Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 5050-12B30-NABA

The Blancpain Tribute to Fifty Fathoms MIL-SPEC, ref. 5050-12B30-NABA, is a significant modern re-edition launched in 2020. Its historical context is a direct homage to the iconic Fifty Fathoms MIL-SPEC 1 created for the US Navy in the late 1950s. The original was renowned for its robustness and a unique feature: a circular water-tightness indicator on the dial. This modern tribute is significant for faithfully recreating that functional indicator at 6 o’clock, which changes color from white to red if moisture breaches the case. The watch is presented in a 40.3mm satin-brushed Grade 23 titanium case, a downsized and more wearable dimension compared to the standard 45mm Fifty Fathoms. The use of titanium makes it exceptionally lightweight and durable. The watch is powered by the in-house Caliber 1151, which provides a robust 96-hour (4-day) power reserve from two barrels and features a silicon balance spring for amagnetism. The movement’s solid 18k gold rotor is NAC-coated and visible through a sapphire caseback. This reference was a non-limited but numbered edition, making it highly collectible. The “NABA” suffix denotes its delivery on a black NATO strap, reinforcing its military-inspired aesthetic.