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In 2023, Blancpain is marking the 70th anniversary of the Fifty Fathoms Tech Gombessa
It has been 70 years since Blancpain launched its Fifty Fathoms collection in 1953, and this year is a very important year for the 50 Fathoms collection. The brand also said at the beginning of the year that it would launch a number of heavyweight models, so it can be said that the new watches are hot before they are released. Although Blancpain released the 70th anniversary Fifty Fathoms Tech Gombessa model of the Fifty Fathoms in January, one watch was not enough for the expectant watch lovers, and now, amidst all the anticipation, the second new watch is finally here! It's a watch for the hardcore gamers, highly professional, with a public price of $28,000. Follow the video to see if it's worth buying.
This year, it is the 70th anniversary of Blancpain's Fifty Fathoms (1953 to 2023). Blancpain has already said that it will launch a number of new heavyweight 50 Fathoms watches this year. The first of these new watches, the 42mm 70th Anniversary Fifty Fathoms, was already launched in January. Now comes the second new watch - the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech Gombessa which has an official price of $28,000 and is not limited.
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech Gombessa
Why did Blancpain launch the 50 Fathoms Tech Gombessa watch?
The first reason is the 70th anniversary of the 50 Fathoms. The other main reason is that the new Fifty Fathoms Tech Gombessa was designed and launched for the "Coelacanth Expedition Research" team that works with Blancpain.
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech Gombessa
What does this "Coelacanth Expedition Research" team do? This team is a scientific research team that specializes in the study of rare marine life. When they were underwater, they found a problem: the closed-circuit breathing apparatus they used for diving could dive for 3 hours underwater (because the safe operating time for humans is 3 hours). But now the dive watch, diving outer ring only 60 minutes scale, which is very inconvenient to use, how to do it? Blancpain said, it's okay, I'll make you a new watch, diving outer ring can have 3 hours scale, this new watch is the 50 Fathoms Tech Gombessa.
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech Gombessa, underwater state.
This fish is the coelacanth, the "living fossil" of fish.
So what is the "Gombessa" technology?
The core technology of the 50 Fathoms Tech Gombessa watch is the 3-hour time indication. As we can see, the bezel of the Fifty Fathoms Tech Gombessa has a 3-hour scale, divided into 30 minutes, 1 hour, 1:30 hours, 2 hours and 2:30 hours. On the dial of the watch, in addition to the hours, minutes and seconds hand, there is an additional 3-hour indicator hand. This hand 3 hours to turn once. When using, the bezel zero "diamond block" turned to the hands, the hands go how long, a look at the bezel, you will know. When the hand goes around the dial, it is 3 hours on the bezel. The problem of seeing the time during the 3 hours of safe operation of the "Coelacanth Expedition Research" team is solved.
The bezel of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech Gombessa has a 3-hour scale, pictured as 2 hours and 30 minutes.
In the yellow circle is the 3-hour indicator hand, which turns once every 3 hours.
At the same time, Blancpain has separated this type of "professional tool", the Fifty Fathoms, into a separate series, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech, with Tech written on the dial, which is the Chinese word for technology. This Tech Gombessa is the first watch in the Tech branch of the 50 Fathoms, hence the name Tech Gombessa
The dial is stamped with the word Tech
What kind of watch is the Fifty Fathoms Tech Gombessa?
The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms is first of all a titanium case, 47 mm in size and 14.8 mm thick. It looks big on paper, but in the hand, it doesn't feel that big. When I put it in my hands, it was more like wearing a 44 or 45mm watch. I think the smaller size has something to do with the design of the lugs, which are rare on the Fifty Fathoms, the first time Blancpain has used them. The strap is "inserted" directly into the case, without the traditional lugs, enhancing the integrated transition of the watch head and strap, and thus indirectly reducing the size of the watch visually.
The 50 Fathoms Tech Gombessa is the first time Blancpain has used a central integrated lug.
Another advantage is that the titanium casing of the 50 Fathoms is grade 23 titanium. Blancpain has now started to popularize the exclusive 23 grade titanium, which is now used in the 43 mm titanium case of the 50 Fathoms Deep Submersible, in addition to the "Coelacanth". You should know that the titanium cases of other watch brands are generally grade 2 titanium and grade 5 titanium. So what are the advantages of Blancpain Grade 23 titanium? First of all, it is more pure, with lower oxygen, nitrogen and iron content and better performance. The grade 23 titanium used in the Fifty Fathoms "Coelacanth" is brushed over a large area of the watch. The titanium case reduces the weight of the watch, but since the 50 Fathoms is relatively large, it still has some weight. The case has a helium valve at 10 o'clock and is water-resistant to 300 meters.
