Many enthusiasts are screaming for 50 Fathoms of small blanpine. And many were disappointed when Blanpine mandated a model last week aimed at two women. However, today we see the completed range in the 38mm non-gender model. I got the opportunity to practice the new 38mm Branpine 50 Fathom. This is how we got along!
The new Blancpain Fifty Fathoms is available in steel, grade 23 titanium and 18K red gold. You can choose the black and blue sunburst dial. All the familiar branpine strap and bracelet combinations offer 11 possible configurations spanning the price range from 14,000 CHF to CHF 28,500 to CHF 28,500 to CHF 28,500.
New 38mm Branpine 50 Fathom
This new Blancpain 50 Fathom is not the same as the smaller diameter 42mm version. The Blancpain has remade the entire watch and has a balanced design. In fact, it had a heart transplant and switched to a smaller movement. The case dimensions look sweet on paper with a diameter of 38.2mm, a lug toe of 43.8mm and a thickness of 12mm.
This case has sapphire crystal on each side, with a very gentle dome-shaped top. Naturally, this is a true diving watch with a screw-in caseback, a screw-in crown and a rating of 300m depth.
Blancpain Caliber 1150
The sapphire window in the caseback offers a nice view of the caliber 1150. Existing 42mm and 45mm model house caliber 1315. The caliber 1150 is about 4mm smaller in diameter, which promotes smaller cases in the 38mm version. This costs 20 hours of power reserves, but this is still 100 hours sufficient. The 210-part movement carries mites at 21,600 VPH, and its silicone hairspring ensures resistance to magnetism.
The caliber looks nice, as you would expect in this price segment. You can fish beautifully with the soleage, a neat rifle, on top of the plate. The retro style rotor is made from 18K gold and comes with a grey NAC coating of frost.
Last week’s ladies version came out without a date, but the new 38mm 50 Fathom in genderless Giza is one feature at 4:30.
38mm titanium model with blue dial
Wearing a 38mm Branpine 50 Fathom
It’s all going well, but I’d like to know how these new watches are wearing. After all, that’s all the fuss here. I’ll let you know they’re wearing very well. Thanks to the short case length of 43.8mm, this 50 Fathom is a small worn 38mm watch. I have an 18cm wrist and I love the fit. However, the short lugs ensure a full stance even on wrists that are much smaller than the wrist.
Steel/Black 38mm model
Importantly, the 38mm 50 Fathom measures a completely thin range of 2.5mm than the 42mm sibling. It makes a huge difference to wearing comfort and elegance. Speaking of elegance, stainless steel models feature a completely refined case, but the larger ones have several brushed components.
I have always emphasized that resizing a watch’s design is much more difficult than simply scaling up or down. I want to rethink my proportions to suit my new dimensions. Especially on the dial, we can prove that Blanpine did a spectacular job here. Everything sits a little closer and there’s less negative space. This makes the watch feel more cohesive to me.
Branpine 50 Fathom is titanium 38mm
Words about quality
There’s no circumvention of the fact that these are expensive watches. Which size or version you choose, this is a gorgeous suggestion. The problem is: Does a watch do price justice?
Build quality can prove to be great. The 38mm 50 Fathom feels like a pebble in the hand, and is smooth and rock solid. This theme continues as you interact with it. The one-way bezel rotates with a solid, confident click, and the Geiger counter reminds you of the counter in the sound (rad pun intended). Similarly, the crown feels like it runs on a rail when removed or screwed. When you set the winding date and time, it feels smooth like butter and is reluctant enough to feel weight and reliability.
Black steel model and blue titanium model
Aesthetically, the 38mm 50 Fathoms is nothing to worry about. The dial has a sunburst effect, but is extremely subtle and refined so it doesn’t undermine the functionality of your diving watch. The applied elements on the dial look perfect under the magnification, as is the caliber. Overall, the new 38mm FF doesn’t scream about it, but it certainly conveys quiet quality and luxury. There are no complaints here!
Compare 38mm, 42mm, and 45mm versions
Blancpain was so kind that he lent out the new 38mm 50 Fathoms as well as the existing 42(.3)mm and 45mm 50 Fathom models. This provided a rare opportunity to compare sizes. This was an eye-opening experience as my time at the current 50 Fathom was previously very limited.
I’m happy to report that all three sizes fit me like gloves. Yes, I’m generally a fan of small watches, but even the 45mm version fits perfectly on the 18cm wrist. It doesn’t feel excessively big and doesn’t look. Similarly, the 38mm version doesn’t look or look cute to me. As you can imagine, the 42mm version allows you to split the differences.
38mm
42mm
However, the difference is the nature of these three watches. It indicates that the size of the watch is a determinant of the message it conveys. We found that the 45mm model would look like a serious diving tool. The 42mm model is a more versatile, sporty watch. On the other hand, the 38mm version feels more vintage and valuable. It doesn’t mean “valuable” like “fragile”, but rather “fancy and luxurious”. The watch uses a completely different character for each size.
So, which size do I choose?
I always love it when a watch works in different sizes and in different ways. Sometimes, decisions are easy as you can pull out any of the available options. In this case I was happy to rock any of the three options on a very average size wrist.
Initially I realized I was leaning towards the 42mm version. It felt like the most balanced out of the three, but I don’t mind the diver being a bit big. However, I spent the day switching between 42mm and 38mm models and changed my mind. If I was spending my money, I would buy a 38mm 50 Fathom.
why? Well, that’s because I like it from an ergonomic angle. Of course, it is the lightest and most compact option. At the same time, the slight compressibility somehow made me feel more valuable. I found it to be the most refined and refined of the three. These are not necessarily the first standards for hardcore diving watches, but we appreciate their qualities. Still, I’m happy to add one of three size options to my collection.
Which is your choice? Would you like to take a new 38mm Branpine 50 Fathom than its larger brother? Please let us know in the comments section below.
