Latest from Blancpain, a new Fifty Fathoms edition;

The Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe model, renowned for its dual function as a diving
instrument and civilian timepiece, now comes in a version combining a blue dial and
bezel with a Sedna® gold case. The history of the Fifty Fathoms goes back to 1953, when Blancpain unveiled a timepiece that was to become the first professional diver’s watch. A few years later, Blancpain complemented this time measuring instrument with the Bathyscaphe model, thereby aiming to offer a diver’s watch in a size suited to everyday wear.

Reissued in 2013 in a contemporary version to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Fifty
Fathoms, the Bathyscaphe has since been enriched with a wide choice of models, both in
terms of complications and materials. For the first time combining a blue dial and bezel with a Sedna® gold case, the new Bathyscaphe by Blancpain is an elegant addition designed to delight lovers of water sports and beautiful watches as well as experienced divers.

Blue symbolizes Blancpain’s passion and commitment to the underwater world. This deep colour exalts its shimmering reflections and plays with light thanks to the sunburst finish of the dial. Rectangular hour-markers and the chapter ring composed of gold and Super-LumiNova® dots further make their contribution to endowing the dial with an elegant and perfectly legible appearance in any situation. Complemented by a slim seconds hand and a date window, the hour and minute hands are also rectangular and coated with Super-LumiNova®, evoking the Bathyscaphe watches of the 1950s.
Crafted from Sedna® gold – a gold, copper and palladium alloy guaranteeing the exceptional durability of red gold –, the 43 mm case features a sharp outline and satin finish that gives the Bathyscaphe a sporty yet refined look. The Sedna® gold unidirectional rotating bezel is fitted with a ceramic insert including a Ceragold® time scale and hour-markers.

Water-resistant to 300 meters, the new Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe beats to the rhythm of the 1315 caliber. Stemming from a longstanding quest for precision and performance, this selfwinding movement was specially developed and produced by Blancpain to equip its sports watches. Its three series-coupled barrels provide it with a five-day power reserve while maintaining constant energy. Its balance features a silicon balance-spring that ensures remarkable regularity of the oscillation frequency as well as impermeability to magnetic fields.

One feature we love about the 1315 Calibre movemetn is that the auto rotor is mounted on a steel arbor with ceramic lining, so the weight of that rotor doesn’t wear too quickly. Less friction also means the rotor falls one way or the other with a fluid ease – all good tech in any modern watch.

It is a high quality 35 jewel in-house movement, that has had a few years development now as well. That bodes well for a lifestime of service, which is what you expect at this price level.

A sapphire case-back provides visual access to the movement, revealing all the beauty
of a sandblasted, satin-finished and snailed Sedna® gold oscillating weight engraved with the Blancpain logo, along with snailed and bevelled bridges.

We aren’t sure on UK RRP for this model, but we will take a guess at about £13,500.