12 Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Homage Watches Worth Considering
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Introduced in 1953, the original Blancpain Fifty Fathoms is widely regarded as the first modern diver’s watch. At launch, it was truly revolutionary; with features like a rotating bezel, double sealed crown and a redesigned O ring arrangement which we now take for granted. It’s legendary status and striking dark colourway have made it highly desirable, with modern iterations fetching well over £10,000 when purchased new.
I don’t know about you, but my fiancée would throttle me for dropping that kind of money on a watch! Therefore, I’ve been exploring some viable Blancpain Fifty Fathoms alternatives, that give a similarly classic look and feel for far less money. In this article, I thought I’d also share my research with you, in case you’re hunting down something similar.
This article is split into two categories for your convenience.
The first is a selection of ‘copy and paste’ style watches, which have directly ripped off the Fifty Fathoms design; offering near-identical looks to the original. Some are clones of vintage Blancpain Fifty Fathoms pieces, whilst others aim to replicate some of the more modern versions.
The second section showcases some alternatives that clearly bear a resemblance to the famous diver, whilst also adding some more unique touches. These are good options if you’re after something that looks like the Blancpain, without looking like a direct rip-off.
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Homage Watches (Clones)
As close to the Fifty Fathoms design as you can get, without buying fakes (which I do not condone).
Corgeut
A super low-cost clone of a modern Fifty Fathoms, this Corgeut is the true bargain bucket of homage watches. I’m under no doubts that someone at the Chinese brand pressed CTRL+C and CTRL+V on their keyboard when penning the design for this model; as this is the closest you can get to a Blancpain without purchasing an illegal replica.
For the price, it features some impressive specifications, such as an automatic Seagull movement and a fully stainless-steel case – a combination rarely found under £100. Importantly, the dial is near-identical, with the colourway, handset and hour markers clearly stripped from the original.
At 45mm in diameter, you also get a size that is analogous to the standard Fifty Fathoms, along with a hefty 120g weight, which makes the watch feel more expensive than it is.
Unfortunately, some corners have to be cut to meet the low price point. Firstly, you do sacrifice the water performance, with this model only offering 50m of resistance; a fraction of the original. This makes it more of a diver-style watch, rather than a true diver. While Corgeut is a fairly well-known brand, their quality control is known to be a little inconsistent. Nevertheless, this is the lowest cost option worth looking at if you’re after a cheap mechanical Blancpain alternative, as some cheaper brands are far too hit and miss to bother purchasing.
Steeldive 1952T
One of my favourite looking pieces on this list, this Steeldive range imitates the vintage Fifty Fathoms watches from the 50s and 60s. I’ve always been a fan of the older Blancpain models, which offer a much cleaner aesthetic in a more compact 41mm package and this Steeldive 1952T is the perfect way to get that slick look for less.
For under £200, you get some astounding performance for your money. Not only does this contain the highly-popular Seiko NH35 automatic movement, but you also get extra thick sapphire crystal across the dial, which also features an anti-reflective coating. You’re unlikely to ever have problems with scratches or direct sunlight as a result.
The finishing on the watch isn’t anything to write home about, with a fully-brushed case giving a simple, practical look. Luminescence is also surprisingly strong for a budget watch – giving great low light performance.
The only area of concern with the watch is the bezel action, which can be ‘crunchy’. It works, but it doesn’t feel particularly good. However, the aquatic ability of the watch isn’t hindered, as this ‘Chinese special’ boasts the full 300m of water resistance.
While I think the Steeldive logo and name looks good on the watch (it certainly doesn’t look Chinese), you can also choose from a range of sterile dial options, featuring no logo whatsoever. Sometimes, I find sterile dials can look too plain, though with this particular watch, it’s worth considering, as the smaller dial and chunky bezel add enough interest already.
Steeldive also do some other homage designs, making them a brand worth bearing in mind.
Spinnaker Fleuss (Standard)
Up-and-coming microbrand Spinnaker is one on the radar of many online content creators. In fact, they sent me in their ‘Fleuss Chrono’ for review in early 2020. Ultimately, I ended up recommending the standard ‘Fleuss’, as I felt the chronograph version was too cluttered and confused.
