The Fifty Fathoms was born from an encounter between Blancpain and two exceptional personalities. In 1952, Captain “Bob” Maloubier and his lieutenant Claude Riffaud were entrusted by the French Ministry of Defence with creating an elite unit of “Combat Divers”.

Upon finding no existing watch capable of withstanding the extreme conditions of underwater missions, the two officers came to Blancpain with an extremely specific set of technical specifications, including the revolutionary unidirectional bezel. Building on their expertise and their visionary spirit, the watchmakers and engineers of the Manufacture developed a mechanical masterpiece that was to assert itself as the archetypal diver’s watch. The original model was launched in 1953; its water resistance was guaranteed to a depth of 50 fathoms (91.45 m), hence its names.

Fifty Fathoms soon earned a reputation for reliability and sturdiness among the special forces of several different countries. It was adopted by specialists in the field of ocean exploration including the famous French Navy’s GERS (Groupe d’Etudes et de Recherches Sous-Marines, or Under-water research group). It also accompanied the crew of Jacques Cousteau and Louis Malle during the shooting of the “World of Silence” movie. In 1997, Blancpain increased the water resistance of the Fifty Fathoms to a depth of 300 metres, and in 2003, the Manufacture celebrated the 50thanniversary of this legendary model by issuing a limited edition with a new black domed scratchproof sapphire bezel.

Available in steel or red gold versions, the Fifty Fathoms Automatic houses an all-new mechanical movement entirely developed by Blancpain and exclusive to the brand. The self-winding Calibre 1315 is derived from the hand-wound Calibre 13R0 presented in October 2006. Stemming from a lengthy quest for simplicity, precision and performance, it was conceived right from the outset to equip watches with a resolutely sporting vocation. Blancpain has fitted it with an extremely dense bimetallic rotor ensuring excellent winding efficiency. In addition, this movement features most of the characteristics that made the 13R0 such a truly exceptional calibre, including its free-sprung balance with no index and no swan’s neck, equipped instead with regulating screws placed around the rim of the balance. This screw-based system proves ideal for a sporty watch, since it avoids the potentially detrimental effect of shocks that could modify the position of the index or the swan’s neck, thereby disturbing the rate. To accurate and efficient adjustment, Blancpain has equipped it with square-headed gold micrometrical screws, enabling the watchmaker to easily visualise the corrections he is making. Governed by a concern for optimal sturdiness, the balance is crafted from glucydur, which is heavier than the titanium used in the 13R0.

The Blancpain movement design engineers have also sought to find the most effective solutions in terms of energy storage. The goal in particular was to endow the watch with an optimal autonomy, while ensuring constant energy at all times. The new Calibre 1315 does indeed have an exceptional power reserve equivalent to approximately 6 days. To achieve this feat, Blancpain has equipped it with three series-coupled barrels. Due to the choice of a glucydur balance, the three mainsprings have been specifically readjusted for this movement.

Another technical refinement lies in the date display on Calibre 1315, enabling fast date-change at midnight in either direction. In addition to the sophisticated shape of the parts, the finishing also clearly expresses the spirit of Haute Horlogerie: straight graining, bevelling, circular-graining and circular satin-brushing add an exquisite touch of exclusivity. The large jewels are directly driven into the bridges and plates so as to preserve the visual magic of traditional movements. The sunburst motif adorning the bridge reflects that on the rotor. To avoid any potentially disturbing effects of magnetic fields, the Calibre 1315 powering the Fifty Fathoms is enclosed within a cage protecting it on all sides.

Blancpain innovates by interpreting the Fifty Fathoms in a chronograph version. This choice will delight professional divers, as well as all nautical and water sports enthusiasts. It called for some impressive feats in terms of its construction, particularly with regard to the pushers. Most chronographs cannot be handled while diving, but thanks to a system of special joints concealed within the case, Blancpain has succeeded in making the push-buttons perfectly water-resistant and operational at depths of 300 metres. The Fifty Fathoms Chronographe Flyback can thus truly be used in oceans or lakes, and not only above water level.

Representing another refined technical feature, the chronograph is endowed with a flyback function – one of Blancpain’s specialities, as confirmed by the 1997 launch of the very first ladies’ Flyback Chronograph. This sophisticated system enables instant restart of a new timing operation by pressing the push-button at 4 o’clock, without needing to first stop and reset the hands. The small hour and minute counters are easily legible thanks to the contrast of white indications against a black background. The self-winding movement is protected from magnetic fields by a dedicated cage. The Fifty Fathoms Chronographe Flyback is fitted with a rugged case carved from steel. It is also available in a gold version in which the deep black of the dial, bezel and strap make a wonderful match for the warm shade of 18-carat red gold. A top-ranked chronograph that is equally in its element at a high-society evening event and in the solitude of the ocean depths.

Blancpain sets the crowning touch to the Fifty Fathoms collection with a Tourbillon model crafted in red gold or white gold, offering a dazzling demonstration of its know-how in terms of horological complications. In doing so, the Manufacture has chosen another of its specialities, the “flying” tourbillon, in which the tiny carriage spinning on its axis once a minute is mounted on a single side, without any supporting bridge, and thus appears to be floating in space. In 1989, Blancpain presented the world’s thinnest flying tourbillon. Now, on the Fifty Fathoms, this brilliantly designed and ethereal construction is highlighted by a large round opening at 12 o’clock and is set off to spectacular effect against the black dial base, thus creating an original contrast with the sporting style of the hour-markers, the hands and the bezel.

The Fifty Fathoms Tourbillon is the only model in the new collection equipped with a sapphire case-back; and the vision thus provided of the horological accomplishment within enables one to admire the beauty and complexity of its 234-part movement without jeopardizing its water resistance to 300 metres. The self-winding calibre with flying tourbillon regulator and 8-day power reserve features finishing details worthy of the noblest watchmaking traditions and is fitted with an oscillating weight specially designed for this model. With this new tourbillon, Blancpain is presenting a masterpiece that is bound to become a talking piece among connoisseurs – and not only in the “World of Silence”.