Swatch and Blancpain has done it again. Yet another collaboration Swatch bioceramic interpretation of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms.. The two sister brands releases a new non-limited ocean black model inspired by the new moon to join the five watches. Introducing the new Ocean of Storms collection.
Press Release information with commentary in italics.
New: Swatch x Blancpain Ocean of Storms
Each of the five models in the Swatch x Blancpain Ocean of Storms watch will retail at SGD 570 inclusive of 9% GST.
Commentary
A new Swatch x Blancpain Ocean watch. This one joins the 5 already released. And is based on the same formula, with a different colour palate is chosen. The novelty, dubbed Ocean of Storms, is inspired from the new moon…often called the Black Moon. Hence the black and white look. Once again drawing from one of the group’s reputation from Omega’s participation in the NASA moon missions as well as the extensive collection of the Omega Moon watches, not to mention the super successful launch of the MoonSwatch.
The novelty is very much more sober than the collection it joins and lacks almost any colour. While the other watches in the collection sport bright colours, the Ocean of Storms is monochromatic. The dial side with the NATO strap is black and white (silver?). The back is also executed in black with white and splashes of gold/brass of the movement. Gone is the colourful painted movement visible from the case back. Interestingly, the motif illustration on the case back is of the full moon and not the new moon that this watch is to represent. The movement retains the Sistem51 used in the rest of the collection.
Pricing wise, it retains the SGD 570 pricing point of the other watches in the collection. And will go on sale from January 11, 2023! Perhaps there may be lines outside Swatch stores worldwide. We will find out tomorrow.
Release information
A new ocean is joining the five watches and five oceans in the Blancpain X Swatch collaboration. Even though planet Earth only has five, Swatch is welcoming OCEAN OF STORMS into its Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms Collection that celebrates Blancpain’s iconic Fifty Fathoms, a watch that revolutionized watchmaking by becoming the first true diver’s watch more than seventy years ago. Known by the Latin name Oceanus Procellarum, this is actually a lunar mare located on the western edge of the near side of the moon. Meaning Ocean of Storms, it is the biggest mare or “sea” on the moon, spanning more than 2,500 kilometers from north to south and covering around 2 million square kilometers. The new Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms OCEAN OF STORMS, however, is nowhere near that big. In fact, it has exactly the same dimensions and features as ARCTIC OCEAN, PACIFIC OCEAN, ATLANTIC OCEAN, INDIAN OCEAN and ANTARCTIC OCEAN.
A non-limited model, OCEAN OF STORMS, comes in a black color inspired by the new moon (also known as the Black Moon). Just like the other five Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms, OCEAN OF STORMS has a Swatch mechanical movement, SISTEM51, the first and only mechanical movement whose production is entirely automated. This mechanism, made up of just 51 parts – including one central screw, is anti-magnetic, thanks to its NivachronTM hairspring and has a 90-hour power reserve. In 2013, SISTEM51 revolutionized the world of automatic watches with its visible movement: the front tells the time, the back tells the story.
OCEAN OF STORMS has been given its own nudibranch (scientific name: Nudibranchia), Okenia Luna. It is featured in a digital print on the movement’s rotor, the part that allows the watch to recharge automatically with a simple movement of the wrist. The full moon zoomed in on the Ocean of Storms is also digitally imprinted on the oscillating weight.
OCEAN OF STORMS, like ARCTIC OCEAN, PACIFIC OCEAN, ATLANTIC OCEAN, INDIAN OCEAN and ANTARCTIC OCEAN, is water resistant in deep waters, down to 91 meters. This is another nod to Blancpain: the name Fifty Fathoms refers to the fathom – historically the maritime measure of depth in the English-speaking world – fifty fathoms equaling 91 meters (or 300 feet).
In the same spirit as the other five models in the collection, OCEAN OF STORMS is made of Bioceramic. This unique material is patented by Swatch and made of two-thirds ceramic and one-third biosourced material derived from castor oil. As an expression of commitment to ocean preservation, the NATO straps are made from recycled fishing nets.
The shared Blancpain X Swatch logos can be found on the black sunray-finish dial and the crown. The word “Swatch” is also inscribed on the case, just as “Blancpain” is inscribed on the original Fifty Fathoms watches. The back of the watch features inspirational inscriptions like PASSION FOR DIVING – LICENCE TO EXPLORE – OCEAN BREATH – PROTECT WHAT YOU LOVE and IMMERSE YOURSELF.
OCEAN OF STORMS will be available worldwide from January 11, 2024, the day of the new moon at selected Swatch stores. As with the five watches in the Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms Collection, purchases are limited to one watch per person, per store and per day.
Swatch x Blancpain Ocean of Storms Specifications
OCEAN OF STORMS / SO35B400
Case material: Case and crown made of black Bioceramic Case diameter: 42.3 mm
Case thickness: 14.4 mm
Lug-to-lug distance: 48.0 mm
Movement: SISTEM51 mechanical movement (self-winding) with
90-hour power reserve. Illustration of the full moon (zoomed in on the Ocean of Storms) and a digital imprint of nudibranch Okenia Luna
Water resistance: 50 fathoms (91 m/ 300 ft/ 9 bar)
Glass: Biosourced material with anti-scratch coating
Dial: Sunbrushed black, date indicator between 4 o’clock and 5 o’clock
Hands, hour markers, 60 minutes diving scale: Grade A Super-LumiNova® Bezel: One-direction rotating bezel in black Bioceramic with anti-scratch coating insert
Strap: NATO strap made from recycled fishing nets. Black Bioceramic pin buckle and loops