The regular model is a direct Blancpain Fifty Fathoms homage and has fundamentally the same design as many vintage watches from over the years. This features everything from the convex curved bezel to the rectangular markers. The only real difference is the dial texture, which is more bumpy than typical Blancpain watches.
The date window is also positioned at 3 o’clock, resulting in an aesthetic that’s feels like a hybrid between the original Fathoms and the Aqualung sports watch.
As with the chronograph, this Spinnaker has great build quality considering the retail price, with a very impressive case featuring a glossy ridge down each flank. In a relatively slim package, the brand has also squeezed in an impressive Seiko NH35 automatic movement and a domed sapphire crystal to give more of a premium feel.
Water resistance isn’t the strongest, at 150m; though for anything other than diving, you’ll have no worries. This is one of the most readily available options on this list and doesn’t tarnish the legacy of the original diving legend. Use the coupon code ‘BENJAMINARTHUR20’ for 20% off your purchase.
Baltic Aquascaphe
It’s no secret where the Baltic Aquascaphe gets its name from. One look at a vintage Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe and it immediately becomes apparent.
Not just similar in name, the Baltic Aquascaphe is ridiculously close in appearance too, though unlike some of the above entries, this one doesn’t look like a lower-end clone. I think this watch looks even better than the original, especially considering the 21st Century build quality and materials.
The most expensive watch on the list, it features a luxury level of machining and finishing that you might expect to pay far more for. Baltic tool watches are hand assembled and quality checked in France; though parts are sourced elsewhere.
Key features include a double-domed sapphire crystal, for the ultimate in scratch protection, alongside an automatic Miyota 9039 movement and a 200m water resistance rating. Both the domed crystal and sapphire unidirectional bezel combine to give a stunning vintage look and feel. You’ll also notice that most versions of this watch have a cream hue to the lume, replicating an aged look, which fits this style of timepiece tremendously well. The 3, 6 and 9 markers are also recessed and cut-out to expose the layer of lume beneath; giving depth and texture to an area that is normally very plain.
Overall, the dial is absolutely gorgeous, with a textured finish that also has a slight sunburst finish; the navy variant is particularly impressive in this regard.
Unlike some of the other watches in this article, the Baltic is very well-sized for average wrists, at just 39mm across and 12mm deep (which includes the domed crystal); making it wear very comfortably without dominating the wrist. The well-integrated bracelet is better than most and even features a unique quick-release system not present on most contemporary rival offerings.
Personally, I’d take one of these over a vintage Blancpain, as you can wear this without any worries regarding the fragility of the piece. Effortlessly classy, this is how vintage watches should be brought into the modern world.
Watches Similar to Blancpain Fifty Fathoms
These watches offer a comparable look, with some more individual design cues
Reef Tiger Aurora ‘Deep Ocean’
Another copy of the modern Fifty Fathoms comes in the form of the Reef Tiger Aurora ‘Deep Ocean’.
The finishing on this model is far better than the lower-cost Corgeut, which also aims to duplicate the same Blancpain. Hence the increase in price. Unlike the Corgeut, there are some slight design differences here, ensuring its place in the second half of this article.
The indices are positioned on an outer ring that gives them a ‘floating’ appearance as they hover above the lower portion of the dial. It also features no numbers, other than on the sapphire bezel, a slightly different handset and a repositioned date window at 6 o’clock.
Aside from that, you still get the traditional case design and iconic bezel from the Fifty Fathoms, even down to its glossy curvature.
Reef Tiger claim this is a ‘luxury’ watch. While I don’t personally agree, it does have some impressive specifications. You get a solid 20BAR water resistance rating, by way of a screw-down crown and case rear. There is also a sapphire crystal over the dial. These come with a variety of entry-level automatic movements inside too; just check the Aliexpress listing to see which is currently being utilised at the time of purchase.
Interestingly, this watch comes fitted on a hybrid nylon/leather band, which is extremely stiff at first, though softens after a few wears. This is intended to help prevent water damage and preserve comfort.
Reef Tiger sell this on their own website for a ridiculous £900 RRP, therefore, Aliexpress is certainly the better option, where you can grab it for around a quarter of that.
