The Ocean of Storms Joins the Iconic Blancpain x Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms Lineup

Just a few months after Swatch and Blancpain collaborated for the Scuba Fifty Fathoms collection, the brands have once again teamed up to unveil a new model. Joining the five watches, based on the five oceans, in the Fifty Fathoms collection is the latest Ocean of Storms model. 

There’s no denying the fact that Blancpain’s iconic Fifty Fathoms revolutionised watchmaking by becoming the first true diver’s watch collection more than 70 years ago. 

Introducing the Ocean of Storms Model

The Ocean of Storms, also known by the Latin name, Oceanus Procellarum, is actually a lunar mare located on the western edge of the near side of the moon. It is the biggest mare or "sea" on the moon, spanning more than 2,500 kilometres from north to south and covering around 2 million square kilometres. 

Launching on the first new moon (also known as the Black Moon) of 2024, the watch has a fitting colour scheme. The all-black version is a non-limited model, running on Swatch mechanical movement SISTEM51. This is the first and only mechanical movement the production of which is entirely automated. The mechanism is made of just 51 parts, including a central screw; it is anti-magnetic, thanks to its Nivachron^TM hairspring, and has a 90-hour power reserve. 

The Ocean of Storms has been given its own nudibranch (scientific name: Nudibranchia), Okenia Luna. A digital print of it appears on the movement's rotor, which allows the watch to recharge automatically by simply following wrist movements. A digital image of the full moon, zoomed in on the Ocean of Storms, is also imprinted on the oscillating weight.

The model is water-resistant for up to 91 metres, just like the other variants in the collection – 50 fathoms (fathom being the maritime measure of depth in the English-speaking world historically) equal 91 metres (or 300 feet).

 Furthermore, the watch is crafted from bioceramic, a unique material that is patented by Swatch; two-thirds of the material have ceramic while a biosourced material derived from castor oil accounts for the rest. As an expression of commitment to preservation of the oceans, the NATO straps are made of recycled fishing nets.

The shared Blancpain x Swatch logos can be found on the black sunray-finish dial and the crown. The word, “Swatch”, is also inscribed on the case, just as “Blancpain” is etched on the original Fifty Fathoms watches. The back of the new watch features inspirational inscriptions, such as “Passion For Diving”, “Licence To Explore”, “Ocean Breath”, “Protect What You Love”, and “Immerse Yourself”.

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The Blancpain x Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms Ocean of Storms watch will be available from January 11, the day of the new moon, at selected Swatch stores across the world. Purchases are limited to one watch per person, per store, per day.