The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe 38mm is a compact take on Blancpain’s dive-watch design, but details depend on the exact reference. Blancpain’s official listing for reference 5100 1127 specifies a 38.00 mm steel case and automatic calibre 1150; collection material lists 30 bar (approximately 300 meters) water resistance. A 2017 hands-on review reports a 10.77 mm thickness and 100-hour power reserve for the watch it covered. Those figures should not automatically be applied to every 38 mm Fifty Fathoms: Blancpain introduced a separate 38 mm Fifty Fathoms Automatique line in 2025.
Which 38 mm Fifty Fathoms is this?
“Bathyscaphe 38mm” is not enough to establish every configuration detail. Blancpain’s official product page identifies Bathyscaphe reference 5100 1127 as a 38.00 mm steel watch with calibre 1150. Check the reference number, dial, case material, and strap or bracelet on the specific watch before relying on model-specific specifications: Blancpain’s reference 5100 1127 listing.
There is also a distinct 38 mm Fifty Fathoms Automatique line, announced by Blancpain in June 2025. Its launch configurations are not Bathyscaphe variants; confirm the reference rather than identifying a watch by diameter alone. Blancpain’s announcement describes those separate models and their configurations: Blancpain’s 2025 announcement.
What the documented specifications say
| Specification | What is documented | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Case diameter | 38.00 mm | Steel reference 5100 1127, Blancpain product listing |
| Movement | Automatic calibre 1150 | Steel reference 5100 1127, Blancpain product listing |
| Water resistance | 30 bar, approximately 300 m | Bathyscaphe collection document from Blancpain; confirm against the exact reference |
| Thickness | 10.77 mm | Reported for the watch covered in Hodinkee’s 2017 hands-on article; not established here as universal |
| Power reserve | 100 hours | Reported for calibre 1150 in 2017 hands-on coverage; Blancpain also states 100 hours for the distinct 2025 Automatique 38 mm models |
| Bezel | Unidirectional ceramic | Described in the 2017 hands-on article; verify the exact reference and material |
Sources: Blancpain’s 5100 1127 page, Blancpain’s 2020 Fifty Fathoms collection document, Hodinkee’s 2017 hands-on review, and Blancpain’s 2025 Automatique announcement.
#1 Best Overall
How it wears: what the hands-on review can—and cannot—tell you
Hodinkee’s reviewer described the Bathyscaphe 38 mm they handled as comfortable on the wrist, while noting that its strap felt slightly stiff. That is useful as one person’s impression of one configuration, not a fit guarantee. Wrist shape, strap or bracelet, and individual preferences affect how a watch wears; try the exact configuration if fit is decisive.
The smaller case is the model’s central appeal for someone who wants a less expansive Fifty Fathoms on the wrist. Diameter alone does not determine perceived size, however: thickness, lug geometry, and the supplied strap or bracelet also matter. The 10.77 mm thickness comes from that 2017 review and should be confirmed for the exact watch under consideration.
Rank #2
- Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Automatic Blue Dial Men's Watch 5100-1140-O52A
Is the Bathyscaphe 38mm worth it?
It is a plausible choice for a buyer seeking a comparatively compact Blancpain dive watch with a documented 38.00 mm steel configuration and a substantial stated water-resistance rating. The available sources establish those credentials, but do not provide a current price for the exact Bathyscaphe reference and market, nor a direct comparison with specific competing watches. Value therefore depends on a current quote and on whether the exact case, dial, movement, and wearing configuration suit you.
Do not use the figures for other watches as a substitute for a quote. Hodinkee’s $9,500 retail figure is from 2017 and is historical. Fratello’s CHF 14,000–28,500 range, published in June 2025, concerns the separate 38 mm Fifty Fathoms Automatique line, not a current Bathyscaphe price. Request a current price for the exact reference and market from Blancpain or an authorized seller.
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Best Value
- Applied polished rose gold hour markers with luminous fill.
- 5015-3603C-63B
Rank #4
- Model 5000-0240-O52A
Rank #3
What to verify before buying
- Identify the watch. Match the reference number to Blancpain’s listing; do not rely on “38 mm Fifty Fathoms” alone.
- Confirm the configuration. Check case material, dial, bezel, and whether the watch is supplied on a strap or bracelet.
- Check the specifications for that reference. In particular, confirm thickness, water resistance, and movement details rather than transferring figures from a different model or review.
- Try it on if possible. The published comfort observation is subjective and specific to the reviewer’s configuration.
- Get a current market quote. Ask Blancpain or an authorized seller for the exact reference, configuration, and market; historical retail and prices for the separate Automatique line are not current Bathyscaphe pricing.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
