The Original Dive Watch’s Big Year Continues with a Forward-Thinking Release

It’s been a big year for the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms.

Despite first appearing in 1953 and being widely credited as the first professional dive watch, the Fifty Fathoms has proven that it has a few new tricks up its sleeve in 2025.

This year alone, we’ve seen the brand release a smaller 42mm Fifty Fathoms in steel as a new entry point to the line, along with a long-requested 38mm case size; including a version of the model in pink — a daring and completely unexpected option that shows how the world’s oldest watch brand is still willing to experiment.

Now, in another shocker, Blancpain has expanded the Fifty Fathoms collection with a new permanent collection. The Fifty Fathoms Tech has arrived as a non-limited third series of the legendary diver, joining the classic Fifty Fathoms and the Bathyscaphe in Blancpain’s quickly expanding diver lineup.

Atom Moore for Blancpain

But this Fifty Fathoms is quite a departure from the heritage-driven Blancpain divers we’re used to.

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.

Blancpain

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.

Atom Moore for Blancpain

The helium escape valve crown remains at 10:00, the water resistance is still 300m and the movement is once again the Blancpain Cal. 1315A automatic, which boasts a 120-hour power reserve and an 18k gold rotor visible through a sapphire caseback.

So, what exactly is new here?

Well, for one, the color is slightly different. While the Tech BOC had a blue seconds hand and blue “Tech” script on the dial, the new Fifty Fathoms Tech uses bright orange for both. But don’t worry, that’s not the exciting update.

Atom Moore for Blancpain

The most noteworthy feature on the new Fifty Fathoms Tech is its new quick-change strap system. For the first time ever on a Fifty Fathoms — or any Blancpain, as far as I know — the strap can be changed without the use of any tools. The standard Fifty Fathoms is notorious for requiring a special hex key for changing the strap — a standard spring bar tool won’t cut it — so this is a very exciting development for the brand.

Blancpain is taking full advantage of the Tech’s interchangeable strap system by offering rubber straps in multiple lengths and three different colors. Black is the most classic, but if you want to mix things up, there’s also an orange strap that matches the seconds hand and “Tech” script on the dial. Finally, there’s a bright white strap, which is my personal favorite thanks to the contrast it provides.

Blancpain

Pricing and Availability

Although I’m not normally into oversized watches, I have to say, I’m pretty excited about this release. The white and orange straps are fun and continue to show Blancpain is getting more confident in stepping out of its comfort zone (I think the brand’s collabs with Swatch have helped in this regard), and the addition of a quick-change strap system to the brand is welcome news.

Atom Moore for Blancpain

Blancpain is positioning the Fifty Fathoms Tech as a lifestyle piece, highlighting the interchangeable strap system as a way for wearers to adapt the watch to their personal style. Still, it remains a seriously capable tool watch, and I can’t wait to see where the brand takes the Tech in the future now that it’s a permanent part of the Fifty Fathoms lineup.

The Fifty Fathoms Tech includes two straps of your choice and is available from the brand’s retailers now for $22,700.

Blancpain

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech

Specs

Case Size	45mm
Movement	Blancpain Cal. 1315A automatic
Water Resistance	300m

• $22,700 at Blancpain

Related Topics