Omega Seamaster Diver 300m vs Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe

[@martinnewton1984]

Blancpain.....an under appreciated giant in the world of high end diving horology!!

[@patrolmi5977]

The Bathyscaphe lume is the best I've ever had. I think it's the combination of how it reflects off of the markers, but halfway thru the night, I can still read the time! My current favorite!

[@JoeCC0087]

"Stands on its own four lugs" is my new favorite watch pun. Another nice video!

[@AbdulRWatches]

The Seamaster dial wave, co-axial movement, and these cool skeletonized lumed arrows are really making me droll over it, but the elegance of the Fifty Fathoms and the quality of the movement and dial execution and that diver bezel make it a very hard choice. But as I hate that helium escape valve, my choice would be the Blancpain by a very close margin.

[@christopherliang6879]

the bathyscape is great but I just can't choose it when I can get the regular fifty fathoms by just paying a bit more

[@sidewinderxx]

@@christopherliang6879 why do you prefer the FF? I much prefer the aesthetics of the FFB

[@dr.emilschaffhausen4683]

@@sidewinderxx I've always felt that the hour markers were too small on the FFB.

[@sidewinderxx]

@@dr.emilschaffhausen4683 fair enough, can understand that take for some reason it still works for me

[@dr.emilschaffhausen4683]

@@sidewinderxx That being said, I do love the watch. I like the Chronograph version a lot.

[@ericcecil6817]

The Blancpain's main advantage is hand finishing and precious metals, but the look of the movement leaves me uninspired and I actually prefer the aesthetic of the Omega's. That said, I don't think you could really go wrong either way. The Omega for value and a funky, playful throwback, and the Blancpain for a refined classic that will only garner the attention of the initiated.

[@gregalonzo747]

I will stand by the Blancpain. First, not everyone has one. However, what I especially like is that it has that retro look, yet with all the modern accoutrements .

[@andrewbrown5636]

Had the latest 300m and on first viewing its a handsome watch..but it wasn’t long before the etched dial, case gas wart, useless lume positioning, skinny strap and the awkward to grip bezel, all made it feel rather gimmicky. Add the fact that they are in most high street dealers shop windows, have a relationship with a fictional 007 bloke , it’s a watch that the wife buys her ‘carling black label’ drinking and football lovin’ hubby for his birthday. I flipped mine after 4 weeks and despite buying it with a big discount struggled to get 60% of retail. The Blancpain on the other hand is a proper grown ups watch that it’s appeal will grow and grow over many years of ownership. I do prefer the chrono version or the original 5015 version though on the x71 bracelet

[@jackserious3282]

That Omega is really knocking ALL divers out right now! Wow! Omega delivered!

[@L.A.C_Santos]

For me it’s absolutely the Blancpain. No question about it. It is so elegant, minimalist, it has that kind of serene beauty that can make you feel inspired and shiver with emotion.

[@dtm4trix]

Omega for me as well. Love it way over the Blancpain . For the price of the BIancpain I can get a Seamaster and another fine watch.

[@ToyHuntingGamers]

Close for me, but for a value proposition, I'd go Omega in black SS on bracelet as a daily (and will). I'd prefer the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Complete Calendar moon phase over both. However, that is and entirely next level price and not a fair comparison. Larger indices on the Blancpain may look better?

[@rektison]

Same here. After 3 years

[@zhihanlee2463]

When I watch Tim's video I always check if I have set the playback speed set to 1.5x....

[@ordinary999]

Both watches are great - Omega is the best looking one, but the BP is just a better watch. I would go for the Omega - good value for the money. Great video 👍

[@Sevyne77-777]

I visited Blancpain AD a couple of times this month for my next watch. Comparing to the boring Rolex, they have really stunning divers. I like the original one with blue dial, 45mm, but it's just too big and thick for my slender wrist. the Bathyscaphe 2018 with complete calendar and moon phase is my next pick for sure.

[@ripperx444]

Better buy them pre owned and get even more off.. they are worth jack!!

[@Sevyne77-777]

@@ripperx444 yeah in some cases. but for this brand I want a brand new since the warranty cover is even shorter from pre-owned.

