Born at the end of the fifties with the aim of proposing a diving clock whose size also would be appropriate for everyday use, the Bathyscaphe was reinterpreted by Blancpain in 2013. This timekeeper is both useful underwater as well as in the city, enriched with a new movement F385 automatic with flyback chronograph.

This model Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe integrates a new caliber of 13 manufacturing lines that pulsates with a frequency of 36,000 alternations per hour. Equipped with a chronograph mechanism ordered by a wheel of pillars and a vertical clutch. It has flyback function which allows with a simple pressure on the push button located at 4 hours, the stop, reset and new launch of the chronograph.

This device is extremely useful when you need to measure quickly successive periods of time. On the other hand, the chronograph sealed pushbuttons allow the underwater use up to 300 meters depth, without running the risk of damage the clock. This model also emphasized by the presence of a fund of sapphire crystal, which is possible due to a spiral of silicon, whose anti-magnetic properties ignore the Faraday cage. The total transparency of the glass allows to appreciate the oscillations of the mass of 18-carat gold coated with NAC (an alloy of platinum) and carved with the logo of Blancpain.

 

 

At the same time it retains the technical characteristics of the collection Fifty Fathoms, the Bathyscaphe adopts the aesthetic codes of the original model. The black dial domed doesn’t carry digits: instead it shows strokes and tips to rate mode, while the date is visible through a window located at 4 hours. 

The sunny finishes of the dial and bluish of the counters of the chronograph troop highlighted to the whole. The rectangular needles evoke those that represented the Bathyscaphe of the fifties. 

The unidirectional rotating bezel is made of ceramic with ratings provided with Liquidmetal®, a patented metal alloy. In addition, its amorphous structure allows to associate perfectly to the ceramic bezel, which further highlighted  its resistance against scratches and spalling. Finally, the presence of Superluminova elements is the key that ensures an optimum readability during diving.

This new model Bathyscaphe 43 mm diameter is available in brushed black ceramic with black dial and brushed steel gray meteor dial. All models are equipped with NATO bracelet or sailcloth; two extremely robust materials suitable for use in aquatic environment. For the first time in this line, the steel version is also available with metal bracelet.

Text: Blancpain ± Photo: Blancpain