Moon Struck: The Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms ‘Ocean of Storms’

The Scuba Fifty Fathoms ‘Ocean of Storms’ is the sixth watch stemming from the collab between Blancpain and Swatch, and the first version with much more restrained colors. We take a closer look at the 42.3-mm mechanical watch, which is introducing several unexpected changes, one of them being the inspiration behind it.

On January 11, at precisely 10:30 in the morning, the staff at the Swatch store in Zurich finally began selling the first Scuba Fifty Fathoms Ocean of Storms pieces (Ref. SO35B400) in Switzerland, as always, limited to one purchase per person per day per store, and selling for $400 each. In Hong Kong, for some, being seven hours ahead of Zurich, several people had already posted a few hands-on photos of their newest watch online, by the time the watch shown here was handed over to a certain someone.

Thankfully, one might add, since the surprisingly small group of people that had decided to stand in line for this latest release from Blancpain and Swatch did not have to face any distraction they could get from being in the freezing cold. Even better, there were no scalpers present; most in appearance were hardcore Swatch collectors or watch enthusiasts in general. And, truthfully, they all were able to buy this sixth release in the Scuba Fifty Fathoms collection that day.

Based on the recipe for past hits that were placed in newspapers a couple of days before, there was a possibility that the announced Ocean of Storms (Latin: Oceanus Procellarum) was going to be another MoonSwatch release, since the name is reserved for a specific lunar mare on the western edge of the near side of the moon. And the moon, so far for the lack of a more correct word, undoubtedly seems to be “safe territory” when it comes to selling watches.

The time of its deadline, with a series of thematic links to the sea, however, appeared to be identical to the one used for the first batch of Scuba Fifty Fathoms watches that were launched last September. Swatch decided to officially reveal its first big novelty from 2024 just a day before its launch, and it turned out to be indeed another Scuba Fifty Fathoms, despite the extraterrestrial inspiration behind its name. Marc A. Hayek, President and CEO of Blancpain, explained, “The signature poetic complication of the Manufacture at Brassus, the moon phase, not only is the face of Blancpain, but it also represents the revival of traditional watchmaking following the quartz crisis.”

But it wasn’t just the traditional world of watchmaking that helped the team come up with the name. Moon phases also exert their power over the aquatic world, which is very much the Fifty Fathoms’ home. The tides have a major influence on ocean life, and the phases of the moon and the intensity of its light have effects on the behavior of marine animals and ecosystems.

Many marine species have biological clocks that enable them to adapt to events in their environment, such as the phases of the moon and, therefore, the moonlight present on a given night. Speaking of moonlight, hidden on the movement is a small version of Blancpain’s typical moon illustration, only visible when lit with a UV light.

Like its five siblings, the Ocean of Storms is a non-limited model. It comes, however, with a completely black case that is, according to Blancpain, inspired by the new moon (also known as the “Black Moon”), which makes it the most restrained colorway so far. In addition, the watch is equipped with a significantly more elegant dial with a sunray finish, and the Swiss Made at 6 o’clock is moved here (while the “Swatch AG 2023” is almost hidden).

The macrotrubanchik (scientific name: Nudibranchia) used for this release is Okenia Luna, a species of sea slug distributed from Ancon, Lima Peru, to Coliumo, Chile. Its featured digital print is visible on the movement; the surface of the moon is imprinted on the movement. The case is itself water-resistant down to 91 meters, and the name Fifty Fathoms refers to the fathom — historically the maritime measure of depth in the English-speaking world (50 fathoms equaling 91 meters or 300 feet).

Just like the other five Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms, the Ocean of Storms has a mechanical movement, Sistem51, the first and only mechanical movement whose production is entirely automated. This mechanism, like the first Swatch from 1983, is made up of just 51 parts — including one central screw. It is anti-magnetic, thanks to its Nivachron hairspring, and offers a stunning 90-hour power reserve.

The movement does not have a traditional rotor (no index assembly), the rate, or precision is factory-set using laser technology (±0.04 seconds per day), and is hermetically sealed for maintenance-free longevity. While a Sistem51 movement can be manually wound counterclockwise, the central second hand has a tendency to jump while turning the crown to set the time.

The shared Blancpain X Swatch logos can be found on the black sunray-finish dial and the crown; the indices are applied. The word “Swatch” is also inscribed on the case, just as “Blancpain” is inscribed on the shared Fifty Fathoms clasps.

Specs

Back to the watch: Objectively, the Ocean of Storms delivers a dial a shade richer than its siblings, and the restrained design makes it an everyday piece. While not a cheap mechanical watch at $400, it offers excellent value and plenty of fun for the wrist.

The Scuba Fifty Fathoms Ocean of Storms is currently only available at selected Swatch stores, so make sure you check swatch.com for your most convenient option.

This article was originally published in the April 2024 print issue. To subscribe to WatchTime Magazine, click here.