he year 1953 saw the birth of the Fifty Fathoms, the first true diver’s watch, used as a real tool by professional divers at the time. Its daily-use version, the Bathyscaphe, came into the world in 1956. Designed for everyday wear while offering the opportunity to explore the seabed, this Bathyscaphe line had a different format with a reduced diameter. Now, it is reaffirming the essence of its creation with a dynamic model that combines captivating colour with ceramic.

In stark contrast to the black ceramic, the dial of the new complete calendar and moon-phase model is adorned with an elegant shade of blue. Its subtle gradient combined with a sunray finish really brings the dial to life, imbuing it with a personality that changes with the light. Exuding sophistication, it adds depth while providing great luminosity that catches the eye. Just like its wearer, this watch has a personality of its own, intensified by the striking contrast between the dial and the black ceramic case and bracelet, which also reflect the light with their own extraordinary finishes.

Cutting-edge ceramic technology takes the Bathyscaphe line into a new dimension. The unique properties of ceramic make it an ideal material for this versatile line, which introduces a high-tech ceramic bracelet for the first time.

Durable, highly scratch-resistant and hypoallergenic, this material is nearly five times harder than stainless steel, yet is 25% lighter. Despite its undeniable qualities, ceramic is complex to work, particularly in terms of finishing. In addition to the 25% reduction in volume that must be taken into account when firing at over 1,400°C and the diamond tools required for machining, satin-brushing is a delicate and meticulous process. From the links to the buckle and the case, every facet is individually finished by experts.

The exacting process of making a fine watchmaking bracelet means that the links have to be perfectly adjusted so that they are neither too loose – for aesthetic reasons – nor too tight – for practical reasons – resulting in tight tolerances. Each of the links is therefore carefully measured and checked to ensure a perfect fit. The bracelet’s patented system of links held together by cam-shaped pins makes it remarkably resistant and extremely comfortable. Its black colour matches not only the new complete calendar – also available in green and black –, which has been given a ceramic case (black, 43.6 mm and water-resistant to 300 m) for the first time, but also the Bathyscaphe three-hand and flyback chronograph models, whose cases are in the same material.

Powered by the 6654.P calibre, the new Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet Phases de Lune showcases both its diver’s watch heritage, with its rotating bezel, and Blancpain’s signature fine watchmaking characteristics, with its moon-phase complication and silicon balance-spring.

While diving in 1952, Jean-Jacques Fiechter, Blancpain’s then co-CEO, learnt at his own expense how important it was to measure time spent underwater safely. His innovative solution was to equip the Fifty Fathoms, launched in 1953, with a lockable, graduated and rotating bezel specially designed for underwater diving.

Today, the Fifty Fathoms collection features a unidirectional rotating bezel that only turns anti-clockwise for greater safety. The Bathyscaphe also has this type of bezel, like the original Fifty Fathoms that inspired it. Blancpain’s new moon-phase calendar model is no exception. The insert, positioned on the black ceramic bezel, complements the colour of the dial: in a deep and bold black, adorned with grey Liquidmetal^® for added contrast, it highlights the striking sunray-brushed blue gradient adorning the watch face. The bezel, which has a thoroughly contemporary look, is highly scratch-resistant and emits a powerful ‘click’ when handled.

The Manufacture’s emblematic moon-phase complication finds its place on this new timepiece, which is powered by the calibre 6654.P. that a mechanical timepiece was the product of extraordinary expertise and that quartz could never replace a complex mechanical watchmaking creation. It thus came to symbolise the revival of mechanical watchmaking. Blancpain’s immediately recognisable moon phase is found on the calibre 6654.P, which not only has a 72-hour power reserve (thanks to its two barrels), but also a secure movement, enabling the wearer to adjust the calendar indications at any time of day without damaging it. Adorned with traditional Fine Watchmaking decorations, such as bevelling, circular graining and snailing, this calibre is visible through a sapphire crystal case back and incorporates a silicon balance-spring, making it impervious to magnetism.

Silicon has revolutionised watchmaking since the beginning of the 21st century and enabled major advances in time measurement. Elastic without deforming, hard, light and highly resistant to corrosion, this material stands out in particular for its resistance to magnetism, a welcome quality when it comes to ensuring the precision of timepieces.

Contrary to the 1950s, when the balances of timepieces were fitted with metal springs that could become magnetised – hence the need for a soft iron inner cage to shield and protect the movement from magnetism –, contemporary Fifty Fathoms feature a silicon balance-spring, which enables them to have a sapphire crystal case back revealing the unique construction of their movements.

Reintroduced by Blancpain in 1983 in the wake of the quartz crisis, this complication enabled the brand to demonstrate

As the new Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet Phases de Lune benefits from this technology, it not only showcases a mechanism with high-quality finishes, but also offers superior timekeeping performance thanks to this material.

Calendars, a key part of the Manufacture’s DNA, demonstrate Blancpain’s expertise in complications. They made a strong comeback in the early 1980s, initially in the form of the complete calendar, which set the ball rolling for a host of Blancpain timepieces equipped with calendar indications. Whether it is a weekly calendar, a simple date display, an annual calendar or a perpetual calendar, the brand’s ability to create calendars culminated in the extremely complex creation of two world firsts: the Villeret Equation du Temps Marchante and the Villeret Calendrier Chinois Traditionnel. Frequently featured in the Manufacture’s catalogue, calendar mechanisms have made Blancpain the Master of Calendars, and the new Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet Phases de Lune continues this legacy.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronograph ∙ date and small seconds · sunburst green dial with subtly graduated colouring · unidirectional satin-brushed black ceramic bezel with green ceramic insert and Liquidmetal^TM hour-markers · self-winding

Case · Satin-brushed black ceramic · Thickness 15.25 mm ∙ Diameter 43.60 mm · Water-resistance 30 bar · Sapphire crystal back · Interhorn space 23.00 mm

Caliber ∙ Thickness 6.65 mm · Diameter 31.80mm · Power-reserve (hours) 50 · Jewels 37 · Components 322