Latest news with #FiftyFathoms
Khaleej Times
20 hours ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Blancpain's new 38mm Fifty Fathoms Automatique reinterprets the world's first true dive watch
In 1953, long before dive watches became 'desk divers' and fashion statements, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms emerged from the abyss — not as a luxury accessory, but as a lifeline. Although Omega's Marine had tested the waters of deep-sea horology in the 1930s, it was the Fifty Fathoms that gave shape and soul to the modern dive watch. It was the first of its kind in many ways, forged by the needs of real divers and driven by the vision of then-CEO Jean-Jacques Fiechter, himself a man of the sea. Lockable bezel, luminous markers, automatic movement, anti-magnetic defences, and water resistance that defied convention weren't just flourishes — they were fundamentals. Together, they helped create the blueprint for what would shape the future of underwater timekeeping. The watch soon became the essential instrument for those who dared to go deeper. Among them was the legendary Jacques Cousteau and his pioneering diving team, who were among the first to adopt the Fifty Fathoms in the field — an early, unscripted endorsement that would help seal the watch's place in history. Seven decades later, the Swiss watchmaker has announced a delicate recalibration of the titan born in the marine depths. The new 38mm Fifty Fathoms Automatique, joining the 42mm and the 45mm models, is no mere downsizing exercise. It is a masterclass in proportion, restraint, and reverence — a quiet, confident re-balancing of scale, presence, and purpose. This new 38mm case reintroduces the spirit of the original 1953 Fifty Fathoms, which measured 41mm, not by matching its dimensions, but by echoing its balanced proportions and purpose-driven grace. With this new iteration, the Fifty Fathoms sheds its more imposing modern persona in favour of a slimmer, subtler silhouette, one that bridges modern sensibilities with its pioneering soul. Offered in stainless steel, grade 23 titanium, and 18-karat red gold, the 38mm line embodies three distinct temperaments. The steel model, with its black dial and bezel, honours the original's stoic utility. The titanium version injects a modern, kinetic flair, its sunburst blue dial catching light like ripples across the ocean floor. And the red gold model, combined with the same rich blue dial, introduces a more elevated aesthetic, highlighting Blancpain's ability to balance robust performance with discreet sophistication. All three are unmistakably Fifty Fathoms, with oversized luminescent markers, domed sapphire bezels, and Blancpain's hallmark commitment to functional beauty. Inside, the Manufacture Calibre 1150 hums with elegance: slim, reliable, and generous with its 100-hour reserve. A silicon balance spring ensures resilience against magnetic fields, while the 18k gold rotor — visible through the sapphire caseback — adds a flourish of mechanical theatre, its NAC-coated finish drawing a subtle line back to the watch's origin story. But perhaps the most striking aspect of this watch isn't technical or dimensional — it lies in its depth, in an emotional resonance that reaches well beyond its physical form. This is not a watch 'for men' or 'for women'. It's for those drawn to the sea's most closely guarded mysteries, and to the extraordinary legacy of the Fifty Fathoms. For those who know that true strength often speaks in the quiet language of elegance. With the 38mm Fifty Fathoms, Blancpain hasn't just resized an icon; it has reshaped our expectations. The abyss remains: vast, dangerously beautiful, and unyielding. But now, it calls to discerning wrists of every size.
