A blog entirely dedicated to Blancpain timepieces
During a recent visit I had the chance to spend time with the prototypes of two rare Bathyscaphe models. Since both were available in selected markets only, getting up close with them for a photo session was a very welcome opportunity. So here they are, the Bathyscaphe Polar Green in stainless steel and the Bathyscaphe Cortina Watch 50th Anniversary in titanium and Sedna gold.
This last blog post in 2022 is primarily meant to thank you, my readers, for your continuing support! But let me also include a quick wrap-up of the year, including my take on Blancpain’s 2022 novelties as well as my personal collection highlights of the year.
2023 will be the 70th anniversary of the world’s first professional dive watch, so in anticipation of what’s to come in only a few months I thought it might be a good idea to briefly summarize the first 69 years of an iconic watch and its major evolutionary steps. So let’s dive into the history of the Fifty Fathoms and get ourselves prepared for the upcoming anniversary.
Today I experiment with a new style of blog essay and I hope you enjoy it as much as my other style blog posts. In this essay I capture a friend’s private collection of modern Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe timepieces and the thematic approach of the collector. Let’s dive into these magnificent seven, showcasing a bit of the variety the Bathyscaphe line offers.
A few months ago Blancpain launched two new Bathyscaphe 5054 in titanium and red gold, now those materials are finding their way to the Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback 5200. Let‘s take a close look at these two novelties.
Today Blancpain unveiled a new Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe in titanium with a green dial and ceramic bezel. This timepiece is made in connection of a Blancpain Ocean Commitment initiative with aquatil and Jordsand on German island of Sylt and limited to only 25 pieces. Let’s get up close and personal with this new and rare beauty.
In 2021 a second collaboration between Blancpain and Bucherer saw the light of day, the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe ref 5000-0140-NAOA as part of the Bucherer Blue collection. Let’s get up close and personal with this beauty.
Introduced last fall, the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe ref 5000-1210 in grade 23 titanium has become an immediate success. Today let’s take a look at the version on titanium bracelet, which took a bit longer to be delivered, but it was well worth the wait.
On June 16 Blancpain introduced two very attractive siblings to the successful Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Quantieme Complet reference 5054 in satin brushed titanium and satin brushed red gold. Let’s get up close and personal with these two 2022 novelties in the sailcloth strap variant.
I came across a brand new iteration of the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe reference 5000, made in a limited run of 50 pieces for the 50th anniversary of Cortina Watch in Singapore. Let’s take a look at the first two-tone Bathyscaphe.
The Bathyscaphe Quantieme Complet reference 5054-1110-70 was introduced in 2018 and turned out to be one of the bestselling timepieces in the catalogue. Let’s take a look why that’s no surprise. Adding significantly to the content of this essay is the fabulous X-70 bracelet the watch is equipped with.
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.
In 2013 Blancpain celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Fifty Fathoms with the launch of the new Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe, starting with three versions: one in 38mm and two in 43mm size. One of the new watches had a life span of less than a year, the Bathyscaphe Ceramized Titanium. Let’s get up close with this very rare timepiece, often called the “unicorn” by those who know it.
The black ceramic Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Chronographe 5200-0130-B52A is a very successful model in the Blancpain catalogue since it was introduced 6 years ago. Let’s get up close and personal with this exceptional timepiece.
It’s one of my great pleasures and an integral part of my passion for watches: to find a new look for a timepiece by trying out different strap options. Here are some examples from my personal collection and a quick guide on how to successfully create a bespoke strap.
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