More than a year after the release of the iconic bioceramic MoonSwatchthe fruit of collaboration between the brands Swatch x OmegaThe Swatch Group is making its return to the forefront of the watchmaking scene with a new partnership between two of its sister companies, Swatch et Blancpain.
A real commercial success, with over a million sales in January, the MoonSwatch was announced as being directly inspired by the legendary Omega Speedmaster, the first chronograph to conquer the Moon, on the wrist of astronaut Buzz Aldrin.
An unexpected fusion between the high-end Omega brand and the more affordable Swatch brand, this creation took on some of the technical features of its predecessor: a 42 mm diameter, a fixed bezel adorned with a tachymetric scale and a tricompax dial display, but this time with a case designed in bioceramic, a material made from a combination of ceramic and recycled plastic, introduced for the first time in the watchmaking world in 2020 by Swatch.
Given the marketing and commercial success of this collaboration, it's hardly surprising that Swatch has once again teamed up with a renowned watch manufacturer, Blancpain, to unveil what looks set to be the next major coup of the new watchmaking season, due to go on sale this year. Saturday, September 9.
Following Swatch's first announcement of its mystery collaboration in the press on Friday, September 1, many rumors and hypotheses were circulated. However, the suspense was quickly broken, as on Sunday, September 3, the brand made official its partnership with the prestigious Swiss watchmaking company founded in 1735 by Jehan-Jacques Blancpain.
Since then, the eyes of watch lovers and connoisseurs have been focused on one timepiece in particular: the legendary Fifty Fathoms launched in 1953 by Blancpain, celebrates its 70th anniversary this year.
First military diving watch and at the time presented a watertightness over 90 metres (i.e. 50 fathoms as its name suggests), it was imagined by Jean-Jacques Fiechterthe brand's co-CEO at the time, at the request of the French army's elite corps of combat swimmers, who wanted robust, reliable watches that met military requirements.
Its double-locked crown, the location of the screw thread at the bottom of the case and its bezel with locking mechanism for perfect water-resistance, as well as its luminescent hands and indexes for excellent legibility, make it an avant-garde instrument and a benchmark in submersible watchmaking.
Its latest version, launched in 2007, is a mechanical automatic date watch with up to 192 hours of power reserve, a 45 mm case water-resistant to 300 meters, and a flying tourbillon with an autonomy of up to 8 days.
If the BIOCERAMIC MoonSwatchWhile the Space Odyssey line, available in eleven models at the time of its launch, celebrated the planets, satellites and stars of our solar system, this time around, earthlings wishing to acquire one of the five watches offered as part of this new collaboration will set out to discover the oceans. And it was the two watchmakers' Instagram posting earlier this week that left no room for doubt: a harmonious quintyque in blue-green tones representing the Arctic, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian and Antarctic oceans.
Finally, after having kept us waiting for a little over a week, it was once again on social networks, on Wednesday night, that the two sisters unveiled the designs of their new five new timepieces. And as many had predicted, it is indeed a tribute to Blancpain's iconic scuba diving watch, in a playful and unexpected version called the Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms.
The new bioceramic watch features a case 42.3 mm in diameter and 14.4 mm thick, with a unidirectional bezel and insert. On the dial side, three of the models feature Arabic numeral hour markers and the other two triangular markers, all coated, like the hands, with Super-LumiNova Grade A luminescent material for exceptional readability in the dark.
The watches are available in five color combinations: beige case and bezel with orange insert for the Arctic Ocean, yellow and black for the Pacific, a range of blues for the Atlantic, green and black for the Indian Ocean, and a gradient of white and gray reminiscent of the icy waters of Antarctica.
Inspired by marine fauna, and in particular the species of nudibranchs characteristic of each ocean, each of the rotors in the collection is illustrated with one of these incredible colorful aquatic jewels with pointed scientific names: Dendronotus frondosus, Chromodoris roeeri, Nembrotha kubaryana and other Latin names.
Just like the famous model that influenced its creation, the group's new model offers a waterproof to 50 fathoms or 91 meters. Also designed to withstand the scratches and hazards of underwater sports, it is fitted with glass made from bio-sourced material, a further reminder of Blancpain's commitment to preserving the environment and, in particular, the oceans.
Finally, in keeping with the tradition of diving watches, each of the five timepiece models comes with a tricolored NATO strap featuring the associated colors and made from recycled fishing nets taken directly from the world's oceans and seas.
Unlike its predecessor, the MoonSwatchthe Swatch Group has this time opted for a automatic watchby equipping it with a Sistem51 movement. Cutting-edge technology borrowed from the Swatch watch of the same name launched in 2014, this non-magnetic movement with Nivachron hairspring features 51 components all centered on a single screw, a 90-hour power reserve and remains the only caliber manufactured on a fully automated production line.
Gone, then, are the manual settings and adjustments usually required on mechanical watches, thanks to its cutting-edge laser technology that gives the Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms unique precision.
Please note, however, that this movement cannot be repaired. In the event of technical failure, it will be completely replaced.
While the Swatch Group's objective is obvious: long queues and media coverage, it's also an opportunity for Blancpain, a firm fixture in the hearts of fine watchmaking enthusiasts, to broaden its customer base and introduce its watchmaking house to a wider public.
Available from Saturday, September 9 in Swatch boutiques in Paris, Lyon, Cannes, Strasbourg and Saint-Laurent-du-Var, as well as in selected Blancpain points of sale. price from 390 eurosThe price is far behind that of its inspiration. An opportunity for enthusiasts of the legendary diving watch of the 50s to touch their dream with their fingertips. All that remains is to choose the ocean that suits you best.
Once again, the Swatch Group is hitting hard with this new collaboration. The first with Omega was a great success, both for Swatch and Omega, in terms of boosting sales. The group is seeking to highlight one of its holorgere houses that is relatively unknown to the general public.
Personally, I think this is a positive development for both brands, but this marketing strategy may not please Blancpain enthusiasts, who don't want to see the Blancpain name on "plastic watches".
The price of 390€ seems too high, bearing in mind that similar models with the SISTEM51 movement (which cannot be repaired) are available from 150€.
Wait and see, they are still very attractive for a tool/daily watch.
Waterproof watch (50 fathoms ("fathoms", 91 m / 300 ft / 9 bar)
Modern and original design
Homage to an iconic watch (Blancpain Fifty Fathoms)
Non-repairable mechanical movement
High price for the quality
Diameter over 42mm (large enough)
When was Swatch founded?
Swatch was founded in 1982.
Or bought a Swatch x Blancpain Scuba Fifty Fathoms watch?
They will be available in Swatch boutiques in Paris, Lyon, Cannes, Strasbourg and Saint-Laurent-du-Var, as well as in selected Blancpain points of sale.
When was Blancpain founded?
Blancpain, now part of the Swatch Group, was founded in 1735 by Jehan-Jacques Blancpain.
What is the price of the new Swatch x Blancpain Scuba Fifty Fathoms?
The Swatch x Blancpain Scuba Fifty Fathoms will retail for 390€.
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