[@kermez9]

You should check maintenance price, at least where I live it's pretty much 1k.

[@TheSlowoldman]

Blancpain all day, every day. I am one of those that find the Omega dial overwrought and gimmicky, even it's lume is garish. The Omega is a nice watch for it's price point but with the aesthetic draw to a younger, flashier crowd, I much prefer the understated elegance and beautiful color palette of this particular Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe. Do they make the Seamaster in black with no waves etched into the dial? That may change my opinion concerning the Omega.

[@gpearce11]

Great comparison as always Tim. I’ve loved the new Seamaster since it was announced. I thing I’ve noticed you keep mentioning, however, is that the Helium escape valve can be opened underwater during a dive. The helium escape value is not designed to be opened under water for two reasons. Reason one: it only has 50m WR when the He valve is opened, and the designer has said its purpose is only to still provide some measure of WR if accidentally left opened. Reason two: Helium escape valves are for withstanding the helium/oxygen mix in pressure chambers used by deep sea divers. It is never supposed to be opened underwater. Again, I love your videos, and your attention to detail in reviews, so I though you might appreciate a little bit of fact checking for reference with future Seamaster 300m reviews.

[@deleted_youtube_handle]

Blancpain make the best luxury divers. I wish more people would try them on before outright dismissing them because of their size.

[@Sevyne77-777]

absolutely agree.

[@sofrech1991]

I have tried them on... and unfortunately, size really is the deal-breaker for me. If they made a 5015 or a Bathyscaphe in 40 or 41mm I would pick them over any Submariner or Sea Dweller.

[@Sevyne77-777]

@@sofrech1991 Bathyscaphe has got a 38mm version. too small?

[@MaestroDeca]

This one is just really ugly, looks like a knockoff of the seamaster 300, except for some hand finishing and 3 barrels. It definitely doesn't justify a 10k price tag when it looks like a toy to the average person. But hey, if it took beautiful to you, I guess thats all that matters.

[@christophergustafson3942]

Very nice, Tim - The new Seamaster does indeed deserve to hunt bigger game and the Blainpain is definitely a punch upwards. Tough call and I am very conflicted...My vote is with my heart and for my home team, Omega.

[@silvershadowjsh]

Interesting comparison- love these two! I think from an aesthetically perspective, the bathyscaph is closer to the Seamaster 300 rather than the Seamaster Diver 300. And the Diver is closer to the vanilla fifty fathoms.

[@CrimFerret]

For me the Seamaster wins, but I'll be going for the black dial/bezel version as it's going to be serving as an only watch for a while and may need to serve occasionally serve as a dress watch. I'm sure I'll be disagreed with, But when I look at the Seamaster, I see a dive watch that happens to look really good. There may well be people that go diving with one. When I look at the Blancpain, I see a watch that doesn't know if it's supposed to be a dress watch or a dive watch and it seems stuck weirdly in the middle. I know it has it's fans and it's obviously a well made watch. just not my preference even if it were priced the same as the Omega.

[@jc51373]

I agree with you Omega screams Dive watch, BP screams dress or dive but I'd feel like I'd need to explain it's a dive watch to others. That can be a good thing or bad for some. One is more classic and the other is more of a low key watch enthusiast piece to me. Either is a great choice, Omega presents a much better value.

[@jannovotny9630]

This one is very easy for me, Blancpain. There's very simple reason for it, I'm lucky enough to already own the seamaster (black dial on bracelet)

[@IANSPA]

I like the Omega it's a great looking watch, but the Blancpain is pure class.

[@andrei2023]

I really like Omega, but here Blancpain is the winner🥇🏆

[@keitumetsemabuza9940]

Sea master for me, price, esthetics and lume

[@DavidDatura]

The Blancpain is much nicer and classier.

[@watchfalcon122]

The date window angled at 4 o’clock as a design has always bothered me. And for this watch in particular there is plenty of dial space (especially with those small indices) to put it somewhere else.

[@DMBVR4]

Fantastic comparison Tim! The only thing I differ on is the nighttime legibility... the dual baton index at 12 on the Omega immediately gives it the advantage in my opinion.

