Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe
- rockmastermike
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Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe
While no watch holds any place of permanence in my collection, there are many that I like more than others and then there are a small handful that I actually connect with.....the 3570, the JLC DeepSea Chrono and the Grand Seiko SBGR061 come to mind. I am adding the Bathyscaphe to that exclusive club.
The Bathy is discrete and purposeful and I can't remember where I heard term but it is "subdued luxury"
43mm wide and 13.4mm thick, it is sportier than its big brother with a sunburst dial that is explosive and ever shifting - the SS version sports a grey-ish dial while the Ti version goes with a black dial.
The overall delivery / effect is immediately one of "shock and awe" at the confluence and harmony of, what on the surface seem to be mismatched elements. The tool-ish indicators of the Heavily grained titanium, larger crown and hardcore NATO paired with highly polished white gold hands/makers and a ceramic bezel that normally are associated with dress-ier type watches.
Two things I want you to notice in this shot: 1) Beaultiful play of the dial and 2) the facted lugs
The facet on the lugs tapers up to the case showing off very pleasing lines up to the crown - the crown is not small, but not out of place either - very easy to grip and operate and still keeping in proper perspective with the case
Ceramic Bezel with Liquid Metal inserts and very crisp and sharp detent
Polished white gold indices and hands and the printing text is austere - small logo and fine printing that doesn't scream at you - discrete
Date window at 4:30 is subdued thanks to the matching black background. Note the beveled frame of the window
Taking a step back from dial details - the overall appearance of the dial is nothing short of astonishing and often shows a range of shades/hues and tones with the slightest motion of the wrist
Turn the watch over and it gets even better if you can believe it. The star of the watch is the Calibre 1315. From the Blancpain website:
"The goal in particular was to endow the watch with an optimal autonomy, while ensuring constant energy at all times. The new Calibre 1315 does indeed have an exceptional power reserve of 5 days. 120 hours. It uses a glucydur free sprung balance."
35 jewels & 227 components and all finished with what you’d expect from a High Horology Manufacture
3 mainspring barrels coupled in series ensure even release of torque
Grained texture to the blackened 18ct gold rotor. It is a heavy winding mass that ensures efficient and effective winding on the wrist
Amagnetic due to the silicon hairspring – open case back and still 300m / 1000 Ft
Edges of the bridges are polished – slots are camfered - even the jewel sinks are polished
Turning her back around - Exceptional lume – doesn’t take much effort to charge and is long lasting
And Finally, I coulnd't stop without at least mentioning the High End heavy duty hardware on what quite possibly could be pinnacle of NATO’s and very nive sailcloth with a thin backing - both are very comfortable and feature Beautifully finished and faceted pin buckle
Thank you
The Bathy is discrete and purposeful and I can't remember where I heard term but it is "subdued luxury"
43mm wide and 13.4mm thick, it is sportier than its big brother with a sunburst dial that is explosive and ever shifting - the SS version sports a grey-ish dial while the Ti version goes with a black dial.
The overall delivery / effect is immediately one of "shock and awe" at the confluence and harmony of, what on the surface seem to be mismatched elements. The tool-ish indicators of the Heavily grained titanium, larger crown and hardcore NATO paired with highly polished white gold hands/makers and a ceramic bezel that normally are associated with dress-ier type watches.
Two things I want you to notice in this shot: 1) Beaultiful play of the dial and 2) the facted lugs
The facet on the lugs tapers up to the case showing off very pleasing lines up to the crown - the crown is not small, but not out of place either - very easy to grip and operate and still keeping in proper perspective with the case
Ceramic Bezel with Liquid Metal inserts and very crisp and sharp detent
Polished white gold indices and hands and the printing text is austere - small logo and fine printing that doesn't scream at you - discrete
Date window at 4:30 is subdued thanks to the matching black background. Note the beveled frame of the window
Taking a step back from dial details - the overall appearance of the dial is nothing short of astonishing and often shows a range of shades/hues and tones with the slightest motion of the wrist
Turn the watch over and it gets even better if you can believe it. The star of the watch is the Calibre 1315. From the Blancpain website:
"The goal in particular was to endow the watch with an optimal autonomy, while ensuring constant energy at all times. The new Calibre 1315 does indeed have an exceptional power reserve of 5 days. 120 hours. It uses a glucydur free sprung balance."
