It is widely known that Blancpain was one of the original brands that first pioneered the category of dive watches back in the 1950s, and while its very first divers were powered by simple time-only movements, Blancpain now produces dive watches that offer a variety of different complications. Joining the catalog as the brand’s latest release of 2024 is a black ceramic version of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet Phases de Lune, which is available in three different colorways and offered with either a sailcloth strap, NATO, or matching black ceramic bracelet.
Crafted from black ceramic, the case of the new Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet Phases de Lune measures 43.6mm in diameter by 14.1mm thick. It is furnished with a sapphire crystal that is surrounded by a ceramic unidirectional bezel that has a Liquidmetal 60-minute timing scale. Access to the movement is granted by a screw-down crown at 3 o’clock, along with a series of pushers that sit flush along the side of the case. Closing up the reverse side of the Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet Phases de Lune is a screw-down display caseback that offers a view of the manufacture triple-calendar moonphase movement that powers the watch.
As part of its inaugural launch, the black ceramic Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet Phases de Lune is available in three different colorways, including black, blue, and green. The dials feature a sunray finish with a subtle radial gradient effect, and while the black and blue models are fitted with black ceramic bezel inserts, the green version features a matching green ceramic insert to better complement the hue of its dial. Similarly, although all of the models are available with black ceramic bracelets, the sailcloth and NATO straps for the black and green models are black in color, while the blue version of the Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet Phases de Lune gets paired with blue fabric straps to match the dark blue hue of its dial.
Aside from their colors, the three new black ceramic Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet Phases de Lune are otherwise identical. They feature applied luminous hour markers, a pair of calendar windows on the upper half of the dial for the day and month, a moonphase display below the hands, and a date track printed along the interior perimeter of the indexes, which works together with the fourth centrally-mounted pointer date hand. Additionally, the hands, indexes, and zero-marker on the bezel all receive an application of Super-LumiNova to aid with low-light legibility, while the tips of the seconds hand and pointer date hand are finished bright red for a splash of color and added contrast.
Powering the new black ceramic Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet Phases de Lune is the brand’s manufacture Caliber 6654.P.4 automatic movement, which can also be found inside the various other Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet Phases de Lune models. Running at a frequency of 28,800vph (4 Hz) with a power reserve of 72 hours, the Blancpain Cal. 6654.P.4 is a complete calendar that displays the time, date, day, month, and current phase of the moon, plus it is fitted with a silicon balance spring for superior resistance to magnetism. Additionally, unlike traditional calendar movements that can be damaged by incorrect operation, the Cal. 6654.P.4 features an error-proof design, which allows users to adjust its various indications with zero risk of potential damage.
Fitted to the 23mm lugs of the black ceramic Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet Phases de Lune is a matching black ceramic bracelet, the first time that the collection has featured a bracelet crafted from this ultra-hard material. Featuring a three-link design with a patented structure that uses cam-shaped pins to hold the various components together, the bracelet secures on the bottom of the wrist with a butterfly-style folding clasp that is signed with the Blancpain logo. Additionally, for those who prefer to wear their watches on straps, the Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet Phases de Lune is also available with the option of either NATO or sailcloth straps, and opting for one of the strap-equipped versions is accompanied by a fairly significant reduction in price.
All three colorways of the ceramic Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet Phases de Lune cost the exact same, with an official retail price of $18,400 USD when purchased on a fabric strap or $26,000 USD if buyers opt for the matching black ceramic bracelet. While this is undeniably quite a lot of money to pay for a dive watch, the premiums associated with the black ceramic Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet Phases de Lune models ultimately seem fairly reasonable at less than a few thousand dollars more than their otherwise identical stainless steel counterparts. Additionally, while this same amount of money can secure a solid gold watch from other Swiss manufacturers, the prices associated with these new black ceramic models feel even more down to earth when you compare them to the absolute least expensive time-and-date Fifty Fathoms watches, which still cost just over the five-figure price point. For more information on the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet Phases de Lune, please visit the brand’s website.
