The past few years have seen the launch and steady expansion of Blancpain’s Bathyscaphe line up. In 2013, we saw the original three-hander, 2014 gave us the Bathyscaphe Chronograph, and then the beautifully blue Bathyscaphe Ocean Commitment Chronograph came in 2015. This year, Blancpain completed the family portrait with the latest iteration of the Bathyscaphe, which quite successfully puts the look and construction of the Ocean Commitment Chronograph into the original three-hand design.
In broad strokes, if you know the standard Bathyscaphe three-hander, you are well on your way to understanding this new version. While the basic form remains thankfully unchanged, this new model is more than just a blue dial and bezel as its 43.6 mm case is made of grey ceramic. This is not the first time that Blancpain has used ceramic for the case of a Bathyscaphe three-hander and, much like the preceding Ocean Commitment Chronograph, this version has a lovely brushed blue dial and ceramic bezel with Liquidmetal hour markers.
Another big change is this brand new “alveol” screw-in caseback, which might be best described as a pie crust shape.Like all Planet Ocean 8500s (shall we say PO 8900s currently?) It retains, of course, its helium escape valve. The principal change is the circle closest to the crystal has now been broken down to minute segments. This makes it somewhat easier to precisely line up the bezel to a minute past the 15 minute markers (which were already distinguished). It’s still a very great all-around feel with medium effort and an extremely solid lockup.This new Planet Ocean features the 8900 rather than the more typical 8500. Regardless of the name change, but the biggest difference between this motion and elderly 8500s is in fact the brand new METAS certification. In fact, it’s that the METAS-certified movement that gives it the “Master Chronometer” name on the dial.Because we have covered 8500-family moves in so many other reviews, I wished to do this motion section a bit otherwise. For starters, I’ll be focusing on the METAS certification itself. But, secondly, through the magic of Photoshop, we eliminated the rotor so you can see the 8900 in all its glory. Obviously, the rotor itself is beautiful, so we’ll be using both rotor and sans-rotor shots going forward.The very first consideration to describe about METAS certification is the fact that it’s not directly competing with COSC certification. In reality, a state of passing the METAS test would be to have already passed the COSC. Thus, all Master Chronometers (watches which are METAS certified) will also be chronometers in the traditional sense. Once a chronometer enters METAS testing, then its magnetic immunity is going to be tested. Here, the movement will be analyzed in a magnetic field of 15,000 gauss in two different positions, a lot more successful than somebody would experience in their ordinary life. The movement is subsequently “cased” (placed inside the watch it’ll be sold in) and analyzed again.
Of course, if that is not enough flexibility, then you still have a divers extension.That’s lots of length that can be added (or removed) in a couple of seconds.Believe it or not, the Planet Ocean is actually my preferred dive watch in the whole world, no qualifiers. Thus, as a longtime fan of this PO, I believe I’ve a bit of extra view on the Master Chronometer version.Naturally, becoming a Master Chronometer necessitated a movement upgrade. On a practical level, the 8900 is practically identical (as far as I could tell) to the 8508, the additional silicon-imbued 8500 (most 8500s had silicon components also) that surfaced Omega’s newfound immunity to magnetism. The key distinction is in the individual METAS testing which certifies that magnetic immunity. But METAS extends even further than that, promising features like the energy reserve and water resistance. Because the 8900 is analyzed to more strict standards than other 8500s, it stands to reason that it likely outperforms them too, if merely in virtue of superior modification and weeding out weaker performers that could have otherwise survived the COSC but failed METAS.It would’ve been easy and completely forgivable to only upgrade the movement, throw a few Master Chronometer verbiage on the dial and then call it a day, but that’s not exactly what Omega Planet Ocean Malaysia Price Replica did. The PO Master Chronometer is a full-fledged refresh of this model with updates to the bracelet, the dial, the bezel writing as well as the case.The Planet Ocean Master Chronometer is a great watch. It manages to subtly enhance this classic in almost every way. The 8500 was among the very best mass-produced movements in the world and today it’s even better. I really like the addition of an easy micro adjustment system on the bracelet. I particularly love that I can get the blue model in steel now. Obviously, you do not have to get it in blue. As is always true with Omega, you get a wonderful variety of versions to pick from, including new complete ceramic models.
Until you have it in your hands, you could be excused for thinking that the case was metal, as it carries the warmth of titanium and a beautifully brushed finish. Upon lifting this diver from the table the ceramic feels solid, smooth like glass, and lighter than you might expect. The official reference is 5000-0240-NAOA (with the nato strap) but I wish they had called it something, anything, aside from just Bathyscaphe. I suppose we’ll all just know it as the blue Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe.
The newest models come in three variations (explained below) such as three-hand models that can be obtained in 42 mm or 45.5 mm versions and a new chronograph version available only in the 45.5 millimeter case size. Omega can’t just flippantly upgrade the Planet Ocean as the PO is the most famous variant of this Seamaster line along with the Omega Seamaster range has a very enthusiastic fan base. Omega comprehends the Seamaster line (and its buyers) along with the new models not only exhibit the right Seamaster DNA and design, but they are also powered by in-house Omega movements.The Omega 8500 (three hand movement) is a co-axial movement using a 60 hour power reserve thanks to its twin barrel design. The 8500 uses 39 stones, a free sprung balance, and beats at a relatively slow 25,200 vph. The chronograph models utilize the calibre 9300 that is a brand new column-wheel chronograph movement. Seen as a two register display, just the three o’clock subdial is to get your chronograph and uses a white hand for elapsed hours and an orange ProPlof-style hand for elapsed minutes (so cool, see photo at right). Running seconds show about the nine o’clock subdial, while chrono seconds show about the main (full size) second hand for easy reading. This design is simple and ingenious and largely the coolest feature of this 9300 based Earth Sea. The 9300 shares the 8500’s 60 hour power reserve but it beats at a more conventional 28,800 vph. Both new calibres are COSC competent, fully decorated by Omega, and take a four year guarantee.
