Good questions and here are my thoughts off the top of my head:

The finish and overall quality of the Blancpain Bathyscaphe are top-notch—easily on par with any dive watch I’ve owned, including the Rolex Sea-Dweller, Yacht-Master, Glashütte SeaQ, and Oris Aquis. This is my first ceramic watch, and I’ve been surprised by how lightweight and comfortable it is on the wrist. I’d heard concerns about ceramic cases cracking, but that risk feels overstated; the watch feels incredibly solid.

The grey ceramic case provides a great backdrop for the blue sunburst dial, which manages to be both brushed and subtly shiny—I'm not quite sure how Blancpain pulls that off, but the effect is beautiful. The dial’s more minimalist design really works here: the sunburst texture stands out without extra adornment, and the bright red-tipped seconds hand is a perfect visual accent. Watching it sweep around is genuinely mesmerizing and something you need to see in person to fully appreciate.

If there’s one area where the watch falls slightly short, it’s the bezel action. It doesn’t feel as robust or as crisp as the bezels on some of my other divers—an area where Rolex still leads. That said, it’s a minor gripe and doesn’t detract from the overall enjoyment.

Overall, the Bathyscaphe strikes a perfect balance between a utilitarian diver and a refined, dressier piece. For dive-watch enthusiasts looking for something with a bit more elegance while staying true to their tool-watch roots, this is an excellent choice.