Blancpain Unveils 'Tech Gombessa' During The 70th Anniversary of The Fifty Fathoms

Tech Gombessa by Blancpain

The new Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 2 Tech Gombessa diver's watch can measure up to three-hour tech dives or saturation system exits. It celebrates the 10th anniversary of Gombessa, an initiative Blancpain founded in 2013. Blancpain's diver's watch line debuts with the timepiece.

A brilliant invention

This "Tech Gombessa" instrument has an invention co-developed by Marc A. Hayek, President & CEO of Blancpain, and Laurent Ballesta, originator of the Gombessa project, making it possible for the first time to measure immersion periods of up to three hours.Its publication marks the tenth anniversary of Gombessa, an initiative Blancpain helped establish by becoming the project's founding partner in 2013. It also marks the debut of a new line in Blancpain's range of diver's watches.

The Fifty Fathoms, introduced 70 years ago, was the first contemporary diver's watch. It was designed by Jean-Jacques Fiechter, the then-CEO of Blancpain and an avid scuba diver. Blancpain has introduced the Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 2 Tech Gombessa diver's watch to commemorate the 70th anniversary of this legendary timepiece.

Conceived by Divers

The Tech Gombessa watch is intended to track the length of technical dives or departures from a saturation system lasting up to three hours. This watch was conceived by two divers five years ago and has undergone considerable testing. The bezel contains a scale for three hours. It is connected to a customised hand that completes one full rotation every three hours and whose material and colour — a white luminous coating with green emission — correspond to those of its markers.

Beautifully Designed

The Fifty Fathoms Tech Gombessa has a black ceramic bezel inlay. A spherical crystal that prevents visual distortion maximises the dial's readability. To guarantee optimal reading in the dark, the dial includes a new finish: absolute black, whose structure can absorb over 97% of light. The hour markers are luminous block-shaped appliques, orange with blue emission this time.

5 ELI

For the case, grade 23 titanium was used. Also known as grade 5 ELI, it is the finest form of titanium that is commercially accessible and is characterised by its remarkable strength, anti-allergenic characteristics, and low weight. The casing is water-resistant to 30 bar (about 300 metres) and has a helium valve. Helium manages to penetrate the watch while saturation diving in a hyperbaric room. During the decompression phase, unscrewing the valve aids in helium evacuation (without affecting the water resistance of the watch). The helium valve has identical notches to the winding and time-setting crown. The watch's crown is screwed down and connected to a crown guard with a novel trapeze-shaped design that ensures aesthetic coherence with the lugs.

Back of the watch, the bottom portion of the middle case is bevelled. The anthracite-colored oscillating weight, which bears the Gombessa Expeditions emblem, has an unusual form dominated by three big viewing apertures. The back lugs are screwed to the black rubber strap. It includes an internal titanium reinforcing that ensures perfect form retention. The buckle's very large and ergonomic pin is intended to improve the watch's grip on the wrist.

The Fifty Fathoms Tech Gombessa is packaged in a water-resistant, shock-resistant, and reusable PeliTM presentation box.

About the Fifty Fathoms

The Fifty Fathoms, introduced in 1953, is the first contemporary diver's watch. It was adopted as a professional timekeeping device by diving pioneers and elite marine corps across the globe since it was designed by a diver to fulfil the demands of underwater exploration. With its water resistance, sturdy double-sealed crown, self-winding movement, black dial with luminous markers, unidirectional rotating bezel, and anti-magnetic protection, the Fifty Fathoms has become an important tool for divers on underwater operations.These distinguishing characteristics that made the Fifty Fathoms the prototypical diver's watch continue to define the identity of such timepieces throughout the whole watch industry.

Contemporary Fifty Fathoms models have sophisticated movements lauded for their sturdiness and dependability, bearing tribute to the past while while looking to the future. They contain various technological advances gained from Blancpain's extensive expertise in the realm of scuba diving, its inherent dangers, and its stringent requirements. The Fifty Fathoms was crucial in the development of scuba diving and the exploration of the oceanic environment. It has allowed Blancpain to establish ties with the maritime community that have been steadily reinforced over the last seven decades. The Fifty Fathoms is the impetus behind Blancpain's dedication to ocean preservation.