Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms Atlantic Ocean Watch Review SO35A100

Finding these boutique-only Swatch models has become a fun treasure hunt when I travel. I've been trying hard to find the Omega x Swatch Moonswatch Neptune for a friend, but I've struck out so far. Recently, however, the Swatch store in Shibuya, Tokyo had the other dark blue Swatch collaboration watch. It's the Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms Atlantic Ocean. 

I've already reviewed a number of other variants of the Blancpain x Swatch Fifty Fathoms. This review will focus on the unique aspects of the Atlantic Ocean. If you'd like a more thorough intro to the line, I'd suggest starting with my Indian Ocean review. You can read reviews of all of the versions I've reviewed here.

First Impressions

All of the Swatch Fifty Fathoms are packed inside a large watch travel case. Although it's bulkier than the StrapHabit Travel case, it is filled with thick padding and is a useful accessory. This case is color-coordinated to the watch inside, with blue trim in this case (no pun intended).

I find the combinations of light and dark blue on this watch quite attractive. While my current favorite is still the all-white Antarctic, I can see this being a popular one.

The Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms Atlantic Ocean Details:

The Scuba Fifty Fathoms now comes in 6 colorways (watch this blog for more on that) all variants either have a vintage-inspired dial without a date or mimic the dial of the modern Fifty Fathoms.

Modern styles like this Atlantic use applied Arabic numerals and modern fonts, and have a date display with a window at 4:30. The raised markers over the unique dial give it a fun appearance.

The blue dial features a printed fume pattern. It is nearly white at the center, and nearly black at the edges. Although there is a lot of text on the dial (and a multitude of fonts), I like how it is oriented down the center, providing good symmetry between the hour markers.

While a date display at 4:30 is not ideal, nor is it color-matched, it's fairly hidden and is not distracting. Additionally, it's true to the current Blancpain model, and I prefer this over removing one of the cardinal numerals. 

I'd also prefer if the Swatch logo molded into the side of the case of all versions had been omitted, but I found that it's usually hidden by the bezel. Thus it didn't bother me as much as I'd expected.

The water resistance is rated at 91m or exactly 50 Fathoms. The crown does not screw down, but like the Moonswatch, it is dual-signed.

Like the Moonswatch, the Scuba Fifty Fathoms also applies an acrylic crystal. Swatch does upgrade the more expensive Blancpain with an anti-scratch coating though. I have not found any scratches on even my most worn Antarctic version yet.

 

Interestingly, the crystal on the caseback is sapphire. This is likely to stop the NATO strap from scratching it, but it's still an odd upgrade.

Wearing the Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms Atlantic Ocean:

Like the Moonswatch, the Scuba is very light and thus comfortable on the wrist. It's not a small watch, but wears well, especially if you swap out the thick strap for a two-piece.

I expected the plastic bezel on the Scuba to feel imprecise, but it isn't. It is very easy to turn but smooth, and the 120 clicks are crisp and precise with minimal play. It doesn't feel expensive but is much better than I had expected. It also seems to be well-aligned, better than some more expensive Seikos I've owned.

The hands on the Scuba Fifty Fathoms are more substantial than those of the Moonswatch. They have a large, white center section with white surrounds as do the hour markers. The result is good legibility for such a colorful watch. The numerals also make it easy to read.

The lume is also better than expected, especially on the hands. The Scuba Fifty Fathoms uses blue Grade A Super-LumiNova on the hands and markers, as well as the bezel insert. Because the application is thicker and wider, makes it much brighter and easier to read than the lume on the Moonswatch.

Original Strap and Replacement Straps for The Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms Atlantic Ocean

All versions of this watch use a color-coordinated striped NATO strap made from recycled fishing nets removed from the sea.

The hardware is also made from Bioceramic and matches the case.

It is lightweight and comfortable if a bit difficult to fold over.

Unfortunately for those like me who love frequent straps swaps, Swatch installs the NATO straps on the Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms using screw bars.

