Blancpain x Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms

Quick specs Blancpain x Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms
Price: € 400 | CHF 375 | $ 400 | £ 350
Size: 42.3 mm
Reference:
SO35A100 (blue)
SO35I100 (green)
SO35N100 (orange)
SO35P100 (yellow)
SO35S100 (grey)
SO35B400 (black)

We are almost sure that the success of the Moonswatch leads to this Blancpain x Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms. It’s nearly the same recipe: take an iconic model from a brand within your own company, wrap the design in plastic with psychedelic colors and wait for the queues in front of your stores. It’s another example of how to make more money with your assets. Yes, it gives some boo’s from watch lovers who forget that most people on this planet cannot spend 20k on a watch, but now more people can have a Fifty Fathoms. Sort of.

The Omega x Swatch Bioceramic Moonswatch is the affordable and almost disposable Speedmaster Moonwatch, with a quartz movement. The Blancpain x Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms is a little more serious. Simply because it has an automatic movement instead of a quartz. It’s the Sistem51 movement made by ETA and that one cannot be serviced. The watch is still affordable, around 400 for an automatic is just a good offer. The Velcro strap of the Moonswatch is replaced by a NATO strap, good. The case back is transparent. And the glass is bio-sourced material treated with an anti-scratch coating – which at least sounds better than the vulnerable crystal of the Moonswatch.

The original Blancpain Fifty Fathoms from 1953

The original Blancpain Fifty Fathoms was launched 70 years ago, and the brand already celebrated that with some bold new models. Like the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 1 and the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 2. Each of their divers is highly attractive, capable of deep diving and the story behind it makes sense.

Just like Omega with the Speedmaster, Blancpain has created numerous versions of their Fifty Fathoms in different colors, sizes and even reproductions with military specifications over the years. We would trade a kidney for an original ’53 model. Mint.

All Blancpain x Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms models and reference numbers

Swatch and Blancpain add another five versions to the Fifty Fathoms collection in rather striking colors. Each is named after one of the world’s biggest oceans. And since early 2024 there is a new version named Ocean of Storms. The are the reference numbers of the Blancpain x Swatch Bioceramic models:

• Blancpain x Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms Atlantic Ocean with reference SO35A100, in blue
• Blancpain x Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms Indian Ocean with reference SO35I100, in green/black
• Blancpain x Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms Arctic Ocean with reference SO35N100, in orange/beige, no date
• Blancpain x Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms Pacific Ocean with reference SO35P100, in yellow/black
• Blancpain x Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms Antarctic Ocean with reference SO35S100, in grey/white, no date
• Blancpain x Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms Oceans of Storms with reference SO35B400, in black

The diver comes in a bioceramic case (a mix of plastic from the oil of beans and ceramic) that has a diameter of 42.3 millimeters. It has a unidirectional bezel, also from bioceramic material with an anti-scratch coating. Two models have no date but a ‘No Radiation’ sign just above the 6 o’clock position – a reference to older Fifty Fathoms with the same sign. Which was necesary to comfort potential customers at the time as older divers that could light-up under water used radium for that, a radioactive material. On the gradient dial you will also find hands and markers filled with grade A super-luminova for a better reading in the dark or under water. But don’t go too deep.

Can you dive with the Blancpain x Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms?

Better not. The Scuba Fifty Fathoms has a water resistance of fifty fathoms, now you know where the name comes from. In the 1950s the French navy asked for a diver that could do 50 fathoms. A fathom is an (old) unit of length to measure the depth of water and equals 6 feet (or 2 yards or 1.8288 meters). Thus, 50 fathoms is 300 feet. And 91.44 meters. Blancpain made the Fifty Fathoms for the French navy, in 1953, and it could surely do 50 fathoms.

The Blancpain x Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms has a water resistance of 91 meters / 300 feet. Which nowadays means, on average, something else when you check the guidelines for it. 300 feet usually stands for “fine around household sinks, while playing (water)sports and while swimming, surfing, sailing or snorkeling. Differences in temperature might be a risk (it’s cold deep in the ocean). And, do not wear it while scuba diving.” Unless it’s certified for it. So, it’s up to you with the Scuba Fifty Fathoms when you want to take a plonge.

Where and when is the Blancpain x Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms for sale?

You can buy a Blancpain x Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms exclusively at selected Swatch stores and Blancpain boutiques. Sales starts at September 9, 2023. So, let’s queue-up to buy one! Sale of the black version starts in January 2024.

And if you bought one, you might want to admire the back of the case. Through each transparent case back you can see an illustration of one of the five colorful nudibranchs found in each of the five oceans. On the Arctic Ocean model there is a nudibranch called Dendronotus Frondosus. The Pacific Ocean displays a Chromodoris Kuiteri, the Atlantic Ocean features the Glaucus Atlanticus, the Indian ocean the Nembrotha Kubaryana and the Antarctic Ocean displays a Tritoniella Belli. The black version has a Okenia Luna, which is a dorid nudibranch with a milky color with luminescent tips.