JB200

Left-hand (“destro”) crown at 9 o'clock is the defining trait

Both the vintage and modern JB200 use an elongated tonneau case with prominent crown guards and the crown on the LEFT side at 9 o'clock. This destro layout is the single strongest identifying feature of the model; a right-crown case is not a JB200.

Dial signature and frogman/octopus motif

Modern dials read “Jacques Bianchi Marseille” (name at 6 o'clock on the Re-Edition). Vintage and re-edition divers carry the frogman/scuba-diver silhouette; the Poulpro sub-line replaces it with an octopus. Note a documented vintage look-alike diver retailed in Paris signed “Jacques Ryter” — same design DNA, different name; a genuine vintage Bianchi carries the Bianchi signature.

Vintage = FE 7121 French quartz (not a Swiss automatic)

The 1982 JB200 used the France Ébauches FE 7121 quartz caliber. A vintage-presented JB200 with a mechanical automatic is inconsistent with the original; the AUTOMATIC movements (NH35 / Soprod) belong to the 2021+ re-editions.

Military association is an unverified brand claim

The “~60 pieces issued to the French Navy / Marine Nationale” story is brand narrative repeated by editorial outlets; no contract, issue record or issue marking is documented. Do NOT treat Marine Nationale issue as an established fact, and never assign military provenance to a specific watch without independent archival evidence.