Results for Blancpain

Tornek-Rayville Review: The Collectible Military Dive Watch Reborn

The story of Tornek-Rayville is one that represents a significant chapter in both watchmaking and military history, from the earliest purpose-built watches for divers in the 1950s up to the re-emergence of the cult-classic brand (in a notably new form) in the 21st Century. And it begins with the development of the world’s first modern dive watch: the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms. [toc-section heading="Blancpain Fifty Fathoms History"] Founded in 1735 in Villeret, Switzerland, Blancpain is the oldest luxury watchmaker in the world, but its most famous timepiece in this modern era began its life as a tool watch for military divers in the (relatively) recent year of 1953. Jean-Jacques Fiechter, who headed Blancpain at the time, was an avid diving enthusiast who had long wanted to develop a watch that would be ideal for his hobby. Fiechter worked with Captain Robert Maloubier, a French naval officer, to design a reliable, mission-ready timepiece that Maloubier’s elite combat diving team could wear. The watch’s 42mm steel case - exceptionally large for the time - was water-resistant to 91.45 meters, or 50 fathoms, the maximum depth recommended for scuba divers. Its dial was black and its numerals were luminescent for greater legibility underwater.  It was the first divers’ watch with a self-winding movement, the first with an antimagnetic case, and the first to employ the patented, double-sealed crown that Fiechter had developed. Most notably, the Fifty Fathoms was the ...

Hands-On With The Refined Blancpain Villeret Golden Hour Collection

When a certain car model has been on the market for a few years, but it’s not yet time for the introduction of a completely new version, it receives a facelift. That seems to be exactly what Blancpain has given its Villeret Golden Hour collection. The watches are still very recognizable, but small tweaks in […] Visit Hands-On With The Refined Blancpain Villeret Golden Hour Collection to read the full article.

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms: A Legendary Diver That Deserves Your Respect

Teddy Baldassarre is an authorized luxury watch retailer of brands like TUDOR, OMEGA, IWC, Grand Seiko, Breitling, Blancpain, Glashütte Original, Zenith, Longines, ORIS, MIDO, Tissot, Hamilton, NOMOS Glashütte, Baume & Mercier, and more.

A Closer Look: Blancpain Villeret “Golden Brown”

Two of the Most Legendary Dive Watches: Blancpain Fifty Fathoms vs. Fi

Teddy Baldassarre is an authorized luxury watch retailer of brands like TUDOR, OMEGA, IWC, Grand Seiko, Breitling, Blancpain, Glashütte Original, Zenith, Longines, ORIS, MIDO, Tissot, Hamilton, NOMOS Glashütte, Baume & Mercier, and more.

Visiting Blancpain - Discussing The New Fifty Fathoms, Swatch, & More

Teddy Baldassarre is an authorized luxury watch retailer of brands like TUDOR, OMEGA, IWC, Grand Seiko, Breitling, Blancpain, Glashütte Original, Zenith, Longines, ORIS, MIDO, Tissot, Hamilton, NOMOS Glashütte, Baume & Mercier, and more.

Introducing: Blancpain Expands The Villeret Collection With Three New 'Golden Hour' Iterations

In gold or steel and spanning a new time and date, a complete calendar, and a smaller-sized moonphase, these are the latest additions to the Villeret family.

Introducing: The Updated Blancpain Villeret Golden Hour Collection

Today, we’ll look at tasteful updates by Blancpain to its Villeret collection. Aside from the well-known Fifty Fathoms, these are the watches most people think of when considering the brand. After all, this collection was an integral part of Blancpain’s relaunch in the ’80s. For today, three models have been reinterpreted with golden-hour hues. Let’s […] Visit Introducing: The Updated Blancpain Villeret Golden Hour Collection to read the full article.

