Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Celebrates its 70th Anniversary

Since taking the reins as CEO in 1950, Jean-Jacques Fiechter had dreamt of a watch sufficiently rugged, reliable, water-resistant, and readable to be his trusted underwater companion. What emerged from his creative quest is the world’s first modern diving watch and one which has defined the characteristics of diving watches ever since.

Officially launched in 1953, the Fifty Fathoms is the first modern diver’s watch embodied by Blancpain’s passion for the underwater world. Created by a diver to meet the needs of underwater exploration, it was chosen by diving pioneers and elite marine corps around the world as a professional timekeeping instrument.

Dictated by a wealth of experience in the diving field, the collection boasts signature elements that forged the reputation of their legendary ancestor and established it as the archetypal diver’s watch. From its excellent water resistance, robust double-sealed crown and self-winding movement, the collection allows divers to explore the depths of the ocean with safety, reliability, and legibility, all taken care of.

The same professionalism is apparent in the main signature elements that forged the reputation of their legendary ancestor and established it as the archetypal diver’s watch. With its contrasting dark dial with luminescent indications, unidirectional rotating bezel and anti-magnetic protection, the Fifty Fathoms has become an indispensable instrument for divers on their underwater missions.

These key signature elements that established the Fifty Fathoms as the archetypal diver’s watch continue to define the identity of such timepieces for the entire watch industry. Bearing witness to the past while simultaneously looking firmly to the future, contemporary Fifty Fathoms models incorporate modern movements renowned for their robustness and reliability. They feature numerous technical innovations derived from Blancpain’s longstanding experience in the field of diving, its risks and its imperious necessities.

The Fifty Fathoms has played an essential role in the development of scuba diving and the discovery of the ocean world. It has enabled Blancpain to forge close links with the ocean community that have been consistently strengthened over the past 70 years.

Discover our selection of Blancpain’s iconic diver’s watches at Watches of Switzerland.