Blancpain’s iconic diver, the Fifty Fathoms, is celebrating the big 7-0 this year, and the brand is going all out with the celebratory models. We’ve already seen Acts 1 and 2 (as well as an outstanding Swatch collab), and the latest, Act 3, might be the most hotly anticipated of the bunch. 

Inspired by the original ‘Mil-Spec’ Fifty Fathoms and featuring the iconic moisture indicator in the pared-back dial, the big news about this enthusiast-aimed piece is the case metal. The 41.3mm case is made of Bronze Gold, a metal we’ve seen used by Omega on a Seamaster 300. Essentially, Bronze Gold consists of 37.5% 9k gold with 50% copper, which makes it a bronze alloy, and a dash of other metals: silver, palladium and gallium. This alloy is safe to wear on the skin, and thanks to the gold, it will not patina in the same way as other bronze watches you might be familiar with. 

The original design that this watch pays close and careful homage to was developed in the 1950s by Jean-Jacques Fiechter, and was eventually adopted by a range of military forces across the globe, including France, Germany, the United States and Norway. The moisture indicator was a 1957 addition, one specified in the US Navy’s requirements, and it allowed the wearer to be sure that the interior had not been exposed to moisture. The use of Bronze Gold amplifies the striking design, with simple, legible dial markings and a large, unidirectional bezel, which here is a black ceramic insert. 

The calibre is the 1154.P2, equipped with twin barrels, for a long 100-hour power reserve. A silicon balance spring ensures the movement’s resistance to magnetism. In fact, for the first time, Blancpain is offering a 1000-gauss version of its movement. You can view the movement, with its high-quality industrial finishes, though a sapphire caseback. 

This well-executed tribute to the original dive watch will surely be hot property, but we’re secretly hoping for a regular production steel version. 

Movement: Calibre 1154.P2, automatic, 100 hours of power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
Case: 41.3 x 13.3mm, satin-brushed 9ct bronze-gold, water resistant to 300M
Dial: Black dial with moisture indicator
Strap: Fabric strap
Price and availability: Limited to 555 pieces, USD 32,000