Introducing Surprise! A New Blancpain X Swatch Scuba Fifty: The Ocean Of Storms

I was in Biel/Bienne late last year to get a sneak peek at the original Scuba Fifty collection a few weeks before it launched worldwide. I still remember being completely stunned at the prospect of Blancpain taking its famed, historically significant diver and effectively transposing it onto this affordable, $400 platform.

During that trip, I spent time with Mr. Nicholas Hayek Jr., and he expressed such excitement for these collaborative timepieces that it almost made any doubt feel ridiculous. And to be honest, I get it. I was in NY for the MoonSwatch launch, and despite feedback from the comments here that there is a growing fatigue for the watches – they continue to sell out and continue to play a vital role in bringing new faces into the watch world.

Making historically significant designs (that also happen to be quite expensive in their original forms) affordable is an amazing thing. And this new Ocean of Storms launch plays right into that.

In fact, when the first five Scuba Fifty watches launched, I – and much of the community – yearned for a version of that watch that was akin to the MoonSwatch Mission to the Moon. What I mean is, a watch conservative in appearance with a more overt connection to its inspiration. The Mission to the Moon, with its black dial and gray case color, is effectively a bioceramic Moonwatch.

The Ocean of Storms, similarly, makes the same case when it comes to the Fifty Fathoms. And that's because it removes any sort of flashy color effect and opts to take a more measured approach to the collaboration. It has a black bioceramic case and what appears to be a brushed, almost satin-finished, black dial with orange accents for the depth rating and the tip of the seconds hand.

In terms of dial format, it opts for the modern approach (some of the original Scuba Fifty models took on a more vintage look with throwback logos and different markers) with the 12, three, six, and nine applied markers and the contemporary Blancpain logo at the top. Just like the other models in the collection, it comes on a striped NATO-style strap.

Now, there was a reason that there were only five original Scuba Fifty models. Each was named for an ocean on Earth and there are only five oceans. So how is there a sixth version, and what does Ocean of Storms mean?

Well, the two brands are taking inspiration from the MoonSwatch with this one and looking to the lunar surface, specifically the lunar sea known as the Oceanus Procellarum – a 2 million square kilometer "sea" on the Moon. So that's how they got a sixth ocean.

The caseback of this 42.3mm x 14.4mm x 48mm lug-to-lug watch is decorated just like the others, and it has its own nudibranch, called the Okenia Luna, which is printed atop the movement itself.

Naturally, I assumed with this model that we would be looking at a sales scenario similar to that of the Mission to Moonshine Gold – that this would a one-day-only limited run. I am very pleased to report that this is joining the collection as a regular production addition, not a limited edition. The black Scuba Fifty is here to stay.

I truly do not know what lies in store for this year when it comes to Swatch collaborations on a broader scale. I have to think there will be more MoonSwatches, but I'm not sure if we will get a host of Scuba Fifty models. It makes sense to keep this collection a bit more pared down given that Blancpain is involved (cut to six months from now when we're on our 12th Scuba Fifty and I'm kicking myself).

But predictions notwithstanding, I really like this addition to the collection. It was missing this centerpiece of a watch, one that really speaks to both the heritage and the modern approach. In fact, I think this particular watch speaks as much to the enthusiast as it does to the novice.

The Ocean of Storms officially hits stores on January 11. I hope to get my hands on one either then or soon after. I'll be sure to fill you in on my hands-on impressions once I do. Let me know what you think about this one in the comments.

For complete specs and pricing, check out our original story on the Swatch x Blancpain Scuba Fifty