[Watch Video] The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms series can be said to be Blancpain’s leading role at present. This year happens to be the 50th anniversary of the birth of the Fifty Fathoms series. Blancpain has continuously launched many commemorative watches for the 50th anniversary, including the protagonist of today’s video, the Fifty Fathoms 70th anniversary commemorative humidity indicator bronze-gold watch. The official price of this watch is 230,000 yuan, which is not cheap. However, if you encounter it in a store, I think you can rest assured to buy it. Want to know why? Just follow the video and let’s find out.

Hello everyone, this year is the 70th anniversary of the birth of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms. Since the beginning of this year, Blancpain has continuously launched 70th anniversary commemorative models of the Fifty Fathoms. The first one launched was the 42mm 70th anniversary commemorative Fifty Fathoms; the second one was the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms “Caveman Technology” edition, and the third one just released at Cannes, France, is the 70th anniversary commemorative humidity indicator bronze-gold edition of the Fifty Fathoms. As an invited media, I participated in this new product launch event, and today I will talk to you about this watch.

The 70th anniversary commemorative humidity indicator bronze-gold watch launched this time has a size of 41.3mm and uses a bronze-gold case with a price of 238,000 yuan. It is limited to 555 pieces.

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Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 70th anniversary humidity indicator bronze-gold watch

The Fifty Fathoms 70th anniversary commemorative humidity indicator bronze-gold watch is based on the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms of the 1950s and uses Swatch Group’s unique technology. It is one of Blancpain’s most important and prestigious Fifty Fathoms watches in recent years. It has instantly pushed the 70th anniversary commemorative models to the top. Let’s take a look.

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Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 70th anniversary humidity indicator bronze-gold

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50th anniversary editions – 42mm (left) and Caveman Technology (right).

Which antique Fifty Fathoms watch was the 70th anniversary humidity indicator based on?

It is based on the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Mil-Spec watch produced in 1957 for the US Navy. Mil-Spec stands for “Military Specifications”. The characteristic of this watch is that the dial has a “humidity indicator” (the Fifty Fathoms was born in 1953). The “humidity indicator” function was added at the request of the US Navy. The reason is that the Navy divers needed to be able to determine at a glance whether the watch was in a normal waterproof state and whether there was any moisture entering.

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Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 70th anniversary humidity indicator bronze-gold

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Vintage 1957 Fifty Fathoms Mil-Spec watch.

Some players may say that the humidity indicator is not unique to Blancpain. Indeed, Blancpain released the Fifty Fathoms “humidity indicator” in 2017. However, the major feature of this Fifty Fathoms 70th anniversary “humidity indicator” is the case. This watch uses a “bronze-gold” case.

The Fifty Fathoms 70th anniversary humidity indicator uses a case made of “bronze-gold”, which echoes the vintage watch.

Bronze-gold consists of 37.5% gold, 50% copper, and a small amount of silver, palladium, and gallium. Bronze-gold is 9K gold with a large proportion of copper. The Fifty Fathoms 70th anniversary humidity indicator uses a material primarily made of bronze-gold, which is reasonable because the original vintage watch from 1957 was made of “bronze”.

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Bronze-gold case is a major feature of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 70th anniversary humidity indicator.

The vintage prototype of the 1957 Blancpain Fifty Fathoms provided to the US Navy for testing used a case made of “white bronze” (i.e. German silver). This was because white bronze is non-magnetic and easy to manufacture. However, the early white bronze case Fifty Fathoms Mil-Spec watches were not able to pass the US Navy’s tests due to the softness and insufficient strength of white bronze, as well as its easy oxidation. Later, all the watches were switched to steel cases. Now, the Fifty Fathoms 70th anniversary humidity indicator uses bronze-gold, which also echoes the historical “white bronze case”.

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Vintage 1957 antique prototype watch with a “white bronze” case.

Bronze-gold is a unique material of the Swatch Group, which was first used on the Omega Seamaster 300 in 2021 (note: not the Seamaster 300m). Now, it is used on the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms. The advantage of bronze-gold is that it is a mixture of copper and gold, so it does not turn green. The palladium and gallium in bronze-gold help maintain its stable golden color. After many years, bronze-gold will also darken, creating a dark gold effect. However, it does not turn green and does not irritate the skin, so it can be worn directly without the need for a titanium metal back cover like regular copper watches to prevent skin irritation. And because it contains 9K gold, there are “gold balance” and “gold dog head” markings on the case.

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The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 70th anniversary humidity indicator bronze-gold is not easily oxidized.

The Fifty Fathoms 70th anniversary humidity indicator is perfectly sized and designed.

