Blancpain Fifty Fathoms: The legendary diving watch in detail
The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms is one of the most legendary diving watches, but is sometimes underestimated in the world of horology. Let's delve deeper into the history of this watch, explore some of the debates surrounding its creation, and uncover some exciting facts, including the modern collaboration with Swatch.
What does “Fifty Fathoms” mean?
First of all, what is a “Fathom” and why does Blancpain use it in the name? A fathom is a nautical unit of depth, with a fathom equaling approximately 1.83 meters or six feet. Fifty Fathoms equals 91.5 meters, which is about 300 feet deep. This was a groundbreaking achievement in the 1950s when Blancpain launched the Fifty Fathoms. A watch that could withstand pressure at such depths was a monumental breakthrough for underwater research.
The diving watch debate: was it the first or just one of the first?
This is where things get interesting for watch lovers: Was the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms actually the first diving watch? The answer is... complicated. Blancpain introduced the Fifty Fathoms in 1953, co-developed by Captain Bob Maloubier of the French Navy, who needed a sturdy, water-resistant watch for deep-sea diving. This makes the Fifty Fathoms the first modern diving watch with features we take for granted today, such as a rotating bezel for diving time tracking, excellent water resistance and easy readability underwater.
But then Rolex comes along with its Submariner, which also came onto the market in 1953. So who came first? That depends on whether you count months, design features, or commercial availability. Blancpain came up with the innovations first, but Rolex quickly followed and eventually became better known. There is also a lesser-known candidate, the Zodiac Sea Wolf, which also launched the same year. The history of diving watches is a race for fractions of a second, and the debate continues.
Here's an important clarification: primacy for the first diving watch is attributed by many to Panerai when they designed the Radiomir for the Italian Navy in 1936. This watch was extremely robust and waterproof, but did not have a rotating bezel, which is a typical feature of modern diving watches today.
And if we want to delve even deeper: Omega released the Marine Standard in 1932 (but only for professional use), a rectangular watch with a 'case within a case' design. Essentially the entire watch, including the case, was enclosed in a second, waterproof case.
This could be useful information for the next episode of 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?'!
Is Blancpain the oldest watch manufacturer in the world?
Blancpain, founded in 1735, undoubtedly holds the title of the oldest watch brand still in existence. Not only is this an interesting fact to talk about, but it's also a testament to the craftsmanship and innovation that has kept the brand relevant for nearly three centuries. Although Blancpain is the oldest continuously operating watch company, brands such as Vacheron Constantin (1755) and Breguet (1775) also claim significant milestones in watchmaking history.
Blancpain meets Swatch: a fun twist!
To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Fifty Fathoms, Blancpain, in collaboration with the Swatch Group - of which the brand has been a member since 1992 - has launched a more accessible and playful version of the legendary diving watch: the Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms. This Swatch edition retains the spirit of the original but is available at a significantly lower price. Admittedly, the collaboration with Swatch may make purists skeptical, but it is an excellent opportunity to introduce the Fifty Fathoms to a new generation of watch lovers. However, anyone looking for the “original” will not be able to ignore the iconic version for true connoisseurs.
Why the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms deserves its legendary status
From its innovative beginnings in the 1950s to its status as a high-end luxury watch today, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms embodies the best in dive watch design. It is a perfect combination of history, functionality and elegance. Whether you are a diver or just a fan of high-quality watches, this piece of watch history has earned its place among the industry's greats. It may not have the loudest name in the industry, but for those in the know, the Fifty Fathoms is a quiet giant in the world of dive watches.
