Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback 5200-0153-B52A – 2023

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback 5200-0153-B52A

Don’t be fooled into thinking that the Bathyscaphe is some sort of dive watch pretender. The Fifty Fathoms is the original dive watch, with a history dating back to 1953 where it created the first dive watch for the Frogmen of the French Navy. Fast forward to today, and we have one of the most highly finished, robust and stunning dive watches on the market, the Bathyscaphe Chronograph Flyback.

While some folks like to compare Bathyscaphes to Subs, they’re a different watch in our opinion. This is a luxury diver, with proper dive watch credentials should you wish to use them, but occupies a space that sits in a different niche with its high finishing levels and beautiful movement.

Utilising the same 43.6mm case as the regular Bathy, it is crafted in ceramic. While this material can often look a touch dull, not here. It retains the regular finishing levels that Blancpain is known for, with satin brushed flanks and lugs, and polished bevels. The dial within is a spectacular green sunburst, with applied markers and a discreet date at 4. The 120-click ceramic bezel has a green ceramic inlay, and the watch strikes a wonderful balance between out and out tool watch, and something that could very much so be worn with a suit…or a dive suit, if testing the 300 metres of water resistance is your thing. It’s the perfect luxury diver.

Powering it is the spectacular calibre F385 chronograph movement, with column wheel and vertical clutch, hacking seconds and a very high level of hand finish, while beating at 36,600 VPH. It’s mounted to Blancpain’s awesome black sail cloth strap with one of the finest brushed ceramic buckles on the market, and is near-new.

This particular one-owner watch was purchased locally in 2023 and presents in TZ ‘Near Mint’ condition. The case shows no real discernible signs of wear, nor does the buckle. Strap shows only very light wear. Please see images for full condition details.

Keeping COSC time and all functions operating as they should.

Comes with outer box, inner box, inner travel case, booklets, diver log, calendar, warranty card (expired) and Blancpain cleaning cloth.

RRP is $30,800 AUD. Pick up this brilliant example of one of the finest dive chronos on the market for far less.