Forums Latest Members

SOLD Waltham / Blancpain Bathyscaphe MC4 First Gen Tropical FINAL PRICE

  1. MikeMan2727 Jan 15, 2019

    Posts
    1,653
    Likes
    8,682
    As mentioned in a previous thread, I finally found my grail - a Blancpain branded Bathyscaphe. Unfortunately this means that I have to sell my Waltham branded Bathyscaphe.

    The first generation version of the Waltham/Blancpain Bathyscaphe is difficult to find in original condition and is identical to the original MC4 design. It shares the same case, bezel, dial, and movement as the original MC4 with the only differences being dial and movement branding. I believe this watch to be from the late 1950s and one of the earlier Waltham/Blancpain examples. Earlier Waltham watches had a simple italicized logo on the dial, which later was expanded with a red crown above the manufacturer.

    This watch features a 34mm nickel/SS case with bakelite bezel and radium dial markers. The dial has developed a lovely tropical patina with even radium burn around the markers. The movement is a manual wound AS 1187, which was found in the original Blancpain MC4.

    There are scratches and wear to the case with some loss of plating. There is wear to the bezel, commensurate with age. Overall, there is very consistent aging between the case, bezel, and dial. Please see the photos carefully - I am also happy to provide more!

    The watch was serviced in May 2018 by Paul's Watch and Clock in California and will come with warranty card, good until May 2019. The watch will come on the stainless steel bracelet, seen in some of the photos.

    1.jpg 2.jpg 4.jpg 5.jpg 6.jpg 7.jpg 8.jpg 9.jpg 10.jpg 11.jpg 12.jpg 20190112_114749.jpg

    Pricing this was challenging, as these do not come up very often, especially first generation models. There have been some recent sales and listings from $3300-$4500, all for second generation watches which somewhat differ from the original MC4.

    I am listing this at $2000, which will include free shipping in the USA. International shipping will be at cost. Returns only accepted if the watch is misrepresented. Transferwise is preferred for international deals. I have lots of positive feedback in the Seller Profile subforum!
     
    Edited Feb 11, 2019
    Jkuback, w154, jam karet and 15 others like this.
  2. MikeMan2727 Jan 17, 2019

    Posts
    1,653
    Likes
    8,682
    :)
     
  3. MikeMan2727 Jan 19, 2019

    Posts
    1,653
    Likes
    8,682
    Happy to hear offers!
     
  4. MikeMan2727 Jan 21, 2019

    Posts
    1,653
    Likes
    8,682
    Bump
     
  5. MikeMan2727 Jan 24, 2019

    Posts
    1,653
    Likes
    8,682
    Bump.
     
    Edited Feb 11, 2019
  6. MikeMan2727 Jan 27, 2019

    Posts
    1,653
    Likes
    8,682
    Bump!
     
  7. MikeMan2727 Jan 30, 2019

    Posts
    1,653
    Likes
    8,682
    Any offer considered! Just made several big purchases so this one needs to go!
     
  8. MikeMan2727 Feb 2, 2019

    Posts
    1,653
    Likes
    8,682
    Weekend bump
     
  9. MikeMan2727 Feb 5, 2019

    Posts
    1,653
    Likes
    8,682
    $2500 bump!
     
  10. bigsom Feb 5, 2019

    Posts
    1,312
    Likes
    10,509
    Wow such a rare example... So surprised this is still here! This is first execution right Mike?
     
    MikeMan2727 and GuiltyBoomerang like this.
  11. tmw57 Feb 6, 2019

    Posts
    1,422
    Likes
    5,399
    These are so pretty. And I've always loved the look of the evenly spaced and uncluttered bezel inserts.
     
    MikeMan2727 likes this.
  12. MikeMan2727 Feb 6, 2019

    Posts
    1,653
    Likes
    8,682
    Correct! The later variants had a red "W" over the logo and had slightly different bezel dimensions. This is what you see for sale most often when they come up. Haven't seen very many all-original first executions come up for sale.
     
    bigsom likes this.
  13. MikeMan2727 Feb 8, 2019

    Posts
    1,653
    Likes
    8,682
    Bump
     
    CLTMA likes this.
  14. MikeMan2727 Feb 11, 2019

    Posts
    1,653
    Likes
    8,682
    Final price drop to $2000.

    First generation, beautiful tropical dial and recent service!
     
    wilisa likes this.