The 4 Main Parts You Need to Create Your Own Fifty Five Fathoms-Style Watch

In a time before dive computers came into widespread use, elite divers depended on the Fifty Fathoms for coordination and ensuring personal safety during difficult missions. The watch gets its name from the US customary systems unit of length called the “fathom,” which is equal to six feet.

As the name implies, the Fifty Fathoms was rated for diving up to 91m or 300ft, which was as deep a diver could dive without a compressed oxygen tank.

The Beauty of the Fifty Fathoms

First released in 1953, the original Blancpain Fifty Fathoms is widely celebrated as the first modern diver’s watch. The watch was designed mainly for military use and was commissioned by Captain Robert Maloubier and Lieutenant Claude Riffaud, commanders of the French Combat Diving School, for use in diving missions.

The excellent timepiece has since then gone through multiple iterations in terms of design and innovation. Over the years, many divers and watch enthusiasts alike have seen success in recreating the original timepiece using SEIKO mod parts.

Whether you’re a newbie to watch modding or a seasoned veteran, you can use this list of parts to recreate the original Fifty Fathoms diver’s watch or even incorporate designs of your own.

1. Case

Most modification projects begin with a base watch that you can customize. You’re going to need a base that looks similar to the Fifty Fathoms, such as the Seiko SK007, or its successors, the SEIKO 5 Sports SNZH55 (Black) and SNZH53 (Blue).

The most defining features of the watch are its bezel, hands, and dial, so it would be easier if you had a working watch that you could use as a base.

2. Dial

After securing the base watch, you can move on to the dials of the watch, also called the watch face. There are many dials that are very similar to the Fifty Fathoms, such as the Seiko CT825 with the Black and Gold watch dial.

If you want the name of the watch printed on your dial, some manufacturers sell their own take on the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms.

3. Hands

The Fifty Fathoms used their own unique syringe-style hour and minute hands, which grew progressively wider as it extended outwards before concluding in a narrow tip. Meanwhile, it’s second hand was known to have a red tip to provide more visibility in the deeper parts of the water.

Other less common designs were the paddle hands—which featured sharp rectangular hands for both the hour and minutes, ending in a thin tip—and the pencil hands, which had triangular tips similar to its namesake.

There are many of these hand designs in the aftermarket space. If you’re looking to use Seiko mod parts, one of the more similar designs available are these ones from Seiko CT831, which incorporate the rarer pencil hands.

4. Bezel and Bezel Inserts

The original Fifty Fathoms sported a simple black Silver bezel insert. To achieve the closest look as possible without going for replicas, you can go with using an aluminum flat bezel insert from the Seiko CT614.

Conclusion

These are all the parts you need to recreate the look of the famous Blancpain Fifty Fathoms diver’s watch. If you have the tools and the necessary experience, you can do the installation yourself! Alternatively, you can bring the parts to a Seiko mods specialist near you.

Whether you’re looking for Seiko mod parts for your watch repair business or are just a passionate watch modding hobbyist, then Crystaltimes USA has got the solution for you! We’re a provider of Seiko watch parts in the United States. Get in touch with us today to learn more!