2023 marks the year Blancpain chose to adequately celebrate the 70th anniversary year of its famous diver’s watch. After the introduction of the 42,3-mm Fifty Fathoms ?70th Anniversary Act 1 Series I to III? (each limited to 70 pieces) in January, which was clearly based on the current design of the Fifty Fathoms, and the much more technical Fifty Fathoms ?70th Anniversary Act 2: Tech Gombessa? right after, the Swiss watchmaker has now launched the “Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 3” as the third release this year (obviously not counting the recent Swatch collaboration and the Only Watch contribution).

The 555-piece limited-edition is the closest reinterpretation of the original Fifty Fathoms so far, including the trademark moisture indicator on the dial and the original 41.30 mm diameter. This Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 3 is, however, made of 9K Bronze Gold.
Introduced between 1957 and 1958 on the MIL-SPEC ? one of the rarest and most sought-after dive watches among collectors ? the moisture indicator made all the difference for the US Navy, which regarded this model as ideal for its underwater missions at that time. A second version ordered in 1964 saw a few changes, notably a case made of German silver with a matte finish to reduce reflection when surfacing, a titanium case back, and a movement with beryllium plates to reduce its magnetic signature.

This third anniversary timepiece is clearly inspired by its first-gen ...