Showing at WatchTime Live 2020: Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronographe in Green


Blancpain expanded its Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe collection — a vintage-inspired sub-family of its Fifty Fathoms series of luxurious divers’ watches — earlier this year with the release of the eye-catching and very exclusive Mokarran Limited Edition, which introduced a new shade of green on both the dial and bezel. This fall, the manufacture brings those distinctive green dial and bezel colors to the Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronographe, Blancapin’s featured timepiece at the upcoming WatchTime Live virtual collectors’ event.

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback

The new Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronographe features a 43.6-mm-diameter case made of satin-brushed black ceramic. Its unidirectional rotating dive-scale bezel has a green ceramic insert whose shades echo that of the dial. The dial’s radiating sunburst effect is obtained via a series of steps beginning with a two-stage polishing process — the first to remove scratches, the second to smooth and soften the surface. The chronograph subdials at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock are then hollowed out and snailed for a greater sense of depth on the dial overall. Finally, the unmistakable green color, which takes on subtle metallic shades in certain lighting, comes from coating the dial with several nanometric layers of material.

Behind a sapphire caseback beats the movement, Blancpain’s in-house, automatic Caliber F385, whose of 36,000-vph (5-Hz) frequency enables the column-wheel-driven chronograph mechanism to record times to 1/10 second. The variable-inertia balance, with gold screws, ensures increased robustness and more precise adjustment than the more traditional index device. A vertical clutch aids in chronograph precision, eliminating unexpected jerking of the counter hand when the chronograph is engaged, and allowing the stopwatch mechanism to operate freely without negative effect on the watch’s rate accuracy. The case that houses this high-horology mechanism is water-resistant to 300 meters and mounted on either a NATO or sail canvas strap. It is priced at $17,200.

Blancpain Caliber F385

To learn more about WatchTime Live, its sponsoring watch brands, and details on its schedule of presentations and panels, and to sign up for tickets to the event, click here.

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