Tech-nically New
The Fifty Fathoms Tech isn’t brand new, as it’s a version of an earlier watch from the brand. The original was the Fifty Fathoms Tech Gombessa, a wild 47mm diver with a single central lug, an integrated rubber strap, an Omega-esque helium escape valve at 10:00 and an original complication for timing dives up to three hours using a fourth hand and custom bezel.
That watch was launched in 2023 as the second in a trilogy of unique Fifty Fathoms celebrating the 70th anniversary of the model, and while not technically a limited edition, it is quite limited in production. Then, in March of this year, the brand launched the Fifty Fathoms Tech Ocean Commitment IV. It shrunk down and simplified the Tech Gombessa to create a more wearable 45mm watch with a time-and-date movement.
That watch was a limited edition, created to support the Blancpain Ocean Commitment program. Now, finally, Blancpain has created a non-limited, readily available Fifty Fathoms Tech — and it’s introducing an all-new technology to the brand.
Quick Change
The new Fifty Fathoms Tech shares a lot in common with the limited Tech BOC IV from earlier this year. It has the same 45mm across x 14.2mm thick round case in Grade 23 titanium with a central lug design and integrated rubber strap.
It features the same Absolute Black dial that absorbs 97 percent of light to better contrast with the solid block Super-LumiNova indices and fully lumed minute track. The same fully lumed rounded sapphire bezel insert introduced on the BOC also remains.