“What if the Fifty Fathoms were invented today?” That’s the question Marc A. Hayek, President and CEO of Blancpain, asked himself before developing the Fifty Fathoms Tech Gombessa in 2023, a thoroughly modern take on the world’s original dive watch. Two years later, that thought experiment has matured into the new Fifty Fathoms Tech 45mm, now joining Blancpain’s permanent collection, showcasing high-performance diving tech and versatility. 

Earlier this year, Blancpain presented the Fifty Fathoms Tech BOC IV, a limited edition to mark the start of the next Blancpain Ocean Commitment (BOC) chapter. The diver was built for deep, extended dives, featuring a helium valve, 300m water resistance, and a titanium case for lighter wear. 

The dial features orange accents and luminescent markers that emit a green glow for visibility in murky conditions (Image: Troy Barmore)

(Image: Troy Barmore)

Now this new iteration is no mere aesthetic sideshow. It remains engineered for extreme underwater conditions, housing the self-winding Caliber 1315A that provides 120 hours of power reserve and water resistance up to 30 bar (or 300 meters). The absolute black dial is shielded by a domed sapphire crystal, while the unidirectional ceramic bezel is angled subtly toward the dial for superior readability. A practical date display and running seconds keep it grounded in everyday usability, while central lugs affixed from within the case ensure a snug, ergonomic fit on the wrist.

The watch does get one update in the interchangeable strap system, now compatible with a series of rubber straps in classic black, white, or a bold orange. These options make it easy to go from wetsuit to weekend, adding a welcome dash of personality to a typically stoic genre. As Hayek puts it, “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 watch is equipped with a helium escape valve on a satin-brushed grade 23 titanium case (Image: Troy Barmore)

Self-winding Calibre 1315A (Image: Troy Barmore)

Tech Specs: Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech 45mm

Reference: 5029-12B30-94A
Movement: Self-winding Calibre 1315A; 120-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours and minutes; central seconds; date; helium escape valve; unidirectional bezel
Case: 45mm × 14.1mm; satin-brushed titanium; water-resistant to 300m
Dial: Black
Strap: Integrated, interchangeable rubber strap in black/white/orange
Price: CHF 19,000 / USD 22,700