By Jovan Krstevski
Blancpain has rolled out a fresh pair of Fifty Fathoms Automatique models and this time they’re playing in a more compact sandbox; delivering one model in smoky black with a red gold case and another draped in petal pink housed in titanium.
For the first time, the line dips into 38mm territory, the case has been redesigned from the ground up rather than being simply whittled down. Both versions measure in at 38mm x12mm, with a lug width of 19 mm. Water resistance stands at 300 metres, which means it’s still a proper diver in every sense. The black model sits in 18K red gold while the pink one opts for brushed Grade 23 titanium, a hypoallergenic and impressively robust choice.
Dial wise, it’s a game of gradients and glimmers. Both feature mother-of-pearl bases with a subtle dégradé effect. The smoky, mysterious aura of the black one, coupled with the softer and more breezy aesthetic of the pink; each is matched with a domed unidirectional sapphire bezel, echoing the tone of the dial in kind.
Inside beats Blancpain’s own manufacture Calibre 1153. Running at 3 Hz with a hefty 100h power reserve, it’s equipped with a silicon balance spring for better accuracy and magnetic resistance. A red gold rotor treated with Nickel Anthracite Coating peeks through the exhibition caseback.
The black model is offered on a black Tropic rubber, sailcloth or NATO fabric strap, priced between €31,200 and €34,700 depending on the clasp. The pink version comes with a white fabric strap with pink stripes or a titanium bracelet, priced at €18,550 and €21,800.
