The MoonSwatch's much anticipated sequel is finally here: the Blancpain x Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms, a Swatchified version of a luxury dive watch from a historic and high-end brand in the Swatch Group.
Similar to last year's MoonSwatch, the watch's spiritual predecessor, this year's collab is housed in Swatch's hybrid plastic-ceramic material called Bioceramic. Inside, however, Swatch and Blancpain have upped the ante with an automatic movement in place of quartz. Despite the upgrade, the Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms still offers buyers the chance to wear a prestigious name on their wrists for hundreds, not many thousands, of dollars.
Will it blow up the internet like Swatch's version of the Omega Speedmaster? Here's everything you need to know.
- Diameter: 42.3mm
- Thickness: 14.4mm
- Length: 48mm
- Movement: Sistem51 automatic
When and where can I get it?
On September 9, 2023, it'll be available at Swatch boutiques in nine US locations (which you can see here): Honolulu, Las Vegas, Dallas, Houston, San Francisco, Miami, Orlando and two in New York. It appears that the purchasing situation will be similar to the MoonSwatch with availability only in person, at least initially. The brand hasn't yet commented on whether or not there are plans to make it available online — perhaps waiting to see the level of demand, as are we.
What is the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms?
This Swatch is based on the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, a dive watch that might need some introduction to many outside of enthusiast circles, though it's famous for being one of the first-ever dive watches. It debuted in 1953 alongside the Rolex Submariner and Zodiac Seawolf; all three contained remarkably similar features including rotating bezels, automatic movements and water resistance of around 100 meters.
While the Rolex Submariner has gone on to define the category, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms remains one of the most iconic dive watches among collectors. Today, it's left its pragmatic and military roots behind and is one of the most salivatingly luxurious and prestigious dive watches on the market. The versions within the wider collection known as Bathyscaphe start around $7,000, but the most representative Fifty Fathoms (and those upon which this Swatch version is based) known as the Automatique cost well into five figures.
It's the first Swatch to combine an automatic movement and Bioceramic
Inside the Scuba Fifty is an automatic movement. This means that it's powered by an unwinding spring rather than a battery, and a weight spins around to wind the spring when you move your wrist.
The movement in question is the brand's well known Sistem51. It made news when it was introduced back in 2013 for being composed of only 51 components (some of which are plastic) and being produced entirely by machines. While the movement will be seen as an upgrade over quartz, the Sistem51 otherwise features in watches that cost between $165 and $240.
The Scuba Fifty represents the first watch to combine an automatic movement with Swatch's Bioceramic material, the same plastic-ceramic hybrid material used in the MoonSwatch.
It's water-resistant to 91m
Why 91 meters? That's the equivalent of 50 fathoms, a British unit of measurement, and what the original Blancpain Fifty Fathoms of 1953 was rated to. Even more notable about this specific water resistance, however, is that it's rather unusual for a Swatch. Most modern Swatch watches are typically "splash resistant" at around 30 meters.
Many enthusiasts will refute the idea that even 100 meters of water resistance qualifies as a dive watch, but it was sufficient back in 1953 and it's convincing enough for the connection here. It should also be sufficient for swimming.
Another connection Swatch is making with the the name is the brand's historic Scuba collection. Introduced in 1990 and water-resistant to 200 meters, this collection of fun quartz watches went on to include a number of variations through the years, and in that sense, the Scuba Fifty Fathoms is the latest.
It comes in five variants
The five variants are in different colors based on their respective ocean themes: Atlantic, Pacific, Arctic, Antarctic and Indian. Like the MoonSwatch (and indeed like Blancpain watches), the brand went all in on details and Easter eggs for collectors, and the different versions feature specific traits that go beyond mere colors. Some, for instance, have no date display (collectors like this) while others feature a date window at 4:30 (collectors often don't like this). The Bioceramic colors haven't been used on any watch previously — hence, no classic black.
It costs $400
While it's peanuts in Blancpain's universe, this is a pricey Swatch — in fact, it's the priciest Swatch on offer. No other Swatch currently retails for more than $300, including those that feature either Bioceramic or Sistem51 movements.
Still, we doubt its price tag will deter enthusiasts from lining up on release day. The Blancpain x Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms goes on sale this Saturday, September 9, 2023, at Swatch boutiques around the world. You might want to get there early.
