Blancpain introduces two striking new variants of its Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronograph watch for 2022;
giving their popular diving chronograph a couple of exciting new looks thanks to the use of Red Gold (ref. 5200-3640) and Grade 23 Titanium (ref. 5200-1210).
These two completely different looking case materials now adorn the Flyback Chronograph model, a mainstay of the Bathyscaphe family for almost a decade.
Almost seven decades after its launch in 1953, the Fifty Fathoms (lauded as the first modern diver's watch) – has been continually updated and re-developed by Blanpain giving rise to numerous variations of their legendary diving tool.
The Bathyscaphe watch created in 1956 is perhaps one of the finest examples. Lesser in stature than the Fifty Fathoms and featuring a calendar, this diver became the daily Fifty Fathoms.
The flyback chronograph joined the modern Bathyscaphe family in 2014 and was the first complication to equip Blancpain's "urban diver" model.
The Manufacture is now returning its Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronograph model to center-stage, housing one of the watch industry’s most renowned chronograph movements.
Blancpain Caliber F385 is one of the latest in a line of Blancpain chronographs that have often been world firsts over the past 30 years.
This in-house movement draws on Blancpain's refined vertical clutch design that ensures smooth engagement of the chronograph mechanism, eliminating the problem of the chronograph seconds hand making sudden, abrupt jumps.
Control of starting, stopping and resetting the chronograph is done via a column wheel, enabling smooth and comfortable operation of the pushers.
The F385 beats at a frequency of 5 Hz, which is a considerable advantage in terms of timekeeping accuracy compared to lower frequencies.
It has an inertia-regulated balance wheel with a silicon balance spring, whose geometry and lightness help ensure excellent chronometric performance.
The luxuriant Red Gold watch is a bold presence on the wrist, while the almost humble by comparison Grade 23 Titanium iteration flies under the radar with its subtle anthracite dial.
Recently introduced into its collections by Blancpain, Grade 23 Titanium – also known as Grade 5 ELI (extra low interstitials) – is the purest type of titanium available.
It notably contains less oxygen than the "standard" titanium used in watchmaking. This reduction in the amount of oxygen improves the metal's resistance to breakage and corrosion.
In addition to its unfailing strength, Grade 23 Titanium is also anti-allergenic and its biocompatibility has made it a favorite in the medical field.
Whether in Red Gold or Titanium G23, the dial comes with a sunburst pattern throughout and a snailed motif on the chronograph counters, designed to create a sense of depth and contrast.
The new Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronograph models are naturally framed by a unidirectional rotating bezel with a ceramic inlay, a family trait of all the modern Bathyscaphe watches.
The blue inlay on the Red Gold version sports a glossy finish and a Ceragold™ time scale, while the anthracite inlay of the G23 Titanium watch is satin-brushed and features a Liquidmetal™ scale.
The cases of both watches measure 43mm in diameter and are water resistant to 30 bar (approximately 300 m). They are paired with a NATO or sailcloth strap matching the dial color.
The sail canvas strap of the red gold version comes with a choice of pin buckle or folding clasp, while the grade 23 titanium model is also available with a titanium bracelet.
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