Blancpain Facelifts the Villeret Quantieme Complet 6654

As the first complication launched by the revived Blancpain in 1983, the triple calendar with moon phase is arguably the brand’s signature. Now Blancpain has reveal the latest generation of the model, the Villeret Quantième Complet Phases de Lune. The new version is primarily a cosmetic facelift, which includes a blue ceramic moon phase disc, but it builds on solid foundations. The model retains the innovative and patented under-lug correctors for the calendar that make for easier setting and a clean case outline. The new Villeret Villeret Quantième Complet Phases de Lune (centre) is being launched alongside the the Quantième Phases de Lune, a 33.2 mm model for ladies (left), and Extraplate, the time-and-date base model (right), both of which have been similarly facelifted. Initial thoughts The triple calendar is a simple complication, but functions and aesthetically pleasing in the traditional layout that Blancpain employs. Though it is widely found across brands, Blancpain probably offers the most advanced triple calendar watches on the market thanks to its sophisticated movements. And Blancpain manages to do so at a reasonably competitive price relative to its peers. At a distance, the facelifted models look pretty much identical to the earlier generation – a good thing if you like the look, but the classical style might look dated to some. I find the aesthetic appealing, especially with details like the serpentine date hand and recessed dates scale. The facelift...

Blancpain updates its Villeret line with subtle, yet well-considered tweaks

With these new "Golden Hour" updates to three key models, Blancpain's underrated Villeret line gets its time in the sun.The post Blancpain updates its Villeret line with subtle, yet well-considered tweaks appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

New & Reviewed: The 2025 Updated Blancpain Villeret Ultraplate 6651

Blancpain’s iconic Villeret collection feels like it has been around for a very long time, but officially, it’s ‘only’ existed for just over two decades. But beyond semantics, the spirit and style of the Villeret had long been established a further two decades before. In 1983, Blancpain introduced a watch that would become emblematic: theRead More

First Look - Blancpain Updates its Villeret Collection with the 2025 Golden Hour Series

The latest Blancpain releases are classical watchmaking refined with a purpose. Long before the Villeret collection officially gained its name in 2003, Blancpain had already set the template in the early 1980s with a small, classically framed complete calendar moonphase (Cal. 6395). The look with the double-stepped bezel, Roman numerals, and slim cases became the […]

Blancpain unveils new concept boutique in Singapore

We were at the Blancpain new concept boutique in ION Orchard Singapore, and took some photographs prior to the official opening on October 16, 2025.

Happenings: An Evening With Blancpain At Their New York City Flagship

Join Hodinkee and Blancpain for an exclusive preview of the new Villeret collection and more.

Blancpain In-Store Event

Join us for a special celebration of Blancpain, the world’s oldest watchmaking brand and a true pioneer in haute horlogerie. This exclusive event will highlight the breadth of Blancpain’s artistry, from its iconic tool watches to its most refined expressions of elegance. Discover the legendary Fifty Fathoms, the origin

6 alternatives to the Swatch x Blancpain Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms

While the Swatch x Blancpain collab opened the door for many to the world of dive watches, what are others in a similar price range? The post 6 alternatives to the Swatch x Blancpain Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Automatique: Time to Move on From the Rolex Submariner?

Many think that the Rolex Submariner is the first modern dive watch, however that crown belongs to the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, which became the blueprint for all modern divers’ watches. 

Blancpain’s Fifty Fathoms: One Icon, Three Sizes, Infinite Depth

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Documentary: Story Of The World’s First Diving Watch (Video)

'Fifty Fathoms: The History as Told by the Pioneers Who Created It' is a fast-moving, 30-minute documentary recounting the development of the world's first diver's watch told by the people who created it. Even non-divers are quite likely to enjoy this video.

New releases from Credor, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Blancpain and more

Minimalist tough timepieces contrast with colourful cocktail pieces this week.The post New releases from Credor, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Blancpain and more appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

The Diving Bezel: The Most Versatile Watch ‘Complication,’ Even if You are Not a Diver

Thanks to its bezel, as Dietmar W. Fuchs explains, the diver's watch is a much more versatile timepiece than many people think. Aside from teaching you how to use it on land, in the skies, and under water, here he answers the perennial question of who made the first true diver's watch: Blancpain, Rolex, or Panerai.

