The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms ranks among the select few pioneers of modern dive watches. Presented in the 1st half of the 1950s, it’s been with us for some seven decades and has played its role in shaping the design and functionality of timepieces engineered for underwater use. The Fifty Fathoms is characterized by a robustly executed combination of a rotating bezel, highly legible dial, extreme water resistance, and anti-magnetic properties, and the latest additions to this collectible collection, a duo of Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Automatique watches carry over these essential ingredients.
The Fifty Fathoms received a new lease of life in 2003 from the President & CEO of the brand, Marc A. Hayek, followed in 2007 by a 45mm-wide version equipped with Calibre 1315. It is this solid and accurate in-house movement that appeared in the Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 1 last year, and it is the 1315 that is now made available in a non-limited presentation with these two new pieces.
Entirely decorated in keeping with haute horlogerie traditions — of which Blancpain is very much part as a manufacture that was established back in 1735 — including an 18K red gold oscillating weight with NAC coating, polished screwheads and countersinks, beveled edges, and a gentle, snailed sunburst finish that spreads across its plates and bridges, the Calibre 1315 is a sight to behold. Thankfully, it is revealed on all versions through a sapphire crystal caseback that still supports the impressive 300m water resistance rating.
The new Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Automatique watches come in two case variations, both measuring 42.30mm-wide and 14.30mm-thick: Satin-brushed titanium, or satin-brushed 18k red gold. Both can be mixed up with two dial options, a lighter, sunburst-finished black, or a radiant, also sunburst-finished blue. The characteristically large and highly legible indices and hands of the Fifty Fathoms contrast beautifully against either, and there is a discreet date display at 04:30 for added functionality. The colour of the sapphire crystal-covered bezel is matched to that of the dial.
While the Fifty Fathoms collection has seen a remarkable variety of case sizes and complications, even, these 42mm-wide references might just deliver the perfect package in terms of proportions, wearing comfort, and trendiness, as the tide of larger watches has turned recently.
The new Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Automatique watches are not limited to a specific number, but you can be sure that they are limited to some extent in the quantities they can be produced. High-performing, historically important, and ever-relevant, the Fifty Fathoms is almost a must-have in a developed collection — or can make for a perfect “one-watch collection.”
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Last Updated on April 4, 2024 by Editorial Team
