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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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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Hands-on with the Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 2: Tech Gombessa

The second timepiece Blancpain introduces in the year of the 70th anniversary of the Fifty Fathoms is capturing the DNA of the iconic dive watch as a professional instrument. This one is entirely made by divers for divers. Let’s get up close and personal with the new Fifty Fathoms Tech Gombessa reference 5019-12B30-64A.

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A perfect pair: two Fifty Fathoms No Rad

A friend and fellow enthusiast had the opportunity to establish a significant pair in his collection: his new Fifty Fathoms Tribute to No Rad 5008 was accompanied by its ancestor, the Fifty Fathoms No Rad RPGA1. Let’s take a closer look at these two beauties, on get together took place in late 2021, the second one just a few days ago. In between the FF RPGA1 enjoyed a full service in the Blancpain Vintage Atelier, so we will see a very interesting before and after comparison.

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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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Thank you & seasonal greetings

This last blog post in 2022 is primarily meant to thank you, my readers, for your continuing support! But let me also include a quick wrap-up of the year, including my take on Blancpain’s 2022 novelties as well as my personal collection highlights of the year.

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The 2023 novelties so far

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 first glance at a potential 2023 Fifty Fathoms novelty


Earlier this week I had the opportunity to visit Blancpain and even had the chance to briefly meet Mr. Hayek. On his wrist I noticed a very interesting watch, most likely a prototype for next year’s big 70th anniversary of the Fifty Fathoms.

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The Fifty Fathoms so far…

2023 will be the 70th anniversary of the world’s first professional dive watch, so in anticipation of what’s to come in only a few months I thought it might be a good idea to briefly summarize the first 69 years of an iconic watch and its major evolutionary steps. So let’s dive into the history of the Fifty Fathoms and get ourselves prepared for the upcoming anniversary.

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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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Hands-on with two new Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback versions

A few months ago Blancpain launched two new Bathyscaphe 5054 in titanium and red gold, now those materials are finding their way to the Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback 5200. Let‘s take a close look at these two novelties.

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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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