Pre-Baselworld: Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe 38 mm


The modern Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe, which is based loosely on Fifty Fathoms models from the 1950s, was first presented in 2013, in a 43.60 mm diameter case, and available in stainless steel or ceramized titanium.

Following that, the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe line was offered in a ceramic case, which we wrote about here and here.

This year at Baselworld 2017, following the 38 mm diameter Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Revolution Special Edition that was presented last year in steel, Blancpain will further extend the line with a new three-hand 38 mm diameter brushed stainless steel model.

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It is worth noting that Blancpain has also previously produced a 38 mm diameter white Fifty Fathoms model for women that came out in 2013. This version is presumably marketed more towards men. And judging the from the feedback we have already read online, it will be very popular with men, in this smaller size.

As you would expect, the new version is also thinner, at 10.77 mm in thickness compared to 13.83 mm.

In addition to the abyss blue colored sunburst dial, with Liquidmetal® hour markers, the bezel is steel with a blue ceramic insert with a scale in Liquidmetal®.

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Like the larger Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe, water-resistance is 300 meters. The movement, however, is a smaller automatic measuring 26.20 mm x 3.25 mm, and featuring a slightly lower yet still impressive 100-hour power reserve, thanks to two series-coupled barrels.

The caliber 1150, that is visible through the sapphire caseback, features a solid gold oscillating weight coated in NAC (a platinum alloy). It uses a silicon balance spring, has 28 jewels, a total of 210 components, and it adjusted to chronometer specifications or better.

Comes with a matching blue sailcloth strap. No word on price yet.
(Ref. 5100-1140-O52A)