Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Automatique 42mm Revealed in Stunning Stainless Steel

Swiss luxury watchmaker Blancpain made history on multiple fronts when they unleashed the original Fifty Fathoms in 1953. Designed to withstand hostile underwater conditions, it was considered the first true dive watch for professionals.

Those same professionals—along with the Marine Corps—strapped up accordingly and took the plunge to discover a piece that actually delivered on its promise.

Here we are over seven decades later and Fifty Fathoms is still absolutely iconic, and that brings us to the family’s newest permanent member, Blancpain’s new Fifty Fathoms Automatique 42mm. It measures 42mm in diameter and combines polished steel case construction with high-performance mechanics, functional details, and a stylish sunburst dial. Yes, please.

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Automatique 42mm Specifications and Pricing

Here’s the price guide for the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Automatique 42mm:

• 5010 1130 71S Steel Bracelet — AUD$28,700
• 5010 1130 B52B Sail Cloth On Folding Buckle — AUD$26,800
• 5010 1130 B64B Tropic Rubber on Folding Buckle — AUD$26,800
• 5010 1130 NABA NATO Strap on Pin Buckle — AUD$24,800

Here are the specifications for the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Automatique 42mm:

• Movement: Blancpain Calibre 1315, self-winding (automatic)
  • Power Reserve: 120 hours (5 days)
  • Jewels: 35
  • Components: 227
  • Functions: Date, seconds
• Bezel: Unidirectional sapphire
• Dial: Sunburst black
• Case material: Steel
  • Diameter: 42.30 mm
  • Thickness: 14.30 mm
• Water resistance: 30 bar (equivalent to 300 metres)
• Case back: Sapphire crystal

Blancpain’s new Fifty Fathoms Automatique 42mm follows similarly stellar releases, including the limited edition 70th Anniversary Act 1 from 2023, and the Titanium and Red Gold 5010 models from 2024. This time around, the watchmaker employed polished stainless steel construction to generate a remarkable lustre and shine. No less head-turning is the sunburst black dial and its unidirectional black bezel with a domed sapphire insert.

Under its polished skin of stainless steel, the latest Fifty Fathoms runs on an automatic calibre 1315 with a 5-day power reserve. The movement was first introduced in 2007 and it continues to deliver remarkable precision and endurance under extreme conditions. In addition to three-series coupled barrels and a silicon balance spring, it features an 18-carat red gold oscillating weight with NAC treatment (a direct callback to the original Fifty Fathoms from 1953). Flip the piece over to observe the high-performance movement and its meticulous details through a case-back window of crystal sapphire.

Thanks to the use of polished steel, the new Fifty Fathoms offers copious durability and no shortage of brilliant shine. Reflecting light from every angle, the sleek and silver case blends perfectly with the sunburst black dial and its matching bezel. The dial layout employs classic, highly legible markers that will be familiar to collectors and divers alike—they come to life in the dark by way of XXL luminescent treatment. Sealing the deal is your choice of a stainless steel, sail-canvas, rubber, or NATO strap, respectively.

Do you have to be a dedicated diver to pick up what Blancpain is throwing down? Of course not, as the piece looks striking across a variety of terrains. If you do want to take this bad boy for a plunge, however, expect it to stay the course for up to 30 bar (300 metres).

You’ll also be carrying forth a spirit of adventure, style, and performance that blazes a trail back to the original model and its host of groundbreaking features. Meanwhile, you knew as much as soon as you saw the words “Fifty Fathoms.” And so the legend lives on.