In recent years, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms collection has undergone significant changes.
The brand marked the 70th anniversary of its iconic diver's model in several stages. Additionally, Blancpain created a complete line of Fifty Fathoms in various sizes, satisfying a wide audience and addressing a long-standing issue for many fans. These developments ensure a bright future for the collection, with the impressive Fifty Fathoms Tech series confirming the line's strength and relevance. However, amidst this, we sometimes forget about the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe line. Three years after celebrating the 70th anniversary of the classic Fifty Fathoms, Bathyscaphe gets its moment of glory. Blancpain celebrates seven decades of Bathyscaphe with a reissue of the classic 1968 model.
The History of Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe 70th Anniversary
Personally, I don't always follow the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe range closely. My preference leans towards the classic Fifty Fathoms as industry icons, with a design that resonates with me more than Bathyscaphe. I also highly value the modern Fifty Fathoms Tech models — they represent the future of Blancpain's deep-sea tool watches and are consistently impressive. Among the many worthy Fifty Fathoms options, there aren't many Bathyscaphe models that stand out to me. A pleasant exception is the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Day Date Desert Edition with its retro design and desert theme — exactly my kind of thing.
The main issue with this model was the case size — 43 mm seemed too large for me. If it were a 39 mm case, the model would be an ideal retro diver, but size often hindered perception. Many know that size was a long-standing problem for the Fifty Fathoms collection. After Blancpain addressed these issues for the main line, it seems Bathyscaphe's turn has come. In honor of the model's 70th anniversary, the brand releases the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe 70th Anniversary — a modern reissue of the classic 1968 model.
The Significance of the Bathyscaphe Model in Blancpain's History
Bathyscaphe debuted in 1956 as a civilian alternative to Fifty Fathoms. While Fifty Fathoms was created as a professional tool for the military, professional divers, and underwater specialists, Bathyscaphe offered a more everyday solution, retaining key features necessary for diving.
The appearance of Bathyscaphe was shaped by the aesthetic of the skin-diver — amateur scuba diving, not professional. This made the watch more appealing to the general public of the time. Overall, they were more compact and had a more refined everyday style. Thanks to this approach, Bathyscaphe always stood out from its larger and more professional 'siblings' with unique design and feel.
Technical Specifications of Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe 70th Anniversary
In honor of Bathyscaphe's 70th anniversary, Blancpain introduced a modern interpretation of the classic 1968 model. The brand maintained maximum fidelity to the original, which will undoubtedly delight fans. The result is a limited edition of 300 pieces, reminiscent of Blancpain's rich history in diving.
Key Features of the Model (Ref. 5903 1110 63A):
- Case Diameter: 37.4 mm
- Thickness: 12.3 mm
- Lug-to-Lug: 46.5 mm
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Water Resistance: 300 m
These are full-fledged diver's watches, ready for underwater adventures. However, it's unlikely that any of the 300 models will ever dive to great depths.
The retro effect created by these dimensions is particularly important. The 18 mm lug width also enhances authenticity. When the watches arrived at our editorial office, most of the WatchTested team noted the fresh and distinct design compared to the modern Bathyscaphe line. The latter is oriented towards modernity with the use of current colors and materials.
For classic lovers, the new model is a pleasant exception. The case is equipped with a unidirectional bezel with 120 clicks, a black ceramic insert, and lacquered numerals. On the right is the fluted crown, harmoniously matching the case size. The case is polished, emphasizing its thin profile.
Dial Design and Mechanics of the Anniversary Model
Under the domed sapphire crystal is a gray meteorite sunburst dial. The indices are made of 18-karat white gold and filled with vintage-look Super-LumiNova. The date window is neatly positioned at the '3 o'clock' position. The hour and minute hands are baton-shaped, the seconds hand has an arrow-shaped tip, all covered with color-matched Super-LumiNova. The classic typography of the logo and inscriptions on the lower half of the dial are in the style of the original Bathyscaphe.
On the back of the case, you can see the Blancpain 1150 caliber — an in-house automatic movement with a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour, 28 jewels, and an impressive power reserve of 100 hours. This 210-component caliber is equipped with a silicon balance spring and is also used in the Fifty Fathoms Automatique models with a 38 mm diameter.
For Bathyscaphe, the rotor is slightly different — it is made of matte and brushed 18-karat rose gold without the gray NAC coating. The finish of the movement is impressive: guilloche, intricate anglage on the plates and bridges. The case back is engraved with the unique number of the limited series, highlighting the model's status.
Wearing and Impressions of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe 70th Anniversary
We eagerly tried on this anniversary model. Its compact size and retro style make the watch a splendid vintage diver. It's nice that the model looks great on both slim and more robust wrists. On a small wrist, the watch appears as the perfect diver with a significant presence, and on a larger one, the vintage aesthetic is emphasized. On my 18.5 cm wrist, the watch didn't seem too small.
I must admit that my perception changes over time — I have come to appreciate compact watches more. For example, when the Tudor Black Bay 58 first appeared, I found it too small on a strap. It is comparable in size to this new Bathyscaphe 70th Anniversary. However, the strap also affects perception: the chocolate-brown calfskin strap of the anniversary model visually adds volume compared to the fabric strap of the Black Bay. The quality of the leather is excellent, making wearing the Blancpain comfortable. The strap is quite stiff and takes some getting used to, but becomes more comfortable after a few days.
Conclusion: Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe 70th Anniversary — A Modern Retro Diver
The watch sits excellently on the wrist, and quality is felt in all details. Turning the bezel is a pleasure, and the absence of play in the crown when setting the time underscores the high level of execution. The resistance when turning the crown meets expectations from a luxury brand.
Overall, I enjoyed spending time with the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe 70th Anniversary. It's a pleasant addition to the Bathyscaphe line that enthusiasts will appreciate. The only thing to note is that the skin-diver aesthetic holds no surprises. It's a style many like and are accustomed to seeing in various price categories. Therefore, the anniversary model must stand out for its quality and watchmaking craftsmanship.
And I am pleased to state that it does. The new model feels like a true luxury product, a significant step forward compared to the usual skin-diver watches. This justifies the price of CHF 13,800. Moreover, the model tells the story of Blancpain's rich heritage in diving watches. If the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe 70th Anniversary is just the beginning, we are in for exciting anniversary models from Bathyscaphe. I eagerly await what Blancpain will prepare next!