Swatch has been causing some serious waves – forgive the pun – over the past few years, combining forces with the likes of Omega and Blancpain to create affordable variations of some of the Swiss watchmakers’ most iconic models. At the end of last year, Swatch and Blancpain presented their first collaboration based on Blancpain’s Fifty Fathoms model.
The dive watch was recreated as five colourful iterations, each engineered from lightweight Bioceramic. Now as we enter 2024, a sixth model has joined the line named Ocean of Storms. The Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty-Fathoms Ocean Of Storms watch is, according to Swatch, inspired by Oceanus Procellarum, a lunar mare located on the western edge of the near side of the moon. It is the largest mare or “sea” on the moon and spans more than 2,500 kilometres from north to south.
Thankfully, the Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty-Fathoms Ocean Of Storms watch isn’t made any bigger because of its celestial counterpart. In fact, other than its new all-black colourway, it has the same dimensions and features as the previous five versions (the Artic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean and Antarctic Ocean).
The black Bioceramic case measures to 42.3mm wide and 14.4mm tall and delivers the same utilitarian shape as the Fifty Fathoms but instead has “Swatch” imprinted on the side rather than “Blancpain”. The drilled lugs lead out to a striped nylon strap made from recycled fishing nets and a black Bioceramic pin buckle.
There are all the same dive features as before; the case boasts a 90 metre water resistance as is essential for any Fifty Fathoms watch and on top, a glossy black unidirectional rotating bezel provides a white 60 minute scale. We also have bio-sourced crystal glass on the front and back, the latter offering a nice view of the Gastropod-decorated oscillating rotor.
Continuing with the stealthy all-black look, the dial of the Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty-Fathoms Ocean Of Storms watch comes in black with a sunray-brushed finish. All of the hardware is silvered and once again replicates the stylings of the hardware on the Fifty Fathoms. The indexes are sharp and Arabic numerals are placed at the cardinal points, all coated in luminous material to match with the hours, minutes and seconds hands.
The only touch of colour found on the design is on the tip of the seconds hand and on the lettering displaying its water resistance of “91m/300ft” which is done in orange. A date window is also included between the 4 and 5 o’clock position.
Driving the Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty-Fathoms Ocean Of Storms watch is the mechanical Sistem51 movement. Apparently, due to the way this movement has been assembled, the brand claim it never needs to be serviced since there’s no traditional lubrication. It also promises a beat rate of 21,600vph and a more-than-impressive 90 hour power reserve.
The Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty-Fathoms Ocean Of Storms watch is a permanent addition to the collaborative collection and retails for £340.
Technical Specifications:
- Brand: Blancpain x Swatch
- Model: Fifty-Fathoms Ocean Of Storms
- Price: £340
- Material: Black bioceramic
- Movement: Sistem51 mechanical
- Complications: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
- Dial: Black sunray-finished
- Size: 42.3mm wide, 14.4mm thick
- When the reviewer would personally wear it: I’m not sure I would. I’m not a huge fan of these; I’d much rather take the time to save up and purchase a proper Blancpain Fifty Fathoms.
- A friend we’d recommend it to first: Someone who wanted one of the original five but missed out.
- Best characteristics of the watch: The colourway is more mainstream than some of models from last year which will go down well with many collectors.
- The worst characteristics of the watch: I’ve always been unsure about the unserviceable movement…
