INTO THE DEEP
Three new highlight models of BLANCPAIN’S iconic Fifty Fathoms collection were released at Baselworld at the end of March, further cementing the watchmaker’s passion for the underwater world
ever since the creation of the first modern diver’s watch in 1953, Blancpain has been accompanying divers and underwater photographers in their exploration and discovery of the oceans’ fragile beauty, thus contributing to the knowledge of this fascinating universe and to the motivation to protect it.
All Fifty Fathoms models feature the main signature elements that forged the reputation of their legendary ancestor and established it as the archetypal diver’s watch. The same professionalism is apparent in the decisive design choices, dictated by a wealth of experience in the field of diving, its risks and its imperious necessities.
The latest additions to the collection represent extraordinary technical achievements as well as a tribute to the pioneers who made scuba diving possible. It is their passion and dedication which opened up whole new vistas for underwater exploration and that continue to inspire Blancpain in using innovative materials and new technical solutions in order to push the limits of its timepieces and to fulfil the most sophisticated demands.
fifty fathoms grande date
Since the debut of the modern Fifty Fathoms in 2007, date indications have appeared through a window placed at the 4 o’clock position. Now for the first time, Blancpain has brought its signature instant-change large date complication to the Fifty Fathoms, displayed in two windows located at 6 o’clock.
The new model retains Blancpain’s base calibre 1315, which is 100 percent in-house-made – like all Blancpain movements. The 1315 is equipped with three mainspring barrels and achieves a five-day power reserve. The use of a nonmagnetic silicium hairspring protects the movement from magnetic fields without the need for an inner soft iron case. Thus, the movement can now be admired through a clear sapphire case back.
The 45 mm satin-finished titanium case has been fitted with the traditional Fifty Fathoms unidirectional rotating bezel. Fashioned in sapphire, which only diamond surpasses in hardness, the domed bezel offers extraordinary scratch resistance. Consistent with its diving heritage, the new Fifty Fathoms Grande Date is offered with a sailcanvas or NATO strap.
fifty fathoms bathyscaphe quantième annuel
The Bathyscaphe, a pillar of the Fifty Fathoms collection, pairs for the first time sport with a useful complication in a new annual calendar model. All of the diving watch DNA is fully preserved in this Baselworld debut, with clear readability, robust movement and a unidirectional rotating bezel.
Blancpain’s Fifty Fathoms heritage dates from 1953, when it debuted as the world’s first modern diving watch fulfilling the needs of professional divers in underwater conditions. The Bathyscaphe first joined the Fifty Fathoms collection in 1956 and adapted to daily wear.
This year’s Bathyscaphe Quantième Annuel brings new functionality to the sport collection, thus enhancing its use as a daily wear timepiece. This is the first time a Bathyscaphe model features indications for the day of the week, date and month – shown in windows and arranged in the logical order that most people would use in common parlance. The calendar thus requires adjustment only once per year at the end of February.
Powering the Bathyscaphe Quantième Annuel is a new calibre, the 6054.P, based upon Blancpain’s inhouse twin-barrel 1150 movement, which has been modified with extended bridges creating a wider opening on the caliber. The 43mm satin-finished steel case can be fitted with a sail-canvas or NATO strap, as well as a metal bracelet.
fifty fathoms bathyscaphe day date 70s
Following its 1956 debut – three years after the launch of the Fifty Fathoms – the style of Blancpain’s Bathyscaphe evolved with the times. The 70s saw bold dial markings with Arabic numerals and windows for the day of the week and date at 3 o’clock. The new Bathyscaphe Day Date 70s, which will be limited to 500 pieces, captures the allure of that model while incorporating Blancpain’s current technical advances. The dial of this new limited-edition watch captures the look of the 70s model with its day of the week and date indications at 3 o’clock. As with the vintage piece, the updated model has a subtle graduated gray coloring, darker on the outer perimeter and infused with lighter tones toward the center, thus creating the perception of a larger dial size with enhanced readability.
While the aesthetics of this new timepiece draw upon history, the watch takes advantage of Blancpain’s latest technical advances. The 43mm satinfinished case is equipped with an unidirectional bezel featuring a ceramic insert whose indexes are filled with Liquidmetal®. It’s available with four different wristbands: a vintage-style antiqued leather, sail-canvas or NATO strap, as well as a steel bracelet.
blancpain.com