fifty fathoms

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Flyback Chronograph Complete Calendar Watch

Arguably the best collection in Blancpain's lineup, the Fifty Fathoms gets a "blue" job and a chrono-calendar set of complications added to it. I got to check out the blue version of the Fifty Fathoms watch a while ago before it launched. The decorated metallic blue dial is lovely (especially matched with the blue bezel with sapphire crystal over it), and the addition of the classic set of dials is an interesting addition to the dive watch theme. Does anyone diving need a chronograph and annual calendar, and a moon phase indicator? They probably wouldn't want it - but hey, who is actually gonna be diving with this thing? Blancpain themselves describe it as a "yachting watch." The first few of the pieces were actually debuted at the Cannes International Boat Show. So the "point" of the new Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Flyback Chronograph Complete Calendar (yes, I am sorry, that is actually the name of it) makes more sense now.

I wish they could have named it something better. It is as though watch brands ask you to have more of an emotional investment in their watches than they do when naming them. These names are unoriginal, and what are called "merely descriptive." Inside the watch is a Blancpain in-house made automatic calibre 66BF8 movement. It features a 12 hour chronograph, date, day of the week, month, and moon phase indicator. The watch itself is 45mm wide in a steel case with a specially treated blue canvas strap (to match the blue theme). Really a nice piece that will satisfy collectors looking for a complicated and "worldly" version of the Fifty Fathoms.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Flyback Chronograph Complete Calendar