[@franco2739]

I don't know where the idea that the Omega bezel is hard to grip came from. I have an 8800 Cal Seamaster and the the bezel is not an issue to turn. Heck I even turned it under water in the pool just to test it out. I

[@optimizedpran1247]

Am I the only one who just doesn’t see the appeal of the bathyscaphe? It looks like it costs 25% of what it does

[@jacobpfeuffer962]

I keep logging on to check this out

[@jumboJetPilot]

I love them both but I’d opt for the Fifty Fathoms, X-71, blue guillochè dial!

[@FirestormAA]

My heart is for Omega eventhot Blancpain coat more..... is merely a personal choice nit saying the other is not good... both is but Omega just have the style to it.

[@Roy-vh9rp]

The date on the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe should be at 3 or 6 o´clock.

[@algorithm007ify]

a little bit of incongruence doesn't hurt.

[@algorithm007ify]

The Omega SMP Diver 300m is the Rolex Submariner killer (#SUBKILLER) but the Blancpain FF Bathyscaph is the AP ROO Killer (#ROOKILLER). With all things considered, the Blancpain has a marginal win here. Totally agree with Tim's assessment (as usual), but damn it was close... All I can say is that Blancpain FF bathyscaph > ROO > SMP 300 diver > Pelagos/BB58 > submariner > Longines heritage diver.

[@Mint-cb2vc]

Pelagos/BB58 > submariner ???

[@mhinchy86]

This is nonsense, and I have the SMP 300. Picked up a BB58 recently and prefer it more than the SMP, the SMP isn't better than the Pelagos

[@greenerick]

Have the Omega Seamaster but would sell to fund it towards 5 day power reserve quality Diver which won't let you down Or draw attention which I really do like

[@DavidDatura]

The Bathyscaphe would look nicer with the date at 6 o’clock like the Omega rather than between 4 and 5 IMO. Apart from the Blancpain’s extended power reserve and movement finish, it’s an easy win for the Omega here.

[@highnrising]

I think the Bathyscaphe would look fine with the date right where it is--if the designers could just figure out how to orient the window and the date digits upright, to match all the other writing on the dial, instead of tilted radially and looking askew. The Glasshute Sport Evolution dive watch has a panorama date at 4:30, but it's positioned upright, and it looks fine.

[@mt24Carson]

Value for money the Omega SMP is outstanding. Cannot go wrong w/a Blancpain in any case. Nice comparison Tim.

[@pedrosaenz2800]

Omega all the way for me. Price quality item. If they keep the model unchanged and avoid special editions this could be a strong competitor to the Submariner.

[@ssvs0485]

Never liked the blancpain small indices just made the watch look strange. A strange 23mm lug opening. Technically a better movement. Omega wins again for me.

[@jorgecarrasco2478]

Great comparison, but what about long term reliability, service interval and costs? Would really appreciate your comments about those points. Thank you

[@Sevyne77-777]

Hey Tim, May I request you to do a review for Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Complete calendar moon phase 5054-1110-xxx? I haven't seen any good reviews online for that model yet. I really love that one since it's a mixture of sports and classics. Thanks in advance!

[@muffemod]

Just get both!

[@danielmewes]

Tim doesn't seem to know how saturation diving works and when you would use the Helium escape valve. But otherwise a great comparison! Thanks for providing this.

[@jamestheadvisor1650]

That’s why the automatic (Rolex) is so much better! You don’t have to do anything. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@PixelWelding]

@@jamestheadvisor1650 also doxa en panarai

[@hoostineFL]

Have the 38mm Blancpain on a leather strap … it’s a great casual watch

[@joelopic]

Omega is beautiful no doubt but as you say the ff is undeniable in quality and style. The other ff original is even better. I'm a big fan and if I ever have enough cash I'm buying one. Great video by the way. Excellent presentation as usual

[@duncanwood4489]

Blancpain is in another league IMO, but acknowledge you do have to be quite deep in the hobby to appreciate it

[@kentkochheiser911]

Another great comparison! I'd enjoy a rematch with the Blancpain Bathyscaphe in black ceramic, which i own and the Omega in ceramic and titanium which is a closer match in materials and size. The Omega looks and feels great in person.

