THE HISTORY OF BLANCPAIN

Blancpain developed a shape which was
curved on both its exterior and interior surfaces
– a contrast with the sapphire bezel
which although curved on the top surface
was flat on the bottom.
There were many reasons why the 2003
Anniversary Fifty Fathoms, released as three
limited series of 50 each, sold out at once
and became instantly collectible at premium
prices. But certainly the vintage look
achieved with modern scratch resistant
sapphire technology would be at the top of
most collector’s lists. It was, therefore, obvious
that when the new Fifty Fathoms Sport
Collection, which features the Fifty Fathoms
line, Air Command (both introduced in
2007) and the Speed Command (introduced
in 2008) were imagined that the sapphire
bezel and curved sapphire crystal would be
carried forward. Although the shape for the
new watches is the same as those for the
2003 edition and the processes for producing
it are similar, with a few improvements
developed in the ensuing four years, the
new Sport Collection offered the opportunity
to expand the range of colour options.
There is now a rainbow of choice. Of course
the black laquer colour remains a mainstay.
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But it is joined by both white and grey lacquer
treatments. Similarly the choice of
luminova colours has broadened, offering
yellow, orange, gray and a unique black
hue that is nearly hidden in the daylight,
but glows normally at night. For women’s
watches, the palette is broader still with
both pastel pink and blue available. No
matter which colour is chosen, however,
the scratch resistance of sapphire remains
to meet that irresistible collision force.
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