Finally, almost on point 6 months after it was introduced and sold through Blancpain‘s first worldwide online sale, the 42mm Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 1 is in the process of distribution. Let me share my thoughts after one week of proud ownership and show you the watch under different light conditions and on a different strap.
.
I saw the prototype of the first 70th anniversary timepiece earlier this year and spent two hours with it for a photo session. That means I got a fairly good idea of the timepiece already, albeit limited to one set of location and light conditions.
Unpacking it, strapping your own watch on your wrist for the first time and exploring it in real life conditions is a different thing. And I may say that you need to experience this timepiece in exactly that way to fully appreciate it. I would like to point out one thing prior to you reading this essay and looking at the photos: as much as I tried to capture the Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 1, the photos don’t do the watch justice. The depths, the play of light, the harmony cannot be captured, so let me emphasize that this timepiece is a lot more impressive and beautiful in reality than what you see here.
.
I liked the watch a lot when it it was presented. Honestly, what’s not to like when an iconic dive watch comes in a new, long awaited size of 42mm, embodies the exceptional aesthetic qualities a modern Blancpain Fifty Fathoms is known for and features probably the best movement in the watch industry?
Now, that I spent a week with the Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 1 I can no longer say I like it. Actually, I love this watch! This of course is a very personal take on it, as it should be. A fine watch is a very individual item, at least it should be understood that way.
.
Now let me try to point out the aspects that explain why this watch resonates so strongly with me. You see the watch on a different strap than its original black Nato. Since my essay on the prototype shows that original strap configuration, I thought a different look may actually be helpful to get a broader understanding of the watch. Fortunately I had an old Barenia strap in my drawer, together with a single deployant from the same era. Both are original Blancpain but of course not originally intended for this timepiece.
But let’s get back to the 5010-1130: the general aesthetic code of the watch is absolutely similar to the 45mm Fifty Fathoms Automatique 5015. The harmony of all components is exactly translated to the smaller diameter of 42.3mm, 14.3mm on height and 45mm lug-to-lug. The broad lugs hold the strap with a similar screw/pin system to the FF 5015, those hex screws are identical in size so you don’t need a different set of tools.
.
So is it just a smaller version of the FF 5015? Absolutely not! The first detail that makes the FF 5010 stand out is revealed when you flip it over:
.
The well-known, reliable and beautifully finished caliber 1315 never looked better, the reason not being the platinum rotor with the 70th Anniversary signature but the fact that the surrounding case fits like a tailor made suit. It really makes a difference.
.
Returning to the face of the watch there are a few details that give the Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 1 a fresh and unique look.
The black dial with a subtle sunburst finish has no visual „interruptions“ like a radial finish of the hour marker circle. This detail is a nod to the 2003 FF 50th Anniversary, which had a similar dial design.
.
Another element that was taken over from the 50th Anniversary timepiece are the six lines of text on the dial. If you compare the position of the text in the upper half of the dial to the 45mm FF 5015 you will notice that it sits lower. This gives the 12 a bit more visual room, a detail I really like because it emphasizes the classic 3/6/9/12 look.
.
Speaking of the numerals and hour markers: the style is exactly what we know from the Fifty Fathoms, but what a difference a different execution makes!
All markers are pure luminous material. You don’t really see that they are faceted just like the applied markers on the FF 50th Anniversary or FF 5015, but the color of luminous material makes it difficult to detect that. But looking from an angle the impression of 3D pure lume is spectacular.
.
The other sensation comes with the speed those markers build up luminosity and its intensity. Appearing almost white/ very slight greenish when not loaded at all and then switching to the brightest green when charged… these playful hour markers make a significant change and this limited to 210 pieces Anniversary edition truly special.
.
And yes, there’s a date window. Placed between the 4 and 5 hour markers it has exactly the same length as those markers, again the attention to detail Blancpain proves again and again. I don’t mind that date window being there, actually I appreciate it: in my eyes it creates some visual balance on the right side of the watch against the minute markers of the bezel for the first quarter hour.
.
Last but not least there are the pencil hands. We know pencil hands from the FF Tribute to Aqua Lung, but here they are executed in a new, previously unseen style with any modern Fifty Fathoms. They fit this Anniversary Fifty Fathoms very well and provide very clear time reading under all light conditions.
.
In my view the Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary is offering an exciting combination of an overall well known design code with an exceptional set of new details.
It is still a large watch with a lot of presence but it works with almost any wrist size now. It wears comfortably due to the case/ lug shape, albeit sitting a bit elevated with the original Nato, on a normal strap it hugs the wrist beautifully. And if you take it off your wrist, take a loupe and explore it in detail your reward is significant.
.
Now, are there any points that have not met or exceeded my expectations and hopes? Yes, there is one:
I understand Blancpain has scaled down all dimensions of the Fifty Fathoms 5015 case to 42.3mm, so they ended up with the very unusual space of 21.5mm between the lugs.
Since this is a very unusual width, Blancpain should have recognized the fact that many owners may wish to go for a different strap. Especially when the watch is sold on a Nato, which is not to everyone’s liking. Blancpain should have offered a second strap like the sailcloth or a rubber with the watch, and if not included it should at least be available on request.
But actually there is no strap option available from Blancpain at this stage, and most likely there won’t be for the remainder of this year. Personally, I can live with that just fine since I found a nice strap option for my FF 5010. But I think that quite a few of the 210 owners would welcome optional straps from Blancpain, so I hope those will be available soon.
.
But seriously: the watch itself makes up for this omission, since it is that beautiful, full of details and of course in a new, long awaited size that works so well with the rounded shapes of the Fifty Fathoms. All this is enough to make make it very special, and since it will be cherished by most owners for many years to come, the waiting time for optional straps is acceptable.
You find the Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 1 here on the Blancpain website. My hands-on essay with the prototype on the black Nato strap can be found here in the blog
I hope you enjoyed this honeymoon report and the photos!
Cheers
Henrik