A replica Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe 5200 is a non-genuine copy of Blancpain's 43mm dive watch, assembled with a third-party movement and sold outside the brand's retail network. Basic builds cost about $80, mid-tier versions run $120 to $250, and high-end super clone pieces reach $500 and up. Blancpain does not make, service, or warrant any of them.
What the genuine Bathyscaphe 5200 is
The Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe returned to Blancpain's lineup in 2013 as a slimmer, cleaner take on the 1950s diver. Reference 5200 covers the 43mm automatic models, while reference 5100 covers the 38mm versions. Retail pricing on the 43mm sits in the five-figure range.
- Case: 43mm wide, about 13.8mm thick, 23mm lug width
- Movement: in-house calibre 1315 with three barrels and a 120-hour power reserve
- Water resistance: rated to 300m
- Bezel: ceramic insert with ceramic or Liquidmetal markings
- Dial: matte or sunburst finish, date window at 4:30 on most references
How the replica differs from the original
Replica makers copy the case shape and dial layout, then save money on parts a photo cannot show. The gaps appear in the movement, the crystal coating, the bezel feel, and water resistance.
- Movement: most replicas use a Miyota 9015, a Seagull ST21, or a Chinese clone styled after the calibre 1315 architecture. The 120-hour reserve does not carry over.
- Crystal: mid-tier builds use sapphire with weak anti-reflective coating. Budget builds use mineral glass.
- Bezel: printed or aluminum inserts instead of ceramic, with looser click springs.
- Case back: sapphire display backs on better replicas, solid steel with light engraving on cheap ones.
- Water resistance: gaskets are fitted but the case is not pressure tested.
Case materials used on replica Bathyscaphe 5200 models
The genuine watch comes in black ceramic, grey ceramic, titanium, and steel. Replicas split into three finishes, and the finish drives most of the price difference.
- PVD or DLC coated steel: matches black ceramic in photos, chips with wear, scratches show as bright metal.
- Solid ceramic cases: scarce and expensive, found only on top sellers.
- Brushed 316L steel: the closest match for the steel references and the easiest to refinish.
Why the Bathyscaphe 5200 gets copied so much
Three traits make it a favorite target for replica factories.
- Plain dial: no chronograph subdials, moon phase, or applied complications to duplicate.
- Simple case shape: a 43mm body with a flat bezel is less work to machine than an ornate case.
- Recognition: the Fifty Fathoms name carries weight with dive watch fans, so the copy sells on sight.
What to check before buying a replica Bathyscaphe 5200
- Measure the case. A 43mm listing should land within half a millimeter. Sellers quoting 42mm or 44mm are working from a different case.
- Ask which movement fills it. Miyota 9015 and Seagull ST21 are common and repairable. Unnamed clone 1315 movements are harder to service.
- Confirm the lug width. Genuine Bathyscaphe straps are 23mm, and a 22mm copy limits your strap options.
- Check the date window. The genuine 5200 places it at 4:30. Many cheap copies print it at 3.
- Work the bezel. It should click at 120 positions with no back play.
- Treat water resistance as unproven. A gasket is not a pressure rating.
Price tiers for a replica Bathyscaphe 5200
Three tiers dominate the market, and each one trades something for the lower price.
- Budget ($60 to $120): mineral glass, printed bezel, basic automatic or quartz, thick case profile.
- Mid-tier ($120 to $250): sapphire crystal, ceramic-look bezel insert, Miyota or Seagull movement, sharper brushing.
- High tier ($250 to $500 and up): cloned bridges and rotor engraving, sapphire display back, ceramic insert, closer case proportions.
Legal and practical risks
Counterfeit watches carry real legal exposure in the United States. Trafficking in counterfeit goods is a federal offense under 18 U.S.C. 2320, and customs officers can seize parcels at the border without refunding the buyer.
Practical problems stack up as well. Blancpain will not service or authenticate a copy, independent watchmakers may turn the job down, and resale value sits near zero. There is no meaningful warranty, so a failed movement is your cost.
Frequently asked questions
Does a replica Bathyscaphe 5200 have 300m water resistance?
No. Replica cases are not pressure tested, and the number on the listing is copied from Blancpain's spec sheet. Swimming with one is a gamble.
What movement is inside a replica Bathyscaphe 5200?
Most mid-tier replicas use a Miyota 9015 or a Seagull ST21. Top-tier builds sometimes fit a Chinese clone shaped like the calibre 1315, but the 120-hour power reserve does not follow.
How do you spot a replica Bathyscaphe 5200?
Check the date position, the bezel insert material, the crown engraving, and the finishing under a display back. Case back text on copies is often shallow or misspelled.
What is the lug width on a replica Bathyscaphe 5200?
Better copies use 23mm, matching the genuine case. Cheaper versions use 22mm, which limits you to straps cut for other divers.
Is a replica Bathyscaphe 5200 worth buying?
It comes down to expectations. A copy delivers the look at a low price and little else: no service network, no factory warranty, no resale value, and possible seizure at the border.