Horological Meandering

Article in French translated into English

Jacques Bianchi JB200, the return of the Marseille diving watch

NEW - The JB200 diving watch designed in the 1980s for the Marine Nationale (French Navy) by the watchmaker from the Vieux-Port will soon be reissued.

By: Le Figaro - Judikael Hirel

Posted yesterday at 01:39, updated yesterday at 13:00

Jacques Bianchi (Website)

In his workshop opposite the Vieux-Port in Marseille, Jacques Bianchi, now 80 years old, is more than a watchmaker: he is a living legend of Marseille and the world of diving. In the past, he designed prototypes for freediver Jacques Mayol on the basis of Lemania regatta chronographs, by inventing processes for sealing the pushers, alongside Commander Cousteau and his second Albert Falco. He also repaired the Rolex watches of the Comex divers, pieces now treasured by collectors of the crown brand. Passionate about maritime exploration, he has also developed waterproof cases to test the waterproofness of watches at sea. And, above all, he will launch the brand that bears his name, two models of which will be provided in the army. : the JB200 Quartz for the French Navy at the end of the years 1980, puis la JB300 among Army divers in the mid-1990s.

Marseille still being a capital of diving, this is one of his creations from the 1980s which will soon be reissued with the help and support of Fabrice Pougez, of the French brand MAT. "I was won over by the idea of ​​transmission that emerges from this project," he explains. My meeting with Jacques Bianchi was decisive. Beyond our professional convergences, the current immediately passed between us because we share a large number of common values: watchmaking of course, but also a passion for sport and a love of the deep! Our vision of watchmaking excellence is identical: independence and quality are our two pillars. No concessions on that. And then, it's Marseille! "

Its famous JB200 diver, once worn as an endowment by French Navy divers, will therefore return to the surface, in the form of a "left-handed" type model, of course displaying the silhouette of a diver in action on its dial. Formerly equipped with a quartz movement, this Bianchi by MAT returns this time with an automatic movement made in Japan. This reissue of the JB200 should soon be able to be pre-ordered via Kickstarter from June 15th.

Jacques Bianchi (Website)