#9 DEEP SEA EXPLORATION

Blancpain’s Fifty Fathoms is based on a rich heritage dating back to 1953, when the manufacture unveiled the first modern diver’s watch. Thanks to avant-garde technical and aesthetic features such as large luminescent black-grounded hour markers, then-unprecendented water resistance, and a unidirectional rotating bezel, it quickly became a benchmark for the watchmaking industry. Blancpain also made early use of innovative materials in its timepieces. Back in the 1960s, it was one of the first manufactures to use titanium – mainly employed by the aerospace industry at the time – when it produced a special series of watches for the US Navy. Now, the maison has unveiled three variants of the iconic line with a new light titanium bracelet: the must-have 45mm Fifty Fathoms Automatique and Grande Date models. The satin-brushed links are joined together by transverse pins to allow for flexibility and a perfect fit on the wrist. Based on a patented system, the screws are placed on the back of the links to preserve the smooth look and feel of the bracelet edges. The Fifty Fathoms Automatique and Grande Date models are respectively equipped with the manufacture 1315 movement – a mainstay of the Fifty Fathoms collection since its 2007 launch – or the 6918B. Resistant to magnetic fields thanks to a silicon balance spring, the calibres deliver a comfortable five-day power reserve. All featuring a rotating bezel with a scratch-resistant sapphire insert, the Fifty Fathoms Automatique is available with a black or blue sunburst dial, while the Fifty Fathoms Grande Date offers a black dial.