As a big surprise, Blancpain and Swatch joined forces to release the Blancpain X Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms collection to celebrate the 70th anniversary of this iconic diving watch last month. While the collaboration between Omega and Swatch for the Moonswatch seemed to have a bigger impact than this new collaboration between Swatch and Blancpain —another one of the high-end brands part of the Swatch Group—, this non-limited collection composed of five different watches still had a huge impact, despite the fact that Blancpain holds a much lower brand awareness and you have to be a hardcore watch aficionado to even consider paying $400 USD for a Sistem51 Swatch. The Speedmaster by Omega is a better-known watch and at a price point of $260 USD, it was expected for a larger customer base to flood the stores as it happened back in March of 2022.
The Blancpain X Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms became available for purchase at selected Swatch stores on September 9, 2023, and limited to one watch per customer. Surprisingly, we didn’t have to wait as long as we did with the Moonswatch —over five months— and we were able to get our very own only a month after it became available at the stores. The Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms celebrates the ocean and the five models are named after the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic, the Indian Ocean, and the Antarctic and Arctic Oceans.
While we are not the biggest fans of all five models due to their color schemes —inspired by the nudibranchs that inhabit all five oceans and are known for their often extraordinary colors and striking forms—, we do have a soft spot for the Antarctic —under review— and Atlantic Ocean —deep blue color— models. All five watches are powered by the Sistem51 automatic movement composed of 51 components all held by one screw. While the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Ocean models feature a date indicator, the Arctic and Antarctic models do not have a date indicator. However, these two models celebrate two iconic Fifty Fathoms, the ‘No Radiations’ and the ‘Milspec 1’ with its moisture indicator at 6 o’clock on the dial.
Now, let’s dive directly into the watch under review. As far as packaging, the new Blancpain X Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms Antarctic Ocean is delivered in triple boxes that include a cardboard sleeve protecting a cardboard box, and then the watch sits in a cool watch case made of the same sailcloth fabric utilized on the straps of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms bearing Blancpain and Swatch’s logos on the zipper grip.
The Blancpain X Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms Antarctic Ocean celebrates one of the most extreme environments on our planet, featuring a bicolor moisture indicator that detects the presence of water and changes color to alert the wearer that the watch is no longer water resistant. The Scuba Fifty Fathoms Antarctic Ocean watch is of course water resistant to fifty fathoms —91 meters or 300 feet.
Things to Know About the Watch
The Blancpain X Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms Antarctic Ocean features a white bioceramic case that is better finished than the one on the Omega X Swatch Moonswatch. Developed and patented by Swatch, Bioceramic is a unique blend of two-thirds ceramic used in high-end watchmaking and one-third bio-sourced material derived from castor oil, resulting in a very durable, scratch-resistant product with a silky matte finish. The bezel, crown, strap buckle, and strap loops are also made of bioceramic. While the case is smaller than that of a Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, the proportions and shape were properly maintained.
The case measures 42.3 mm in diameter with a thickness of 14.4 mm and a lug width of 22 mm and the left caseband features a ‘Swatch’ stamping. While the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms measures 45 mm in diameter and is one millimeter thicker, the Blancpain X Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms Antarctic Ocean is very similar to the real deal in terms of size and wearability. The unidirectional bioceramic bezel features an anti-scratch coated insert in dark gray filled with Grade A Super-LumiNova. The metal dial is printed in several layers of color for a gradient effect between white and light grey. The hour indexes and the dark blue sword-shaped hands are also filled with Grade A Super-LumiNova for outstanding legibility in the dark.
The bezel insert and front and back crystals are made of biosourced glass and treated with an anti-scratch coating. The grey NATO strap is made of recycled fishing nets that were removed from the sea and the pin buckle and loops are made of bioceramic. The pin buckle is stamped ‘Fifty Fathoms’ and the keeper ‘Scuba’. While we are not the biggest fans of NATO straps here at WCL, we think that out of the five different Blancpain X Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms watches, this watch and its strap are the best out of the collection.
The Grade A SuperLumiNova on the dial and the bezel insert provides incredible readability when exposed to the slightest low light conditions. Considering the price point, the lume could not be any better and it lasts through the night without any issues.
Considering that we don’t like to wear watches on NATO straps we decided to remove the original strap and add a rubber strap to the watch. To do so, you need to source two 0.9 mm hex screwdrivers in order to remove the bars at the lugs. These bars are composed of two parts —a screwable cap and a long bar— and you have to hold the bar on one end and then screw the other end to be able to remove it. Without two screwdrivers being used at the same time, you won’t be able to remove it. Luckily we had an Armin Strom white rubber strap laying around that fit seamlessly against the end of the case. A match made in heaven.
Turning the watch over reveals the Sistem51 automatic movement powering this watch. This movement is composed of 51 parts all held together by one central screw. This Swiss-made movement provides a 90-hour power reserve when fully wound and is fully anti-magnetic thanks to its hairspring made with Nivachron. The sapphire crystal oscillating weight is decorated with the Tritoniella Belli nudibranch —a group of soft-bodied marine gastropod mollusks that shed their shells after their larval stage— found in the Antarctic ocean and which resembles an iceberg battered by storm waves. All five watches in the Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms collection feature an illustration of one of the five magnificent, colorful nudibranchs found in each of the five oceans.
The case back features five phrases related to the love for the ocean on its periphery: PASSION FOR DIVING – LICENCE TO EXPLORE – OCEAN BREATH – PROTECT WHAT YOU LOVE and IMMERSE YOURSELF.
On the Wrist & Price
On the wrist, the Blancpain X Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms Antarctic Ocean wears really well and is true to its size. A great collaboration with Blancpain that allows you to have a Fifty Fathoms on your wrist without having to pay thousands of dollars. The watch is of course water resistant to fifty fathoms —91 meters or 300 feet. The Scuba Fifty Fathoms is not a limited edition but is quite difficult to find. Always check with your Swatch boutique on a regular basis to hopefully get your hands on one.
Sticker Price $400 USD. For more info on the Blancpain X Swatch click here.
