The new Blancpain Bathyscaphe Bucherer Blue Edition

Oct 19, 2018,00:39 AM
 


Yesterday the well known retailer Bucherer released a new timepiece belonging to their Blue Editions collection, which already features watches by Vacheron Constantin, IWC, Piaget, Audemars Piguet, Tudor and others. This time it is a collaboration between Bucherer and Blancpain and the timepiece is called Blancpain Bathyscaphe Chronographe Ceramic Bucherer Blue Edition.


Thanks to Bucherer Hamburg and Blancpain Germany I had the opportunity to view the watch just hours after official release and of course take a lot of photos to share with you.












The watch is powered by the 5Hz calibre F385, which features a personalized rotor celebrating the result of the collaborative effort between Blancpain and Bucherer:












Now, this watch is reminding us very strongly of the two first Ocean Commitment Bathyscaphe models, one with grey ceramic case and blue dial, the other with blue ceramic case and grey dial. Does the Bucherer Blue Edition compromise Blancpain’s Ocean Commitment series? And did Blancpain take it easy by just blending two previous watches into a new one?

Well, after having seen the new watch I answer both questions with a „no“: with this year’s edition of the Ocean Commitment Blancpain already left the Bathyscaphe Chronographe as a basis for the series. Also the OC timepieces are limited to 250 pieces each, including a 1000€ donation to the Ocean Commitment fund with each timepiece. The Bucherer Blue Edition is not limited to a certain number of timepieces.

And Blancpain has not chosen the easy route, since they developed a new dial for the Bucherer Blue Edition. This dial is offering a lot more contrast due to a radial cut on the outer side, it provides a lot more play with light and is simply outstanding seen in reality:















Obviously a blue case combined with a blue dial meets the key idea of the Bucherer Blue Editions... and probably not everyone‘s taste. Whether an almost all blue timepiece appeals to you or not, the execution and quality is as always flawless. Creating more contrast, the outer rim of the also blue ceramic bezel with Liquidmetal inlays is done in grey ceramic, as is the tang buckle that comes with the blue sailcloth strap.
















Here are a few wristshots showing how the watch changes in different light. Since the shooting took place inside the shop no photos under natural light have been possible. I am personally curious how the Bathyscaphe Bucherer Blue Edition would look in bright  sunlight, a sunset or other moody light conditions. Well, maybe someday... 😉










I‘ll close the report with two last shots of this very interesting and beautifully executed timepiece. The watch is exclusively sold through Bucherer and their affiliates worldwide, it is also available online through the Bucherer website.








I hope you enjoyed the introduction and the photos! A heartfelt Thank You goes to Bucherer Hamburg and Blancpain Germany for having granted me the opportunity to encounter this brand new watch so quickly!

Cheers 
Henrik


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Great photos ..

 
 By: Cpt Scarlet : October 19th, 2018-00:44
The blue editions just keep coming.

Probably true [nt]

 
 By: Cpt Scarlet : October 19th, 2018-04:57

Meh! Blancpain throws around with too many special editions, lately.

 
 By: datograph : October 19th, 2018-04:18
The reasonable sized dive watches are poorly executed and this particular model is just another uninspired special edition. I like the brand but I don’t like the way they go!

Actually, the number of limited editions is far less...

 
 By: shortys home : October 19th, 2018-04:54
... than it has been during the Biver era at Blancpain 😉 Now, personal taste is and should be the defining factor for each judgment on a given timepiece. What makes me curious is your statement on poor execution on the reasonably sized dive watches... car... 

I generally agree, but the execution isn’t t poor

 
 By: Cpt Scarlet : October 19th, 2018-04:55
No message body

As others have said, too many special editions...

 
 By: logan2z : October 19th, 2018-10:18
But this seems to be the case with many other brands as well. I guess when you find a winning formula logic dictates that you milk it as much as possible. While the all-blue is a bit different , I don't think I could see myself wearing it. I think the all... 

Ocean Commitment-ish

 
 By: Mostel : October 20th, 2018-13:53
Nice, but it might bug me if I'd gotten an OC.