Blancpain celebrates the 70th anniversary of its iconic Fifty Fathoms diver’s watch with the release of the “Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 3.” This limited-edition timepiece pays homage to the MIL-SPEC model used by armed forces and features a moisture indicator. The watch retains the original 41.30 mm diameter but is crafted from 9K Bronze Gold.
The creation of the Fifty Fathoms was inspired by a near-death experience of Blancpain co-CEO Jean-Jacques Fiechter, a passionate diver who realized the need for a dedicated diving watch. The watch boasted innovative features such as a self-winding mechanism, resistance to magnetism, water resistance up to 10 bar, and XXL luminescent hour-markers for improved legibility. It became the standard for combat divers in various countries.
In the 1950s, Fiechter introduced a moisture indicator, a safety feature adopted by the US Navy. The Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 3 pays tribute to this historic watch, featuring a black dial with vintage Super-LumiNova-enhanced moisture indicator and hour-markers, a unidirectional rotating bezel with a black ceramic insert, and a two-tone NATO strap made from recycled fishing nets.
While the original MIL-SPEC model was made of German silver, this anniversary edition is crafted from 9K Bronze Gold, a special alloy enriched with gold, copper, silver, palladium, and gallium. It maintains a pink hue, can be worn against the skin, and has enhanced longevity due to reduced oxidation.
The watch houses the 1154.P2 movement within the Bronze Gold case, offering a 100-hour power reserve and resistance to magnetism. Unlike the original, this version features a transparent sapphire crystal case back, showcasing the movement’s intricate details.
The Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 3 is limited to 555 pieces and comes in a box inspired by historic camera housings, aligning with Blancpain’s ocean conservation efforts. This commemorative timepiece combines the best of two eras and continues the legacy of the world’s first true diver’s watch.