Business Times
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Times
Hot watches
[SINGAPORE] The Watches & Wonders fair may be over, but it doesn't mean the watch world has gone quiet since. On the contrary, aficionados still have plenty to lay their eyes and hands on, including these three recent models that have kept the market abuzz with excitement. Blancpain: Fifty Fathoms The new Fifty Fathoms comes in 38 mm for the first time, and is designed specifically for women. PHOTO: BLANCPAIN At first glance, you might think this new lady's model is yet another collaboration with Swatch, which had previously teamed up with Blancpain to produce quirky versions of its legendary Fifty Fathoms watches. But look closer and only Blancpain's name is visible on the watch's pink dial made of mother-of-pearl. Its matching pink bezel is not encased in plastic synonymous with most Swatch watches, but high-tech titanium. Blancpain may have celebrated Fifty Fathoms' 70th anniversary two years ago, but this latest model marks two new milestones for the iconic diving watch. Female divers had been the inspiration for the Fifty Fathoms, but the watches that were subsequently produced – at 42 mm and 45 mm – were more suitable for male divers. But finally, the new Fifty Fathoms comes in 38 mm for the first time, and is designed specifically for women. But it's not just a smaller version of the original. The proportions have been redesigned for a balanced, harmonious profile. And the watch is well-equipped for diving, with water resistance up to 300 metres. It is powered by an up-to-date automatic movement fitted with a silicon balance spring and has four days of power reserve. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up Apart from the pink version, which is worn with a white fabric strap, the new Fifty Fathoms for women is also available in black with a smoky black dial encased in polished 18-carat red gold. It is matched with a black rubber strap. Price: CHF 15,500 (S$24,335) to 18,200 for the pink edition; CHF 26,100 to 29,000 for the black edition MeisterSinger: 24H Enamel Edition MeisterSinger's 2H Enamel Single-Hand encourages a more relaxed approach to time. PHOTO: MEISTERSINGER Big names may have an edge over others in business, but it isn't necessarily a bad thing for smaller brands. Take the case of stalwart Breguet, which recently revived the old one-hand pocket watch, and produced a wristwatch version that became an instant hit. Suddenly, the market is now rife with such single-hand timepieces. Of course, many are just jumping on the bandwagon, but not MeisterSinger. The German mechanical watchmaker has been making single-hand models – and only such watches – since 2001. They show the time without any of the rushed minute and second hands of conventional watches, advocating a relaxed approach to time in a fast-moving world. 'The finely designed tip of the single hand literally points to the current moment in time,' MeisterSinger says in an introduction to the brand. 'Every glance at a MeisterSinger watch reminds the wearer of that one essential thing: The present moment itself.' The 24H Enamel, in a limited edition of 25 pieces, is MeisterSinger's latest offering that features a hand-crafted enamel dial and an unusual 24-hour display, which allows the blue needle-shaped hand to circle the dial just once, not twice, a day. Running on a Swiss self-winding movement with 38 hours' power reserve, the 40 mm watch can also be used as a compass in the day. Price: 5,490 euros (S$8,125) Greubel Forsey: GMT Balancier Convexe The new overhauled GMT Balancier Convexe by Greubel Forsey. PHOTO: GREUBEL FORSEY While still resembling the original GMT Balancier Convexe launched in 2001, Greubel Forsey's latest GMT model has been completely overhauled. The new GMT Balancier Convexe flaunts a redesigned case, an integrated power reserve and enhanced ergonomics. Like the original, it is sculpted in titanium but in a smaller 42.9 mm size – down from 43.5 mm – which is more comfortable on the wrist. More notable is the addition of a power indicator which keeps track of the watch's 72-hour power reserve. The watch is a limited edition of 22 pieces. Price: S$621,300 (rubber strap); S$686,700 (titanium bracelet)
Stuff.tv
17-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Stuff.tv
3 of the hottest new watches for summer 2025
Summer's here, and the latest wave of watch releases is making a serious splash. Whether you're heading for the coast, lounging poolside, or just want something that looks the part with short sleeves and a tan, these are some of the best watches to bring the heat in all the right ways. Tudor kicks things off with a new take on the Black Bay 54, now dressed in a crisp 'Lagoon Blue' that feels tailor-made for holiday escapes. Breitling follows with a fresh update to its Superocean Heritage line — sleeker, sharper, and effortlessly surf-ready. And Blancpain brings the Fifty Fathoms into new territory, unveiling a duo of 38mm Automatique models, one in a very playful shade of pink. From heritage divers to refined elegance, these three watches are the kind of wrist candy summer was made for. Tudor Black Bay 