The New Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech Ocean Commitment IV

Blancpain‘s long-standing ties to diving need little introduction. For over 20 years, the brand has been committed to raising awareness of the need to protect our oceans through the Blancpain Ocean Commitment (BOC) program. The latest BOC initiative is a limited series of 100 watches, the Fifty Fathoms Tech BOC IV, a more compact and simplified version of the mighty Tech Gombessa. The funds raised will be allocated to the Blancpain x Sulubaaï Marine Research Center, an extension of the Sea Academy project, a flagship initiative of the Brand’s commitment to the ocean. 

If the dive watch is one of the more popular categories, innovations are rare enough to be noticed… Presented in 2023, the Fifty Fathoms Tech Gombessa was a unique tale on the dive watch, which reimagined the concept of the count-up bezel with a 3-hour display adapted for the use of a closed-circuit rebreather – we’ve been diving with it, and you can understand everything it means in this very cool story. 

The new Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech Ocean Commitment IV uses the aggressive, more modern design of this recent sub-line in a more compact and simpler version – this technical design was also part of the uber-diver, the Fifty Fathoms X Fathoms. At 45mm in diameter and 14.1mm in thickness, it is certainly not for the faint of heart, but it is more wearable than the 47mm Tech Gombessa.

Additionally, unlike the Tech Gombessa, its bezel features a conventional 60-minute undirectional diving scale. With this less technical option, the Fifty Fathoms Tech BOC will certainly be more versatile than its predecessor, which was designed to meet very specific diving needs… But rest assured, as its name suggests, it remains a highly-specced diver.

Indeed, this new Tech is still fashioned out of grade 23 titanium. Used by Blancpain for a few years now, this high-performance alloy is similar to grade 5, but it is particularly strong, light-weight and it offers better corrosion resistance. The water resistance is still rated 300m, and there is a helium escape valve for saturation diving. Fitted with a black ceramic insert tilted towards the dial, the unidirectional bezel operates sharply. Under the conical-shaped sapphire crystal, the “absolute black” dial absorbs 97% of light to offer optimal contrast with the luminescent hands and block-shaped markers. 

The 45mm Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech BOC IV is powered by the in-house Calibre 1315A. This large, modern automatic movement beats at 4Hz while delivering an impressive 5-day power reserve on three series-coupled barrels. Its silicon balance spring ensures enhanced resistance to magnetic fields. Turning the watch over, the sapphire case back allows you to discover its discreet but refined finishes and an openworked gold rotor emblazoned with a blue BOC logo.

The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech Ocean Commitment IV is worn on a black rubber strap that is attached to the case by a central lug – ensuring that despite the large diameter, the watch actually feels relatively short on the wrist. 

The new Fifty Fathoms Tech is released in a limited edition of 100 pieces. It comes in a PelicaseTM box, a donation certificate, and a special edition photograph in a series of 100 prints. Signed by photographer Laurent Ballesta, the image is part of his award-winning series from the 2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year grand prize. Up to 100,000 euros (1,000 euros for each watch sold) will be donated to the Blancpain x Sulubaaï Marine Research Center. The price is set at CHF 19,600. For more information, please visit www.blancpain.com.