The next Swatch hype train has arrived at the station with the afterglow of last year’s Swatch x Omega MoonSwatch still warming our collective consciousness. Rather than journeying to outer space as the MoonSwatch did, however, this year’s collaboration dips below the surface with the Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms collection. And yes, it will be available in Australia.
After the momentous success of the MoonSwatch — which saw a spike in the sale of actual Omega Speedmasters — and helped the Swiss watch industry to its best year ever with a million MoonSwatches sold, it makes perfect sense to create another collection with a different brand. Blancpain is also a brand that makes sense as a collaborative partner, given that Fifty Fathoms is now enjoying its 70th anniversary, and is one of the most famous dive watches there is.
Once again, the Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms collection features a case made of bioceramic, measuring 42.3mm in diameter and 14.4mm in thickness, but with an improved water resistance compared to the MoonSwatch of 91m. This might sound like a strangely specific number and that’s because it is, translating to about 300ft or 50 fathoms (a nod to the original inspiration of this collection).
RELATED: One Million MoonSwatches Were Sold In 2022, Leading The Swiss Watch Industry To Its Best-Ever Year
The biggest change from the MoonSwatch that you’ll find in the Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms collection is the presence of an automatic movement — specifically, the Swatch calibre Sistem51. This engineering marvel of a movement only comprises 51 different components, all assembled by a machine, and boasts a very solid 90 hours of power reserve.
Five different references within the collection each represent one of the five oceans on Earth, with a range of fun colour schemes that’ll offer something for everyone. Each arrives on a matching textile NATO strap, made from recycled ocean plastic.
Check out the full collection below, as well as all the details about how you can buy the Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms collection in Australia. The only question left to be answered is… will it have the same seismic impact on the watch industry as the MoonSwatch did when it debuted in 2022?
ATLANTIC OCEAN
ANTARCTIC OCEAN
ARCTIC OCEAN
INDIAN OCEAN
PACIFIC OCEAN
The Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms will be available in Australia from Saturday, September 9th at selected Swatch locations. If the MoonSwatch was anything to go by and you absolutely need to get one on your wrist the first day, I’d start lining up from Friday.
Sydney: Pitt Street Mall from 9 AM
Melbourne: Collins Street from 10 AM
Brisbane: Queen Street from 10 AM
