Matt Clymo 
Blancpain X Swatch has gone pink with the new Scuba Fifty Fathoms Pink Ocean in tribute to the pink oceans and lakes around the world.
The Blancpain X Swatch collaboration has expanded this week with the release of a new Scuba Fifty Fathoms and this time, the collaboration has gone pink. This is all hot off the heels of the Blue Lagoon that was dropped just prior to Christmas. Somewhat like the Blue Lagoon, which was a silent drop from Swatch, the new Pink Ocean has had little fanfare around this piece.
The collection now has eight pieces in total which is an extension of the original five that dropped back in September of 2023. Early in 2024, the Ocean Of Storms dropped, which was possibly one of the best-looking Scuba Fifty Fathoms released and then all was quiet up until December when the seventh drop came out, literally, out of the blue – the Blue Lagoon. This brings us to this week when the new Pink Ocean was released, and let’s say that it is very pink!
This new reference sticks to the same sizes and specs that we’ve come to know with the Scuba Fifty Fathoms collection: 42.3mm x 14.4mm thick and 48mm lug-to-lug and made from Swatch’s Bioceramic material – a composite of plastic and ceramic essentially to make the case both light and durable. This is the same for the crown, which also matches the case and bezel.
Where this model, along with the Blue Lagoon differs from their predecessors is the introduction of a 2-piece NATO strap, rather than a traditional single thread through strap. This was one gripe I had with the original release as it covered up the crystal caseback with the small sea creatures or Nudibranchs, the watches take their colours from. That and like all single-piece NATO straps, add a little more thickness to the watch on the wrist. So this is a good move here from Blancpain x Swatch.
The dial on the Pink Ocean is again very similar to some of those that have come before it, with a gradient and grained dial that goes from a pink hue to a lighter, almost white in the centre. The numerals, hour markers, and hands have also been given the pink treatment, and they do pop against the lighter colour of the dial. These are all filled with Super-LumiNova® as is the bezel, so gives off a nice glow at night! For those who like to know what date it is, there is a date window at 4:30 and it is colour-matched to the dial, so it blends in unobtrusively.
But why pink I hear you say? Why not?! In all seriousness, Swatch doesn’t go into much detail at all about the inspiration of the pink, other than it is in tribute to the pink oceans and lakes across the world, of which there are a few, many here in Australia. Lakes such as Laye Eyre in South Australia, or the Pink Lakes in Murray-Sunset National Park, Victoria, get their colour primarily due to the salt and mineral content and more broadly, the colour the oceans can turn with algal blooms and certain conditions that turn small areas pink.
Initial Thoughts
It is safe to say that the Blancpain x Swatch collaboration has not been as nearly a runaway success as the Omega x Swatch. While we see almost a new MoonSwatch drop every month, we’ve only seen three new releases of the Scuba Fifty Fathoms since the initial release in September 2023. Why? Possibly due to the fact that Blancpain isn’t as well-known a brand as Omega is, and the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, whilst iconic in watch circles, outside of the watch enthusiasts, hasn’t the same notoriety or pop-culture status as the Speedmaster Moonwatch. This is a shame as the Scuba Fifty Fathoms is possibly a better watch in terms of build and specs, but with this comes an increase of almost A$200 in price above the MoonSwatch.
Putting the market analysis aside, the Suba Fifty Fathoms Pink Ocean will be a watch that the Blancpain x Swatch lovers who love a bit of colour will gravitate towards, and for those parts of the world currently in Summer, like we have here, a great no-fuss summer watch that you can take out and not worry about. The Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms Pink Ocean is priced at A$655.00 and is available now at Swatch Boutiques around the country.
Reference: SO35P400
Specifications
- Dimensions: 42.3mm diameter x 14.4mm thick & 48mm lug-to-lug
- Case: Pink Bioceramic case including crown
- Dial: Gradient pink dial with hands and indices with Grade A Super-LumiNova®
- Bezel: One-direction rotating bezel in pink Bioceramic material with anti-scratch coated insert in pink
- Movement: SISTEM51 mechanical movement
- Water resistance: 50 fathoms (91 m / 300 ft / 9 bar)
- Glass: Biosourced material with an anti-scratch coating.
- Strap: 2-piece NATO strap made from recycled fishing nets. Pink Bioceramic pin buckle and loops
