Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe 5000-1110-B52A

[@Khanh.Nguyen369]

The beauty in the movement is in its sparsity. Hard to make something simple look so beautiful. Great choice.

[@dexson5831]

Hi Jonathan, Great acquisition ! To add on, the display back is not plain looking at all. Anyone familiar with high horology will instantly know its a highly finished movement. Polished screws, all visible jewel slots are polished, generous anglage on plates done by hand, 18k darkened gold rotor etc. Wear it with pride my friend.

[@ejjrl1ify]

Bravo! It's nice to hear Blancpain receive some well deserved plaudits. Such an underrated brand. The quality of these pieces are extraordinary.

[@DGtheGreat702]

I just came across this video... Fantastic review! Excellent points and covered all the main features. Well done.

[@TT-tf6jr]

Too funny! I actually inquired about the same watch from davidsw a few weeks ago. Great piece! Like you, I tried it on at the Tourbillion store at Southcoast Plaza first before buying the titanium version from Armstrong and Rockwell in CT. Congrats on the new acquisition!!

[@L8bro]

Thanks for the video. I own this exact model with the same 'sailcloth' strap and love it. I like how the dial changes depending on the lighting, and how it contrasts nicely with the ink black bezel. I too inquired about the olive NATO and was quoted right at about $750 (!). I took the sailcloth strap off mainly to keep it minty. I purchased olive and black NATO straps with brushed steel hardware in 24mm from one of the natostrap online stores for $12 each and I've got to say I am quite pleased with the look, plus it's no big deal if these NATOs get scuffed. Just something to think about...

[@ocabj]

I did ponder buying third party NATO straps for the Bathyscaphe, since I already have straps from natostrapco. But in my mind, I want to have the Blancpain NATO on this watch.

[@L8bro]

***** Well that will be one great looking NATO for sure. Please let us know if you were able to find it for cheaper.

[@floridabmw3150]

Thanks for the vid. I agree that the piece is unique and not as "common" as the Sub. I think it's well priced and a great looking piece. Need to go to the boutique and try one on. Thanks again.

[@kimchiwasabee]

perfect proportions. love it.

[@john-carlosynostroza]

An unbelievable and gorgeous watch! Fantastic choice and congratulations. That's sad, that strap would drive me crazy. At least on video it looks like a $5 Chinese watch strap. I would put it on a strap that doesn't have a sheeny appearance... Rubber. . . of course, I do not have an absolutely gorgeous watch like that to make any kind of decision at all so who cares what I say! Enjoy it.

[@Sporkmaker5150]

Wondering if there are any updates on how well the watch and the stock sailcloth strap have held up since this video was posted? I just ordered the same watch today and it will be seeing substantial outdoor use, I'll likely swap the strap for a rubber Isofrane.

[@ocabj]

The sail cloth got stiff and started to crack about a 1.5 years ago. So basically, 2+ years of decent use in terms of summer and winter weather, and wearing in the shower, at gym, etc. I kind of weathered the storm and ended up buying a new sailcloth (both ends, or top and bottom) for $300 (I think) back in October 2017. I'm already starting the fray the end of this one. You kind of should get a deployant clasp to protect the sailcloth, but the Blancpain deployant is pricey. I think it was $600, which is why I didn't want to get it. I might not be correct, but I remember balking at the price when the boutique told me. $200 or $300, might have been tolerable for an official Blancpain piece of hardware, but not $600+.

[@Sporkmaker5150]

That watch is such a classy alternative to the run of the mill Sub. My favorite variation has to be the blue dial on the ceramic case but I just got a killer deal on the gray/steel so that's what I went with. It's going to be my fishing watch so I think a rubber strap will be the best thing for easy cleaning, I might Ebay the cloth one or just stash it away in the box. A NATO wouldn't do because it would hide that movement with the awesome blackened gold rotor.

