The Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronograph Blancpain Ocean Commitment II features an all-blue ceramic case in honor of Blancpain’s commitment to diving and continued support for Ocean related preservation. It is the second time the watchmaker has made a limited edition timepiece that marks the brand’s efforts in the area of ocean environmental protection and research. The first Blancpain Bathyscaphe Chronograph Flyback Ocean Commitment was introduced in 2014.
The new Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronograph Blancpain Ocean Commitment II is housed in a blue ceramic case measuring 43.60mm in diameter and 15.25mm in thickness. The entire watch, including its body, sapphire glass back, rotating bezel, graduated ring on the bezel, winding and setting crown, as well as flyback chronograph push-pieces, is made from blue ceramic. This coloring is achieved by adding color pigments during the ceramic production process, together with a binding agent.
Underneath the front sapphire glass lies a steel gray dial comprising three sub-dials. Two chronograph sub-dials for measuring 30-minutes and 12-hours are placed at 3 and 9 o’clock positions, while a small seconds indication is situated at the 6 o’clock position. The dial is elegant, yet simple, with applied hour markings and distinctive rectangular hour and minute hands filled with Superluminova which are joined in the center by the red-tipped chronograph seconds hand. There is also a diagonally-placed date window which is set between 4 and 5 o’clock positions.
The beating heart of the new Fifty Fathoms is the self-winding F385 caliber that powers the functions and provides no less than 50 hours of autonomy. The automatic flyback chronograph movement features a silicon balance spring, and both a column wheel and a vertical clutch. The mechanism operates at a high-beat frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour (5 Hz).
The back view shows the inner beauty of the movement, as well as the blue oscillating weight stamped with the Blancpain Ocean Commitment logo.
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback Ocean Commitment II is issued in the limited series of 250 pieces. The retail price is €19,080 which is at the moment approximately $17,000. For each piece sold, €1,000 will be donated in support of scientific expeditions as a part of Blancpain’s Ocean Commitment project.
