The blacked-out Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet Phases de Lune by Blancpain in full ceramic complements its mechanical presence with urbane chic
Here’s a go-to hack for instant sartorial elevation: black is the shade that never fails. This advice rings true for watches, too. Whether dressy or sporty, a generous swathe of that inky hue all over the timepiece imbues it with mystique and glamour—even better if that moody allure is backed by mechanical muscle, as shown by the latest Bathyscaphe timepieces from Blancpain.
A ‘civilian’ alternative to the famous Fifty Fathoms dive watch, the Bathyscaphe was launched in 1956—three years after the Fifty Fathoms’ debut—and offered the same underwater tool watch capabilities and features, such as optimal underwater visibility, excellent water resistance and a rotating bezel for tracking dive times. Slightly slimmer and smaller, though, the Bathyscaphe has, over the decades, been carefully made over to shed its predecessor’s dive military-watch inspired aesthetic for a dressier, smart-casual disposition.
This year’s Bathyscaphe models follow a similar trajectory. At the same time, the watches offer tantalising technical features with their new ceramic armour, as well as some high-brow complications.
The biggest draw of the new models lies in their black ceramic cases and bracelets, which are introduced for the first time to the Bathyscaphe collection. Whether the time-and-date only model, the chronograph or the highlight of the cast, a complete calendar version, the glossy, raven-toned ceramic is both elegant and smoking hot.
The new models are a dream to wear, too. Ceramic is not only highly scratch-resistant and hypoallergenic, it is 25 per cent lighter than stainless steel, yet five times more robust.
But as Blancpain would tell you, it takes a lot of work to look this good. Ceramic is famously a challenge to manufacture. On these watches, each link has to be meticulously crafted and satin-finished by hand before being pieced together via a patented mounting system to ensure optimum durability and comfort.
Watch aficionados who want to get the best out of the new Bathyscaphe line-up should waste no time in directing their gaze to the Quantième Complet Phases de Lune. Though not new to the Bathyscaphe collection—this complete calendar and moon phase model was introduced in 2018—the latest full-ceramic iteration looks even more stunning.
Framed by a matching ceramic bezel insert with grey Liquidmetal markers and available with black, green and gradient blue dials, the Quantième Complet Phases de Lune emanates contemporary swag to go with its forthright mechanical gravitas.
On the inside though, it is business as usual. The watch is dive-ready with a 300m water resistance. It is powered by an in-house Blancpain movement with a secure mechanism that allows adjustments to the calendar indications at any time of the day without fear of damaging it.
For a dive watch that also makes a splash on dry land, a blacked-out ceramic Blancpain warrants careful consideration.
This story first appeared in the August 2024 issue. Purchase it as a print or digital copy, or consider subscribing to us here
