Review and Comparison of Blancpain 43mm Bathyscaphes

As always, this is a review I bought with my own money. It has nothing to do with the brand. Although there may be individual differences, I avoid reviewing watches I haven’t personally used for a long time. I don’t consider an overview that looks like an advertisement or a quick review of someone else’s product to be a review.

1. Brand and Model Names

■ Blancpain Bathyscaphe

• Black: 5000-1110-b52A
• Desert: 5052-1146-E52A
• Green Chronograph: 5200-0153-B52A

2. Specifications (Some Key Features)

■ Common Features:

• Case Diameter: 43.6 mm
• Water Resistance: 30 bar
• Lug Width: 23 mm

■ Black (50001110b52A):

• Actual Case Thickness: 13.2 mm (spec 13.4mm) / 99g
• Material: Steel
• Movement: Caliber 1315 / Date
• Power Reserve: 5 days

■ Desert (50521146E52A):

• Actual Case Thickness: 14.2 mm (spec 14.25mm) / 114g
• Material: Steel
• Limited Edition: 500 pieces
• Movement: Caliber 1315DD / Day-Date
• Power Reserve: 5 days

■ Green Chronograph (52000153B52A):

• Actual Case Thickness: 15.2 mm (spec 15.2mm) / 99g
• Material: Ceramic
• Movement: Caliber F385 / Flyback Chronograph
• Power Reserve: 50 hours

3. Purchase Motivation and Process

To put it simply, I often buy watches or other things to celebrate special occasions or memorable days. I started my journey with Blancpain by purchasing the Mil-Spec model as a self-reward for ten years of service. That was the beginning.

I have a lot of hobbies like traveling, exercising, and motorcycling, but due to various circumstances, I couldn’t indulge in them over the past three years, as I was consumed by work. Towards the end of last year, things eased up, and I decided to restart one of my old hobbies—diving. But then, COVID-19 hit.

Since I have a passion for diving, dive watches are naturally a big part of my collection. Initially, I was considering the Rolex Sea-Dweller for my next purchase. For vacations involving water activities, I prefer wearing a watch that can handle such environments instead of taking it off. However, after a long hiatus from the watch scene, I was a bit turned off when I realized how much Rolex prices had skyrocketed.

While visiting a nearby store, I stumbled upon Blancpain. After hearing about the brand’s heritage, receiving friendly explanations, and trying on various models, I couldn’t get the watches out of my head. That’s how my connection with Blancpain began—starting with the Mil-Spec model—and how my interest in watches grew stronger during the pandemic, as I couldn’t pursue my other hobbies.

The sapphire bezel on Blancpain models is stunning, but the Bathyscaphe also caught my eye for its heritage. The 43mm case size is just right, and the simple design adds to its appeal. With features like a 3-barrel movement, 120-hour power reserve, and luxurious feel, I’d say it’s hard to find a model with this level of quality: see-through case back, beautiful movement, 30 ATM water resistance, and antimagnetic properties, all at this size. While I don’t buy watches for their resale value, I believe this one offers exceptional quality at a reasonable price in the high-end category.

So, I first purchased the standard black version, then recently bought the Chronograph and the Desert model after some debate. With a bit of savings, I was able to add both to my collection.

4. Personal Evaluation

■ Common Evaluation:
There are bracelet versions available, but I personally prefer the strap version. That’s because the diver’s bracelet doesn’t have an adjustable clasp, which I think is essential. Of course, if you’re not diving, it’s not an issue.

■ Black (50001110b52A):
It’s simple yet luxurious. Personally, I don’t mind if a dive watch is slightly larger, and I recommend the 43mm size for those with a wrist circumference of 17cm or larger (though even smaller wrists can pull it off). My wrist is about 17.5–17.8 cm.

■ Desert (50521146E52A):
It’s even more stunning in person and quite unique. However, I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re only planning to buy one watch. If you like simplicity or already have a diverse collection, then I highly recommend it. To put it simply, it’s like adding a check or herringbone pattern suit after already having a basic black or navy one. But be cautious—it can easily become your favorite.

■ Green Chronograph (52000153B52A):
I initially wanted the Mokkaran edition, but since it’s limited to 50 pieces and wasn’t available in Asia, I quickly gave up and opted for this alternative. I’m highly satisfied with the purchase. It’s great for daily wear, though it does come with a higher price tag compared to other Bathyscaphe models. For reference, this is the only watch I’ve found where diving with the chronograph running is allowed—most other brands advise against it.

5. Conclusion

No matter how much we deny it, we can’t ignore the resale value, market demand, and public opinion. But there’s always a dilemma: is it worth spending the extra money, time, and effort to buy a product of this quality?

Many people buy dive watches as an alternative to the Rolex Submariner. From my experience with many Submariner models (excluding the latest edition), I wouldn’t call the Bathyscaphe an “alternative”—it’s an “upgrade” in almost every aspect, excluding resale value.

That said, if you’re looking for a Submariner alternative, I wouldn’t recommend the Bathyscaphe. You won’t appreciate its true charm.

There are price differences between the models, and they might be considered over-specced for some.

Since the Swatch Group discontinued their discount policy, the perceived price has continued to rise.

In conclusion, if you’re looking for a single standout watch, I’d recommend the monochromatic steel Bathyscaphe. But if you want variety in your collection, the other Bathyscaphe models are also excellent choices.