Blancpain X Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms Collection Reviewed
Courtesy SwatchEach watch’s automatic movement is adorned with a colorful ocean-inspired digital print.
The Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms Collection is a playful collaboration between Blancpain and Swatch honoring the 1953 Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, the world’s first modern dive watch. The five-model collection is inspired by the historic timepiece and Blancpain’s ongoing commitment to ocean conservation. Each model has a distinctive color developed exclusively for the collection and is inspired by one of Earth’s major oceans: the Arctic, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian and Antarctic. They blend the original diver’s classic looks perfectly with modern innovations and a fun, sporty design.
Mirroring the original 1953 Fifty Fathoms, the dial and unidirectional rotating bezel use large markers and Arabic numerals treated with a luminous coating for outstanding legibility at depth. Unlike the original, the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian models include a date window. The polar-inspired versions do not. Instead, they each sport an iconic feature from the Fifty Fathoms’ storied past. The Arctic dial has a red trefoil “No Radiations” logo from the 1960s, while the Antarctic has an analog water sensor that was used to ensure military timepieces were leak-free. Another loving reference is the collection’s depth rating of 91 meters/300 feet, which equates to exactly 50 fathoms deep.
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Courtesy SwatchBlancpain X Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms
Blancpain X Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms
MSRP $400
Movement Automatic Sistem51
Power Reserve 90 hours
Water Resistance 91 meters/300 feet/50 fathoms
Case 42.3 mm
Material Bioceramic case and bezel with NATO strap made of recycled fishing nets
Crystal Biosourced material with anti-scratch coating
Website swatch.com/en-us
The case and bezel are made of Bioceramic, a unique material composed of zirconium oxide ceramic powder and biosourced material derived from castor oil. The eco-friendly material offers incredible strength, comfort and versatility. The 42.3 mm case is extremely light on the wrist—it almost feels like it isn’t there at all. The accompanying NATO straps are made from recycled fishing nets removed from the ocean.
The collection uses Swatch’s innovative Sistem51 automatic movement— the world’s first movement with a fully automated production process. It exemplifies the brand’s mentality of simplicity and sophistication. While many watch movements can have hundreds of components, this Sistem51 uses only 51 parts. It is laser-adjusted for precision and is hermetically sealed for protection.
An exhibition caseback puts the movement on full display. It is decorated with a beautiful illustration of the model’s namesake ocean. The transparent rotor includes an ocean-specific nudibranch. The effect of the colorful tableau among the clockwork is like that of an illuminated manuscript come to life.
This sporty, stylish collection provides an authentic tribute to a diving icon, with plentiful surprises and a sustainable design that allows any ocean aficionado to wear their heart on their sleeve.
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BEYOND THE SEA The full Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms Collection comprises six different models. Like the other watches, this sixth takes inspiration from an ocean. However, this ocean is not on our blue planet but on its moon. The Ocean of Storms model is named after Oceanus Procellarum, the largest lunar “sea,” which spans more than 2,500 kilometers from north to south and covers over 2 million square kilometers. The black color scheme is inspired by the new moon. The movement is decorated with a lunar moonscape and features an otherworldly-looking Okenia luna nudibranch on the rotor.