Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Ceramic Black 5000-0130-B52A - 2020

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Ceramic Black 5000-0130-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 2021, and we have one of the most highly finished, robust and stunning dive watches on the market, the Bathyscaphe in Ceramic. While some folks like to compare these 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 it's high finishing levels and beautiful movement. Utilising the same 43.6mm case as the regular Bathy, it is now crafted from 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, with polished bevels in a superb black finish. The dial within is a spectacular sunburst black, with applied markers and a discreet date at 4. The 120-click ceramic bezel has a black 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 1315 with monstrous 120 hour power reserve and a very high level of finish, and its mounted to Blancpain's awesome black textile strap with one of the finest brushed ceramic buckles on the market. This particular piece was purchased locally in 2020 and presents in TZ 'Near Mint' condition, with barely any hints of wear present thanks to the ceramic case. Please see images for full condition details. Strap is in fantastic condition, as is the buckle, which is important on these as they can show quite a bit of wear if used heavily. No service history that we're aware of, though not due for that just yet. Keeping COSC time measured dial-up on a timegrapher, and all functions operating as they should. Comes withouter box, inner pelican case, inner pouch, diver log and warranty card (expired). Inner case and pouch show deterioration, which is common with this material. RRP is $23,000 AUD. Save yourself a huge amount with this fantastic example of one of Blancpain's coolest pieces. Brand: Blancpain Reference: 5000-0130-B52A Year: 2020 Case Material: Ceramic Case details: 43.6mm Bracelet: Blancpain Textile Movement: Blancpain in-house 1315 self-winding automatic movement with 120 hour power reserve Dial: Black Hands: Silver with luminous inserts Paraphernalia: Outer box, inner pelican case, inner pouch, diver log and warranty card (expired). Inner case and pouch show deterioration, which is common with this material TZ Grading: Near Mint