Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Grande Date: Malaysia Price and Review

Leong Wong 10 July 2018

It’s all about the readability.

Though it was introduced in 2007, the Fifty Fathoms collection continues to harbour strong vintage aesthetics of yesteryear. At that time, Blancpain was a pioneer of the modern dive watch designed for purpose and function. Over the years, its divers have continuously evolved to accommodate the advancement of modern technology, but always with style and panache.

Earlier this year we saw the launch of a new Fifty Fathoms collection, which still retains all the familiar features of the 2007 version but with subtle upgrades. The Grande Date here, makes readability a breeze especially when you’re 100m deep underwater (the maximum depth for the Grande Date is 300m). As we all know, the deeper you go, the darker it gets and the Grande Date’s bright illumination and large date window helps address any visibility issues perfectly.

Something obviously new on the Fifty Fathoms is the position of the date window. While you might’ve seen it before in the Villeret collection, the move from four to six o’clock is definitely a first for the Fifty Fathoms. In addition, the instant date change function also ensures more energy conservation.

The extremely scratch-resistant signature domed sapphire uni-directional bezel continues to be a mainstay and is perfect for divers in environments with sharp rocks and corals that might otherwise damage a more inferior tool. The watch’s utilitarian vibe is accentuated by the 45mm satin-brushed titanium case that gives it a more rugged appeal as compared to the previous models, which sported shiny polished steel cases. But don’t let the bulky demeanour fool you, as titanium is much lighter and definitely stronger.

Inside the watch though, the movement remains the same with the in-house Calibre 1315 driving the timepiece. A technical marvel to say the least, the movement is equipped with three mainspring barrels and provides a whopping 120 hours of power reserve. The use of a non-magnetic silicon hairspring protects the movement from harmful magnetic fields without the need for an inner soft iron case.

The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Grande Date comes with the option of two different straps—a classic black fabric strap as well as a black fabric NATO strap for an enhanced sporty look. All in all, the larger date window at six o’clock gives the watch a nice balanced look and the brushed titanium case with the slightly updated dial gives it an understated appeal. It can be versatile if you want it to be, as it won’t look out of place when paired with a suit on at the end of the day. Whatever the occasion and wherever you are, rest assured you can always tell the time and read the date in an instant.