[@jal2550]

The blue 2018 Omega Diver 300 on my wrist should let everyone know what my choice would be 😝

[@daveopincar2469]

Great lesson Tim BP my grail diver said by the Dr. Thank you.

[@ToyHuntingGamers]

Tim, you hear any rumors on a CHRONO version on this Omega coming soon?

[@jumboJetPilot]

Toy Hunting Gamers Better yet, a GMT variant?!?

[@ToyHuntingGamers]

Interested in both!

[@mhinchy86]

Find the comments interesting - this BlancPain compared to Rolex in another video has many preferring the BP for certain reasons, yet deriding the BP in this video for the same reasons. Just shows fanboyism trumps all in these videos.

[@mickd4610]

Omega every day. Classy and sporty. I am baised though as I have one!

[@AlanHe12]

Great comparison! The two are probably at the top of the game for dive watches, far above the rest. I think once Rolex updates the Subs to have their 3235 movements the 3 will be a "holy trinity" of divers.

[@algorithm007ify]

Alan He they will have to get rid of the super case also..and add AR coating on the underside of the sapphire..

[@AlanHe12]

Watch Aficionado agreed! One of the reasons I like the yachmasters better is they don’t have that super case design.

[@narenreddy2329]

Omega seamaster for me

[@jmoz]

The gaps on the Blancpain lugs are unforgivable. Could drive a bus through them.

[@louisnguyen2865]

Unless you want to be labeled as having a high luxury, Omega by far the better in everything.

[@madebat]

Great review!

[@gp2712]

Respectively Omega for me.

[@ibastratepi]

23mm lugs on the BP. Don't you just love watchmakers who use odd spaced lugs? Sometimes the plethora of strap choices is just too much so kudos to BP for saying "Nah, can't use that." lol

[@minusED]

Both great pieces, but Bathyscaphe is classier and looks more expensive. In caliber finishing there’s no competition

[@ripperx444]

Blancpain hands look like a box and whisker plot! Omega all day

[@Anthonythomas_19]

Why does Tim always sound like he's selling you something on QVC?

[@seekingthetruth3410]

Omega is king for the money , and underwater the omega is easier to read

[@WatchArchitect]

Got to be the Blancpain for me, it has some class and feels special... I just find that the Omega feels immature in comparison

[@DWilliam1]

Own a Seamaster, want a Bathyscaphe.

[@MrPoum70]

i have both , it a very good watch

[@jamespalsson746]

Blancpain should to size up the indices, similar to their Milspec diver proportions.

[@conrads_corner]

Planet Ocean is better than the 300. I have a 43mm PO, the full ceramic Bathyscaphe, Sub, Pelagos, SO Heritage II, and PAM Luminor. I don't think I have a favorite of those pieces. If I had to keep two likely the PO and Bathyscaphe. Maybe the Sub.

[@jam06477]

I looked at a Fifty Fathoms 45mm version. That watch felt like a brick on my wrist. All the pedigree, horology, and hand finishing wouldn't have made it comfortable.

[@mhinchy86]

This was exactly my thought with mine and why it needed to go

[@Incountry]

Fifty Fathoms every time.... uncomplicated dial face. (Used to own the Seamaster)

[@silverlakeas]

Omega all the way.

[@stevefox8605]

Easy win for the Omega. The BP just looks boring anonymous IMHO, and that's before price is even considered. Cheers 👍🏻

[@ostravia]

Honestly having owned both neither can compare to a Cartier 2113.

[@BenTramer]

I'll go with the 007 Professional here (but I'm a BlancpaiN owner). I like the 5015 series better than the Bathyscaphe. Prediction: BlancpaiN discontinues the 5015 series and exclusively moves forward with iterations of the Bathyscaphe as their flagship and only diver.

[@andrewbrown5636]

Mark S I can’t see them discontinuing the 5015.. it would be like Rolex dropping the Sub

[@BenTramer]

@@andrewbrown5636 Good point. Your feeling is they "refresh" the 5015 at some point?

[@andrewbrown5636]

Mark S just ‘tweak ‘ it maybe.. it’s a classic. A bit of a grail watch myself, although never pulled the trigger as something else has always got in the way!

