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. Blancpain introduces three strap options (two included with the watch) to mark the occasion. Join me for a first look!
The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech
You can regard the new Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech as the regular-production version of the earlier Tech BOC IV model. It uses the same 45mm Grade 23 titanium case with its 14.1mm thickness and 300m depth rating.
The black dial also remains, finished in “absolute black.” This black absorbs 97% of the visible light, resulting in minimal reflections and maximum contrast with the solid-lume applied indexes. The blue accents of the Tech BOC make way for orange accents here. It reminds me of that other recent Swatch Group release, the orange-accented Omega Seamaster Diver 300M.
Inside still ticks caliber 1315A. This automatic in-house movement runs at 28,800vph and offers a royal five-day autonomy from a full wind. The caliber sits under a sapphire-equipped display case back. This offers an unobstructed view of the nicely finished plates and rotor, showing nicely rifled brushing and anglage all around.
A quick-release mechanism
The big news for Blancpain aficionados is the inclusion of a toolless quick-release mechanism for the rubber straps. Indeed, that’s new compared to even the Tech BOC, which has its rubber strap screwed in place.
Interestingly, the bulk of the mechanism sits on the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech’s case. Usually, such push-button quick-release mechanisms are built into the strap. Why? Well, that’s because in a traditional case design, you have no space between the lugs for such a mechanism. This Fifty Fathoms case, however, features a reversed design, with the single lug in the middle occupying the space usually reserved for the strap. This makes a ton of sense because it is much less wasteful when replacing straps to maintain the mechanism.
Although I haven’t yet handled the new Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech, I did spend time with the limited BOC IV. I can attest that this strap design integrates with the case beautifully. It looks extremely neat, and there is zero gap. It seems Blancpain managed to keep that aesthetic while adding the quick-release mechanism. Kudos, Blancpain!
Lifestyle meets hardcore tool
The Blancpain Tech line represents the more hardcore, more modern vision of what a Fifty Fathoms dive watch should be. As Blancpain President & CEO Mark Hayek puts it, “When we developed the Fifty Fathoms Tech Gombessa in 2023, it came from the question I asked myself: If the Fifty Fathoms [were] invented today, what would it look like? Then, in 2025, came the Fifty Fathoms Tech BOC (Blancpain Ocean Commitment), making that modern technology more wearable. Now, I love that we can bring color and style into the Tech line, proving that a serious diver’s watch can also have a lifestyle side.”
It is an interesting take. On one hand, it may feel slightly contradictory. After all, the clear distinction between hardcore tool watches and more fashionable lifestyle alternatives feels comfortably familiar. On the other hand, Blancpain’s approach seems legit as it does a little more justice to the fact that any Blancpain is a luxury watch.
I think the house succeeds at blending the two vibes successfully. The orange accents and bright straps don’t take away from the watch’s functional prowess. A prime example is the fact that Blancpain offers the straps in different lengths. The idea is that, rather than always wear a long strap with room for a wetsuit, you switch between a short and a long strap. While it may alienate the most purist of tool-watch aficionados, I think it makes a ton of sense in daily use for 99% of Blancpain owners.
Initial impressions of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech
Note that my initial impressions are based on experience with the earlier BOC IV model and the pictures and specs of the Blancpain Fifty Fathom Tech we see today. I have to say that I quite like this case and strap. While a 45mm diameter sounds large, the central lugs ensure the watch feels very compact for its size. My only gripe with the combination is the way the strap flares out, not hugging the wrist tightly. You can see this in the press image above. You need a fairly large wrist, even if the watch doesn’t otherwise look or feel large at all.
My other pet peeve is the typography. I see some style breaches between different design elements, especially in the fonts. The numerals on the bezel don’t play nicely with those on the dial, and the “Tech” looks a bit lost under the classical “Fifty Fathoms” label.
I am being nitpicky here, but I think it is warranted when speaking of a CHF 19,000 dive watch. I like this watch a lot, and I feel these two points would make it even more refined. Conceptually, I think it is clever of Blancpain to build itself a playground for more modern design with the Tech line, and I am curious to see what’s next for the brand, both in this line as well as in its more classical collections.
What do you think of the new Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech? Let us know in the comments section below.
