As always, this is a review I bought with my own money. It has nothing to do with the brand. Although there may be individual differences, I avoid reviewing watches I haven’t personally used for a long time. I don’t consider an overview that looks like an advertisement or a quick review of someone else’s product to be a review.
1. Brand, Model Name
- Swatch, Scuba Fifty Fathoms
2. Specifications (some key features)
- Case Diameter: 42.3 mm
- Water Resistance: 9 bar
- Width Between Horns: 21.5 mm
- Lug to Lug: 48 mm
- Thickness: 14.4 mm
- Power Reserve: 90 hours
- Movement: SISTEM51
- Bioceramic Case
3. Purchase Motivation and Process
A collaboration between Swatch and Blancpain? Of course, I had to buy it. However, the initial release saw supply shortages, and since I was living overseas where there were no Swatch stores, I didn’t rush to get one. When I briefly visited Korea for work, I found the Arctic Ocean model in a store and made my first purchase.
Since I already owned a 42mm Fifty Fathoms ACT1, I didn’t worry much about the balance of the watch. Unexpectedly, I ended up buying four different designs. After finishing my overseas stay and returning to Korea, my sister liked the orange model, so I gave it to her as a gift. My brother-in-law admired the Atlantic Ocean model, so I bought one for him as well.
Every time I passed by the store, I would drop in for a visit, and that’s how I found the Antarctic Ocean model, which I also purchased. Recently, I went to Japan to buy a diving camera and saw the Ocean of Storms model in person and immediately thought, “I must have this one!” So, I added it to my collection. As of now, I own and use two Scuba Fifty Fathoms models.
4. Personal Evaluation
■ Likes and Dislikes About the Material
Compared to the original Fifty Fathoms, which is made of various metal materials, the difference in material is significant. Some may dislike it, calling it plastic, but after seeing three of the models I previously purchased, I initially thought they looked rather lightweight. However, after seeing the smooth yet matte texture of the Ocean of Storms, I changed my mind. (This could be because of my peculiar dislike for bright-colored cases and straps like white, yellow, and turquoise.)
The physical lightness of the material, in contrast to the original’s heft, felt like a positive feature. I highly appreciate how they replicated the same shape of the case using bioceramic, a material made from two-thirds zirconium dioxide ceramic powder and one-third biodegradable plastic derived from castor oil. This ceramic powder is the same material used in fingerprint-resistant films, meaning the case does not easily show smudges or fingerprints.
■ Accessibility
This collaboration lowered the price barrier traditionally associated with high-end brands, offering more people a chance to experience it. Since both brands are part of the same group, I believe this successful collaboration with Swatch is a great way to promote Blancpain to the public as a high-quality brand.
Unlike the MoonSwatch, which differs slightly in design and proportions compared to the original, the Scuba Fifty Fathoms is a 1:1 match. They didn’t adapt the design to Swatch’s movement but instead kept the original design intact. While there were initial supply shortages and long lines to purchase, the watch is now easier to buy. This has made it more accessible for a wider range of ages to experience high-end design.
■ Movement
SISTEM51 is a mechanical movement consisting of only 51 components, designed to pay homage to Swatch’s first quartz model, which also had 51 parts. SISTEM51 is made up of five modules, and the entire process of assembling the watch is automated. This results in a consistent speed until the winding is complete, which is why the regulator has been removed from the movement.
This movement is enclosed in a sealed case to protect it from impurities, dust, and moisture, making it durable. The components are made of ARCAP, a copper-nickel-zinc alloy resistant to magnetism, and feature high-performance parts like the Nivachron hairspring. Despite using such advanced materials, the fully automated production process allows the watch to be sold at a low cost.
However, the escapement wheel and pallet fork are made of compressed, reinforced plastic, which may divide opinions. (Some criticize it for lacking isochronism stability, but Swatch claims the precision is actually higher. Considering the movement’s cost, it’s not a serious issue.) The parts are connected using welding or rivets rather than screws, making disassembly impossible.
You might think of it as a single-use movement, but Swatch emphasizes that the minimal oil used and the sealed design allow the movement to function without servicing for 10 to 20 years unless there’s a major issue. Given the price, it’s cheaper to buy a new one rather than overhaul it.
Some higher-end mechanical watches are designed to be passed down through generations with regular servicing, but that’s not the concept of this watch. If the lifespan of this “single-use” movement is 10 to 20 years, I don’t think it’s as fragile as some fear. These watches may outlive me without needing an overhaul.
5. Conclusion
It’s a lightweight watch, both physically and in terms of emotional investment. Approach it with a “lightweight, lighthearted” attitude. Concerns about this watch damaging the brand seem unfounded, and I suspect the brand expected the buzz as part of the marketing strategy. When you think about it this way, both brands succeeded: one gained exposure, and the other saw an increase in sales. It’s a win-win.
Though light, the Scuba Fifty Fathoms retains the originality of the Fifty Fathoms. Blancpain doesn’t make quartz watches, so it makes sense that they used the automatic SISTEM51 movement. And to preserve the dive watch functionality, they ensured a water resistance rating of 91 meters (50 fathoms), compared to the usual 30 meters (3 bar) of other SISTEM51 models. I’ve used this watch for many dives, and it has performed flawlessly on each one.
By offering multiple ocean-themed designs, this collaboration allows consumers to choose from a wide range of tributes. The price also starts to make sense. SISTEM51 watches usually range from USD 150 to USD 350, and there’s no other SISTEM51 model with a bioceramic case aside from the Scuba Fifty Fathoms. Considering the design, performance, and other factors, the price of USD 400 seems quite reasonable for a taste of Blancpain.