Vostok 030787
Definitely the most unusual watch on this list, I recently gave the Vostok Komandirskie 030787 the nickname ‘Vostok Fifty Fathoms’, given its resemblance to the famous Blancpain model. This Russian-made dive watch is an absolute tank, featuring some of the hardiest construction I’ve ever seen on a £100 wristwatch. Intended for Soviet military use, this watch features a range of useful features, including a screw-down wobbly crown; to prevent damage caused by lateral forces.
Admittedly, the case is visually chunkier than the watch it’s imitating, though the steel used feels of tremendous quality, considering the cost. It also provides a dependable 200m of water resistance, thanks to the specially designed gasket system; meaning this will have you covered even when scuba diving.
Surprisingly, you get a 31-Jewel automatic Vostok movement within, making it an incredibly affordable entry-point to the mechanical watch world. These Vostok movements are known to be incredibly durable, though expectedly the beat rate isn’t nearly as high as the original Blancpain.
This model features numbers at each hour, rather than at each 90 degrees, along with some surprisingly precise Cyrillic text that really give it some additional personality.
The only real downsides of this watch is the smooth bezel, which is slippery to operate, and the scratch-prone acrylic over the dial. It’s also slightly on the larger side, as is the case with many of the watches on this list, just shy of 42mm wide.
You can grab this watch in a variety of colours and with a selection of different straps. While the stainless-steel bracelet is a durable choice, you’ll want to stick to the leather or fabric options if you’re after a more faithful Fifty Fathoms look.
Click here to read the full review of this piece.
Casio MTD-1053D
Arguably the finest cheap alternative, the Casio MTD-1053D is clearly a budget Blancpain lookalike. Even the ‘53’ in the code refers to the year the famous original was released.
Casio specialise in durable, affordable watches and have stuck with a simple quartz movement here, which will provide very accurate, consistent performance at the cost of no sweeping second hand. The terrible stock images really don’t do this watch justice. It features a variety of brushed and polished finishes across the case, with a good unidirectional bezel to boot.
The dial has the signature ringed arrangement found on the Fifty Fathoms, along with similarly styled hour numbers; though the applied markers in-between are a rather different shape. Combined with the raised minute track, I think this piece holds up well as a more rugged alternative to the classic diver. Sure, it lacks the precise finishing and shaper edges found on more expensive watches, but for such a low cost, what can you expect?
Despite retailing for as low as £50, there is even a screw-down crown, which further aids the impressive 200m of water resistance! There really is no competition for this little money. By default this comes fitted with a very average steel bracelet, which is constructed of folded links, though a cheap leather strap could make this watch look much more expensive.
Wenger ‘Black Night’
If you’re willing to splash out slightly more for a quartz Fathoms-inspired watch, the relatively unknown Swiss-made Wenger ‘Black Night’ might be worth considering. This watch, coded ‘01.0851.120’, has a very slick, sporty appearance; which I think looks better than the Casio just mentioned.
There’s no doubt where this watch takes its inspiration from, in fact, outside of the absent crown guards, the case shape and lug design look like they’ve been stripped straight from a Blancpain. Compared to the Casio, this watch does have a lower 10ATM of water resistance, though does come with several upsides.
Firstly, you get a dark date window, which seamlessly blends into the dial, without ruining its appearance. Secondly, the included leather strap is much more comfortable and adds to the sporty vibe. What’s not mentioned on many sites is that the crystal over the dial is sapphire-coated mineral, which will also give you more scratch protection than the standard mineral glass used on several of the other watches here, including the Casio.
In terms of design, this watch looks more ‘squared off’ than the Blancpain, with rectangular markers, a flat bezel and a pencil handset; though is similarly sized, at 45mm across.
If you don’t plan on scuba diving, then this could be the best quartz option for you.
Hemel Hydrodurance
As if the world’s first dive watch wasn’t nautical enough, the Hemel Hydrodurance takes it to the next level. Imagine a Fifty Fathoms combined with a submarine and this is what you get.
This piece features Dutch design cues, hence the presence of orange accents throughout the Hydrodurance range, which even extends to the orange hue present in the domed sapphire crystal.
