THIRD ACT FOR THE 70 YEARS OF BLANCPAIN FIFTY FATHOMS

Posted by lifata on November 20th, 2023

The Fifty Fathoms is not just the “Scuba Fifty” from Swatch. Very far from there. After having started its 70th anniversary with a 42mm model faithful to the original model, then with the atypical 47mm Tech Gombessa which can measure immersions of up to 3 hours, the manufacturer based in Paudex in Switzerland unveils its third act: a Bronze Gold version MIL-SPEC style.

To put things in context, 70 years means that the original Blancpain model saw the light of day in 1953, the same year as the Rolex Submariner and the Zodiac Sea Wolf. The first true diving watches – mass-produced – they left their mark on history and rose to the rank of icons. For its part, the MIL-SPEC version saw the light of day in 1957-58, for the US Navy, with a dial characterized by the presence of a pellet detecting the presence of humidity within the case. A unique but nevertheless crucial function for army divers, particularly Navy Seals, to be certain that their replica watch presents no mischief. Indeed, it was their only tool for calculating their immersion times, a vital function at the time.

Luxury brands like to play with materials to create proprietary alloys. This is the case of Bronze Gold with a purity established at 9 carats, composed of 37.5% gold, 50% copper (hence the name “bronze”), then a mixture of silver, palladium and of gallium for the remaining 12.5%. The famous case measures 43.3mm wide and 13.3mm thick, with a water resistance of 300 meters. The bezel insert is ceramic with vintage Super-LumiNova markings, just like the hour markers and hands. Everything is mounted on a NATO strap sporting the same tones, made from fishing nets recovered from the oceans. In addition, this model is equipped with the double barrel caliber 1154.P2 to offer 100 hours of power reserve and with a silicon hairspring to resist 1000 gauss!

FEATURES – FIFTY FATHOMS 70TH ANNIVERSARY BRONZE-GOLD MIL-SPEC

Case: bronze gold – brushed finish – 41.3mm wide x 13.3mm thick – double-domed sapphire crystal – unidirectional bezel with ceramic insert – screw-down crown – water resistance to 30 ATM (300 meters)

Dial: black background – matte finish – printed indexes – indexes and hands littered with vintage Super-LumiNova

Movement: mechanical with automatic winding – caliber 1154.P2 – Frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour (3Hz) – Hours, minutes and seconds function – 100-hour power reserve – silicon hairspring

Strap: NATO in recycled nylon – straight cut – 20mm wide – bronze gold pin buckle