Earlier this month, Marc A. Hayek, the President & CEO of Blancpain, unveiled a special Ocean Commitment Limited Edition Watch which is a symbol of the brand’s support for numerous activities in the field of ocean exploration under the heading “Blancpain Ocean Commitment” considering the fact that each buyer will contribute Blancpain’s commitment for oceanic environmental causes through an additional donation which will be made for each watch. The new Blancpain watch is issued in the limited series of only 250 exemplars and Blancpain will donate €1,000 of the incomes from the sales to different initiatives.
The main goal of this program is to preserve marine environments through the help that various organisms collaborating with Blancpain provide. Besides, the purchasers of these timepieces will become the members of “Ocean Commitment”.
Blancpain “Ocean Commitment” Bathyscaphe Chronograph Flyback Watch
Blancpain “Ocean Commitment” Bathyscaphe Chronograph Flyback Watch is equipped with the Blancpain’s latest in-house caliber F385. The F385 movement is a column wheel controlled flyback chronograph mechanism that oscillates at the rapid pace of 36,000 vibrations per hour (5Hz). This high frequency is ideal for chronograph because each second is perfectly divided into 1/10th of second intervals. The movement is capable to deliver a fairly generous power reserve of around 50 hours.
The impeccable mechanism is further enhanced by the use of silicon for the balance wheel spiral. Considering the fact that silicon is a-magnetic, its usage offers the same degree of protection from magnetism as constructions which rely upon a soft iron inner case. Whilst soft iron inner cases foreclose the use of a clear case back, as the mechanism would be hidden, this caliber use of silicon allows both protection from magnetism and a look at the movement’s inner beauty.
Blancpain “Ocean Commitment” Bathyscaphe Chronograph Flyback Watch Case
The self-winding chronograph movement has an oscillating mass with a gold engraving of the logo of Ocean Commitment. The highly efficient F385 caliber consists of 322 components and it also has a column wheel and a vertical coupling which avoids small non-aesthetic jumps when timing. Blancpain has been an industry pioneer in the development and refinement of vertical clutch chronographs and this newcomer, as it is expected, boasts a vertical clutch for the engagement of the chronograph which assures impeccable starting and the operation of the chronograph. Horizontal clutch systems which are used elsewhere are prone to needle jumping upon starting and uneven mechanism of the chronograph seconds hand, both of which are avoided with Blancpain’s system.
This limited edition timepiece is housed in a gray satin-brushed ceramic case which measures 43.6mm in diameter and incorporates a crown and two pushers which are also crafted from ceramic. The crown can be locked, but the pump-styled pushers cannot be locked. However, the watch is rated as water-resistant down to an amazing 300 meters (990 feet). Furthermore, thanks to sealed push-pieces, the chronograph can be activated underwater without any risk of water penetrating the case.
Blancpain “Ocean Commitment” Bathyscaphe Chronograph Flyback Watch Dial
The sporty case also features a deep blue ceramic bezel which goes perfectly with the watch’s oceanic theme. The unidirectional rotating bezel features a dive scale and a single lume-filled Liquidmetal marker at the 12 o’clock position.
Underneath the front sapphire glass lies a matching blue sunburst dial with applied, luminous Liquidmetal indexes which are combined with large luminous treated rectangle shaped hour and minute hands. This lume-filled details provide high legibility in any lighting condition. The vivid blue dial comprises two chronograph sub-dials at 3 and 9 o’clock positions, while a small seconds indication is placed at the 6 o’clock position. A continuous sweeping seconds hand is tipped with lume.
Each of 250 Blancpain “Ocean Commitment” Bathyscaphe Chronograph Flyback timepieces is individually numbered and comes with a blue sail-canvas strap. The Blancpan’s newest diving watch is the first in a series of limited edition watches yet to come. We will keep you updated as new editions are announced. Stay tuned.
