After the polarising launch of the Swatch MoonSwatch partnership with Omega, the world’s largest watch company is back at it again with yet another collaboration with a Swatch sister brand, this time with Blancpain. Dubbed the Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms, both brands come together to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms — the world’s first true diver’s watch which made watchmaking history with its release in 1953. The first rumours surfaced in September, with a Hodinkee video giving clues about the launch. A few days later, an official teaser was released to confirm the Swatch and Blancpain partnership.
The non-limited collection, which is based on the Swatch Scuba line, faithfully captures all the characteristics of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, including superior water resistance, excellent legibility, mechanical movements, a secured rotating bezel, and anti-magnetic security. As with the Swatch MoonSwatch, the collection’s case, bezel and crown are made from Swatch’s proprietary Bioceramic material, all coming together to house the automatic Sistem51 calibre. The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms collection is a tribute to this special collection with 50 fathoms (91m, or 300ft), of water resistant.
As an ode to the dive watch’s symbiotic relationship with the ocean, five iterations of the Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms have been announced, each inspired by one of Earth’s five oceans. The Sistem51 components are illustrated with a nudibranch species, a beautiful, colorful animal. Flipping the watch around reveals the illustration. Each watch comes with a NATO band made of recycled fishing nets.
Arctic Ocean
Perhaps the standout piece from the collection, the Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms Arctic Ocean features the red trefoil, yellow background “NO RADIATION” logo on the dial, referencing the highly coveted Blancpain Fifty Fathoms No Rad. The beige dial, case and crown are accented by an orange NATO strap and bezel. On the back of the case is an illustration of Arctic Ocean and Dendronotus Frondosus, a nudibranch.
Pacific Ocean
Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms Pacific Ocean has the most striking colour scheme with a yellow-orange bezel and crown, a black NATO strap and a white dial with black elements. The case back features an illustration of the Pacific Ocean, including the Chromodoris Kuiteri Nudibranch.
Atlantic Ocean
Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms Atlantic Ocean combines a variety of shades of blue. Swatch MoonSwatch fans will immediately notice the striking resemblance between the Swatch MoonSwatch Neptune and the Swatch MoonSwatch. Flipping the watch upside down reveals an illustration depicting the Atlantic Ocean with the Glaucus Atlanticus.
Indian Ocean
The Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms Indian Ocean case is a reflection of the Indian Ocean with its green tints. The unconventional colour scheme is balanced by hints of orange and a black bezel. Flipping the watch upside down reveals a drawing of the Indian Ocean with the Nembrotha Kubaryana Nembrotha Kubaryana.
Antarctic Ocean
Noteworthy as well is the “MIL-SPEC” treatment given to the Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms Antarctic Ocean with the bi-colour logo on the dial. This feature was first introduced in 1954 by Blancpain to detect moisture seeping inside the watch. It caused the sensor’s colour to change. The watch is characterized by a tonal ice-white crown and case, which are complemented with a grey dial. The watch is flipped over to reveal an illustration of Antarctic Ocean and Tritoniella Belli, a nudibranch.
This story was first published on MENS’ FOLIO Singapore.
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