It’s time to open the annual novelties overview for 2023. Just like in the past years we will learn about the Blancpain novelties at different points throughout the year. With 2023 being the important 70th anniversary of the Fifty Fathoms I expect a lot of exciting new timepieces to be shared with the official press releases here. This overview will be updated whenever new models are released, and as usual I will try to do my best to provide hands-on photos of all new timepieces as soon as possible.

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A new Ladybird Colors collection (May 2023)

Today, May 11, Blancpain launched a colorful new collection of Ladybird models.

 

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Two configurations are available in precious metal, either with a large small seconds sub dial only or in addition the characteristic Blancpain moon phase indication. The timepieces show a rich use of diamonds on the dial, bezel, crown and lugs, in total more than 2ct on each timepiece.

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The new Ladybird collection can be found here on the Blancpain website. Find the official press release and the technical sheets for each version below (click to enlarge):

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The Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 2, Tech Gombessa (Feb 2023)

Today, February 16, Blancpain launched the second celebratory timepiece in the 70th anniversary year of the Fifty Fathoms, and what a remarkable watch this is!

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The Fifty Fathoms Tech Gombessa ref 5019-12B30-64A opens an entirely new chapter for the iconic dive watch. Created in close collaboration between Marc A. Hayek and Laurent Ballesta, this 47mm titanium grade 23 watch supports long time rebreather dives as well as saturation dives by offering a 3 hour dive timing and a helium escape valve.

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The newely created case with its center lugs offers a new aesthetic take on the Fifty Fathoms, but even more importantly it again fulfils the current needs of divers, just as it did in 1953.

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The Fifty Fathoms Tech Gombessa is not a special edition, but limited in terms of annual production. You find the watch here on the Blancpain website, a hands-on report on this novelty can be found here in the blog.

Here you find the press release and the technical sheet (click on the image to read full screen):

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The Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 1 (Jan 2023)

2023 is the year Blancpain celebrates the 70th anniversary of their iconic dive watch. Throughout the year several new timepieces are expected, and on January 2 the first one, named Act 1 of the year, has been announced by the manufacture: the Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary ref 5010-1130 in a brand new 42.3mm stainless steel case.

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The watch comes as a limited edition in 3 series (I for EMEA, II for Asia Pacific, III for the Americas) with 70 pieces each. The FF 70th Anniversary will be sold exclusively through the Blancpain website (or WeChat in China) on January 10, 14.00 CET.

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You can read more on this exciting first release for the Fifty Fathoms Anniversary here in the blog.

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The annual Villeret Chinese Traditional Calendar (Dec 2022)

For the upcoming Chinese New Year Blancpain introduces a limited to 50 pieces platinum Villeret Calendrier Chinois Traditionel with a white Grand Feu enamel dial, this year highlighting the sign of the water rabbit.

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Here are the press release and the technical sheet, you find the timepiece here on the Blancpain website.

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The 2023 Saint Valentine (Dec 2022)

Another long time tradition is the annual Saint Valentine edition, for 2023 it is a premiere with the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe being the basis for the limited to 99 pieces edition:

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All photos, press releases and technical sheets are copyright Blancpain.

This overview will be updated frequently.

Cheers

Henrik