[@ocabj]

I have long wanted the Blancpain NATO, but the total cost will be about $800. The strap itself is only $200 or so, but the hardware is $600. When I kill this replacement sail cloth, I'll probably get the NATO. I too was considering a rubber strap. I've read that the 24mm will fit, but I am hesitant to try it. I may just do it.

[@Sporkmaker5150]

My watch just arrived on Friday, it's awesome, everything I expected. Have to love that Pelican gun case it comes in! The dive bezel has a bit more play in it than I was expecting. Is that normal and the same with yours? I've already swapped the stock cloth strap with a 24mm Isofrane rubber strap. No problem with the fit, just a little tight but no problem whatsoever. The strap is impressive and not terribly expensive (about $150 shipped). The brand has a history that dates back nearly as far as the FF itself, very well constructed and made in Italy. The steel buckle option I chose has a brushed finish and angular look that compliments the watch perfectly, similar in design to the Blancpain buckle. Another nice feature is that the Isofrane logo is only on the underside of the buckle so it's not visible at all when the watch is worn, just plain brushed steel can be seen.

[@ocabj]

When I got mine, I did notice the bezel has about a quarter of a second play before and after the hash mark. The pip will have a tendency to center itself, though, especially when you get daily grit underneath the bezel as it is worn. Good to know about the 24mm isofrane, I may get one.

[@meson183]

Jonathan, would you mind if I asked how big your wrist is, please? I'd just like to get a sense of it's scale since so often, watch measurement don't always tell the whole story.

[@ocabj]

7 inch

[@meson183]

Cheers. Thanks for the prompt reply.

[@elguapo5620]

Great choice man !! Every man and his dog wears Rolex

[@evvignes]

My dog does not wear a Rolex.

[@sidewinderxx]

@@evvignes peasant

[@AbdElHmyd]

This is a watch for a lifetime. Not for one who bought it and resale...

[@pennfootball71]

Nice watch...I like it better than the sub as well.

[@greenerick]

Just curious have you still got the watch is it running ok

[@ocabj]

Green Erick Actually wearing it right now. Just on a Blancpain rubber strap. The sailcloth strap does not last very long with the steel buckle. If you want to use the sailcloth, you’ll want to get the (expensive) deployant clasp

[@greenerick]

@@ocabj one more question how accurate is it the movement compared to other watches like omega or Seiko spring drive

[@walterlee4796]

Gorgeous watch man,enjoy!

[@Rommel1988111]

Beautiful watch, congratulations

[@denigorgievski2255]

HI! Do you still own this watch?

[@ocabj]

Yes

[@denigorgievski2255]

@@ocabj still in love? Would you recommend to buy it again?

[@jdouglas996]

Beautiful watch. may i ask how much you picked it up for?

[@greenerick]

Like this watch but a grand Seiko first

[@nevh7707]

Too big for my taste. 43MM is way too much for a daily use wrist watch. Beautiful watch, though. Next week I’m getting the 38mm blue dial myself. Perfect proportions and size.

[@Spook291]

Are you army, navy or

[@floridabmw3150]

Bravo 52 Alpha, made me think the same.

[@nunuk7]

Not a single image of the buckle in the whole vid. It's funny that's all I wanted to see :)

[@hsuhaochang]

Very nice watch. I think this one is very comparable with Rolex ones~

[@victorking3687]

Wait a second, the first Rolex submariner you showed had no cyclops glass for date. 😳

[@ocabj]

That’s a Sea-Dweller, not a Submariner.

[@sig124]

Love this watch

[@muffemod]

Great review.

[@gianlucaabbruzzese2867]

😍😍😍TOP 💪

[@5starcomment]

sailcloth looks waaaay better than nato...

[@stevenuk]

Nice watch.. but 43mm is just a little too big and lug width of 23mm is way too big, making the strap look too wide for the watch, surprised they oversized it.. otherwise I would have bought one.

[@swissmilitischristilxxii3691]

Please, try to pronounce Blancpain correctly at least. The C is silent.

[@Sporkmaker5150]

Wiking pronunciation Nazi.