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech Gombessa 23 grade titanium case, large brushed area, and helium drainage valve.
The 50 Fathoms "Cavernous Fish" uses Blancpain's signature sapphire bezel, in line with the classic 45 mm 50 Fathoms. The Blancpain sapphire bezel is a sapphire crystal wrapped around the outside of the ceramic bezel, in addition to strengthening the protection of the bezel. The sapphire bezel is very transparent and enhances the sense of luxury. But unlike the regular 50 Fathoms sapphire bezel, the bezel of the 50 Fathoms Tech Gombessa is tilted inward.
As you can see, the sapphire bezel is tilted inward and uses three-dimensional luminescent block hour markers.
luminous effect bezel
On the dial of the watch, the orange hour markers are luminescent blocks. The watch hands also have a large luminescent coating. The orange Tech logo, indicating the new branch of the "Professional Tools" of the Fifty Fathoms. The black dial, which uses Blancpain's new carbon nanotube technology, which absorbs 97% of light, is "blackened" to increase the contrast of the dial. Similar dials have been used in other watches, like the Henri Mussel, to increase the black effect of the dial.
Detail of the dial
The Fifty Fathoms Tech Gombessa uses the Blancpain caliber 13P8 self-winding movement, which is the Blancpain caliber 1315, its version with the addition of a 3-hour hand. All the configurations of the movement are identical to those of the 1315 automatic movement. It has 3 barrels, 120 hours (5 days) of power, an oscillation frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, and uses a silicon hairspring with no cardo weight fine adjustment. The movement has been decorated to the usual high standard of Blancpain, or as we often say, "the conscience of heaven and earth", and is polished wherever you can see it or not.
The 13P8 self-winding movement used in the Fifty Fathoms Tech Gombessa.
Unlike the regular 1315 movement, the Tech Gombessa has replaced the rotor with a skeletonized one, with the "Gombessa" logo in the center of the rotor. In addition, the black rotor is still in 18-carat gold, but with a black plating effect.
Movement details.
The price is $28,000, unlimited, but limited.
The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech Gombessa, according to the current information, is produced in 100 pieces per year. With a price tag of $28,000, it is not destined to be a model for the general public.
The Fifty Fathoms Tech Gombessa, according to sources, is limited to 100 pieces per year.
45mm Fifty Fathoms Classic (left) and 43mm Fifty Fathoms Deep Diver (right)
The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech Gombessa, like the Rolex "Titanium King" Deepsea Challenge and the Omega Seamaster Ocean Universe 6000m, is a highly specialized watch aimed at the most dedicated players. Today, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms collection has a very strong range and lineup, not comparable to the Aquatimer. For the vast majority of players, the 45mm Fifty Fathoms Classic, the 43/38mm Fifty Fathoms Deep Diver, are good choices for everyday use.
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Are Blancpain watches handmade?
The small number of watches manufactured is not only to ensure that the brand remains coveted, but also has to do with the process by which the watches are made. Blancpain produces fewer than 30 watches a day, each one tirelessly crafted by a single watchmaker. This is everything that mass production does not have. Each watch is assembled entirely by hand, a time-consuming task that respects the tradition of watchmaking craftsmanship. The finished product is hand-crafted to perfection, with each element of the process thoroughly checked and double-checked to ensure that it meets the brand's high expectations for quality.
This commitment to hand-crafted quality requires absolute precision and the highest level of dexterity from watchmakers whose task it is to handle parts as fine as a hair.
Why are Blancpain watches so expensive?
When you buy a Blancpain watch you can rest assured that your investment is buying you centuries of perfecting the art of watch making and a timepiece of timeless luxury and style. These watches have been designed with generations of owners in mind.
The price tag is entirely dependent on their precise handcrafted design and innovative mechanical engineering. The most expensive Blancpain watches to date remain the spcialits Tourbillon Diamond watches. A few may reach the price tag of $1,342,700, but those capable of reaching 20 carats worth of diamonds, sapphire crystal caseback, handcrafted movement with automatic winding and a special flying tourbillon for an auxiliary second indicator.
However, despite this, Blancpain watches have maintained their value by virtue of their reputation for excellence, technical sophistication and exclusivity. The company is dedicated to creating classic watches that meet standards of excellence and push the limits of what they can achieve. The company produces less than 10,000 timepieces in all of its various collections worldwide, making them true collector's items.
Does my watch need regular maintenance?
Once you have chosen your Blancpain watch, following a few simple tips will ensure that your timepiece remains highly accurate and beautiful. Hand-wound watches should be wound daily, preferably in the morning. If your watch is automatic and you wear it infrequently, it should be wound once a month.
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