The Fifty Fathoms is one of the few watches that I feel comfortable calling an "icon" without cringing at all. It's one of the pillars on which Blancpain is built and the brand has continued to expand the line over the last few years, offering new materials, smaller sizes, and a wealth of complications to the mix. But today we've got something for you that's all about looking back at the classics. Opening today at Blancpain's New York City boutique is an exhibition of vintage Fifty Fathoms models, covering some of the greatest hits and some models that you might never have seen before.
A mid-1950s Fifty Fathoms.
A Fifty Fathoms "3H" made for the German Navy.
A "No-Radiation" Ffity Fathoms.
A 1970s Fifty Fathoms Day-Date.
Now, when I say "Fifty Fathoms," you're probably thinking of a particular type of watch. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that what's in your mind's eye is probably kind of chunky, has a bold bezel with just a few markings, and features a dial with oversized 12-3-6-9 markers. But that's only one of the many kinds of Fifty Fathoms watches Blancpain has made over the years. There are the slimmer, sleeker Bathyscaphe models, the funky pieces from the 1970s with brighter colors and unusual case shapes, and the idiosyncratic variations made for various Navies over the years. If you want a real history lesson on one of the most important sports watches of all time, get yourself to Blancpain's New York City boutique and check these watches out. You won't regret it.
The Fifty Fathoms vintage collection is on display through October 26 at 697 Fifth Avenue in New York City. For more about Blancpain, click here.
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