You all know the history of the much-loved Fifty Fathoms. To mark the 50th anniversary of the Fifty Fathoms in 2003, Blancpain launched the first contemporary version, a limited edition comprising three series of fifty watches.

Now, to mark seventy years, three series are once again being produced, this time with a limited edition of seventy watches in each series. Each series is dedicated to a region – EMEA, Asia-Pacific, the Americas, and sports a number from I to III on the dial.

The commemorations will be staggered throughout the year, with ‘70’ obviously being a key number, but also ‘20’ to recognise twenty years of the contemporary Fifty Fathoms and ‘10’ for the tenth anniversary of the Gombessa expeditions.

The watch is in polished stainless steel and measures 42mm (thickness of 14.3mm), the first time the contemporary Fifty Fathoms has been offered in this size, and it has the familiar unidirectional bezel with a domed sapphire inlay. Water resistance is 300m. The case size was chosen as a nod to the 1953 model.

The black dial has a sunburst motif and features faux vintage-coloured Super-LumiNova hands, indices, and Arabic numerals.

Through the open case back can be seen the automatic Blancpain in-house Calibre 1315 which beats at 28,800 VPH and has a power reserve of 120 hours. It features a silicon balance spring and a platinum rotor with a commemorative “Fifty Fathoms 70th” in platinum.

This first 70th anniversary piece comes on a black NATO YTT+ strap made from 100% recycled and recyclable thread from fishing nets recovered from Earth’s sea and oceans.

The Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Series 1 will be available from February 1 for EUR 18,500.

[Photo credit: Blancpain]

Categories: Blancpain, Divers watches, Limited Editions, Watch Profile, watches