Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech BOC IV: Built For The Deep, Designed For a Cause
Blancpain has unveiled the Fifty Fathoms Tech BOC IV, the latest limited-edition diver’s watch designed to support marine conservation. As the fourth timepiece in the Ocean Commitment series since 2014, this release reinforces the brand’s dedication to ocean preservation. For over two decades, Blancpain has played a crucial role in funding oceanographic expeditions, establishing marine protected areas, and promoting citizen science programs. Through partnerships with Pristine Seas and Gombessa, the brand has contributed to vital marine biodiversity research, influencing policies that have safeguarded millions of square kilometers of ocean.
Crafted with a titanium case, a black dial, and a ceramic bezel, the Fifty Fathoms Tech BOC IV combines durability with perfect underwater readability. Powered by the automatic calibre 1315A, it ensures precision and resilience, making it a true tool watch for professionals and enthusiasts alike. Proof of this is the addition of a helium escape valve which is designed for saturation diving, where divers spend extended periods in pressurized environments, such as diving bells or underwater habitats. Limited to just 100 pieces, proceeds from this timepiece will directly support the Sulubaaï Marine Research Center in the Philippines, further extending Blancpain’s impact on ocean conservation.
Robust Titanium Case with Helium Valve
The case of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech BOC IV is made of Grade 23 titanium, a material that is both lightweight and highly resistant to corrosion. With a diameter of 45 mm and a thickness of 14.1 mm, the watch is designed to withstand the pressures of deep-sea diving. It features a helium valve at 10 o’clock, allowing for safe decompression after saturation dives. The unidirectional bezel has a domed black ceramic insert and is angled towards the dial, ensuring easy operation even with gloves. The sapphire crystal on both the front and back provides scratch resistance and allows for a clear view of the movement inside.
High Contrast Dial for Optimal Readability
The dial of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech BOC IV is designed for maximum readability in low-light and deep-sea conditions. Its matte black surface is coated with a special material that absorbs up to 97% of light, creating an ‘absolute black’ effect that minimizes reflections and enhances contrast. The luminescent block-shaped hour markers ensure outstanding visibility even in the darkest depths, while the broad sword-shaped hands, also coated with luminescent paint, emphasize critical timekeeping functions. A blue central seconds hand adds a technical touch, standing out against the dark dial. Maintaining a clean and balanced aesthetic, the watch features a discreet date window at 4:30, offering practicality without disrupting the symmetry. The inscriptions ‘Fifty Fathoms’ and ‘Automatic’ are printed in white, complementing the overall color scheme and reinforcing its professional dive watch character.
Automatic Calibre 1315A with Five-Day Power Reserve
At the heart of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech BOC IV is the automatic calibre 1315A, a movement renowned for its robustness, precision, and extended power reserve. Originally introduced in 2007, the calibre 1315 was designed to meet the rigorous demands of professional divers, offering exceptional reliability under extreme conditions. It features three mainspring barrels, delivering an impressive 120-hour (five-day) power reserve, ensuring consistent performance even during prolonged dives. The glucydur free-sprung balance with gold regulation screws enhances stability and precision, while the anti-magnetic silicon balance spring ensures resistance to magnetic fields, maintaining accurate timekeeping in fluctuating environments. Adding a refined touch, the 18 ct gold oscillating weight, adorned with the blue Blancpain Ocean Commitment logo, is visible through the sapphire case back, allowing a glimpse into Blancpain’s meticulous craftsmanship.
Integrated Rubber Strap for Comfort and Durability
The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech BOC IV comes with an integrated black rubber strap. This choice of material ensures durability and resistance to saltwater, making it suitable for diving. The strap is designed with comfort in mind and features a secure fit on the wrist. The central lugs, attached from inside the case, enhance the watch’s ergonomics and give it a sleek appearance. A titanium pin buckle ensures that the watch remains securely on the wrist, even in extreme conditions.
