Blancpain’s Latest Fifty Fathoms Tech Makes a Big, Bold Splash

For divers-in-the-know, as what can arguably be described as the first modern dive watch, the Fifty Fathoms timepiece from Blancpain has occupied a particularly iconic “dream watch” position since its launch in 1953. It even holds this desirable position when your diving activities usually involve no more than some beachside bodysurfing or pool-dipped beverage enjoyment. The watch is simply unmistakable.

You might be tempted to view the new Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech as a move that brings some colorful style options to an existing dive watch. In that regard, you could, in fact, read the word “tech” in the moniker as a contraction of “technicolor.” But that aspect is only part of the story.

The seeds of inspiration for this new Fifty Fathoms Tech were planted with the release of 2023’s impressive, anniversary-commemorating Fifty Fathoms Tech Gombessa.
 

“When we developed the Fifty Fathoms Tech Gombessa in 2023, it came from the question I asked myself: If the Fifty Fathoms was invented today, what would it look like?” explained Marc A. Hayek, President & CEO of Blancpain, in an announcement for the new Tech. “Then, in 2025, came the Fifty Fathoms Tech BOC (Blancpain Ocean Commitment), making that modern technology more wearable. Now, I love that we can bring color and style into the Tech line, proving that a serious diver’s watch can also have a lifestyle side.”
 

The first significant piece of news to accompany this new timepiece, however, is not the introduction of color, but rather that its 45mm titanium case size, once reserved for limited editions of the Fifty Fathoms, is now part of the line’s permanent collection.

Fun Fact: The recent Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 5007 models from earlier this summer clocked in with 38mm case sizes for a more gender-neutral appeal, while most core Fifty Fathoms carry a case size of about 42mm.

As I’ve hinted at above, the primary innovation of the new Fifty Fathoms Tech is all about how it now looks. A new, unique, tool-less interchangeable strap system utilizes prominent central case lugs at 12 and 6 o’clock, allowing for quick-change tapered rubber strap options in crisp white, vivid orange (which picks up some of the watch’s dial detailing), and classic black.
 

The new strap options alone introduce a very new sense of on-the-fly customization to the legendary watch, as they are all offered in different lengths and sizes – a critical factor, especially for fitting around the sleeve of a wetsuit.
 

However, the larger case size, coupled with the new central lug connections, results in a chunkier, bolder overall presentation. So, even though the case size is only a bit bigger than most Fifty Fathom models, the new Tech makes for a more significant impression.

While the performance and specs of the new Tech don’t vary greatly from earlier Tech variants, they are certainly impressive enough to bear a recap.
 

The Grade 23 45mm brushed titanium case, as previously stated, is now part of the Fifty Fathoms permanent collection. A helium escape valve at 10 o’clock checks a box for a pro-grade necessity that also just looks, well, very cool. It is also a necessary feature because, at great depths, trapped gas inside the dial can create pressure that can damage the watch.
 

Moreover, the 120-position ceramic unidirectional dive bezel is knurled and optimized for manipulation while wearing diving gloves. Meanwhile, the 4:30 date window is chromatically minimized and swept down, as the day it happens to be is more of a land-based concern.
 

The new Tech’s dial itself also reflects Blancpain’s diver-centric intentions. The “absolute” black dial color absorbs 97% of the natural light, which, along with the lumed hands, bar indices, and straightforward cardinal hour makers at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock make for an uncannily legible time display, even at murky depths (the watch is rated to 300 meters of water resistance).
 

A robust 120-hour power reserve automatic calibre 1315A movement powers the new timepiece, and Blancpain has opted for an exhibition caseback (a rarity for a dive watch) to display the respected movement’s beauty and finish, even on a utilitarian dive watch built for unmatched workhorse performance.