Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe

Watch review archives can be found here.
User avatar
rockmastermike
Feedback Virtuoso
Posts: 20521
Joined: Tue May 18, 2010 5:13 pm
Name: WDE

Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe

Post by rockmastermike » Thu May 18, 2017 6:58 am

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.

Image

Image

Two things I want you to notice in this shot: 1) Beaultiful play of the dial and 2) the facted lugs

Image

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

Image

Image

Ceramic Bezel with Liquid Metal inserts and very crisp and sharp detent

Image

Polished white gold indices and hands and the printing text is austere - small logo and fine printing that doesn't scream at you - discrete

Image

Image

Image

Date window at 4:30 is subdued thanks to the matching black background. Note the beveled frame of the window

Image

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

Image

Image

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

Image

3 mainspring barrels coupled in series ensure even release of torque

Image

Grained texture to the blackened 18ct gold rotor. It is a heavy winding mass that ensures efficient and effective winding on the wrist

Image

Amagnetic due to the silicon hairspring – open case back and still 300m / 1000 Ft

Image

Edges of the bridges are polished – slots are camfered - even the jewel sinks are polished

Image

Image

Image

Turning her back around - Exceptional lume – doesn’t take much effort to charge and is long lasting

Image

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

Image

Image

Image

Thank you
Last edited by rockmastermike on Thu May 18, 2017 10:44 am, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar
rockmastermike
Feedback Virtuoso
Posts: 20521
Joined: Tue May 18, 2010 5:13 pm
Name: WDE

Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe

Post by rockmastermike » Thu May 18, 2017 6:59 am

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.

User avatar
rockmastermike
Feedback Virtuoso
Posts: 20521
Joined: Tue May 18, 2010 5:13 pm
Name: WDE

Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe

Post by rockmastermike » Thu May 18, 2017 7:02 am

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

User avatar
dnslater
Posts: 6804
Joined: Mon Apr 25, 2011 6:52 pm
Name: Nick
Location: Indiana, USA

Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe

Post by dnslater » Thu May 18, 2017 7:08 am

Fabulous photography. Love this one especially.
Image

User avatar
mattcantwin
mattcreatestonsofwatchrelateddrama
Posts: 18487
Joined: Wed Dec 02, 2009 3:53 pm

Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe

Post by mattcantwin » Thu May 18, 2017 7:25 am

Great post, Mike.


Gives me some new-found respect for the Bathyscaphe.
Image

User avatar
rafy11
Posts: 1032
Joined: Tue Oct 11, 2016 2:06 am
Name: Rafy1

Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe

Post by rafy11 » Thu May 18, 2017 8:36 am

Great review, great photos. Thanks a lot

This Blancpain is really a superb a unique watch, I love it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

User avatar
mikeylacroix
Posts: 3746
Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2014 7:00 am
Name: Mike

Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe

Post by mikeylacroix » Thu May 18, 2017 9:13 am

It's a keeper for meImageImage

User avatar
r.palace
Posts: 8300
Joined: Tue Aug 13, 2013 10:36 pm
Location: Tray-O-Five

Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe

Post by r.palace » Thu May 18, 2017 9:21 am

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?
ImageImage
Many will register, few will last :htfu:

User avatar
rockmastermike
Feedback Virtuoso
Posts: 20521
Joined: Tue May 18, 2010 5:13 pm
Name: WDE

Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe

Post by rockmastermike » Thu May 18, 2017 9:29 am

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
Last edited by rockmastermike on Thu May 18, 2017 10:46 am, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar
pbj204
Posts: 2424
Joined: Tue Aug 12, 2014 10:47 am
Name: Paul
Location: New York

Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe

Post by pbj204 » Thu May 18, 2017 10:07 am

Image

User avatar
marchone
Capt. Obvious
Posts: 14806
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2013 10:30 am
Name: Wayne
Location: NYC

Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe

Post by marchone » Thu May 18, 2017 10:12 am

Nice write up and great close ups to illustrate it.
only accurate watches are interesting

User avatar
ericf4
(TBD) Penis
Posts: 15614
Joined: Wed Dec 02, 2009 6:04 am
Contact:

Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe

Post by ericf4 » Thu May 18, 2017 10:30 am

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!!