At a glance, this looks a lot like the original Blancpain, however up close the differences are apparent.
This model features an unusual sandwich dial which gives a stencil-like appearance when combined with the chunky, split, inset font. While the bezel gives a vintage-diver look, along with the large crown, it features fine knurling for added grip, which is rarely seen on divers watches.
As you might expect for a mid-range wristwatch, it features a solid link bracelet with a butterfly deployant clasp; allowing for pain free removal. There are also other expected features, including Superluminova C3 (for excellent low-light legibility) and 300m of water resistance.
Admittedly, this is my least favourite watch on the list, but if you appreciate the unusual design, it could be worth a punt.
Seiko SNZH57 ‘Fifty-Five Fathoms’
Definitely the most popular of the Blanpain homages, the Seiko SNZH57, dubbed the ‘Fifty Five Fathoms’ by enthusiasts, is part of the ever-popular Seiko 5 series of low cost wristwatches.
Often considered to be one of the most attractive looking Seiko 5 watches, this one certainly takes an extravagant approach when it comes to design. This watch foregoes the numbers in favour of gold-coloured extended hour markers that protrude further across the dial. The date window is also positioned slightly higher than the watch it takes cues from, sitting at the 3 o’clock position. Impressively, it features a dark wheel with a gold surround that assimilates rather nicely with the other indices.
The brushed upper and polished flanks of the case also give a very ‘Fathoms-eque’ look with the yellow accents on the bezel look particularly attractive too. Luminescence is also very strong considering the price, though there are some clear trade-offs elsewhere.
Firstly, the water resistance is on the lower-end (compared to watches on this list anyway), at 100m. While perfectly suitable for general purposes and some swimming, the lack of a screw-down crown prevents this from becoming a true diver.
Additionally, the 7S26 automatic movement inside is nothing to shout about. While it’s a reliable workhorse, it’s not the most accurate and you can get ‘better’ movements elsewhere for your money. Nevertheless, the exhibition case-back is a nice touch and as a whole the watch is a great-looking package.
If you want to be a baller on a budget, then this sporty offering could be the one for you.
Undone Basecamp
Fashion brand Undone take a completely different approach. Not only can you grab their ‘Basecamp’ tool watch that barely a resemblance to the Fifty Fathoms, but you can take it to the next level by using their customizer software to tweak the watch exactly to your liking.
Surprisingly, this service is available for far less than you might think. The base model is below £300 and at 40mm is similarly sized to the Fifty Fathoms ‘MilSpec’. It features full steel construction and a Seiko automatic movement, alas the trade-offs are a polycarbonate lens and just 10 Bar of water resistance.
Nevertheless, if you’re after a gift option, the sheer customisation available here makes this the obvious choice. I reviewed Undone watches on my YouTube channel a couple of years ago and was very impressed, two remain in my collection to this day. As each of these watches are made to order (the customised ones at least), delivery is generally slightly slower than some other options here.
Squale 30 ATMOS Sub-39 Sixty Years Special Edition
Notoriously difficult to get hold of, the Squale 30 ATMOS series, particularly the Sub-39 Sixty Years Special Edition, certainly have a resemblance to the Blancpain of old.
While it looks like a vintage watch, you might be surprised to discover this is a very recent release from 2019. It certainly looks a lot like the Bathyscaphe and even comes in several colourways that closely match the original; though the steep price tag of £1000 for the special edition may be hard to swallow. Personally, I’d rather save some money and opt for the Baltic mentioned earlier, if you’re after a watch of this style; especially given that this Squale was limited to a run of only 100 pieces, making them hard to find at retail price.
This watch features all the bells and whistles you’d expect when you’re paying a grand for a watch. There’s stainless steel construction with 30ATM water resistance, a Sellita SW-200 Swiss movement and a high-quality strap that will suffice for the lifetime of the watch.
Squale is somewhat controversial as they claim they are ‘Swiss-made’, though some outlets have reported that a large portion of the watch parts are sourced from China. Regardless, this is a great quality watch, though I’d perhaps save such a high amount of money for something with a more original design.