The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Line Expands with New Ceramic Models

A classic from Blancpain‘s range of sports watches, the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe is a sleeker and more daily-oriented vision of a dive watch. Available in a host of materials (titanium, gold or ceramic), in various sizes and with an array of complications, the brand now returns to classic functions with two new time-and-date editions and a new chronograph, all housed in stealthy, sporty black ceramic cases, with cool dial colours and a variety of wristband options including the recently introduced high-tech ceramic bracelet.

As things go, these three new Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe won’t change the face of the collection drastically since they retain most elements of previous models. The Bathyscaphe is Blancpain‘s more compact and streamlined version of the Fifty Fathoms, first released in 1956. Since its reappearance in the collection in 2013, it has appeared in many iterations – including surprising models such as an annual calendar or a complete calendar with moon phases. But today, it’s all about the classics. Two sleek and purposeful time-and-date dive watches and a classic combination of aquatic properties with a high-tech chronograph on the other.

First in line are two new editions of the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe time-and-date, both housed in 43.6mm black ceramic cases. Identical in shape and features to the full-black edition here, these 300-metre dive watches are equipped with a unidirectional ceramic bezel (with Liquidmetal 60-minute scale) and sapphire crystals on both sides. What’s new are the colours, as the brand now offers these references 5000 with a sunray blue dial (with black bezel) or a sunray green dial with a matching bezel insert – now a classic combination in the collection.

Inside the case of these two classic Bathyscaphe models is the in-house, automatic calibre 1315, a powerful movement with three series-coupled barrels delivering 120 hours of power reserve. It’s equipped with an anti-magnetic silicon balance spring and wound by a NAC-coated 18K gold oscillating weight, alongside discreet but refined finishes. A generous choice of straps and bracelets is available, ranging from sail-canvas and NATO straps to a full ceramic bracelet.

Specs: 43.6mm x 13.83mm – black ceramic case, unidirectional bezel with ceramic insert, sapphire crystals, screw-down crown, 300m water-resistant – blue or green dial – calibre 1315, in-house automatic, 4Hz, 120h power reserve – sail-canvas or NATO strap, ceramic bracelet – CHF 12,600 on strap, CHF 19,600 on bracelet

The third model in this 2024 Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe collection is a new iteration of the flyback chronograph, which we already covered with a green dial. While still housed in the same 43.6mm case with 300m water-resistance and sapphire crystals front and back, it is now equipped with a blue brushed dial and a black ceramic insert on the bezel. As with the aforementioned models, sail-canvas and NATO straps, along with a full ceramic bracelet, are available.

Inside the case is a modern automatic, integrated chronograph movement, the calibre F385. Alongside its architecture with a column-wheel system and a vertical clutch, it also features a flyback function (allowing start-stop-reset with a single press of the pusher at 4 o’clock) and runs at a high frequency of 5Hz to measure elapsed time to 1/10th of a second. It is also equipped with an anti-magnetic silicon balance spring. It retains a comfortable 50h power reserve despite the 36,000vph operation.

Specs: 43.6mm x 15.25mm – black ceramic case, unidirectional bezel with ceramic insert, sapphire crystals, screw-down crown, 300m water-resistant – blue dial – calibre F385, in-house automatic flyback chronograph, 5Hz, 50h power reserve – sail-canvas or NATO strap, ceramic bracelet – CHF 16,900 on strap, CHF 23,600 on bracelet

For more details, please visit blancpain.com.