35 jewels & 227 components and all finished with what you’d expect from a High Horology Manufacture
3 mainspring barrels coupled in series ensure even release of torque
Grained texture to the blackened 18ct gold rotor. It is a heavy winding mass that ensures efficient and effective winding on the wrist
Amagnetic due to the silicon hairspring – open case back and still 300m / 1000 Ft
Edges of the bridges are polished – slots are camfered - even the jewel sinks are polished
Turning her back around - Exceptional lume – doesn’t take much effort to charge and is long lasting
And Finally, I coulnd't stop without at least mentioning the High End heavy duty hardware on what quite possibly could be pinnacle of NATO’s and very nive sailcloth with a thin backing - both are very comfortable and feature Beautifully finished and faceted pin buckle
Thank you
Last edited by rockmastermike on Thu May 18, 2017 10:44 am, edited 1 time in total.
- rockmastermike
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Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe
I know there are other owners here - Art (Art's canvas are featured above), Eric, Adam C with variations of the bathy and can add their thoughts as well
Last edited by rockmastermike on Thu May 18, 2017 7:09 am, edited 1 time in total.
- rockmastermike
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Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe
Yes it is a dive watch but exhibits Luxury Finish …when you look for it
That's the key reason it is a special piece
That's the key reason it is a special piece
Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe
Fabulous photography. Love this one especially.
- mattcantwin
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Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe
Great post, Mike.
Gives me some new-found respect for the Bathyscaphe.
Gives me some new-found respect for the Bathyscaphe.
Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe
Great review, great photos. Thanks a lot
This Blancpain is really a superb a unique watch, I love it.
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This Blancpain is really a superb a unique watch, I love it.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
- mikeylacroix
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Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe
It's a keeper for me
Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe
Fabtastic write up RMM. My favorite BP by far. I'm sure it's been asked before but what's your photo rig consist of?
Many will register, few will last
- rockmastermike
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Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe
Photo rig is an iPhone 7 and macros from a simple Ollo Clip that slides onto the case
That and get lucky that one out every 50 shots turns out halfway decent
That and get lucky that one out every 50 shots turns out halfway decent
Last edited by rockmastermike on Thu May 18, 2017 10:46 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe
Nice write up and great close ups to illustrate it.
only accurate watches are interesting
Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe
Great review and agree its a total BEAUTY,,,,,,Heard some people say recently they feel the markers are way too small...i think its perfect in every way....
I think the buckle is simply stunning up close!!
I think the buckle is simply stunning up close!!
Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe
Super review Mike
Not much to add - beautiful photography
I love mine as well
Not much to add - beautiful photography
I love mine as well
- rockmastermike
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Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe
Thanks everyone - I have bonded with this one for sure
Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe
to me its a perfect watch.....
- rockmastermike
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Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe
I love Eric's Blue and Art's Badass Ceramic
Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe
That looks incredible. The NATO shot is super hot. Congrats !
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
DEATH FROM ABOVE
Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe
Honestly they are all killer, every one I've seen...
Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe
Great watch, awesome review.
I almost bought this exact watch. I'm actually glad you got it instead of me, as you really have enjoyed it to the max.
I almost bought this exact watch. I'm actually glad you got it instead of me, as you really have enjoyed it to the max.
Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe
Thanks Mike, it really is one of my favorites
- unixshrk
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Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe
pbj204 wrote:
- rockmastermike
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Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe
Beautiful watch, great pictures, really nice write up.
Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe
Missed this, great write up! These never did it for me in photos (although yours are great), but they are a whole other level in person.
- Todd
Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe
Great write up Mike, mine's a keeper.
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