Dive Watch Wednesday: The New Limited-Edition Blancpain Bathyscaphe Chronograph


Blancpain Bathyscaphe Chrono LE - dial CULast week, Blancpain introduced its “Ocean Commitment” initiative at Cap d’Antibes in the South of France. This program will unite the manufacture‘s various activities to preserve and protect the world’s oceans as well as to increase public awareness through ocean exploration.

Of course, Blancpain will be introducing specific watch models in supporting this cause as well. The brand has unveiled the first piece in a series of limited-edition diving watches, the Blancpain Ocean Commitment Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback, which features Blancpain’s new high-beat F385 caliber along with an exclusive gray ceramic case and a blue dial and bezel.

Blancpain Ocean Commitment Bathyscaphe Chrono - angle

Blancpain Ocean Commitment Bathyscaphe Chrono - front

The 43.6-mm Chronograph model of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe range was first introduced at this year’s Baselworld in two versions, one with a stainless steel case (Ref. 5200-1110…) and the other with a black ceramic case (Ref. 5200-130…). The new “Ocean Commitment” version (Ref. 5200-0240-052A) comes with a satin-brushed, gray ceramic case and a blue dial with ceramic inlay for “liquidmetal” inserts. The crown, bezel and chronograph pushers (which can be operated underwater) are made of ceramic as well. On the back of this 300-meter water-resistant dive watch, a sapphire window reveals the new 5-Hz in-house caliber with flyback function. The rotor has been specially decorated with the Ocean Commitment logo.

Blancpain Ocean Commitment Bathyscaphe Chrono - side
Blancpain Ocean Commitment Bathyscaphe Chrono - Rotor

Other differences from the standard version can be found on the subdial for the permanent small seconds hand: “Bathyscaphe” and “limited” are executed in a rounded style. And the 12 o’clock marker comes in a traditional diamond shape, with which we at diveintowatches.com immediately fell in love with.

Depending on the lighting conditions, the gray-and-blue color combination produces a range of impressions, which start with a tactile look and end with a gorgeous, elegant appearance.

Blancpain Ocean Commitment Bathyscaphe Chrono - Tray

Unfortunately (if you also happen to like the watch as much as we do), there will only be 250 pieces of it made. Fortunately, for each watch sold, Blancpain will add 1,000 euros to its ongoing support of oceanic environmental causes, which makes this one of the very few watch projects in which the manufacturer publicly shares the information of how much money will actually be put toward a charitable donation. In addition, each owner of the watch will automatically be enrolled in Blancpain’s Ocean Commitment Circle, which should also help ensure transparency for the supported projects.

Each watch is accompanied by a copy of Blancpain’s new book, Fifty Fathoms – The Dive and Watch History 1953-2013. Every book will be hand numbered to correspond to the serial number of the watch. And the good news is that this massive, impressive book — detailing the history of the Fifty Fathoms and some of the iconic personalities who’ve worn it — will also be available separately if you happen to be looking for the perfect gift for the dive watch enthusiast.

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  1. precisionswisstime

    Good evening from george from precision 5swiss the well done blancpain for the time pieces what a beautiful watch limited edition o yes I will put my order in soon regards George

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