Hands-on-: BLANCPAIN Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback

[roadwarrior]

Nov 5, 2020

WatchAdvisor

The Blancpain Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback goes green...

Key facts: Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronograph · date and small seconds · green dial · unidirectional satin-brushed black ceramic bezel with green ceramic insert and Liquidmetal hour-markers · self-winding · Thickness = 15,25 mm · Diameter = 43,60 mm · Lug-to-lug = 51 mm · Water-resistance 30 bar (each bar corresponds to a 10-metre water column.)

Dial

Dozens of steps are required to achieve a perfect color and finish... Once the initial phases devoted to the shape and apertures have been completed, the dial is polished in two stages: the first to remove scratches; and the second to obtain a soft, smooth appearance. This is followed by a series of processes designed to give the surface a special texture, including a sunburst effect that endows the dial with a pattern of lines radiating from the centre. The chronograph counters are then hollowed out and snailed to create greater overall depth. The highly technical colouring process can now begin. The dial is coated with several nanometric layers of material. Transformed by the surface, rays of light reflect the desired hue. The dial of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback can then reveal its subtle shades of green which change according to the angle of illumination, sometimes taking on metallic shades.

Calibre F385

The #F385 movement with 50 hours of power reserve is equipped with a #verticalclutch and a chronograph mechanism controlled by a #columnwheel. It has a #flyback function that enables the chronograph to be reset to zero and restarted instantaneously by simply pressing the push-piece at 4 o'clock. The balance-wheel with its #siliconhairspring oscillates at a frequency of #5Hz (= 36.000 A/h), enabling each second to be divided into 1/10th intervals.

Price

15.430 Euro (including 16 % VAT)

Fifty Fathoms​

THE FIRST MODERN DIVER’S WATCH
Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback
Caliber F385
Automatic
Men

SPECIFICATIONS​

• Flyback Chronograph
  Date Silicon balance spring
  Small seconds
• 
  
• • Unidirectional satin-brushed black ceramic bezel with ceramic insert and Liquidmetal® hour-markers

Secure movement
Case: Satin-brushed black ceramic
Sail-canvas strap
Sapphire back
Reference: 5200 0153 B52A

 

[daycoo2]

A very sharp, mid size, automatic, chronograph, from Blancpain. A little outside my financial radius however. Thanks for posting this up, Mike.

 

[roadwarrior]

BLANCPAIN Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback. Titanium Grade 23 Case. Fifty Shades of Grey.​

WatchAdvisor

Nov 5, 2022

The Blancpain Bathyscaphe watch created in 1956 is smaller than the Fifty Fathoms and featuring calendar indications, this timepiece quickly won over watch enthusiasts who were convinced that a sporty watch could be worn in all circumstances.The flyback chronograph joined the contemporary Bathyscaphe line in 2014 and was the first complication to equip Blancpain's "urban diver" model. The Manufacture is now returning its Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronograph model to centre-stage, housing one of the watch industry’s most renowned chronograph movements: The Blancpain Calibre F385

Blancpain Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback Ref. 5200-1210-G52A
Flyback Chronograph · date and small seconds · unidirectional satin-brushed titanium bezel with ceramic insert and LiquidmetalTM hour-markers ∙ sunburst anthracite dial ∙ self-winding

This in-house movement draws on Blancpain's refined vertical clutch design that ensures smooth engagement of the chronograph mechanism, eliminating the problem of the chronograph seconds hand making sudden, abrupt jumps. Control of starting, stopping and resetting the chronograph is done via a column-wheel, enabling smooth and comfortable operation of the pushers. The F385 beats at a frequency of 5 Hz or 36.000 A/h, which is a considerable advantage in terms of timekeeping accuracy compared to lower frequencies. It has an inertia-regulated balance wheel with a silicon balance spring, whose geometry and lightness help ensure excellent chronometric performance.

Recently introduced into its collections by Blancpain, grade 23 titanium – also known as grade 5 ELI (extra low interstitials) – is the purest type of titanium available. It notably contains less oxygen than the "standard" titanium used in watchmaking. This reduction in the amount of oxygen improves the metal's resistance to breakage and corrosion. In addition to its unfailing strength, grade 23 titanium is also anti- allergenic and its biocompatibility has made it a favorite in the medical field.

Whether the model is in red gold or titanium, the dial is graced with a sunburst pattern throughout and a snailed motif on the chronograph counters, designed to create a sense of depth and contrast. The Blancpain Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronograph is naturally framed by a unidirectional rotating bezel with a ceramic inlay, a signature of the contemporary Bathyscaphe line. The anthracite inlay of the titanium watch is satin-brushed and features a Liquidmetal scale. The case measures 43 mm in diameter/ 14.90 mm in thickness and is water resistant to 30 bar (approximately 300 m).

It is paired with a NATO or sailcloth strap matching the dial colour.

 

[daycoo2]

Thanks for adding this video, Mike.

 

[roadwarrior]

The REAL Ceramic Fifty Fathoms in a BOLD Color​

Bruce Williams
Sep 21, 2023

This is a hi-beat flyback ceramic fifty fathoms with a unique hue of green. Although the design is retro inspired, it is a thoroughly modern sports chronograph. It is far more expensive than a Swatch Bioceramic Fifty Fathoms... but they are both automatic, ceramic, on a nato, and in a bold color. Check out the premium diver that Blancpain has brought to the table.

0:00 - 2:00 The real deal
2:00 - 4:59 The strengths
4:59 - 6:05 Price and details
6:05 - 6:44 The drawback
6:44 - 9:21 Swatch effect?

For those interested, reach out to my people at Exquisite. Feel free to name drop me-
(Nick, Jon, Mariana, Jenya)
1.239.227.2932
IG@exquisitetimepieces
https://www.exquisitetimepieces.com/

Linked here

 

[chrisw]

Nifty

 

[daycoo2]

Thanks for posting this, Mike.