The Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary

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.

Continue reading “The Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary”

The magnificent 7: a friend’s stunning Bathyscaphe collection

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.

Continue reading “The magnificent 7: a friend’s stunning Bathyscaphe collection”

A new green unofficial Ocean Commitment Bathyscaphe

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.

Continue reading “A new green unofficial Ocean Commitment Bathyscaphe”

Hands-on with the Bathyscaphe Bucherer Blue edition

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.

Continue reading “Hands-on with the Bathyscaphe Bucherer Blue edition”

Flashback: Fifty Fathoms Tribute to Aqua Lung

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.

Continue reading “Flashback: Fifty Fathoms Tribute to Aqua Lung”

Monochromatic: the all titanium Bathyscaphe 5000

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.

Continue reading “Monochromatic: the all titanium Bathyscaphe 5000”

A two-tone Bathyscaphe for Cortina Watch

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.

Continue reading “A two-tone Bathyscaphe for Cortina Watch”

The return of the Bathyscaphe Titanium

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.

Continue reading “The return of the Bathyscaphe Titanium”

Flashback: the „unicorn“ Bathyscaphe

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.

Continue reading “Flashback: the „unicorn“ Bathyscaphe”

An extrovert diving instrument: the 500 Fathoms

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.

Continue reading “An extrovert diving instrument: the 500 Fathoms”

Being spoilt for choice: two titanium Fifty Fathoms

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.

Fifty Fathoms Automatique Titanium
Continue reading “Being spoilt for choice: two titanium Fifty Fathoms”

A truly luxurious diver

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.

Fifty Fathoms 5015-3603C-63B
Continue reading “A truly luxurious diver”

Size matters: comparing two Fifty Fathoms

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.

Tribute to fifty Fathoms MilSpec & Fifty Fathoms Nageurs de combat
Continue reading “Size matters: comparing two Fifty Fathoms”