Price and Availability of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech BOC IV
The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech BOC IV is a limited edition watch, with only 100 pieces available. Each watch comes with a protective box by manufacturer Pelican, a donation certificate, and a special edition photograph signed by photographer Laurent Ballesta. The proceeds from the sale will benefit the Sulubaaï Marine Research Center in the Philippines, with 1,000 euros from each watch going to the project. The Fifty Fathoms Tech BOC IV costs 22,900 EUR.
The history of the Omega Speedmaster is a tale of remarkable achievements, an impressive heritage, and some of the finest timepieces Omega has ever produced throughout its long-standing history. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at the origins of this iconic model, which holds such significance for the brand, and introduce some…
In 2016 the Swiss watch manufacture Tudor presented the Black Bay Bronze (Ref. 79250BA) for the first time. The model, inspired by the brand’s naval heritage, even won the price „Petite Aiguille“ at the 2016 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. On the watch fair Baselworld 2019 the brand now introduced this successful model in slate-grey model with shaded dial. Tudor…
Breitling is celebrating its 140th anniversary and is kicking off the anniversary year with new additions to the Navitimer collection. This month, 10 new models will join the collection, which embodies the Breitling spirit like no other. Firstly, Breitling is presenting a new limited edition of the Navitimer Cosmonaute. This watch became the first Swiss…
When it comes to timepieces, craftsmanship and art are aligned. When it comes to MB&F, these two have masterfully merged. As the world's first watchmaking concept laboratory, the brand has made a name for itself with its artistic timepieces, so-called "Horological Machines". Ten years ago, MB&F started a collection inspired by automobiles, and it was…
Oris is heading back to its roots – but still keeping things innovative. The new Divers Sixty-Five 12H Calibre 400 looks back upon from over half a century of the manufacture's watch design and movement creation. As such, it carries not only the spirit and form of the first Oris dive watch, introduced in 1965,…
Calendar complications are deeply rooted in Audemars Piguet watchmaking and began their uninterrupted history in the Vallé de Joux. There, Audemars Piguet's two founders developed Jules Louis Audemars' watch, which combined a perpetual calendar with a quarter-hour repeater, several times over. However, in the company's first two decades, calendar complications accounted for less than 10%…
The collaboration between Zenith and contemporary artist Felipe Pantone enters the next round. This latest creation, the Defy Skyline Tourbillon Felipe Pantone, will be released as a limited edition of 100 pieces and will be available from 12 September 2024. Zenith and internationally recognised artist Felipe Pantone are here bringing their signature elements into a…
Marking two decades of the Big Bang collection, Hublot is introducing the “Master of Sapphire” set – a limited edition of five watches that demonstrate the brand’s ongoing focus on case innovation and material experimentation. Each model features a coloured sapphire case, showcasing Hublot’s continued work with transparent materials in watchmaking. Case: A Spectrum of…
The new Blancpain Air Command is based on a historic timepiece that was only produced very limitedly in the 1950s. As a result, these originals always fetch large sums at auction. Now the descendant of the Blancpain Pilot's Watch appears in a titanium or red gold case. The watch also features a chronograph with flyback…
Since 2010, the ‘Portugieser Yacht Club’ has brought a sporting note to the Portugieser family. IWC Schaffhausen now presents four new models in this line. The Portugieser Yacht Club Moon & Tide is the first model to feature IWC’s newly developed tide indication. The Portugieser Yacht Club Chronograph will be available in three versions. All…
Breguet is introducing an exceptional new timepiece in the form of the Breguet Classique Double Tourbillon 5345 Quai de l'Horloge. Inside the watch, two independent tourbillons rotate the movement on its own axis, thus moving the fixed hour hand around the dial. All bridges, plates, hands and gears are polished and decorated by hand. The…
Audemars Piguet is presenting the Royal Oak Offshore Automatic Music Edition consisting of five new Royal Oak Offshore models dedicated entirely to the world of music. The Tapisserie dials are emblazoned with a colourful equaliser motif, and the cases also feature a number of allusions to audio technology. In addition to two titanium variants, there…
With barely 40 years under its belt, Hublot is a fairly young watch brand. Despite this, it is by no means lacking in self-confidence in an industry where many of the biggest horology houses have a history that stretches back a good 150 years or more. Hublot’s self-assurance is at least partly due to the…