Still 13.8mm thick and water resistant to 300m, the blue dial and bezel make for a considerably different vibe than its siblings, perhaps not quite as austere. Less tactical than the monochromatic alternatives, the blue Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe (aside from its ceramic case and 43.6mm sizing) has the demeanor of a watch designed in the early days of diving. Its crystal-clear legibility and razor-sharp detailing is juxtaposed by the warm and inviting blue tones of the dial and bezel. If the Bathyscaphe is an attempt to carry vintage Blancpain design elements into a modern luxury diver, I think this blue version is the most successful iteration we’ve seen to date.
For a 600m-rated watch, the Deep Black is unusual in using a screen caseback. Not exclusive, but uncommon. Turn the watch over and you’re going to find the brand new, and nicely-finished, 8906 calibre that powers the watch. The case-back’s edges are scalloped in what Omega Planet Ocean Xl 8500 Replica is calling a Naiad-lock method to ensure the text lines up correctly when replacing the caseback after servicing. The co-axial movement is double-barrelled giving it a healthier 60-hour power book. I’ve written about the METAS certification Omega is testing its new watches with earlier, but it’s COSC and a great deal more: much more accuracy, more anti-magnetic insulation, more rigour at the number of positions that the whole watch (not just the motion) is analyzed in to verify consistent accuracy thresholds. Having a state of the art motion and superior execution, it is hard not to be impressed with all the Deep Black.The watch is a maximal object. All its features are all dialled-up to twenty five and sporting it can be audacity itself. Omega has built a luxury diver which may play different watches that effortlessly (complacently?) Occupy the top of this particular food chain. It’s also priced to be there at ~18k CDN. If you are looking to buy at this price point, that is unlikely to induce sticker shock but it’s a massive sum to put back on a watch that’s up against much more recognized luxury diver players like Rolex and Audemars Piguet. Time will tell if the Planet Ocean’s design gets iconic in precisely the exact same manner as the Royal Oak or the Deep Sea have. The Deep Black signifies a seriously striking watch that understands what its mission is.The Omega Planet Ocean 600M has a lot of content, accompanied by exceptionally good looks. Its METAS certification comprises COSC chronometer certification and betters it, in addition to anti-magnetism to fields of up to 15,000 gauss, and waterproofness tested to 600 metres thickness. The watch has a helium escape valve, screw-down crown, unidirectional rotating bezel, and a transparent caseback to reveal the mechanical motion. At the exact same time, it looks magnificent, with black ceramic strap and dial with orange details.
Visible via a display case back, the blue Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe uses Blancpain’s calibre 1315 – the same movement used by all of the three-hand Bathyscaphes. This 4Hz in-house automatic movement uses three mainspring barrels to offer 120 hours of power reserve for its display of the time and date. Designed to be tool-ready, the 1315 is function over form and has been used in several of Blancpain’s dive watches in the past.
What is impressive and intimidating concerning the Deep Black is its symbolic value. The gold Deep Black has a controlling wrist existence, but you have to be ready for a wristwatch that seems to quantify you as much as you measure it. This feeling that you are wearing a statement of vision — yours and Omega’s — might be less pronounced in the other watches in the line, which skew more to the sporty appearance but the sedna gold variant asks a character that is equivalent to the task. It isn’t for wallflowers and it’ll never fly under anyone’s radar. And this isn’t just a function of its precious metal or shiny ceramic surfaces. Fear not, because of the brief lugs and the way the rubberized alligator strap falls vertical to the plane of the circumstance, that the dimensions of the situation are you need to contend with when it is in your wrist. The burden of an eye with these dimensions is also not an issue due to the substances Omega used in the situation’s production. Ceramic, in addition to being much more scratch-resistant, can be much lighter than steel having an equal mass. The actual material is zirchonium dioxide [ZrO2] and Omega indicated the dial and among their casing’s lugs as subtle reminders of the specialized achievement.The dial of this Deep Black matches the watch’s name and is an inky black that suggests the profound itself, absorbing all but the very direct light. The creamy black of the dial also serves as a liquid backdrop to the applied gold indices and broad-arrow hour, minute and GMT hands. The Omega logo and dial text can also be applied and float on the dark of this dial. With subtle, chiselled, folding along their long axis, the hands have a three dimensionality that adds definition and weight to them. In gold, these facets catch the light and play it regardless of what the intensity of the source.
I remember loving the original crop of Bathyscaphes back in 2013, and this blue model is an even stronger fit for my tastes while also being an incredibly unrealistic request of my wallet. The ceramic case ensures top billing in the three-hand Bathyscaphe pecking order, and indeed the blue Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe claims a tidy $12,800 USD, mounted to either the pictured high-quality blue NATO or Blancpain’s frankly excellent sail canvas two-piece strap. Following the example set by the Ocean Commitment Chronograph, the blue Bathyscaphe offers a similar appeal in a more simplified layout that is certainly eye-catching and should look even better underwater. If you happen to take one diving, I’d love to see the photos. blancpain.com