All Five Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms are here. Meet the New MoonSwatch
Wow! That's the noise of the highly awaited watch release of the year (maybe even any year) hitting the market. It's the next installment after the Omega x Swatch MoonSwatch.
The teaser advertisement was initially released last Thursday through the usual media platform favored by hypebeasts. Surprisingly, it was featured in Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, an established German newspaper that caters to both liberal and conservative perspectives and has been in circulation for 73 years.
The entire-page image exhibited the Swatch logo submerged in a pool, following the design of the Omega x Swatch MoonSwatch logo. Interestingly, the Omega branding was nowhere to be found, implying that a forthcoming partnership among the various watch brands within the Swatch Group was on the horizon.
The water indicated a clear favorite. Blancpain, the creator of the highly acclaimed Fifty Fathoms, which was specially designed for a select group of skilled French divers during the 1950s and is considered the pioneer of contemporary diving watches. A basic model of the Fifty Fathoms will cost you around £13,500. Could there be a more affordable alternative coming soon, priced at £300 and made of plastic?
Next, confirmation arrived through Instagram on Monday.
The collaboration between Blancpain and Swatch was shared on the social media profiles of both brands. A beautiful map of the world's oceans was displayed, featuring five specific regions highlighted. These included the Arctic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Antarctic Ocean.
Additionally, the upcoming Saturday's designated date '9th of September, 2023'.
This proposed the idea of releasing a collection of five watches in different colors at the same time. This launch would resemble the first set of 11 MoonSwatches that were highly sought-after by collectors.
The internet started connecting the points.
According to a reliable source, there exist five unique timepieces named after five separate oceans. The contemporary Blancpain models are associated with the Indian Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean. On the other hand, the historical Blancpain models are connected to the more daring oceans, namely the Arctic Ocean and the Antarctic Ocean.
Various names were also discussed. BlancSwatch? SimpleSwatch? Then, one individual recollected the wise words of renowned Swiss watchmaker Jean-Claude Biver, dating back to his acquisition of Blancpain in 1982. "Blancpain has never produced a quartz watch, and it never will."
Samples - including the LunarSample - are commonly driven by quartz (battery).
However, in the year 2013, Swatch introduced a line named Sistem51 - timepieces equipped with self-winding mechanisms.
Certainly, this was an irresistible opportunity.
The latest collaboration between Blancpain and Swatch should be given the name Blancpain x Swatch 51Fathoms!
It appeared as though the combination of Sistem51 reaching its 10-year anniversary and Fifty Fathoms hitting the impressive milestone of 70 years solidified the agreement.
It was almost correct.
The Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms collection is Swatch's version of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms. This collection includes five models made from Bioceramic material, operated by a SISTEM51 mechanical movement, and can withstand water pressure of up to 91 meters or 300 feet, which is equivalent to 50 fathoms.
Swatch and Blancpain present the fabulous collaboration: Scuba Fifty Fathoms - Pacific Ocean edition.
Swatch and Blancpain have collaborated once again to unveil their newest timepiece, the Scuba Fifty Fathoms - Indian Ocean edition.
Introducing the remarkable collaboration between Swatch and Blancpain, showcasing the exquisite Scuba Fifty Fathoms timepiece inspired by the vast Atlantic Ocean.
Swatch in collaboration with Blancpain introduces the Scuba Fifty Fathoms timepiece dedicated to the chilling Arctic Ocean.
Swatch and Blancpain unite their innovative forces to present the impressive collaboration known as the Scuba Fifty Fathoms - a timepiece inspired by the wondrous Antarctic Ocean.
The range known as the Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms - or simply 'Scuba Fifty' - includes: Arctic Ocean (bioceramic case and crown in a beige hue); Pacific Ocean (bioceramic case and crown in a yellow-orange shade); Atlantic Ocean (bioceramic case and crown in blue); Indian Ocean (bioceramic case and crown in green); and Antarctic Ocean (bioceramic case and crown in a pristine ice white color).
Despite their similarities in appearance, they draw inspiration from various sources as expected. The modern adaptations of Fifty Fathoms, namely the green Indian Ocean, blue Atlantic Ocean, and yellow Pacific Ocean models, are influenced by contemporary designs. On the other hand, the red Arctic Ocean and white Antarctic Ocean models are based on exceptional versions specifically requested for military use during the 1960s. The 'No Rad' Fifty Fathoms model denoting the absence of radioactive elements in its markings, and the 'Mil-Spec' models created for the US army featuring a moisture indicator on the dial, are the main sources of inspiration for these rare variants.
Each of the watches has a diameter of 42.3mm, a thickness of 14.4mm, and comes with a strap in the style of a NATO band.
The collection is not restricted, unless there is an overwhelming desire for it, and will be accessible globally at certain Swatch stores starting from Saturday, with a cost of £340 for each item.
