Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Review

As requested by Fred - @TimeJunkie 

You can check out the specs of the watch here:

https://www.blancpain.com/en/fifty-fathoms/fifty-fathoms-automatique

This watch wears smaller than the specs would suggest.

I have owned this watch for about 12 years, and I have worn it quite a bit over that time.  Purchased new at Blancpain in New York City in late 2010, I am the original owner.  During this time I've had zero issues with it, and it is running at plus a couple of seconds a day.

Since the mid 2000's when the new Fifty Fathoms case was released, Blancpain has offered an unbelievable variety of models essentially based on the same case style.  Different movements and dial color variations have been or are being produced.

The version that we are looking at for this review is technically called "Fifty Fathoms Tribute to Aqualung."  Released in 2010-11 and limited to 500 pieces.  It is essentially the standard issue Fifty Fathoms with the following differences:

Bezel with alternate marking (historic style)

Dial with alternate marking (historic style)

Sapphire caseback w/ special rotor

Tropic style sailcloth strap w/ deployant clasp

Fully brushed Case

I've enjoyed this watch, and love the feeling I get when I wear it.  This watch is absolutely smooth in any area you touch, no sharpness at all, and every function activates like butter.  When you are wearing the watch you can't feel it or hear it wind and it winds up to its full 120 hour (5 day) power reserve in one day of wear.  The crown is chunky and has a deep knurling that makes it easy to use.  When you wind or set the watch manually you can't feel it winding or setting at all, it is that smooth.  Quality wise, it is well above my GS in several areas most notably the crown action.  Also appreciated is the stealth nature of the watch; nobody will know you are wearing a high end piece; except geeks like you the reader of course.

The movement is a Fréderiqué Piquet 1315 with a 120 hour (5 day) power reserve.  This movement has three spring barrels running in parallel, but you would never know it by looking at the size of the movement.  It really is quite compact for the punch it delivers.  Blancpain uses this movement in other watches including the Bathyscaph range, if you are looking for something smaller (38mm) you can have that along with this movement.

So, with all the wonderful comes a few points about the watch that aren't so wonderful, starting with the price of admission.  Not only did I have to pay full list to get it, I needed to order a longer strap ($700 option) before I could even wear it.  I later ordered some other optional extras like the rubber dive strap with extension, and the bracelet, which was also ridiculous pricey.  I love the sailcloth tropic style strap with very soft rubber sewn into the side that touches your skin.  However, it is a 23mm lug size and you know that spells trouble.  Also strap changes are a pain because of the very delicate screws Blancpain uses for the screw bars, its like a 0.5mm allen head.  You can strip or snap off a screw head if you sneeze.  The only reason I popped for the rubber dive strap option is because it came with screw and tube spares.

I would recommend this watch; however, I would suggest going for preowned with a reputable dealer like Toppers or Watchfinder.  You will save money and be happier for sure.  More pics below...

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Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Review

4.6
Yes No
5/5
4/5
5/5
5/5
4/5
  • Smooth as Silk
  • Top Notch Movement
  • Stealthy
  • Price
  • 23mm Lugs
  • Strap & Bracelet Changes
Reply
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This is my ultimate dream diver. Cheaper used, but $$ is the only limiting element. Great review and dreamt watch overall. 

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Wow beautiful 😍, the watch is very special and that is the best rotor I've ever seen,words fail me. Thankyou .

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valleykilmers

This is my ultimate dream diver. Cheaper used, but $$ is the only limiting element. Great review and dreamt watch overall. 

The resale on these is nothing like rolex so you can usually save some cabbage.  Also those smaller bathyscaphs are very much more reasonable used.  I almost picked up one of those because of the price but I am glad I passed on it.

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I wish I had known more about these when buying the Panerai. Now, I'd rather have a Bathyscaphe. 

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Stricko

Wow beautiful 😍, the watch is very special and that is the best rotor I've ever seen,words fail me. Thankyou .

They made another version with a seashell rotor but I like the propeller rotor much better.  Of course when you are diving the last thing you want to see is a propeller, lol.

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SurferJohn

The resale on these is nothing like rolex so you can usually save some cabbage.  Also those smaller bathyscaphs are very much more reasonable used.  I almost picked up one of those because of the price but I am glad I passed on it.

Yeah the Bathyscaphe is amazing too but lacks the vintage feel of the OG. 

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I think I'll throw together a review of the 372...

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Jewbaka

I think I'll throw together a review of the 372...

Noice!

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Discussion on  why/how you  came about making that particular purchase. Then you describe in detail your  experience with the watch, all bases are covered 😉.....you gat my vote  on best review 👍 

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Asmara82

Discussion on  why/how you  came about making that particular purchase. Then you describe in detail your  experience with the watch, all bases are covered 😉.....you gat my vote  on best review 👍 

Thanks!  I'm sure there are some areas I could have expanded on but I wanted more like an executive summary feel to it.

