Last year, Blancpain and Swatch released five watches dedicated to the world’s five oceans as part of their collaboration. Just in time for the new year and the day of the new moon, another timepiece has now been added to the existing Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms collection. The Ocean of Storms was inspired by the new moon, also known as the black moon. It picks up on the aesthetics typical of Blancpain’s Fifty Fathoms diver’s watch, launched 70 years ago.
The new model owes its name to the largest sea on the moon – the Oceanus Procellarum, the “Ocean of Storms”. The ocean is located on the western edge of the side of the moon facing us and covers an area of around two million square kilometres, stretching 2,500 kilometres from north to south.
The measurements of the Ocean of Storms are consistent with its predecessors such as the Arctic Ocean or the Indian Ocean. Its diameter is 42.3 mm and the case height is 14.4 mm.
In keeping with the other models of the collection, the black case is made from Bioceramic. This scratch-resistant material, patented by Swatch, consists of two-thirds ceramic and one-third bio-based material. The latter is obtained from castor oil and, in combination with the ceramic, responsible for the case’s silky matte finish. The glass on the front and back of the case is also made from a biosourced material and has a scratch-resistant coating. The calibre’s inner workings can be observed through the open caseback, while inspiring inscriptions adorn its frame: PASSION FOR DIVING – LICENCE TO EXPLORE – OCEAN BREATH – PROTECT WHAT YOU LOVE and IMMERSE YOURSELF. In addition, the ‘Swatch’ lettering and the combined logos of both brands can be found on the crown on the side of the case.
Common for a diver’s watch, the Ocean of Storms is also equipped with an unidirectional rotating bezel made of black bioceramic with a scratch-resistant coated insert. A 60-minute diving scale with 15-minute graduations provides better orientation while diving. Overall, the Ocean of Storms is water-resistant to a depth of 91 metres (∼ 9 bar).
The black dial is characterised by a sunburst finishing and a date display between 4 and 5 o’clock. It also features the combined Blancpain x Swatch logos at 12 o’clock. The hour, minute, and second hands as well as the hour markers are coated with Super-LumiNova so that the wearer can read the time even in poor visibility conditions.
While the aesthetics of the timepiece are inspired by Blancpain’s Fifty Fathoms, the movement is a contribution from Swatch. The Ocean of Storms contains the Sistem51 with a power reserve of 90 hours. It is the first and only self-winding mechanical movement from Swatch and was launched in 2013. In a fully automated production process, 51 components are assembled, including a central screw and anti-magnetic Nivachron balance spring. In addition, laser technology is used to adjust the accuracy (-5/+15 seconds per day) instead of a regulator.
The open caseback not only reveal the functionality of the movement, but also its decorations. Two digital prints adorn the Sistem51. The rotor features an image of the nudibranch Okenia Luna. Although it does not inhabit the moon, pairing the nudibranch with a moon-themed watch was certainly no coincidence as it resembles the earth’s satellite with its milky colour and luminescent tips. Thus, the Ocean of Storms seamlessly fits into the series of Blancpain x Swatch models with their respective nudibranchs. The oscillating weight, which rotates freely on the single central screw, displays an image of the full moon with a close-up view of the Ocean of Storms.
A black NATO strap rounds off the timepiece’s colour scheme. In keeping with Blancpain’s initiatives for the oceans, the straps are made from recycled fishing nets. The Ocean of Storms is not limited and available in selected Swatch stores for a price of 400 euros.
