Blancpain

So far I don´t have more details and pictures, but I thought you might be interested to see it/them at least.

Are those the (potential) 60s anniversary watches or do they have more under their sleeve? I don´t know, at the moment.

First thoughts: Interesting. Both look like tool watches, the shape of the cases look like my former Bathyscaphe ...


Quite different, to what we already have:





More to come ...

Oliver

 

This message has been edited by small-luxury-world on 2013-04-25 15:16:53 This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2013-04-25 16:54:43

I am quite surprised they have another vintage watch design.  Not my favorite design but its nice they are looking back at there roots.  I wonder what the diameter of the watch.  If its 40-41 mm i might have to look at one in person!   I would love to find a new Bp that i could wear!  Brian

'vintage' design.

for the 60th anniversary, if they could just include a Milspec1 dial, and slightly wider bezel (non ceramic), I think we could have a winner!!

 

Thanks for sharing the photos

 

Tony

For me also, the perfect new FF would be:
1. New Bathyscaphe case shape
2. curved spphire crystal, like the current FF models
3. wider, curved rotating bezel, made of sapphire like in the current FF
4. a clean dial
Now, that would be a fitting 60th Anniversary. Let's hope they do have something to reveal, although it seems most people here know but keep quiet.
All the best,
Alexandros

If I got it well, the Bathy is 42 mm, and 38 ( for the Lady version ).

I like the case a lot. I am not too fan of the dial and insert. I find that the lady version has more character, curiously.

Best,

Nicolas

 

taken from the booth (Oliver will have more next week):

The Bathyscaphe comes in a 43mm stainless steel case with a grey dial. 

The bezel is not sapphire but ceramic. It rotates only in one direction, as it should.

A look at the back reveals a pleasant view: Cal. 5000 with 5 days of power reserve, a rugged movement, visible through the display back:

And finally another nice surprise: The price is well below CHF 9.000! A well-devised new member in the 50 Fathoms family, overall well in keeping with the tradition of the family.

... I do no have any emotion for this watch. Would anyone of you pay this price for a watch from an other brand ! I would not even notice it.

The bezel insert looks weird, the dial is somewhere in between the chic and the rugged, the date is out of place, and the crown is bnot coherent in its style and dimensions.

Best,

Nicolas

1. Case: ok, but to be honest I would prefer if BP sticks to the current shape for the FFs, since it is a trademark of the company and it makes the FF stand on its own right. The Bathy case shape can be found in JLC, Zenith, Tag Heuer, etc. I prefer the individualistic approach of the current case shape, which happens to be extremelly beautiful and versatile (chic/rugged) as well

2. Bezel: failed design (non domed), failed dimensions (too small), failed materials (no sapphire). Not much to add

3. Crystal: the beauty/charm of the FF lies greatly in its domed crystal; the lack of it allienates the Bathy from the FF line

4. Movement: excellent

All the best,

Alexandros

 

This message has been edited by agyzas on 2013-04-26 08:58:23

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Best,

Can you cinfirm or infirm?

Best,

Nicolas

Fifty Fathoms: 60 years of diving and as still as modern as ever!
In 2013, Blancpain presents the Bathyscaphe version

Since its creation in 1953, the Fifty Fathoms by Blancpain has been the archetypal modern diver’s watch. 60 years on, two new models join a fabulous lineage that has earned iconic status. The vintage-inspired Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe presented in a 2013 men’s and women’s version incorporates the latest watch industry developments with the silicon balance-spring.


Inspired by the abyssal underwater exploration of Swiss adventurer Jacques Piccard, Blancpain’s Bathyscaphe diver’s watches were introduced in the late 1950s as models for both men and women. Imbued with the spirit of these historical models, the new Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe offers a reinterpretation of these two models featuring the integration of the latest technical innovations.

Various elements of the 2013 version hark back to the first editions. The contours are as sharply defined as those of their predecessors. The hands feature the traditional look of the vintage watches and the date appears through a dedicated aperture. Loyal to the original Bathyscaphe version, the luminescent dot on the bezel serves to ensure the permanent readability of diving times.

Testifying to the past while looking firmly to the future, the new models incorporate modern Blancpain calibres renowned for their robustness and reliability. The heart of each of the mechanical self-winding movements beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour. Driven by a constant concern to improve these calibres, a nonmagnetic silicon balance-spring may be admire through a sapphire crystal case-back. In addition to its corrosion-resistant properties, silicon is also extremely resistant to wear and natural ageing. This technical breakthrough marks a decisive step in the longstanding pursuit of optimal isochronism for its timepieces. Another novel feature for Blancpain is the graduated scale in Liquidmetal®. This amorphous metal alloy avoids any deformation and ensures perfect bonding with the ceramic bezel insert. The hardness of these two materials serves to enhance the bezel’s scratch resistance.

Like all diver’s watches worth their salt, each model is equipped with a unidirectional bezel activated by turning it counter-clockwise in one-minute increments. During dives, the seconds serves as an operating indicator, while a contrasting dial and luminescent gold hour-markers ensure optimal readability. The new Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe is naturally water-resistant to 30 bar, equivalent to around 300 metres.

Each model is fitted with a triple-loop NATO strap. This broad and extremely practical wristband is as reliable and robust as the watch itself. Introduced in the 1960s when the British Ministry of Defence was looking for a sturdy strap to equip its military watches, its origins are echoed in its name that is a nod to its reference code: NATO G10. International

Press Release

...  dynamics:

Henrik.

The rest is just opinion, which doesn't count at the moment of decision.

Enjoy!

Thanks for your input, my friend.

Best,

Nicolas

and so far, weird or not, I like it.

Their video is well done and the first wrist shot I saw looked very promising as well.

Henrik, I am absolutely not surprised that you placed your order already. Well done

Only a few more days until I can see it on my wrist ...

Oliver

to show it before next week ..

(credit: MarcoG)

Nice WS, by the way!

Best,

Ncolas.

Add? We will see ... the beauty & the beast ...

The beauty ...

This message has been edited by small-luxury-world on 2013-04-27 04:52:56

Adding character to elegance. Refinement is a word which was not in the FF dictionary, until these 2 came.

Best,

Nicolas

... not fair. Not fair at all!!! 

The case looks very grey? Is it some sort of bead blasted finish? Also the watch strongly reminds me of the MIH:
www.mih-watch.ch

But once again, same question comes to my mind; what's wrong with Blancpain design department since some years ago? Sorry, but this is my most sincere opinion, and I'm not alone on this. 

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as far as I am concerned!..............so bad, so cheap looking!!!

A Fifty Fathoms that I can wear.

Vintage looks on a modern body and engine.

Where do I sign?

Cheers,

Nilo

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