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One of the best dive watches out there. Great review. 

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Absolutely beautiful!

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That is a beautiful watch pal!! Always loved the look and the quality must be unbelievable. 👍

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The Fifty Fathoms is a watch I'm really lusting after. Alas, my wallet is no match for my desires. 

A wonderful timepiece! I happy is has brought you 12 years of wonderful service. Here's to a dozen more! 

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Another superb write up. I’m familiar with the history of the brand. That said, they never really drew me in until I saw them in person. Yours Is spectacular.

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Thanks for sharing your experience with this iconic watch @SurferJohn! I really enjoy getting firsthand information from actual owners especially when you have 12 years of ownership under your belt. Pricey, but high quality. 

Really can’t understand why these brands continue to design watches with 21/23 mm lug widths! What a pain!

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Wowzers John! Just was able to read this review. Thank you for posting.  This watch is beautiful.  As I mentioned when I requested a review, I've seen very few pieces and always been interested. This watch is an enigma in our community. The propeller rotor is so cool! Thanks for being honest on the lugs/negatives. It's so easy to review an iconic stunner and throw out all the positives. I see this in car reviews.  Thank God for the Top Gear crew angrily throwing a Rolls Phantom, or an Enzo, into corners smoking tires and all. My point: too much glory given to top end pieces means we never know all the real specs. I digress Brother. Thanks for giving us a great look at this beauty!

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Nice! The watch is absolutely stunning! 👌I've always loved the name Fifty Fathoms, such a cool name for a watch. To own any Blancpain would be a grail of mine.

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Awesome write up, thank you.  The lug spacing is right for the case size/design. Smaller would look odd.  Beautiful piece!

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one.five.ohh

Awesome write up, thank you.  The lug spacing is right for the case size/design. Smaller would look odd.  Beautiful piece!

I figured the 23mm lug size must have to do with something, other that to torture us.

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The domed sapphire makes it but my favorite is the lume at night, its a torch!

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Great review and photos, you gave a good understanding of the watch and the wearing experience. I love the look of the sailcloth band, good to hear its so comfortable, not all of them are. I think this is creeping toward my list!

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Truly awesome ! I was looking to get one of the newer standard fifty fathoms before I got my Submariner , I had the chance to try one on while on holiday as something this expensive I couldn’t just buy it online without seeing it first hand , specs wise it was unbelievable ! Just the one major issue was the 45mm size on my skinny wrist , I just don’t get it? Why do Blancpain only make the 39 & 40mm in the limited editions with those crazy prices? So I had to let it go. 

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ChowJunbon

Truly awesome ! I was looking to get one of the newer standard fifty fathoms before I got my Submariner , I had the chance to try one on while on holiday as something this expensive I couldn’t just buy it online without seeing it first hand , specs wise it was unbelievable ! Just the one major issue was the 45mm size on my skinny wrist , I just don’t get it? Why do Blancpain only make the 39 & 40mm in the limited editions with those crazy prices? So I had to let it go. 

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Hi, yes well my wrist is very large so the size of the watch isn't an issue at all for me.  A friend of mine with similar wrist dimensions to you ended up ordering a Blancpain Bathyscaphe and the price was quite a bit less than my Fifty Fathoms, and it has the same 5 day movement.  That could be a move for you to consider, as there are so many choices in the Bathyscaphe line to choose from.

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SurferJohn

Hi, yes well my wrist is very large so the size of the watch isn't an issue at all for me.  A friend of mine with similar wrist dimensions to you ended up ordering a Blancpain Bathyscaphe and the price was quite a bit less than my Fifty Fathoms, and it has the same 5 day movement.  That could be a move for you to consider, as there are so many choices in the Bathyscaphe line to choose from.

Yes I did check them out also but I prefer the look of the fifty fathoms more as it’s based more on the original one, the Bathyscaphe is a great watch for sure but the small markers on the dial and the hands gives it a lady’s watch for some reason 🤷🏻‍♂️, 

who knows it’s the anniversary soon so maybe they make a special traditional sized version to mark the occasion? yet I do believe it will be another limited edition very expensive models again. *sigh

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Great review..I enjoy my 5015 also..even though I live miles from the ocean I seem to have thei thing for a good divers watch LOL..

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Great review and awesome watch !

How often do you set the time ?

Thanks !

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Great review, beautiful timepiece.

😍

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PauloPrado

Great review and awesome watch !

How often do you set the time ?

Thanks !

It runs a few seconds fast per day.

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Now THAT is a gorgeous watch!