54 'Lagoon Blue' Tudor's hottest summer release comes with a cool splash of blue. The new Black Bay 54 'Lagoon Blue' is a 37mm stunner with a sand-textured dial and mirror-polished bezel, designed to feel as relaxed as a barefoot walk across sun-warmed sand. With a compact case that nods to vintage dive watches and a blue that shifts subtly in the light, it's as stylish on dry land as it is 200 metres underwater. Inside, it's powered by Tudor's COSC-certified MT5400 movement, with a silicon balance spring and a 70-hour power reserve – enough to keep ticking through a long weekend away. On the outside, it adds a new five-link bracelet with polished centre links and the 'T-fit' clasp for quick, easy adjustment. The pinched-base 'Snowflake' hands recall the 1954 original, while the ergonomic bezel edge draws inspiration from the legendary Oyster Prince Submariner 7922. The Tudor Black Bay 54 'Lagoon Blue' is available now for US$4,350 / £3,590. Breitling Superocean Heritage Breitling has given its most elegant sea watch a long-awaited refresh – the first since 2017 – and it's a masterclass in subtle evolution. The new Superocean Heritage range sharpens the lines, updates the movement, and captures the spirit of summer with a nod to Hawaiian surf culture. Across the new line-up, the standout story is refinement. The case profiles are slimmer, the dial layouts more balanced, and the range of sizes, from 36mm to 44mm, ensures there's something for every wrist. The introduction of Breitling's new B31 manufacture calibre marks a major milestone – it's the brand's first in-house three-hand automatic, now available in the 40, 42, and 44mm models. The 42 mm chronograph retains the Calibre 01, while the 36mm version keeps the reliable Calibre 10. Design updates include ceramic bezels for scratch resistance, mesh-metal or rubber bracelets with thinner, more integrated profiles, and clean, at-a-glance dials with symmetrical tone-on-tone subdials and a tucked-in date at six. A few models even add a pop of 18k red gold on the bezel. The launch isn't just about the watches, though. The brand has collaborated with surfing icon Kelly Slater on a special limited edition – the Superocean Heritage B31 Automatic 40 Kelly Slater. With a foliage-inspired dial (reminiscent of the Rolex Palm dials), Hawaiian motifs, and a personal note from Slater in the box. Only 500 will be made. The Hawaii theme continues beyond the wrist, too. Breitling has teamed up with British eyewear legends Cutler and Gross on a new sunglasses line inspired by the Superocean Heritage range, incorporating design cues like the arrow-shaped hour hand and mesh textures. And if that's not laid-back enough, there's even a pair of Breitling x Havaianas flip-flops featuring tropical floral prints. So what you're looking at is more than just a watch refresh. It's a lifestyle capsule built around sun, surf, and sea – perfect for summer. The collection starts at US$5250 / £4400. Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 38mm Finally, we have Blancpain's legendary dive watch, the Fifty Fathoms. It just got its first-ever dedicated women's model (although I'd argue 38mm is perfectly unisex) – and the pink version is a standout for summer. Housed in a newly redesigned 38mm titanium case, it's bold, playful, and every bit as capable as its larger siblings. The proportions aren't just scaled down – they've been completely reworked for balance and comfort, giving this timepiece a strong identity of its own. The star of the show is the radiant pink dégradé mother-of-pearl dial, shimmering beneath a domed sapphire bezel with a soft pink tint. It's paired with a white fabric strap, accented by twin pink racing stripes that give the watch a sporty kick. It could easily be mistaken for a Swatch x Blancpain Fifty Fathoms collab. Despite the delicate appearance, it's still a proper diver, rated to 300 metres and powered by the calibre 1153 with a 100-hour power reserve. Available now, priced at US$18,500 / £15,700. Liked this? The MoonSwatch is finally available to buy online in the UK
The Star
16-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
On the trail of the first true dive watch, Blancpain Fifty Fathoms
Kingston sharing insights on watches at the Blancpain boutique in Kuala Lumpur. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star The watch world feted Blancpain a couple years ago when it basked in the warm glow of its 70th anniversary of the world's first dive watch, the Fifty Fathoms. After all, the dive watch is one of the most popular types of watches worldwide. Apart from diving, whether it be for sports, exploration or other recreation, the watch that supports the diver has evolved into a symbol of precision and robustness. If you love dive watches, then maybe watch collector and enthusiast Jeffrey Kingston is a name that you are familiar with. He is the man who literally wrote the book on the first early dive watches produced by Blancpain and has been a knowledgeable fixture in the watch world for two decades now. His most recent project was a feature-length documentary, Fifty Fathoms – The History as Told by the Pioneers Who Created It, made