Review, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe, Subdued Luxury

cristos71

At first I didn't really like it, but after your write up and excellent pictures I'm sold! 😀

Dial & Bezel

Blancpain has released the Bathyscaphe in 38mm this year, if you're somewhat put off by the 43mm case. 😉

treiz1337

However the proportion of the dial, bezel, and hour marking is a little off.

Rockmastermike

The Bathyscaphe is discrete and purposeful and I can't remember where I heard the term but it is "subdued luxury"

43mm wide and 13.4mm thick, it is sportier than its big brother with a sunburst dial that is explosive and ever shifting - the SS version sports a grey-ish dial while the Ti version goes with a black dial.

The overall delivery / effect is immediately one of "shock and awe" at the confluence and harmony of, what on the surface seem to be mismatched elements. The tool-ish indicators of the Heavily grained titanium, larger crown and hardcore NATO paired with highly polished white gold hands/makers and a ceramic bezel that normally are associated with dress-ier type watches.





Two things I want you to notice in this shot: 1) Beaultiful play of the dial and 2) the facted lugs



The facet on the lugs tapers up to the case showing off very pleasing lines up to the crown - the crown is not small, but not out of place either - very easy to grip and operate and still keeping in proper perspective with the case





Ceramic Bezel with Liquid Metal inserts and very crisp and sharp detent



Polished white gold indices and hands and the printing text is austere - small logo and fine printing that doesn't scream at you - discrete







Date window at 4:30 is subdued thanks to the matching black background. Note the beveled frame of the window



Taking a step back from dial details - the overall appearance of the dial is nothing short of astonishing and often shows a range of shades/hues and tones with the slightest motion of the wrist





Turn the watch over and it gets even better if you can believe it. The star of the watch is the Calibre 1315. From the Blancpain website:
"The goal in particular was to endow the watch with an optimal autonomy, while ensuring constant energy at all times. The new Calibre 1315 does indeed have an exceptional power reserve of 5 days. 120 hours. It uses a glucydur free sprung balance."

35 jewels & 227 components and all finished with what you’d expect from a High Horology Manufacture



3 mainspring barrels coupled in series ensure even release of torque



Grained texture to the blackened 18ct gold rotor. It is a heavy winding mass that ensures efficient and effective winding on the wrist



Amagnetic due to the silicon hairspring – open case back and still 300m / 1000 Ft



Edges of the bridges are polished – slots are camfered - even the jewel sinks are polished







Turning her back around - Exceptional lume – doesn’t take much effort to charge and is long lasting



And Finally, I coulnd't stop without at least mentioning the High End heavy duty hardware on what quite possibly could be pinnacle of NATO’s and very nive sailcloth with a thin backing - both are very comfortable and feature Beautifully finished and faceted pin buckle







Thank you

Rockmastermike

The Bathyscaphe is discrete and purposeful and I can't remember where I heard the term but it is "subdued luxury"

43mm wide and 13.4mm thick, it is sportier than its big brother with a sunburst dial that is explosive and ever shifting - the SS version sports a grey-ish dial while the Ti version goes with a black dial.

The overall delivery / effect is immediately one of "shock and awe" at the confluence and harmony of, what on the surface seem to be mismatched elements. The tool-ish indicators of the Heavily grained titanium, larger crown and hardcore NATO paired with highly polished white gold hands/makers and a ceramic bezel that normally are associated with dress-ier type watches.





Two things I want you to notice in this shot: 1) Beaultiful play of the dial and 2) the facted lugs



The facet on the lugs tapers up to the case showing off very pleasing lines up to the crown - the crown is not small, but not out of place either - very easy to grip and operate and still keeping in proper perspective with the case





Ceramic Bezel with Liquid Metal inserts and very crisp and sharp detent



Polished white gold indices and hands and the printing text is austere - small logo and fine printing that doesn't scream at you - discrete







Date window at 4:30 is subdued thanks to the matching black background. Note the beveled frame of the window



Taking a step back from dial details - the overall appearance of the dial is nothing short of astonishing and often shows a range of shades/hues and tones with the slightest motion of the wrist





Turn the watch over and it gets even better if you can believe it. The star of the watch is the Calibre 1315. From the Blancpain website:
"The goal in particular was to endow the watch with an optimal autonomy, while ensuring constant energy at all times. The new Calibre 1315 does indeed have an exceptional power reserve of 5 days. 120 hours. It uses a glucydur free sprung balance."

35 jewels & 227 components and all finished with what you’d expect from a High Horology Manufacture



3 mainspring barrels coupled in series ensure even release of torque



Grained texture to the blackened 18ct gold rotor. It is a heavy winding mass that ensures efficient and effective winding on the wrist



Amagnetic due to the silicon hairspring – open case back and still 300m / 1000 Ft



Edges of the bridges are polished – slots are camfered - even the jewel sinks are polished







Turning her back around - Exceptional lume – doesn’t take much effort to charge and is long lasting



And Finally, I coulnd't stop without at least mentioning the High End heavy duty hardware on what quite possibly could be pinnacle of NATO’s and very nive sailcloth with a thin backing - both are very comfortable and feature Beautifully finished and faceted pin buckle







Thank you

Cadillac

If you don’t mind my asking, where did you find those canvas straps? I’ve been looking all over and it seems the only option is ordering custom straps off of Etsy. 23mm lug width is proving to be quite the hurdle canvas strap-wise.

SeanO

.....luckily it's way out of my budget or I'd be pimping myself in Highgate....