Blancpain Bathyscaphe 1st release

When asked to name the top dive watch manufacturers of all time most collectors would name, Rolex Omega, Doxa and Blancpain although not all in that order.

Blancpain earned its fame for the fifty fathoms model introduced in 1953 which is credited by many as the first purpose built dive watch ,many dealers mistakenly market the Bathyscaphe (introduced in 1956)as another fifty fathoms and whilst it may share the same pedigree it was in fact designed by Blancpain and marketed as a semi-professional dive watch which was equally at home worn out of the water as well in it or more accurately under it .Interestingly whilst the Fifty Fathoms in various guises was manufactured for decades the Bathyscaphe was manufactured for only a short period and in fact for only the first year with an automatic movement as with this example making these one of the rarest Blancpain dive watches available and yet they remain currently a bit of a secret although as that is changing now prices are sure to go in only one direction.

The 36mm stainless steel case is in very good original condition with great case definition and the original Bakelite bezel has survived remarkably over the last 60 odd years.

The dial is finished in a gunmetal grey and finished with steel baton markers and hands

The watch is fitted to new old stock tropic rubber strap which complements it perfectly.

In stock and ready for worldwide shipping

Our stock number 1112