Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Collection, which is considered as one of the first professional diver watches ever made, expanded with the introduction of two new limited edition versions.
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Nageurs de Combat Limited Edition
The first model is the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Nageurs de Combat Limited Edition. The new version, inspired by the original model produced in 1953 for the Nageurs de Combat, French Combat Swimmers corps, comes with a 45mm diameter and stainless steel case. The case is equipped with the uni-directional diving bezel, a signature detail of the model family, and a solid case back adorned with an embossed Combat Diver Qualification Badge, which is a mark authorized by the French army for Blancpain’s use. The model is powered by the self-winding Caliber 1315, which offers an efficient 5 days power reserve when fully wound.
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Barakuda Limited Edition
The other new model is the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Barakuda Limited Edition, which is limited to only 500 units. This model is again inspired by a Fifty Fathoms model that was supplied for the German Navy as well as the civilian market in the late 1960s via Barakuda – a company which specialized in the production and marketing of technical diving equipment in Germany. The model comes in a 300 meters water resistant stainless steel case measuring 40mm in diameter equipped with a sapphire crystal insert uni-directional diving bezel. The dial of the new model features rectangular markers with red accents for each of the hours, with larger ones for the quarter positions and white tick marks to indicate the minutes. Under the dial, which offers a vintage look with its beige tone phosphor filled accents to mimic the old radium dials, is the self-winding Caliber 1151 with a whopping power reserve of 100 hours.
Both models come with perforated tropical straps that are era-correct for the inspired timepieces and Blancpain signed standard pin buckles.