[@BenTramer]

@@andrewbrown5636 They have been tweaking it...you can get a Flyback, a Grande Date, titanium case, GMT (48mm), etc.. I would like to see them standardize the design where a 40-44mm case is universal, an exhibition caseback is universal, a silicon hairsping is universal...I don't know if you consider that a 'tweak'.

[@jayebirdjb7143]

Would it really hurt to spin the rotors at the end of your reviews? Please?

[@csabah.6251]

Just can't see the price justification on the BP. Omega is my choice.

[@RHolloway2]

The Omega is made on an automated production line, the Blancpain is hand finished. You're basically paying for the man hours, which is fair to be honest...

[@summerrr1]

Csaba H. They are not even comparable quality and finishing wise.

[@anotherknight75]

2 of my grails in the same video, nice. :)

[@stephenmeade8501]

I'd take the 38.5mm bathyscaphe, but not the full size. It just seems a little dinner plate like. Thoughts Tim?

[@johnbenacci2382]

I really like the fifty fathoms, but not the bathyscaphe. 5015>SMP>bathyscaphe

[@bubbab7792]

Blancpain.....👍

[@traipsed]

That BP just looks so squinty. So much watch face and tiny out of ratio lume.

[@thehandseesall]

It's hard to say that the Blancpain doesn't remind me of a $250dive watch on ebay.

[@terrariavelocyclistsanyaan4332]

Wait wait omega also using liquid metal…

[@юрийкрисюк-ъ3л]

Мені у blanp. не подобається велика щилина між корпусом і ременем.Також він трохи схожий на ретро.Я за омегу

[@kevinlykins9530]

The Fifty Fathoms, makes the Omega look like a Toy.

[@jtwu8931]

Bring back 41mm SMP!!!!

[@cheltcanary]

absolutely no reason to open a helium escape valve underwater!!! There is no helium (He) in H20!!! The fact Omega turned the wart into a cupcake still gives it no real use, and in fact an extra failure point underwater.....Saturation divers would use it when breathing helium in a dry chamber, and pen the valve when decreasing the chamber pressure (going "shallower!") - but you really cant beat an integral He valve such as Rolex and Tudor - safer, more elegant and less risk of failure!

[@logwind]

I like Blancpain but this one is a mess. The case is too big, the indices are too small, the date window is wrong on every level, and the odd lug width should have been 22mm.

[@clf1905]

Cool

[@musicM0VESme]

I own an older 2254 Seamaster with sword hands. I can't stand the new skeleton hands.

[@muffemod]

"Frawsted"

[@robertsullivan4773]

My Seamaster wins again.

[@user-dr7tb4xf4o]

But it lost in this vs match.

[@robertsullivan4773]

@@user-dr7tb4xf4o and that's your opinion.

[@user-dr7tb4xf4o]

Robert Sullivan Tim's opinion actually, but I do agree with him.

[@robertsullivan4773]

@@user-dr7tb4xf4o alway remember Tim is selling watches and he is bias to the extent he had watches to sell and he tends to be a bit of a snob for the upped brands.

[@algorithm007ify]

@@robertsullivan4773 he will have more opportunities to sell the Omega, though..since production numbers are WAY higher than Blancpains.

[@Dylan-xj8tb]

I like the 300m but im afraid that this generation will not age well at all. There's just too many gimmicks in the design. the increase in size, the Reese's peanut butter cup valve, the new waves, the extremely stark and contrasting bezel numerals. It's nice now, but in 10 years this will be seen as the gaudy, bastard child generation of the seamaster 300m

[@John..18]

Perhaps you could slow down,, it's almost painful trying to catch every word, ,,,, less is more,,,

[@chuckschillingvideos]

I'll take....neither. Neither is terribly attractive.

[@ZCT808]

I know horology snobs will be rolling their eyes here, but I think the Blancpain is ugly and weird looking. I don't care about the hand finished bits, the heritage, or anything else frankly. I've seen better looking watches at 10% of the price. I'm not saying I'd prefer the Omega per se, merely that for $10K there are a lot of better looking watches I'd rather own.

[@Mint-cb2vc]

like what is better?

[@michaelphillips5263]

. . . but it's so ugly . . .