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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The 40.3mm Fifty Fathoms

I chose the Fifty Fathoms 50th Anniversary reference 2200A/B/C-1130-71 since it has been one inspiration for the new 70th Anniversary timepiece. A nice side effect is to show both Anniversary pieces together, a sight you don’t come across every day.

This timepiece is shown watch head only and in its original configuration on the X-71 bracelet. The case specifications are: 40.3mm diameter, 13mm height, 44mm lug-to-lug, 20mm between the lugs, solid case back, 300m water resistance.

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The 45mm Fifty Fathoms

For this comparison the obvious candidate is of course the Fifty Fathoms Automatique reference 5015-1130-52A, introduced in 2007 and the first modern FF featuring the exceptional caliber 1315.

It is shown watch head only and in its original configuration on sailcloth strap with tang buckle. The case specifications are: 45.0mm diameter, 15.5mm height, 50mm lug-to-lug, 23mm between the lugs, solid case back with inner soft iron cage for antimagnetic properties, 300m water resistance.

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The 42.3mm Fifty Fathoms

Well, there is only one watch that can represent this size, since it is (so far?) exclusive to this year’s 70th Anniversary timepiece. It is made in a quantity of 210 pieces, split to 70 pieces each for the EMEA, Americas and Asia Pacific regions.

The watch is shown watch head only, in its original configuration on a Nato strap with tang buckle and my custom strap choice. The case specifications are: 42.3mm diameter, 14.3mm height, 47mm lug-to-lug, 21.5mm between the lugs, sapphire case back, 300m water resistance.

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One design masterfully executed in three sizes

The similarities of the three timepieces are evident when you put them close to each other.

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The beautifully rounded case shapes, the emblematic sapphire bezel insert, the rather short lugs are defining elements of the modern Fifty Fathoms and you find them with each variant.

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Looking at the black dials featuring a subtle sunburst finish, the date window at 4.30, the red lacquered tip of the second hand you will recognize the typical face of this famous watch.

There are subtle yet important differences, giving each timepiece a unique look. I will not dig too deep into this, from the photos you can explore those for yourself (which is more fun anyway).

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The 42mm FF in relation to its bigger sibling

Blancpain have designed the new 42.3mm FF by translating the dimensions of the Fifty Fathoms 5015 truthfully to the smaller size. If you had no ruler and saw each case separately it would need an eagle eye to tell which is which. The two elements that give it away are the tighter sequence of the notches on the bezel rim and the drilled hole in the lugs, which sits extremely tight to the lug end with the 42mm watch.

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Looking at both from the front it becomes obvious that Blancpain did not shrink the numerals and indices on the dial by the same ratio. This (and the new style of numerals) and indices has the nice effect that with reference 5010 there’s a harmony between dial and bezel numerals the 5015 does not have.

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For the next difference I need to cheat a bit and utilize a different FF 5015 for the comparison: now we talk about the reverse side, exposing caliber 1315.

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This extraordinary movement was of course not changed, but it sits tighter in the 42.3mm case than in the 45mm FF. The difference is not only a visual one but also audible. With my old ears I never heard a caliber 1315 tick in a 5015. In the 5010 I can hear it, which is a nice additional treat.

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Finally, let’s take a comparison on the wrist, albeit my rather slim one. Yes, the 45mm Fifty Fathoms is too large for me, although it still sits comfortably on my wrist. The brand new sailcloth strap would also need some bending to make it work, but at least you get an idea:

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The 42.3mm watch works a lot better on my wrist, either on the original Nato or the Barennia strap I put it on.

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Here are both next to each other, so you can easily get a feeling of the size difference:

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The 42mm FF in relation to its smaller sibling

The smaller 40.3mm Fifty Fathoms with sapphire bezel has been reserved for some limited editions and two Only Watch unique pieces. The case of FF 50th Anniversary featured in this comparison builds on the previous Trilogy Fifty Fathoms, the first appearance of a sapphire bezel insert has significantly changed the character of it, though.

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This case has no direct relation to the 42 or 45mm Fifty Fathoms other than the principle design with perfectly rounded shapes. The lugs look a bit more chubby, the crown protection flanks are designed differently, as is the bezel rim and the sapphire insert.

With its broad sword hands, the applied numerals and indices as well as the in relation bigger print the dial looks more crowded in comparison to the 70th Anniversary FF.

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The bezel insert on the other hand is notably slimmer, so the dial/bezel relation is a different one.

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The 40.3mm Fifty Fathoms editions are powered by caliber 1151, which is hidden under a solid case back with the FF 50th Anniversary. But hey, I can cheat again and throw in the reverse view of the Fifty Fathoms Barakuda:

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On my wrist the 40.3mm Fifty Fathoms is a perfect fit, no matter whether it is on the bracelet or any sort of strap.

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And again here’s a double wrist shot to give you a direct comparison and hopefully a good idea of the differences:

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Conclusions

With 15 different iterations the 45mm Fifty Fathoms 5015 has offered a huge variety to those with a larger wrist over the past 15 years, and hopefully it will continue to do so.

The smaller 40.3mm Fifty Fathoms with sapphire bezel insert has been made in an accumulated quantity of 2152 watches. Clearly a regular collection model in that size would have found many more proud owners, but I personally do not count on that happening anytime soon.

There’s no doubt the new 42.3mm case of the Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 1 has filled the existing gap in a most convincing and beautiful way. My hope is that this case size will not stay exclusive to the 210 Anniversary pieces but find its way to a regular collection model at some point.

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You find the Fifty Fathoms family in all three sizes (plus the Bathyscaphe collection) here on the Blancpain website. An overview on all variations of the 45mm Fifty Fathoms 5015 can be found here, the six 40mm limited Fifty Fathoms editions here and my recent honeymoon report with the FF 70th Anniversary Act 1 here in the blog.

I hope you enjoyed this comparison and the photos!

Cheers

Henrik