Blancpain BathyscaphevsSquale 1521

Owners widely praise the Blancpain Bathyscaphe for its understated, quiet quality and dial that plays with light, with many considering it a future classic. Specific positive observations include the sunburst dial's play in light, minimal dial text, Liquidmetal bezel insert, and excellent crown action, with one owner reporting impressive accuracy averaging 0.1s/day. Some owners find the aesthetic underwhelming and the markers small, while others note potential issues like bezel backplay, difficulty turning the bezel underwater, stiff sailcloth straps, and instances of dust within the movement or on the dial. On balance, owners rate the Blancpain Bathyscaphe highly for its understated finishing and impressive accuracy, despite some aesthetic criticisms and minor functional concerns.

Owners widely praise the Squale 1521 for its classic look and robust build, with specific mentions of its wearable 12.5mm thickness and refined case finishing. The 42mm case is noted by some to wear smaller, closer to 40mm, due to short lugs, feeling solid without being too large. However, opinions on the bracelet vary, with some finding it too flashy or stiff, and one owner reported moisture ingress after a shower due to a loose case back. The crown can be difficult to operate due to deep integration, and the 38-hour power reserve is considered old-school but reliable. Overall, owners rate the Squale 1521 highly for its classic design and wearability, despite some reservations about the bracelet and crown.