A blog entirely dedicated to Blancpain timepieces
Following the release of the Fifty Fathoms Tech Ocean Commitment IV earlier this year Blancpain have now introduced an unlimited regular collection FF Tech, notably with a significant enhancement. I now had the opportunity to get up close and personal with reference 5029 12B30 94A and I am delighted to share impressions of the full package with you.
Today Blancpain has introduced a new member of the 42mm Fifty Fathoms 5010 family, adding a case of polished stainless steel to the regular collection. I was fortunate enough to experience this new model beforehand, so let’s not only take a close look but also compare it to its closest siblings, the titanium version and the 70th Anniversary Act 1.
Just in time for the launch of Blancpain‘s fourth BOC timepiece I am very happy to share live impressions of the brand new Fifty Fathoms Tech Ocean Commitment IV with you. This limited to only 100 pieces special edition is a stunner and worth taking a very close look at all the details, so here we go exploring reference 5029A-12B30-64A.
I had the opportunity to get up close and personal with the three new black ceramic Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe timepieces introduced just a few days ago. So here are some impressions of the Bathyscaphe black ceramic ref 5000 with blue dial/black bezel and with green dial/bezel as well as the Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback with blue dial and black bezel.
When Blancpain introduced the new 42mm Fifty Fathoms size in January 2023 with the 70th Anniversary Act 1 and in February 2024 with the standard collection titanium and red gold models they answered a wish enthusiasts voiced for quite a while. Today let’s take a close look at the stainless steel FF 5010-1130 70th Anniversary Act 1 and the grade 23 titanium black dial FF 5010-12B30. There are more differences than you may see at a first glance, so let’s get started with a comparison of two timepieces an untrained eye would probably consider identical at first glance.
This new version of the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Quantieme Complet has been featured in my introduction of all new models a short while ago, albeit on the fabulous ceramic bracelet. Today I invite you to join me exploring the stunning black ceramic Bathyscaphe 5054 0140 NAOA with blue dial and black bezel in the Nato strap configuration.
You have probably read my hands-on coverage with all 4 versions of the new 42.3mm Fifty Fathoms in two materials and 2 dial colors. Among those I briefly introduced the grade 23 titanium 5010 on the titanium bracelet, a configuration I recently encountered for a second time and which deserves a separate review. So let’s get up close and personal with the blue dial Fifty Fathoms reference 5010-12B40-98S.
In February 2023 I had the pleasure of introducing the brand new Fifty Fathoms Tech Gombessa aka FF 70th Anniversary Act 2. Now the opportunity of a second photo session arose and I can share some new impressions, mainly but not only under natural light conditions, with you. So let’s explore reference 5019-12B30-64A again and get a better understanding of the aesthetic and technical difference this professional dive instrument makes.
They have long been anticipated and now we finally witnessed the introduction of the regular collection 42mm Fifty Fathoms. Offered in no less than 14 references (22 when you count the clasp options) with the options of grade 23 titanium or red gold case featuring two dial variants and many strap/bracelet options the medium sized FF will no doubt conquer a lot of hearts. Let’s get up close and personal with them.
Today, March 21, Blancpain have introduced a total of 14(!) new references (not counting the choice of clasp) split between 4 new regular collection models of the 42.3mm Fifty Fathoms.
Let me close this year’s blog with a recap on the highly anticipated Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary lineup brought to us by Blancpain. It’s my utmost pleasure to show all protagonists side by side for the first time, so I hope you enjoy this last essay in 2023.
With the Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 1 reference 5010A/B/C-1130-NABA Blancpain offers a long awaited new size for the iconic dive watch. I now had the opportunity to have all three sizes ready for a photo session, so let’s compare this new 42.3mm Fifty Fathoms to its siblings in 40.3mm and 45mm with a similar basic aesthetic code.
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.
During a recent visit I had the chance to spend time with the prototypes of two rare Bathyscaphe models. Since both were available in selected markets only, getting up close with them for a photo session was a very welcome opportunity. So here they are, the Bathyscaphe Polar Green in stainless steel and the Bathyscaphe Cortina Watch 50th Anniversary in titanium and Sedna gold.
