A Tributeto an Icon

In 1953, Blancpain introduced the first modern diver’s watch, the Fifty Fathoms, an iconic timepiece it now pays homage to with a new limited-edition release.

Composed of three 70-piece limited serieses each named for a different region of the world, and marking 70 years since the original graced the wrists of divers around the globe, the new Fifty Fathoms timepiece boasts a black dial with a sunburst motif, vintage-look luminescent hands and block-type hour-markers. The 42mm watch case, topped by the famous unidirectional bezel with a domed sapphire inlay, is made of polished steel while the timepiece is powered by the Calibre 1315 movement in a concentrated format, ensuring a five-day power reserve and resistance to magnetism, an essential criterion in the world of diving.

The anniversary edition’s oscillating weight – bearing the “Fifty Fathoms 70th” logo – is made of platinum and features an opening, a technical trick used in the 1950s to increase the suppleness of the rotor and improve its shock resistance. The watch is fitted with a black NATO YTT+ strap made from 100% recycled and entirely recyclable thread from fishing nets recovered from the sea, a sustainable initiative that will eventually be extended to all Blancpain NATO straps. blancpain.com -

NICK WALTON