Blancpain Bathyscape “Scubapro” Diver

Description

In attempts to appeal to the “civilian” crowd, Blancpain produced a smaller line (34mm and 37mm) of dive watches under the “Bathyscape” moniker. A bathyscape is self-propelled deep-sea submarine, and Blancpain used this smaller-dive watch line to differentiate them from the Fifty Fathoms when sold in various retail shops directly to consumers.  This model, in the more desirable 37mm case, features a slate grey dial, a date function, and their trademark “bakelite” bezel.   Further, this example is particularly special due to the fact that it is “co-signed” by the retailer “Scubapro”, a reseller of scuba and diving equipment in the 1960-70s.

The Blancpain Bathyscape offered today is in excellent vintage condition.  The case appears unpolished, with original and defined beveled edges.  The dial is incredible, with no flaws.  The original tritium lume is present on both dial and hands, aged to a golden yellow, with some loss of lume to some of the plots on the dial.  Finally, the bakelike bezel shows no cracks or whatsoever.