A 42mm Blancpain Fifty Fathoms In Steel

Simply when the watch world is starting to settle into the quiet post-Watches and Wonders tempo, Blancpain shakes issues up by introducing a model of its 42mm Fifty Fathoms in metal.

Not too long ago, I had the pleasure of spending some time with the 42mm Blancpain Fifty Fathoms in titanium. Now the model has launched a brand new chrome steel model of its iconic Fifty Fathoms diver. With the 42mm fashions beforehand solely out there in titanium or gold, the introduction of a metal model makes quite a lot of sense.

The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms in metal 

The watch has a 42.3mm diameter with a 14.3mm case thickness. It encompasses a 300m water resistance ranking, a black sunburst dial, and a domed sapphire bezel insert. This Fifty Fathoms homes the automated caliber 1315, which supplies a 120-hour energy reserve. You possibly can view this stunning motion with its blackened gold rotor by way of an exhibition case again. The specs look to be equivalent to the titanium model I reviewed aside from an anticipated change in weight and really feel because of the change in supplies.

There’s a lot to love a couple of 42mm Fifty Fathoms in metal. I totally loved my time with the titanium model. For many individuals, the problem with Blancpain’s Fifty Fathoms line is the pricing phase it inhabits. Its non secular competitor is the Rolex Submariner, although these watches stay in numerous value segments, and there are technical and watchmaking parts that separate them.

The importance of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms

For these of you unfamiliar with the story, Blancpain’s Fifty Fathoms was one of many unique dive watches as we all know the style in the present day. Launched in 1953, it marked a brand new age of scuba diving at each a business and leisure degree. Using aqualungs allowed individuals to discover the world’s oceans, seas, and lakes and enabled scientists and explorers to doc new findings.

Dive watches performed a essential function in offering elapsed time for calculating oxygen use and, later, to assist keep away from decompression illness, often known as “the bends.” The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms is, no doubt, a cornerstone within the historical past and growth of contemporary software watches. If you wish to know extra, RJ wrote an in depth historical past of the Fifty Fathoms here. I encourage you to go and browse it.

Concluding ideas 

Costs of the brand new 42mm metal Fifty Fathoms vary from €14,000 / US$15,500 on a NATO strap to €16,200 / US$18,000 on a metal bracelet. For these of us who’re keen on Blancpain and its historical past, there may be an attract to having a dive watch from the model that is likely one of the unique pioneers of the dive watch as we perceive it in the present day. Undoubtedly, this metal model of the 42mm Fifty Fathoms will probably be a crowd-pleaser. I lean in direction of metal over titanium simply because I’ve gotten used to carrying metal dive watches. There’ll nearly certainly be others on the market with this peculiar relationship with titanium.

Nonetheless, Blancpain must innovate additional within the Fifty Fathoms line if it desires to succeed in a broader viewers. A technique to do that can be to think about an excellent smaller model. However what do you assume, Fratelli? Let me know your opinions on this launch within the feedback.

Watch specs