With the creation of the emblematic Fifty Fathoms diver’s watch in the early 1950s, Blancpain played a leading role in the discovery of the splendours of the underwater world. Since then, the House has been actively committed to the exploration and protection of the oceans. The most recent initiative supported by its Blancpain Ocean Commitment (BOC) program is devoted to the study of the great hammerhead shark in French Polynesia. As a continuation of this project, Blancpain is now dedicating a diver’s watch issued in a 50-piece special series – the Blancpain Bathyscaphe Mokarran Limited Edition – to this majestic predator. This model will be available exclusively in Blancpain boutiques in New York and Las Vegas, USA. Each customer acquiring one of these timepieces will be joining Blancpain in supporting the Mokarran Protection Society to the tune of $1,000. A total of $50,000 will be added to the brand’s regular contributions to promoting, respecting and protecting the fascinating world of the oceans.
In January 2020, Blancpain President & CEO Marc A. Hayek traveled to Rangiroa, French Polynesia, where he took part as a volunteer underwater videographer in a scientific expedition dedicated to the study of the seabed and particularly the great hammerhead shark, Sphyrna mokarran. Set up in collaboration with the Mokarran Protection Society environmental association, this first mission was intended to observe the behaviour of this large predator in the wild in order to identify and count its population in Polynesian waters.
Despite being a protected species in French Polynesia, the great hammerhead shark remains vulnerable in international and foreign waters. Determining the origin of these individuals and their migratory routes will eventually make it possible to initiate protocols to prevent the extinction of this animal. This mission to Rangiroa Atoll follows several explorations conducted in French Polynesia since 2014 by diver, photographer and scientist Laurent Ballesta, under the aegis of Marc A. Hayek and with Blancpain’s support.
In addition to its commitment to the Mokarran Protection Society, Blancpain is now unveiling a special diver’s watch dedicated to the protection of the great hammerhead shark. A three-hand version of the Bathyscaphe model, the Mokarran Limited Edition marks the introduction of a new colour to the Fifty Fathoms watch collection.
The tropical green dial of this exclusive timepiece catches the light and reveals its chromatic reflections thanks to a sunburst finish. This vibrant hue enhances the iconic aesthetic elements of the Bathyscaphe, such as its baton-type hands and geometric hour-markers coated in luminescent material. The unidirectional rotating bezel incorporates a green ceramic insert matching the dial. Made of satin-finished black ceramic, the 43.6 mm-diameter case is water-resistant to 30 bar (approximately 300 m).
A sapphire caseback provides a chance to admire Calibre 1318, a non-date variant of the 1315. Characterized by its precision, performance and beauty, the latter self-winding movement was specially developed and produced by Blancpain for its sports watches. It notably features a balance equipped with a silicon balance-spring and three barrels providing a five-day power reserve. Its solid gold oscillating weight is NAC-coated and engraved with the effigy of the great hammerhead shark, Sphyrna mokarran.
Available exclusively from Blancpain boutiques in New York and Las Vegas, the 50 timepieces composing this special edition are individually numbered. With his or her watch, each purchaser receives a certificate of donation, a framed underwater photograph from the January 2020 mission, along with a personal code giving access to the Blancpain Ocean Commitment Circle. This private area of the BOC website offers exclusive benefits such as sneak-preview information on the brand’s partners, opportunities to meet them, as well as invitations to previews of documentaries related to scientific expeditions supported by Blancpain.
Technical Specifications
Reference 5005-0153-NABA Limited Edition 50 pieces
Functions
- Bathyscaphe
- Central seconds
- Green dial
- Unidirectional satin-brushed black ceramic bezel with green ceramic insert and Liquidmetal® hour-markers
- Self-winding
Movement
- Calibre 1318
- Diameter: 30.60 mm
- Thickness: 5.65 mm
- Power-reserve: 120
- Jewels: 35
- Components: 204
Case
- Satin-brushed black ceramic
- Diameter: 43.60 mm
- Thickness: 13.83 mm
- Water-resistance: 30 bar
- Sapphire crystal back
- Interhorn space: 23.00 mm