Image
Visit my Music/Drumming Channel at:

https://youtube.com/ericfeuer

User avatar
Panerai7
Posts: 16728
Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 8:09 pm
Name: Art
Location: North Carolina

Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe

Post by Panerai7 » Thu May 18, 2017 10:56 am

Super review Mike
Not much to add - beautiful photography
I love mine as well

User avatar
rockmastermike
Feedback Virtuoso
Posts: 20521
Joined: Tue May 18, 2010 5:13 pm
Name: WDE

Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe

Post by rockmastermike » Thu May 18, 2017 12:35 pm

Thanks everyone - I have bonded with this one for sure

User avatar
ericf4
(TBD) Penis
Posts: 15614
Joined: Wed Dec 02, 2009 6:04 am
Contact:

Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe

Post by ericf4 » Thu May 18, 2017 12:42 pm

to me its a perfect watch.....
Visit my Music/Drumming Channel at:

https://youtube.com/ericfeuer

User avatar
rockmastermike
Feedback Virtuoso
Posts: 20521
Joined: Tue May 18, 2010 5:13 pm
Name: WDE

Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe

Post by rockmastermike » Thu May 18, 2017 12:49 pm

I love Eric's Blue and Art's Badass Ceramic :love:

User avatar
BBK357
Ban Jacobs
Posts: 28821
Joined: Mon Aug 15, 2011 2:01 pm
Name: Vladimir
Location: Ohio

Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe

Post by BBK357 » Thu May 18, 2017 12:56 pm

That looks incredible. The NATO shot is super hot. Congrats !


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
DEATH FROM ABOVE
:ak:

User avatar
ericf4
(TBD) Penis
Posts: 15614
Joined: Wed Dec 02, 2009 6:04 am
Contact:

Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe

Post by ericf4 » Thu May 18, 2017 12:59 pm

rockmastermike wrote:
Thu May 18, 2017 12:49 pm
I love Eric's Blue and Art's Badass Ceramic :love:

Honestly they are all killer, every one I've seen...
Visit my Music/Drumming Channel at:

https://youtube.com/ericfeuer

User avatar
dukerules
Posts: 15049
Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2009 4:32 pm

Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe

Post by dukerules » Thu May 18, 2017 2:18 pm

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.

User avatar
Panerai7
Posts: 16728
Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 8:09 pm
Name: Art
Location: North Carolina

Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe

Post by Panerai7 » Thu May 18, 2017 2:53 pm

rockmastermike wrote:
Thu May 18, 2017 12:49 pm
I love Eric's Blue and Art's Badass Ceramic :love:
Thanks Mike, it really is one of my favorites

Image

Image

Image

User avatar
unixshrk
This. Truth.
Posts: 10562
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2011 8:29 am
Name: Chris
Location: North Texas / Colorado

Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe

Post by unixshrk » Thu May 18, 2017 3:58 pm

pbj204 wrote:Image

Image

User avatar
rockmastermike
Feedback Virtuoso
Posts: 20521
Joined: Tue May 18, 2010 5:13 pm
Name: WDE

Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe

Post by rockmastermike » Thu May 18, 2017 8:39 pm

unixshrk wrote:
Thu May 18, 2017 3:58 pm
pbj204 wrote:Image

Image
Thanks, Chris :thumbsup:

User avatar
unsub073
Posts: 4133
Joined: Fri Oct 31, 2014 6:26 am
Name: chris
Location: Florida

Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe

Post by unsub073 » Fri May 19, 2017 7:51 am

Beautiful watch, great pictures, really nice write up.

User avatar
Chocodove
Posts: 8940
Joined: Mon Jun 17, 2013 1:35 pm
Name: Todd
Location: NJ

Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe

Post by Chocodove » Fri May 19, 2017 7:54 am

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

R@cerx
Posts: 3474
Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2009 11:51 am
Name: David

Re: Subdued Luxury, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe

Post by R@cerx » Fri May 19, 2017 1:22 pm

Great write up Mike, mine's a keeper.

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 42 guests