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 and Model Name
■ Blancpain Limited Edition Novelties Fifty Fathoms 40mm
- MIL-SPEC | 50081130B52A
- BOC3 | 500811B40NAOA
- No Rad | 5008D1130B64A
2. Specifications (Key Features)
Common Specs:
- Case Diameter: 40.3 mm
- Water Resistance: 30 bar
- Lug Width: 20 mm
- Thickness: 13 mm
- Power Reserve: 100 hours
- Material: Steel
- Movement: Caliber 1151 / Date
MIL-SPEC 50081130B52A:
- 89g (rubber strap)
- 500-piece limited edition
BOC3 500811B40NAOA:
- 89g (rubber strap)
- 250-piece limited edition
No Rad 5008D1130B64A:
- 93g
- 500-piece limited edition
3. Purchase Motivation and Process
As I mentioned in the Bathyscaphe review, I started my Blancpain journey with the MIL-SPEC to celebrate my 10 years of service. Until then, I was content with my Submariner and hadn’t paid much attention to Blancpain. I’m not a professional diver, but as an avid diving enthusiast, I was looking for something deeper and more distinctive than a Submariner, like a Sea-Dweller. But after a long hiatus from the watch world, I found the market had changed drastically. (Back in 2015, I was able to buy a steel Submariner in both black and green on the same day!)
For a diving enthusiast, Blancpain’s heritage is incredibly attractive, and that’s where things spiraled. My satisfaction with the MIL-SPEC was so high that I couldn’t escape the allure of Blancpain. All the models are limited editions, which adds to their charm. If an opportunity arises, I’ll keep adding to my collection.
4. Personal Evaluation
Common Points:
There are no other 30 ATM dive watches with such impressive specs, an exquisite movement, and a sapphire case back. The caliber 1151 is around 3.25mm thick, while the Rolex 3135 caliber is about 6mm. Simply put, if the Submariner had a see-through back while maintaining its 300m water resistance, I can’t imagine how much thicker it would have to be. These are specs made possible by a high-end movement.
MIL-SPEC 50081130B52A
This is a revival of the original military-use Fifty Fathoms. Many people ask about the “Pokéball” in the center, which is actually a moisture indicator. If water enters the watch, the northern hemisphere turns orange to match the southern one. This is crucial for military divers performing precise operations, as it warns them that the watch can no longer guarantee accurate timekeeping, and maintenance is needed. I’ve taken it diving myself and had a great experience.
There was a 250-piece Hodinkee version of the MIL-SPEC, but I wasn’t thrilled about pairing the heritage of Blancpain with a Hodinkee tag. It wasn’t available in Korea anyway, so I couldn’t get it even if I wanted to.
Looking at the specs of the Hodinkee MIL-SPEC, and its thickness is 13.23mm, slightly thicker than the original 40mm model. It uses the caliber 1154, which has 20 fewer components than the 1151, likely due to the absence of the date function. Even though the dial and movement processes should have been simplified, it costs more than the regular version, suggesting Hodinkee may have taken a cut of something. Blancpain seems relatively fair in pricing compared to recent pricing trends. I don’t know why the thickness increased—maybe they raised the dome on the glass.
In any case, I love this watch.
BOC3 500811B40NAOA
Unlike other 40mm models, this one is not a revival. Blancpain calls its revival models “Tribute to” (Tribute to MIL-SPEC, Tribute to No Rad). This model, however, was created to commemorate Blancpain’s Ocean Commitment (BOC). It’s about 4 million KRW more expensive than similar models, but you can think of it as a contribution to marine conservation efforts. The 50-piece Bathyscaphe Mokkaran is also part of the BOC series, making these models special. Unlike the revival models, the BOC shows its uniqueness through its color—this 40mm model is the only one in blue. I don’t know what the future holds, but so far, it’s the only 40mm model in blue.
Once again, I love this watch.
- Since the birth of the Fifty Fathoms, Blancpain has maintained a close relationship with communities dedicated to marine conservation. Through the Blancpain Ocean Commitment (BOC), the brand supports initiatives aimed at building public awareness and understanding of marine preservation efforts.
No Rad 5008D1130B64A
I was originally considering buying the Barracuda, but once I received the No Rad, that desire dropped to nearly 0%. Of course, if a good opportunity comes up, I might still consider it, but for now, I’m satisfied. I think the No Rad combines the best of both the Barracuda and MIL-SPEC. It was like a refreshing shower after my craving for the Barracuda.
The “No Radiation” mark on the dial refers to the fact that Blancpain used radium in the past for luminescence, which emitted significant radiation. The mark signifies that radium was no longer used. Interestingly, the phrase “No Radiation” was originally misspelled as “No Radiations” on early dials, and this mistake has been faithfully reproduced in the revival model.
And yes, I love this watch too.
5. Conclusion
In today’s watch market, where luxury brands mass-produce models, these are limited editions from a high-end brand. I hope the brand successfully reaches true enthusiasts amid this chaotic watch scene. If you love watches, the Fifty Fathoms appeals to you, and you’re in a position to buy one, I highly recommend getting it.
