Blancpain Fifty Fathoms

The First Modern Diving Watch

At the time this new watch was billed as “the first modern diving watch”. Fast forward over 65 years and Blancpain are still producing the Fifty Fathoms dive watch. Several decades of subtle improvement culminate in these new models available in both chronometer and chronograph models.

How deep is a Fathom?

1 Fathom = 6 feet (1.83 metre) – so 50 Fathoms = 300 feet (91.5 metres)

In 1952 when this watch was first developed 300 feet was believed to be the most a human could dive using a single tank of Oxygen. In today’s terms that’s not quite deep enough – which is why all Fifty Fathoms watches are certified water resistant to a depth of at least 1000 feet (300m). However, we don’t think the “Blancpain 166.6 Fathoms” really cut it with the marketing team – thus the preservation of the original name – the “Fifty Fathoms”

1953 – Rolex Submariner is launched

What was special about 1953 in terms of horological landmarks and diving watch history? Apart from being the year that Blancpain introduced the Fifty Fathoms it was also the year that Rolex released their world famous Rolex Submariner.

More than 20 models of Fifty Fathoms

There are over 20 different models references of the Fifty Fathoms. Many references have several variants, for example, the Bathyscaphe has 16 variants. These variants included everything from strap material, style and colour to bezel colour and even case material (ceramic, steel or red gold) . In January 2021 there were an astonishing 89 different models available – ranging from approximately £7,000 to almost £100,000 for the stunning Fifty Fathoms Tourbillon 8 Jours.

Blancpain – Protecting the Oceans

Blancpain design and manufacture some of the world’s finest dive watches but their interest in the oceans doesn’t stop there. They have an active interest in the protection of the oceans through their Blancpain Ocean Commitment program (external link). Their commitment to the oceans of the world is focused on Awareness, Exploration and Preservation.

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Official Website (external link) – Blancpain Watches