Seiko Turtle SRPE93 Review

The Seiko Prospex SRPE93, the most recent version of the legendary Seiko Turtle dive watch, hit the market relatively recently, in 2021, but its lineage can be traced all the way back to the 1970s. What makes this defiantly retro-looking tool watch such a favorite of enthusiasts even today? There’s a lot more to it than the very accessible price point, as we’ll explore here in this in-depth examination - or, a look under the shell, if you will -  of the SRPE93 “Turtle.” Seiko, the world’s oldest and most established Japanese watchmaking brand, was one of the pioneers of the dive-watch genre and it has long stood apart from its Swiss contemporaries in this field (i.e. Rolex, Blancpain, and others) for its use of bold and unconventional designs. One of its most off-the-wall and yet most enduringly popular designs is the original "Turtle” - aka, Ref. 6306 and 6309 - which made its debut in 1976. The former reference was made exclusively for the Japanese market (and thus, vintage examples are much rarer and more valuable), and the latter was sold to international customers. The reptilian nickname derived from the watches’ cushion-shaped cases with softly rounded lugs, which brought to mind the silhouette of a turtle when viewed from above. The reference numbers for the watches essentially matched those of their automatic movements - Caliber 6306A, which included hacking seconds and Caliber 6309A, which did not.  The Turtle’s unusual look and rugged ...

Hot Take: The New Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech Combines Tool Vibes With Lifestyle

Blancpain introduced the Tech line back in 2023 with the impressive Tech Gombessa. After that came the limited-edition Tech BOC (Blancpain Ocean Commitment) IV earlier this year. Now, we see a permanent addition to the lineup in the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech. The new model introduces a toolless quick-release mechanism to the Fifty Fathoms line. […] Visit Hot Take: The New Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech Combines Tool Vibes With Lifestyle to read the full article.

Introducing: The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech 45mm, Now A Permanent Catalog Option

The brand's most serious purpose-built dive watch is no longer limited edition, slightly updated yet still equipped with everything you need to go deeper than you'll likely ever go.

Blancpain’s Latest Fifty Fathoms Tech 45mm Gets A Pop Of Orange

First Look - The Formidable Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech 45 Enters The Permanent Collection

With the case designed for extremes and a dial that prioritises legibility, the new Fifty Fathoms Tech-line is as much a tool underwater as a fun piece on the beach. This year, Blancpain unleashes its technical spirit for everyday adventure with the latest Fifty Fathoms Tech, the first Tech model to enter the permanent collection, […]

We hosted two Blancpain events 17,000 kilometres apart, filling out both the London and Melbourne Discovery Studios

After years of fan feedback asking for more versatile sizing in the Fifty Fathoms collection, Blancpain took just a few months to make that reality, though it undoubtedly took years of product development. First came the Fifty Fathoms Automatique 42, with all the features you know and love from the 45mm model, but carefully downsized … ContinuedThe post We hosted two Blancpain events 17,000 kilometres apart, filling out both the London and Melbourne Discovery Studios appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

We asked Blancpain if the Fifty Fathoms is priced too high, and all your other hard-hitting questions

Is the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms priced too high?The post We asked Blancpain if the Fifty Fathoms is priced too high, and all your other hard-hitting questions appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Hands-On With The New 38mm Blancpain Fifty Fathoms - Is This The Perfect Size?

Many enthusiasts have been crying out for a smaller Blancpain Fifty Fathoms. Many were also disappointed when Blancpain obliged with two female-targeted models last week. Today, however, we see the range completed with 38mm non-gendered models. I got a chance to go hands-on with the new 38mm Blancpain Fifty Fathoms. Here’s how we got along! […] Visit Hands-On With The New 38mm Blancpain Fifty Fathoms - Is This The Perfect Size? to read the full article.

Blancpain Expands The Fifty Fathoms 38mm Lineup In New Metals And Black And Blue Dials