Now that the future owners of the new Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 1 have almost reached half-time of the estimated delivery period, some live impressions of the prototype may come in handy to ease the pain of waiting. So let’s get up close and personal with reference 5010A(B/C)-1130-NABA in a new 42mm case.

.

The virtues of the FF 5015 combined with the elements of the 50th Anniversary FF

Let’s start by taking a quick look at the background for the Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 1 and put into perspective within the story since 2003 before looking at the new timepiece from many angles and under varying light conditions.

.

Blancpain consider the 2003 FF 50th Anniversary to be the real start of the modern Fifty Fathoms. This 40mm timepiece was the first one featuring the characteristic sapphire bezel, which makes it a modern icon on its own.

In 2007 this sapphire bezel became a key component of the new 45mm Fifty Fathoms 5015. Besides the bezel this regular collection modern Fifty Fathoms introduced a brand new movement, the famous caliber 1315 which can undoubtedly be called the best sports watch movement in the market.

Both, the 40mm FF 50th Anniversary and the 45mm FF 5015, found their roots in the iconic Blancpain dive watch from 1953, albeit in a more luxurious execution but still offering the full functionality. As part of the 70th anniversary of this legendary timepiece, the modern FF 5015 donated its movement and case shape, the FF 50th Anniversary donated the shape of the dial numerals and indices as well as its special limited edition concept, et voila we welcome the new 42mm reference 5010A(B/C)-1130 aka Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 1.

.

Unique and novel features combined with signature elements

The first point to focus on is clearly the new case size of 42mm. Many collectors asked for this size since quite a while, and now it has finally become a reality.

.

At the same time we can still enjoy the beautiful and balanced proportions of the modern Fifty Fathoms case as we know it from the FF 5015. Blancpain have managed to translate all proportions truthfully to the smaller case, which is most likely not as easy as it sounds.

It even goes so far that reference 5010A(B/C)-1130 measures 21.5mm between the lugs, a very unusual width that can probably count as downside generated by this process. Finding strap alternatives for reference 5010 may become a challenge.

.

The second eye-catching novelty are the numerals and indices on the dial. While the dial itself has the same color and subtle sunburst finish as the FF 50th Anniversary, the numerals and indices are shaped and faceted just like that one, too, but fully coated with SuperLuminova.

.

Now, does this new type of numerals and indices have a effect on luminosity? You bet they have…

.

The FF 70th Anniversary also features a set of pencil hands, which are only found in one other modern Fifty Fathoms, namely the Tribute to Aqua Lung from 2010. This type of hands of course reflects on the origins of the fifty Fathoms from 1953, the date window between 4 and 5 is not founded in historic roots but simply a helpful function on a modern watch. I have to admit that I would have preferred this special piece without a date, though.

.

The last special feature I cannot show you since the prototype did not actually have it: the platinum rotor with the 70th Anniversary signature which is both material and design wise a unique aspect of caliber 1315. For the moment and for the sake of having this overview complete here’s the official press release photo of it, also showing that the visual appearance of this movement in the smaller case is a perfect fit.

.

These elements are combined with signature aspects of the modern Fifty Fathoms, most notably the domed sapphire bezel and the domed crystal. This makes Act 1 of the 70th Anniversary immediately recognizable as a typical Fifty Fathoms, the special aspects of this edition only reveal themselves when you take a closer look.

.

42mm on the wrist

The Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary comes on a black Nato strap and a stainless steel tang buckle. As a nice touch the underside of the strap carries the Blancpain signature.

The strap is held with the screw/pin system already known from the Fifty Fathoms 5015. The unusual strap width of 21.5mm was already mentioned, once the timepieces find their new owners we may find out whether a 22mm strap may fit the space between the lugs and the tang buckle.

.

The 42mm FF 70th Anniversary wears true to its size, maybe a bit more like some other 41mm timepiece due to the rather short lugs. It sits very comfortably on my 16.5cm wrist, showing a lot of presence and the typical appearance as well as the comfort of the modern Fifty Fathoms.

.

You find the official page of the Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary in its three iterations (series I – III) here on the Blancpain website. The first introduction of this timepiece can be found here, an overview on the history of the Fifty Fathoms is available here, and the essay on the 2003 FF 50th Anniversary can be found here in the blog.

I hope you enjoyed this hands-on and the photos.

Cheers

Henrik