Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Big Blue, 2018

Dealer description — S.Song Watches

Arguably the first modern dive watch ever, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms was released in 1953 on commission for the French 'Frogmen' – an elite military group of combat swimmers. Designed with strict requirements in mind, the Fifty Fathom's was tasked with both mission synchronization and keeping its wearers alive on their military missions. From life or death situations to its luxurious existence today, the Fifty Fathoms has evolved into both Blancpain's most famous model, and one of the most historically important dive watches we have in horology. Perhaps one of the most fashion-forward variants of this iconic diver, the Fifty Fathoms "Big Blue" ref. 5015D-1140-52B features a stunning navy blue 'flinqué' dial with a beautifully hand-engraved wavy pattern emanating from its centre and terminating at the chapter ring housing the luminous index markers, Arabic numerals at 12, 3, 6, and 9, and a hidden date aperture at 4:30. Matched by its blue sapphire crystal unidirectional bezel and rubberized sailcloth strap, this timepiece is as beautiful as it is robust. Featuring a magnificent 45mm stainless steel case with vertical satin finishing and tight lugs with a comfortable taper along the wrist, the Fifty Fathoms "Big Blue" ref. 5015D-1140-52B wears fantastically given its beefy dive watch dimensions. Unparalleled with their craftsmanship, Blancpain has designed this timepiece with security in mind with hex screws between its lugs holding its strap in place and a screw-down button attaching the butterfly deployant clasp onto the strap. Housed within the stainless steel anti-magnetic case is Blancpain's wonderfully robust automatic cal. 1315 movement. Packed with five days of power reserve across three mainspring barrels, a silicon balance spring, and 227 parts, this 4Hz movement exists at the apex of luxury dive watches, in keeping with the rest of this timepiece's outstanding design, construction, and heritage.