The Blancpain Bathyscaphe watch created in 1956 is smaller than the Fifty Fathoms and featuring calendar indications, this timepiece quickly won over watch enthusiasts who were convinced that a sporty watch could be worn in all circumstances.The flyback chronograph joined the contemporary Bathyscaphe line 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 centre-stage, housing one of the watch industry’s most renowned chronograph movements: The Blancpain Calibre F385
Blancpain Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback Ref. 5200-1210-G52A
Flyback Chronograph · date and small seconds · unidirectional satin-brushed titanium bezel with ceramic insert and LiquidmetalTM hour-markers ∙ sunburst anthracite dial ∙ self-winding
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 or 36.000 A/h, 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.
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 the model is in red gold or titanium, the dial is graced with a sunburst pattern throughout and a snailed motif on the chronograph counters, designed to create a sense of depth and contrast. The Blancpain Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronograph is naturally framed by a unidirectional rotating bezel with a ceramic inlay, a signature of the contemporary Bathyscaphe line. The anthracite inlay of the titanium watch is satin-brushed and features a Liquidmetal scale. The case measures 43 mm in diameter/ 14.90 mm in thickness and is water resistant to 30 bar (approximately 300 m).
It is paired with a NATO or sailcloth strap matching the dial colour.
