BLANCPAIN | 2013 New Watch Releases: Baselworld On-Site Report

Baselworld 2013: New Watch Report

New Releases for the 60th Anniversary of the "Fifty Fathoms"!

This year's Baselworld 2013 saw a complete overhaul of the venue and layout. Kicking off our new watch report is the venerable watch maison that "only makes mechanical watches":Blancpain. Their proactive approach to watchmaking, spanning from complication models to sports models, leaves a strong impression of forward momentum.

Text & Event Photographs by SHIBUYA Yasuhito

Two New Complication Models Also Debut

Baselworld 2013, which welcomed a record-breaking 120,000 visitors, was the largest and most powerful fair to date. Among the top brands of the Swatch Group, Blancpain's biggest topic was the new release of the legendary diver's model "Fifty Fathoms," celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.

Dubbed theFifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe", this model, positioned as a modern interpretation of the original men's and ladies' models that appeared in the late 1950s, boasts noteworthy features in both its exterior design and internal mechanics.

Baselworld 2013 saw a record 120,000 visitors. In conjunction with a major renovation of the venue, Blancpain's booth was also revamped.

The new "Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe" revives the legendary diver's model, celebrating its 60th anniversary.

While the mechanical features will be detailed in the model's explanation, let's first discuss the exterior design. As is clear at a glance from the photos, it features a nylon NATO strap, which is unusual for a diver's model, for both men's and ladies' versions (both men's and ladies' models can be fitted with either a NATO strap or a sail canvas strap).

This incorporates the "military style," which has become standard rather than a mere trend in the fashion world over the past few years, particularly with pilot watches, into the realm of diver's watches. However, Blancpain's refinement is evident, such as the off-white color for the ladies' dial and strap. It is sure to be popular as a new diver's watch that can be enjoyed by both men and women.

Featuring "Carrousel mechanism," "Minute Repeater mechanism," and "Chronograph" mechanism, the triple complication model "Le Brassus Carrousel Minute Repeater Flyback Chronograph"

Furthermore, Blancpain's signature "Carrousel mechanism," one of its finest mechanisms, is joined by the "Tourbillon" mechanism in the double complication model "Le Brassus Tourbillon Carrousel". Additionally, the triple complication model "" featuring the "Carrousel mechanism," "Minute Repeater mechanism," and "Chronograph mechanism" was also unveiled.Le Brassus Carrousel Minute Repeater Flyback Chronograph" was also unveiled.

Meanwhile, new releases also emerged from the sports chronograph "" developed in collaboration with Italian supercar brand "Lamborghini".L-Evolution". These are also not to be missed.