The crystal-clear waters and seemingly endless golden beaches of the French Riviera have captured the imaginations of travellers for generations. However, few are familiar with the Mediterranean coastline’s importance in the development of diving timepieces.
It was here, just off the coast of Cannes in 1952, former co-CEO of Blancpain, Jean-Jacques Fiechter learnt at his own expense, how important it was to measure time spent underwater safely, after running out of air. One year on from his lucky escape, the first model of the Fifty Fathoms series – the first true diver’s watch – was released with a lockable, graduated and rotating bezel that enables divers to set a point marking the moment they descended underwater to accurately track time. The daily-use version, the Bathyscaphe, arrived three years later in 1956. Almost 70 years on, Blancpain has released a new ode to the original timepiece with the Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet Phases de Lune. Composed of elaborate designs, this sporty-yet-elegant timepiece features a dial in a vibrant shade of sunray-brushed blue, straying from its famed black, alongside a patented black ceramic bracelet or strap, and case. Taking the series into a new dimension, the unique properties of the ceramic make it an ideal material for this versatile line. Durable and highly scratch-resistant, the high-tech material is nearly five times harder than stainless steel, yet 25 per cent lighter.
The bracelet’s black colour not only complements Blancpain’s new complete calendar (that has been enclosed in a ceramic case for the first time), but also Bathyscaphe’s three-hand and flyback chronograph models. Available in green as well as the aforementioned sunray-blushed blue, the signature calendar strengthens Blancpain’s reputation as one of the leading brands when it comes to showcasing the date alongside time on watch faces.
Water resistant up to 300 metres, the Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet Phases de Lune showcases both its diver’s watch heritage, with its rotating bezel, and Blancpain’s signature fine watchmaking characteristics, with its moon-phase complication and silicon balance-spring. The unidirectional rotating bezel only turns anticlockwise for greater safety and emits a powerful click when operated. The instantly recognisable moon phase is found on the calibre 6654.P, which has a 72-hour power reserve thanks to its two barrels as well as a secure movement, enabling the wearer to adjust the calendar at any time of day without causing damage. Adorned with traditional fine watchmaking decorations, such as bevelling, circular graining and snailing, the calibre is visible through a sapphire crystal case back and incorporates a silicon balance-spring, making it impervious to magnetism.
Honouring a tradition of nearly seven decades, this trendsetting timepiece invites explorers to dive into the deep once again with confidence, while keeping Blancpain’s Bathyscaphe’s collection at the forefront of innovation.