The L‘Evolution line of Blancpain was a rather short-lived excursion of the Manufacture into a more expressive and controversial design language. Today I invite you to explore the L‘Evolution Grande Date 8 Jours reference 8850-11B34-53B, let’s look at a large variety of notable details and the overall impression of this timepiece.
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.
2023 is only 2 days old and Blancpain starts the anniversary year of their iconic dive watch with the introduction of what they call Act 1 of the celebration, the 42mm Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary reference 5010A/B/C-1130-NABA. Let’s take a first look based on the just released official press material.
Today I experiment with a new style of blog essay and I hope you enjoy it as much as my other style blog posts. In this essay I capture a friend’s private collection of modern Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe timepieces and the thematic approach of the collector. Let’s dive into these magnificent seven, showcasing a bit of the variety the Bathyscaphe line offers.
Today Blancpain unveiled a new Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe in titanium with a green dial and ceramic bezel. This timepiece is made in connection of a Blancpain Ocean Commitment initiative with aquatil and Jordsand on German island of Sylt and limited to only 25 pieces. Let’s get up close and personal with this new and rare beauty.
In 2021 a second collaboration between Blancpain and Bucherer saw the light of day, the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe ref 5000-0140-NAOA as part of the Bucherer Blue collection. Let’s get up close and personal with this beauty.
Today I have the pleasure to get up close and personal with an exceptional Fifty Fathoms 5015, the limited to 500 pieces Tribute to Aqua Lung aka TTAL. This version of the Fifty Fathoms has been an enthusiast and collector favorite right from the start, so let’s explore why that is.
Introduced last fall, the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe ref 5000-1210 in grade 23 titanium has become an immediate success. Today let’s take a look at the version on titanium bracelet, which took a bit longer to be delivered, but it was well worth the wait.
I came across a brand new iteration of the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe reference 5000, made in a limited run of 50 pieces for the 50th anniversary of Cortina Watch in Singapore. Let’s take a look at the first two-tone Bathyscaphe.
Just after my recent encounter with the first modern Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe in Ceramized Titanium, I now have the pleasure to share some exclusive hands-on impressions of the brand new Bathyscaphe Titanium 5000-1210-NAGA. So let’s get up close with a new watch which will undoubtedly be a huge success.
In 2013 Blancpain celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Fifty Fathoms with the launch of the new Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe, starting with three versions: one in 38mm and two in 43mm size. One of the new watches had a life span of less than a year, the Bathyscaphe Ceramized Titanium. Let’s get up close with this very rare timepiece, often called the “unicorn” by those who know it.
Two years ago I shared some quick impressions of the Blancpain 500 Fathoms with you, now it’s time to go into more detail. So let’s get up close with reference 50015-12B30-52B, a 48mm professional diving instrument crafted in titanium and offering a plentiful of distinct details.
A frequent question comes up in fora and other places where we discuss watches: among the two titanium versions of the Fifty Fathoms Automatique, which one to choose? Let‘s put them next to each other to allow for best informed decision making based on many photos in comparable settings and the two watches on different strap configurations.
Last year Blancpain introduced three new variations of the Fifty Fathoms Automatique, one of them being reference 5015-3603C-63B, a timepiece that I instantly started calling the „La Dolce Vita“ Fifty Fathoms. Let’s get up close with it in different settings and under varying light conditions.
In 2012 Blancpain translated the heritage of the first professional diving watch into unprecedented mechanical depth with the X-Fathoms, reference 5018-1230-64A. Let’s take a closer look at this masterpiece.
It’s about time to cover one of the bestselling timepieces made by Blancpain in the last years, the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe crafted in brushed grey ceramic with a mesmerizing blue dial, reference 5000-0240-O52A.
With the classic Fifty Fathoms being available in two different sizes, I thought it might be interesting to put two examples for references 5008 and 5015 side by side to allow for a fair optical comparison between 40.3 and 45mm. Let’s take a closer look at the Tribute to Fifty Fathoms MilSpec and the Fifty Fathoms Nageurs de combat., which not only represent the two sizes but also two wonderful commemorative pieces to the heritage of the Fifty Fathoms.
