[F]Experience the new Jacques Bianchi JB300

French brand Jacques Bianchi is launching a new model today. Or perhaps I should say reintroducing historical references. The Jack Bianchi JB300 is a modern take on a 1990s military diver’s watch. My review is one of the few surprises. Sometimes the watch turns out to be exactly what you imagined. This is such a case. I’m not going to reveal the whole story upfront, but I can tell you this. The JB300 does exactly what it says on the tin.

The new Jack Bianchi JB300 isn’t a 1:1 remake of the original, but it’s certainly close. Let’s take a closer look at what’s new and what’s new.

Jack Bianchi JB300 history

To get a feel for the watch I wear on my wrist today, we have to go back to the early 1990s. The French Army’s CEPAT (Centre École de Plongée de l’Armée de Terre) has created specifications for the next generation of diving watches. Note that this is the Army, not the Navy or National Marine Corps. Jacques Bianchi already had extensive experience with the early JB200s, so naturally the brand took part in the military bid.

JB sent three prototypes for testing, two of which were tested to destruction. Nevertheless, Jack Bianchi won the bid over several other brands. The French Army first ordered 300 in 1993. Subsequent orders will bring total production of the JB3000 to 1,000 pieces.

The original JB300 was powered by the ETA 2824 automatic caliber, and its water resistance was rated at, you guessed it, 300 meters. Early models had tritium luminescence on the dial, while later models had LumiNova. JB did not manufacture this watch for the civilian market until today. In other words, if you come across a vintage watch, it’s definitely one of 1,000 and a military watch.

New Jack Bianchi JB300

If you’re familiar with the JB300 from the 1990s, it won’t be hard to spot its lineage. It’s a fairly faithful reproduction of the original, including elements such as the distinctive wide bezel with serrated grips. This was a standout feature as the 60 click bezel is easy to operate even while wearing diving gloves. The superior grip and 60-click mechanism both remain in the new version. So is the matte black aluminum bezel insert.

Speaking of matte black, the dial has also been significantly improved from the original. The matte black surface provides a striking contrast with the oversized painted hour markers. The red 13-24 hour markings on the inner ring emphasize the military nature of the original. The new version features sand-colored Super-LumiNova, similar to the original tritium.

So what has changed? Well, there are actually two main elements: the caliber and the case. Starting with the caliber and now the Soprod P024. This is a 2824 clone with a 40 hour power reserve, so it’s pretty close to the original JB300. However, the case received a stronger update. The size is 42mm wide, 12.7mm thick, and 45mm lug to lug. The new design features more aggressive lines and bevels, making it feel a little less flashy and rudimentary.

Jack Bianchi wears JB300

The JB300 is one of those watches that proves that diameter alone doesn’t tell you much. With a short lug distance of 45mm, it’s relatively slim, making it a dream to wear. Yes, it’s a military tool watch, so it has a lot of presence. However, it doesn’t put any strain on your wrist or feel awkward at all. If you can wear a Speedmaster, you can definitely wear it.

The JB300 looks muscular and powerful on the wrist. A wide bezel with oversized teeth, a maximum brightness plot, and a wide case give visual strength. A very shallow hood between the lugs also helps in this regard. It fills the gap between the case and the Tropic-style black rubber strap, giving the overall look a more compact and sturdy look. By the way, a black Perlon strap is included as standard. The brand will also offer a steel Jubilee-style bracelet for an additional €100.

as it says on the tin

We’ve already mentioned that the Jack Bianchi JB300 is not surprising. Let me explain in detail. Sometimes the watch is exactly what you expected. In this case, I was expecting a serious, solid Spartan diver. That’s exactly what the JB300 is. Nothing more, nothing less. The operation of the crown and bezel is as expected. These elements are not luxurious, but they are solidly built. The fit on the wrist is as expected, and it is durable yet easy to wear. The finish is also as expected, well executed but not flashy.

So is that a good thing or a bad thing? I think that’s great. Jacques Bianchi has managed to offer this new model for just 890 euros (incl. VAT) and it has everything a diver needs. No, it’s not luxurious or luxurious at all. This is a solid, simple diver’s watch with an interesting and relevant history.

This makes it very easy to recommend. You can’t go wrong if you like the look. You will love this watch in real life too. Reviewing watches has never been rocket science, but the Jacques Bianchi JB300 makes it a whole lot easier. The watch will be available for pre-order for 15 days starting November 20th. JB will only produce the quantity ordered within that period and will not make additional production after that. In other words, if you like it, you better hurry!