Blancpain, the revered name in luxury watches, has once again taken the horology world by storm with the unveiling of their latest creation – the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 3. For watch connoisseurs and devotees of high-end timepieces, especially those with a penchant for Blancpain, this masterpiece is nothing short of a must-have. It represents a remarkable continuation of the brand’s legacy, following their notable collaboration with Swatch.
The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms has, over the years, etched itself as an iconic figure in the realm of dive watches. Its journey began in 1953 when Jacques Fiechter, the visionary CEO of Blancpain and an avid scuba diver, conceived the idea of a dedicated dive watch. In 1954, French military divers Bob Maloubier and Claude Riffaud took the Fifty Fathoms into their underwater missions, solidifying its reputation as a rugged, highly legible, and astonishingly water-resistant timepiece, capable of descending to depths of up to 91 meters.
A pivotal moment in its evolution came in the late 1950s when Blancpain introduced a water-tightness indicator with a colored disc on the dial. This innovation, a circular indicator, enabled divers to verify their watch’s water resistance, enhancing safety during underwater expeditions. The version with this feature became known as the “MIL-SPEC” and found favor with American combat swimmers.
Blancpain’s commitment to honoring its heritage shines through in the Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 3. While the brand revisited the military-inspired aesthetics and moisture indicator in 2017, this timepiece takes a further step in celebrating its illustrious past. With its stunning two-tone black-bronze color scheme, the Act 3 effortlessly captivates the eye, paying a respectful tribute to the original Fifty Fathoms design within a contemporary masterpiece.
The heart of the watch beats with the 1154.P2 movement, encased in a 9K Bronze Gold case, boasting water resistance up to 30 bar, and measuring 41.30 mm in diameter, mirroring the iconic MIL-SPEC model’s proportions. Its dual barrels grant a remarkable 100-hour power reserve, while a silicon balance spring safeguards the movement against magnetic interference.
In terms of design, the Act 3 evokes vintage aesthetics with a matte black dial and a rotating bezel featuring a black ceramic insert adorned with vintage Super-LumiNova, matching the case’s color while ensuring impeccable legibility. The Blancpain logo takes on a vintage font, accompanied for the first time by the words “Fifty Fathoms.” Despite its homage to the past, this contemporary creation does not compromise on durability and functionality, boasting a ceramic inlay in the unidirectional rotating bezel and a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal.
One of the standout features of this timepiece is its case material. While previous models predominantly featured steel and German silver, known for their low magnetic signatures, the Act 3 embraces a bold choice with a bronze-gold composition. This contemporary alloy, comprising 37.5% gold, 50% copper, and additional elements such as silver, palladium, and gallium, offers not only corrosion resistance but also the ability to be comfortably worn against the skin.
The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 3 isn’t just a watch; it’s a collector’s dream. Released in a limited edition of only 555 pieces, it exudes an aura of exclusivity that makes it an irresistible addition to any discerning watch enthusiast’s collection.
