swatch crafts 'fifty fathom' collection from bioceramics & fishing nets

an homage to the iconic ‘fifty fathoms’ timepiece

Blancpain X Swatch pays tribute to the pioneering spirit of the first true diver’s watch, the Fifty Fathoms, a creation born seven decades ago from the passion of a dedicated scuba diver. This timepiece marks a milestone in the world of watchmaking, as it caters to all the demands of underwater exploration and faithfully captures the essence of the Swiss watchmaking icon.

The Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms Collection comprises five mechanical watches. Each draws inspiration from Swatch’s own line of diving watches, the SCUBA, and takes cues from the enigmatic deep-sea world. Each model in this collection is a vibrant ode to one of the five oceans and the stunning, colorful creatures that call these oceanic depths home. This collection is not limited in availability and can be acquired from select Swatch stores, with a limit of one watch per person per store per day. Mark your calendars for September 9th, 2023, to explore this collection!

Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms Collection, Antarctic Ocean Edition | images © Swatch

unique editions drawn from the ocean’s diverse inhabitants

Designing the Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms Collection, the teams at Blancpain and Swatch aim to honor the heritage and innovation of the original Fifty Fathoms timepiece. Crafted with a sustainable and durable Bioceramic material, each edition is available in five colors to distinguish the five oceans: the Arctic, Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and Antarctic. Upon closer inspection, the word ‘Swatch’ discreetly follows the outer left side of the case, subtly marking its unique collaboration. The metal dial shows multi-layered color printing to create a gradient effect.

The collection’s five colors were inspired by the nudibranchs, a sea creature which inhabits all five oceans and is known for its often-extraordinary colors and forms. Namely, Glaucus Atlanticus, also known as the blue dragon, can be found drifting on the surface of the Atlantic. Tritoniella Belli is found in the Antarctic Ocean, Nembrotha Kubaryana is found in the Indian Ocean, and Dendronotus Frondosus is found in the Arctic Ocean. Finally, Chromodoris Kuiteri can be found in the Pacific, the largest and deepest of the five oceans.

Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms Collection, Antarctic Ocean Edition

crafted from recycled fishing nets and bioceramic

The collection is crafted with a Bioceramic material developed and patented by Swatch. It comprises a unique blend of two-thirds ceramic used in high-end watchmaking and one-third biosourced material derived from castor oil. The result is a highly durable and scratch-resistant product with a silky matte finish. The Bioceramic case and dial are paired with biosourced glass and a strap created from recycled fishing nets — an homage to human’s impact on the oceans and their ecosystems.

Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms Collection, Antarctic Ocean Edition
Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms Collection, Arctic Ocean EditionBioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms Collection, Arctic Ocean Edition