In 2019 Blancpain has introduced three limited editions during Time to Move, with the Fifty Fathoms Nageurs de combat ref 5015E-1130-B52A maybe being a bit overshadowed by the Air Command and Fifty Fathoms Barakuda. But this very special Fifty Fathoms 5015 actually stands out as one of the most important watches Blancpain has introduced in the last years.
Introduced in 2007, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Automatique reference 5015 was introduced and it has seen quite a variety of interpretations over the years, with three new alternatives being introduced this year. Let’s take a look at all of them, but start with a close look at the 2007 watch and all its virtues.
Continue reading “The variety of the Fifty Fathoms Automatique 5015” →
Let’s take a look at a timepiece that is not necessarily in the center of the Fifty Fathoms collection, but highly appreciated by owners who actually take the watch by its purpose and therefore frequently for a dive… the 500 Fathoms, ref 50015.
Continue reading “Impressions of the Blancpain 500 Fathoms” →
This novelty was already announced at the end of 2018, but first shown to retailers and the press during the two Time to Move events: the Fifty Fathoms executed in brushed titanium, ref 5015-12B30.
Continue reading “A closer look at the Fifty Fathoms titanium” →
This one left a very strong impression with me from my photo session: the Fifty Fathoms 5015 executed in brushed red gold with a blue ceramic dial, ref 5015-3603C-63B. This is an utterly beautiful timepiece in an unusual combination of colors.
Many see the Fifty Fathoms Ref 5015 as the ultimate luxury dive watch, now this new limited version takes the reference back to its roots: I have the pleasure of showing you the limited to 300 pieces Fifty Fathoms “Nageurs de combat”, ref 5015E-1130-B52A.
Continue reading “Celebrating joint heritage… the Fifty Fathoms „Nageurs de combat“” →
It’s my utmost pleasure to provide you with a first quick overview on the 2019 Blancpain novelties to satisfy your curiosity. Following this short post, a series of reports dedicated to the individual pieces will be released in the next days, each with real life hands-on photos and the official Blancpain press releases.
Continue reading “The 2019 Blancpain novelties at a glance” →
As we are getting closer to learn about Blancpain‘s 2019 novelties (follow this blog to get the news first in around two weeks), let’s spend some time with a watch that was introduced last year, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Jour Date 70‘s reference 5052.
Continue reading “A funky dive watch: the Bathyscaphe Jour Date 70‘s” →
With the launch of the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe in 2013 alongside the 60th anniversary of the legendary dive watch, Blancpain‘s main purpose may have been to offer a more tool watch like alternative to the in all aspects luxurious reference 5015. The recent evolution of the Bathyscaphe series however has outgrown it’s dive watch history and made it almost a successor to the discontinued Leman series – let me explain why.
This is another photo journey into the Villeret line with 8 day calibres and Grand Feu enamel dials. Let’s get up close with the limited to 75 pieces Villeret Quantieme Complet 8 Jours Platinum, reference 6639-3437-55B, a timepiece that found it’s way into my modest collection a few days ago.
Continue reading “The pinnacle of Blancpain Moonphase Calendars” →
Today I invite you to get up close with a watch of the high end Villeret segment that comes in case sizes between 42 and 45mm, featuring gorgeous Grand Feu enamel dials and mostly 8 day Automatic movements: the Villeret 8 Jours Demi-Fuseau Horaire, reference 6661.
Continue reading “Traveling in style… with a very sophisticated Villeret” →
After almost 3 years of joyful ownership it’s about time to dedicate a full report on my Blancpain Bathyscaphe Sedna Gold, reference 5000-36S30-NABA.
I thought it might be interesting to take a closer look at two references within the same model range, the standard Fifty Fathoms ref 5015-1130-71 and the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe ref 5000-1110-70, both on bracelet. This comparison will focus on the details in mostly neutral close up shots.
Continue reading “A pictorial comparison of two Fifty Fathoms on bracelet” →
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