10/21/2014

Blancpain Ocean Commitment Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback: a family launch

On October 9, 2014, Marc A. Hayek, Blancpain’s President and CEO introduced the brand new Ocean Commitment Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback.

By Vincent Daveau

Contributor

The breathtaking view from the Hayek house in the heart of Cap d’Antibes was an opportunity to highlight that the Fifty Fathoms shares a particular connection with the Mediterranean Sea. This geographical choice also offered the Hayek family the opportunity to introduce a few hand picked guests to a more intimate universe.

To set the stage, let’s take a look at the product range to which the brand’s new chronograph belongs. Indeed, the Bathyscaphe was introduced in 1956; i.e. three years after the famous Fifty Fathoms was launched in 1953. The specificity of this watch was that it was smaller than the Fifty Fathoms and therefore easier to wear on a daily basis.

That explains why the current chronograph – in line with tradition – sports a 43.6-mm case and is thus smaller than the other models of the contemporary Fifty Fathoms collection.

The art of exalting material

Aficionados will immediately notice and appreciate the case’s neat aesthetic treatment and the color used on the ceramic. Indeed, contrary to what the shade could induce us to believe, the case middle was not manufactured in steel but in an ultra-resistant, high-tech ceramic whose surface is known for being almost unalterable. Light and athermal, it is particularly pleasant to touch making one easily forget the sail-canvas strap is on their wrist.

To ensure that the piece is completely resistant regardless of the use one makes of it, the turning bezel has also been manufactured in materials known for being shock and scratch resistant. It features a combination of grey ceramic for the exterior, blue ceramic for the insert and liquidmetal® for the numerals. This efficient timepiece features an amazing dial that displays blue hues when held at different angles. It is driven by the in-house self-winding chronograph movement F385 which comprises 322 parts.

The highly efficient movement is visible through the open worked and ceramic back. To ensure more precision, it beats at 36,000 vibrations per hour and has an oscillating mass with a gold engraving of the logo of Ocean Commitment. It also has a column wheel and a vertical coupling which avoids small non-aesthetic jumps when timing.

The buyer becomes an ecological actor

The timepiece, available in a limited edition of only 250 pieces, is dedicated to diving aficionados. Water resistant to 300 meters, it is equipped with push-pieces that can be activated underwater. These are a great help for divers as they allow them to make useful measurements.

Eco-conscious aficionados who want to help protect the oceans will be delighted to know that the Brassus-based manufacture – which has been putting diving watches on the wrists of the greatest adventurers, scientists and explorers since 1953 – chose to donate €1,000 of the sales of each of these timepieces to Ocean Commitment. This program’s main objective is to preserve marine environments through the help that various organisms collaborating with Blancpain provide. Besides, the buyers of these exceptional watches will become members of “Ocean Commitment”.

Laurent Ballesta, Alain Delamuraz, Marc A. Hayek and Enric Sala

Thanks to this membership, fans of Blancpain watches will become active players in the protection of oceanic environment and will also have privileged access to exclusive information. They will furthermore be able to attend conferences on the subject.