Comparing the 40, 42 and 45mm Fifty Fathoms

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.

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Honeymoon with the Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 1

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.

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Hands-on with two rare Bathyscaphe models

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.

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Flashback: the L‘Evolution Grande Date 8 Jours

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.

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Hands-on with the Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 1

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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