August 20 2026

70 Years Of Bathyscaphe: Blancpain Reinterprets A 1968 Icon

Ricardo Amaral BLANCPAIN, NEW RELEASES 2026, Diver, Limited Edition 0

Blancpain is marking the 70th anniversary of the Bathyscaphe with a limited-edition Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe that looks back to one of the model’s most distinctive historical references. Inspired by the 1968 Bathyscaphe, the new edition combines period-correct design details with contemporary materials and the modern Manufacture Calibre 1150.

Limited to 300 individually numbered pieces, the watch revisits the 37.40 mm proportions of its 1968 inspiration while retaining the 300-metre water resistance expected from the Fifty Fathoms family.

A direct link to the 1968 Bathyscaphe

The vintage influence is particularly evident on the dial. Finished in sunburst meteor grey, it recreates the character of the 1968 model while introducing modern execution. The historical Blancpain logo is one of the most immediately recognisable details, complemented by baton-style hands and applied hour markers crafted from 18-carat white gold.

The hands and indexes are filled with vintage-toned Super-LumiNova, giving the watch a warmer luminous appearance while maintaining contemporary nighttime legibility.

The bezel also combines historical inspiration with modern materials. Its stainless-steel construction extends down around the base of the sapphire crystal, echoing the architecture of the 1968 model. On top sits a ceramic insert with lacquered numerals, replacing the original’s black Hesalite material with a more contemporary and durable solution.

Compact proportions, serious diving capability

The stainless-steel case measures 37.40 mm in diameter, making this one of the more compact modern expressions of the Fifty Fathoms family. Interestingly, Blancpain chose the dimensions of the 1968 Bathyscaphe as its reference point rather than the original 1956 model, which measured approximately 35 mm.

At 12.30 mm thick and 46.50 mm from lug to lug, the proportions remain relatively restrained while still accommodating a modern mechanical movement and a substantial level of water resistance.

The sapphire crystal protects the dial, while the case is rated to 300 metres of water resistance. The result is a watch that retains the practical diving credentials associated with the Fifty Fathoms name without adopting the larger dimensions found on many contemporary dive watches.

Calibre 1150 takes the story forward

The most significant technical departure from the historical Bathyscaphe can be found on the reverse.

Instead of a closed caseback, Blancpain has fitted the anniversary edition with a sapphire crystal, revealing the Manufacture Calibre 1150. The automatic movement provides an impressive 100-hour power reserve, allowing the watch to remain off the wrist for several days without stopping.

The rotor is another deliberate reference to Blancpain’s history. Open-worked and produced in 18-carat gold, its design takes inspiration from the oscillating weight used on the original 1953 Fifty Fathoms. This creates a direct visual connection between the brand’s first Fifty Fathoms and the later Bathyscaphe lineage.

A modern anniversary edition with historical details

The Bathyscaphe was introduced in 1956, only a few years after the Fifty Fathoms debuted in 1953. Conceived as a more civilian-oriented interpretation of the diving watch, it arrived at a time when recreational diving was becoming increasingly popular.

The modern Bathyscaphe returned to Blancpain’s collection in 2013 and has since become an established part of the Fifty Fathoms family. This 70th-anniversary edition therefore focuses on a specific chapter of that history rather than attempting to recreate the original 1956 watch.

Strap

The watch is fitted with a chocolate-coloured calf-leather strap, reinforcing the warm vintage character of the dial and lume.

Price and availability

The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe 70th Anniversary is priced at CHF 13,800 and is limited to 300 pieces.

With its combination of historical proportions, period-inspired details and the technically advanced Calibre 1150, the anniversary edition offers a modern interpretation of the Bathyscaphe that places its 1968 heritage at the centre of the design while keeping the mechanical and functional specifications firmly contemporary.