Latest news with #divewatch
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.
CNA
13-06-2025
- Business
- CNA
Fifty Fathoms for her: Blancpain's iconic dive watch now comes in a smaller size
You're a fan of Blancpain's iconic dive watch, the Fifty Fathoms, but always wanted a smaller size for your slim wrist. Well, here's the good news – the Swiss watchmaker has just introduced two new models with a more compact 38mm case, down from the traditional 42mm, making the legendary dive watch more wearable than ever. While Blancpain describes the new models as 'designed specifically for women,' the new timepieces are equally well-suited for men who prefer a smaller fit, we reckon. After all, these days, watches are all about personal style – not gender. They come in two new references suitable for either men or women – smoky black in 18 carat red gold and petal pink in brushed titanium. Both models feature mother-of-pearl dials with subtly graduated black and pink colouring. Neither are limited editions. The models were inspired by an observation by Jean-Jacques Fiechter, the former CEO of Blancpain, a pioneer diver and the 'father of the Fifty Fathoms'. Fiechter noted that female divers in his circle often consumed less air and stayed underwater longer. 'These watches meet the growing demand for sporty, yet elegant timepieces perfectly tailored to slimmer wrists. They stand as a testament to our watchmaking heritage and to the women who, through their art and courage, reveal the wonders of the underwater world,' said Marc A Hayek, president and CEO of Blancpain. The models are powered by Blancpain's calibre 1153, with a 100-hour power reserve and a silicon balance spring. They boast a water resistance of up to 300m, a unidirectional bezel to measure elapsed dive times, and legibility underwater with Super-LumiNova-coated hands and markers. The two models are paired with sporty straps – the pink version with a white fabric strap featuring two-tone pink stripes (also available with a titanium bracelet), and the black version with a black tropic rubber, black sailcloth or black fabric NATO strap.