in partnership with the brand to tell the true story of the creation of the first-ever real dive watch. The documentary came to fruition in 2021. Before he focused his attention on horological scholarship, Kingston had a long career practising anti-trust law in the technology industry, with his most notable case having him act as lead counsel in the proceedings brought against tech giant Microsoft. The latest additions to the Fifty Fathoms collection are extraordinary technical achievements as well as a tribute to the pioneers who helped scuba divers track dive time. Emerging victorious, he has since retired from the world of law, and now devotes himself to writing and speaking about watches. Recently in Kuala Lumpur as a guest of the brand, he was quite eager to share his wealth of knowledge about the ubiquitous Blancpain dive watch at the brand's boutique in Suria KLCC. 'The documentary is split into two parts: the first traces the history and birth of the original Fifty Fathoms watch as told by its developers, while the second video recounts the development and evolution of the modern Fifty Fathoms collection,' says Kingston, who wrote and directed the film. 'This was a watch that needed its story to be told properly as its history was a complicated one, as there were two lineages: that of Jean-Jacques Fiechter, Blancpain's CEO for three decades from 1950 to 1980, who was himself a passionate diver, along with one by Captain Robert Maloubier and Lieutenant Claude Riffaud, both of whom were from the French combat diving corps that needed a watch for their military diving missions.' According to Kingston, this led Fiechter to develop a double sealed crown. 'As the crown was not one of the screw-down variety, his idea was to protect the watch from water intrusion if the crown was accidentally pulled out while under water,' Kingston explains. 'In that event, the inner second seal would protect the watch. 'A second element Fiechter helped develop was a rotating bezel used for timing of the dive. When he dove, his idea was to rotate the bezel to place its zero index opposite the minute hand at the commencement; after that he could directly read time underwater with the minute hand using time markings on the bezel.' The documentary mentions how the French military was the first to adopt Fifty Fathoms. More than anything else, safety was definitely on Fiechter's mind, Kingston highlights. 'He knew that if the bezel were accidentally rotated, this vital timing function would be lost. 'As such, Fiechter developed a locking mechanism which he also patented, to prevent inadvertent rotation of the bezel. 'His original locking system required a push on the bezel in order for it to rotate. Not only did this help insure against inadvertent turning, it served to protect,' Kingston emphasises. Finally the story behind Blancpain's underwater marvel, a tale of an outstanding collaboration between a few dedicated French naval officers and Blancpain's then CEO and diving enthusiast, has been told in full. Now, who says modern horology lacks amazing stories?
Nylon
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Nylon
Blancpain x Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms Collection adds new model, Green Abyss
Since the launch of the pink Blancpain x Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms Collection, a new green model of the watch, Green Abyss, has been added; taking inspiration from the ocean's depths and nature's most elusive ecosystems. Image courtesy of Swatch. Built with Bioceramic, a one-of-a-kind, composite material derived from castor oil, Green Abyss features a unique combination of deep green hues with a touch of sandy beige and black on a case and loop that has unparalleled strength and softness. On its black dial with a dark green hue, you'll find a genuine water contact indicator that is able to detect the presence of water — a highly sought-after detail among collectors. This detail has been something that Blancpain has incorporated into select models designed for diving clubs and military units since 1954. Image courtesy of Swatch. Image courtesy of Swatch. Image courtesy of Swatch. Positioned at 6 o'clock on the dial, the sensor ensures that the watch's water resistance remains uncompromised by prior dives, and a change in the sensor's colour signals will occur in the presence of moisture. Similar to the other editions, Green Abyss embodies all the hallmarks of Blancpain's iconic Fifty Fathoms, including exceptional water resistance, anti-magnetic protection, a secured rotating bezel, outstanding legibility, and a mechanical movement. It also features Swatch's innovative SISTEM51 movement which is a Swiss Made system composed of 51 parts grouped into five pre-assembled modules, including one central screw. Image courtesy of Swatch. The back of the movement showcases a stunning digital print of the Felimare picta, a vibrant nudibranch, also known as the Regal Sea Goddess, and acts as a reminder of the ocean's countless wonders and its rich tapestry of marine life. Green Abyss is now available at selected Swatch stores and is limited to one watch per person, per store, per day.