As always I've experimented with a number of other strap options for my Atlantic Ocean. As it is mostly neutral-colored, lots of strap colors look great on it. My favorites have been white, black, and blue, however. Pass-through straps like our Elastic Straps or Adjustable Straps are easy and quick to swap in. They also work well to make the lightweight Scuba even more comfortable to wear. I love it on a blue and white Elastic Strap right now.

Two hex tools are required to remove the screw bars in order to install two-piece straps, however. Luckily, we offer the perfect set that can be purchased here.

The lug width is an odd 21.7mm. 22mm straps can be installed, but if the straps include built-in quick-release spring bars (as StrapHabit straps have), the spring bars must first be removed in order to allow the screw bars to be installed. This is easy to do on our rubber straps by carefully stretching the rubber. On other straps, it requires cutting the spring bar to remove it. It looks pretty great on a multi-colored blue Ridge Rubber.

We recommend the following Rubber straps in 22mm for the Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms as they have the easiest to remove Springbars:
-Ridge Rubber
-Smooth Rubber
-Vented Rubber
-Slim Ridge Rubber
-Deployant Rubber

You can also visit this page to see all of the straps that we recommend for the Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms.

The end of this article features photos and the option to buy more replacement strap options for your Ocean of Storms.

The Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms Atlantic Ocean Movement

As Blancpain has said its watches will only ever use mechanical movements, the Scuba Fifty Fathoms receives an automatic. To keep it at a Swatch price level, the brand's System 51 movement is used.

A transparent rotor self-winds it, or it can be wound by turning the crown counter-clockwise (opposite of most other mechanical watches). It also has a quickset date, although only certain versions display it. The display caseback allows a view of the movement, complete with ocean graphics. You can also estimate how much it is wound visually by looking at the mainspring inside the skeletonized barrel.

The movement consists of only 51 parts including only one central screw and a 90-hour power reserve. Swatch says that it is "fully" anti-magnetic thanks to its hairspring made with Nivachron. It also contains a lot of plastic parts, including the escapement, which helps in this area.

Some have complained that it's a movement that is designed to be thrown away rather than serviced. The same could be said about any of the brand's quartz movements, but I do wonder if there is a way to access it to repair or replace parts. 

Conclusion:

I continue to find these Swatch collaboration watches quite fun. Some have complained that they are overhyped, but that seems to be dying down as availability increases. Granted, you still can't buy them online, but every Swatch store that I've visited that stocks these models has had something in stock.

The Swatch x Blancpain Scuba Fifty Fathoms isn't a great value at $400. A Seiko or Citizen would be a much better buy in paper at this price. They might not be as fun though, nor do they have the silhouette of a dive watch as iconic as the Fifty Fathoms.

I feel that the Blancpain x Swatch is enjoyable enough to wear to justify its price. And if it's not, they are easy to sell as availability is so limited.

I don't plan to buy a real Blancpain any time soon, but wearing a colorful and inexpensive version of it is quite fun.

If you'd like to learn about some other great watches under $500, you can read the StrapHabit Top 10 list, or view other reviews of watches under $500.

Specifications: 

Name: Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms Atlantic Ocean
Reference Number: SO35A100
MSRP: $400
Diameter: 42.3mm
Height: 48mm
Thickness: 14.4mm
Lug Width: 21.7mm (22mm will fit with QR spring bars removed)
Movement: Swatch System 51
Power Reserve: 90 hours
Water Resistance: 91m
Crystal: Acrylic with anti-scratch coating (rear crystal: sapphire)
Crown:  Push-pull
Bezel: 120-click Uni-directional
Strap: NATO strap made from recycled fishing nets removed from the sea

 

Shop Other Straps for the Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms Atlantic Ocean:

 

Ridge FKM Rubber

Vented FKM Rubber

Smooth FKM Rubber

 

Slim Ridge FKM Rubber:

Elastic Straps

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