The Fifty Fathoms 70th anniversary humidity indicator has a size of 41.3mm. If you pay attention, any Fifty Fathoms between 40mm and 42mm is extraordinary. It can be said that Blancpain has reserved the most suitable and moderate sizes for these “masterpieces”. For example, the 40mm Barracuda, the 40mm No Radiation, the 40mm Frogman Assault Team, the 40mm Ocean Heart, and the 42mm 70th anniversary limited edition. In comparison, the sizes of the regular Fifty Fathoms models are larger, mainly the 43mm Bathyscaphe and the 45mm classic edition.

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The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 70th anniversary humidity indicator is perfectly sized at 41.3mm.

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From left to right: No Radiation, Barracuda, and Steel Humidity Indicator.

The Fifty Fathoms 70th anniversary humidity indicator watch uses a “two-piece” case structure, with a transparent middle section and a metal ring for double protection. This design firstly restores the design of the original prototype watch and also has high technical requirements. The combination of the transparent back and the metal ring requires precise coordination between each component, which can meet the needs of professional diving. Secondly, for senior watch enthusiasts, even placing the watch lightly on the table can bring great enjoyment and pleasure visually. The bronze-gold case is mostly brushed, with only the sides of the lugs polished. The bezel of the watch is made of ceramic. The box-shaped sapphire crystal is noticeably highlighted on the flat bezel. The dial of the watch has a very high degree of restoration, and the outstanding detail is that it also uses the Blancpain logo from the 1957 version, but eliminates the MILSPEC I inscription found on the vintage watch. The yellowing hands and luminescent coating on the hour markers imitate the oxidation effect of the vintage watch. The circular humidity indicator at 6 o’clock is consistent with the historical prototype watch, and it is also the most popular element among Blancpain Fifty Fathoms watches in recent years.

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Details of the case and dial of the Fifty Fathoms 70th anniversary humidity indicator.

The movement of the Fifty Fathoms 70th anniversary humidity indicator also imitates the vintage watch.

The Fifty Fathoms 70th anniversary humidity indicator uses the Blancpain 1154P2 automatic movement, which is the non-calendar version of the Blancpain 1150/1151 movement.

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Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 70th anniversary humidity indicator bronze-gold, uses the 1154P2 automatic movement.

The vintage watch from 1957 used the AS1361 automatic movement. Therefore, you can see that the Fifty Fathoms 70th anniversary humidity indicator uses the same shaped automatic rotor as the vintage prototype watch. According to Blancpain’s usual style, Blancpain intentionally made the 18K gold rotor rhodium-plated to make it silver, which is very low-key. Only the edge of the automatic rotor has the “18K” gold inscription.

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The 1154P2 automatic movement of the Fifty Fathoms 70th anniversary humidity indicator can be seen, and the automatic rotor is the same as the vintage prototype.

In other aspects, this movement is the same as the Blancpain 1150/1151 movement commonly used by Blancpain. The visible and invisible parts of the movement are polished, and the edges of the plate are chamfered and polished, reaching the level of Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, and Audemars Piguet. The movement uses a non-carden balance wheel with a silicon hairspring and has a power reserve of 100 hours. One special feature is that Blancpain specifically emphasizes its 1000 Gauss anti-magnetic level. As Blancpain has now popularized the use of silicon hairsprings, there is no longer a need for the anti-magnetic inner case used in the past. The silicon hairspring can ensure a sufficient anti-magnetic level.

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In addition to the 1154P2 automatic movement, the bronze-gold case is also engraved with “Gold Balance” and “Gold Dog Head”.

The Fifty Fathoms 70th anniversary humidity indicator comes with a canvas strap. However, this watch uses normal lugs and drilled lugs, so it can be easily replaced with other straps.

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The Fifty Fathoms 70th anniversary humidity indicator bronze-gold comes with a canvas strap.

The Fifty Fathoms 70th anniversary humidity indicator will inevitably appreciate in value in the future.

In recent years, Blancpain’s limited edition watches have achieved good results. The Barracuda, humidity indicator (steel case version), No Radiation (40mm version), all have prices higher than the official price. Even the relatively niche Air Force Commander limited edition (propeller) has a higher market value.

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The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 70th anniversary humidity indicator will inevitably appreciate in value.

Regardless of the limited edition factor, this Fifty Fathoms 70th anniversary humidity indicator watch has a stunning appearance and a perfect size. The golden bronze case and the humidity indicator on the dial make this watch stand out from other Fifty Fathoms watches and increase its recognition. This creates conditions for the appreciation of this watch. The only issue to consider is that the price of the 70th anniversary humidity indicator bronze-gold is relatively high, with a price above 230,000 yuan. It is about twice the price of steel watches like the Barracuda and the No Radiation. However, this is not a problem. Some forum members have already shared their first purchase of this watch, and for those who like it, they will not hesitate to buy it. Well, that’s it for today’s episode. Goodbye.