strap, which corresponds beautifully with the titanium case and the brushed anthracite dial.

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Even though the timepiece is showing predominantly grey colors, it still offers a lot of character and presence. And its sensitivity to light, which is true for case, dial and bezel, provides for an ever different looking companion.

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A trusted and beautiful movement

Of course the new Bathyscaphe Titanium is powered by caliber 1315, which is not only a sturdy, precise and reliable movement, but also beautifully finished and therefore a perfect fit.

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Caliber 1315 offers 5 days of power reserve, it operates at a frequency of 4 Hz, it has antimagnetic properties and features a dark grey coated 18ct gold rotor.

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Conclusions

Titanium seems to be the material of choice for Blancpain recently. With the titanium Fifty Fathoms 5015 and 5050, followed by the highly anticipated titanium bracelet for those references, the 45mm Fifty Fathoms already enjoyed this focus in the last years.

Now the Bathyscaphe sees its third titanium timepiece since 2013, and it is a remarkable watch in many respects. The new details create a new aesthetic appearance and I have no doubt this watch will be a huge success.

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The Bathyscaphe titanium comes on a grey sailcloth strap (5000-1210-G52A), on a grey Nato strap (5000-1210-NAGA) or the titanium bracelet (5000-1210-98S). The watch a regular collection model and it is available immediately.

If you wish to see first hands-on impressions of the new Titanium Bathyscaphe on sailcloth strap and the titanium bracelet, you find those on Monochrome.

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The new timepiece can be found here on the Blancpain website. My recent essay on the ultra rare Bathyscaphe Ceramized Titanium can be found here in the blog, reports on the titanium Fifty Fathoms 5015 are available here (black and blue versions on strap) and here (on titanium bracelet).

I hope you enjoyed this exclusive hands-on coverage of an exciting 2021 novelty.

Cheers

Henrik