Start with the right reference in mind
The Fifty Fathoms and the Bathyscaphe are not the same watch. The 1953 Fifty Fathoms is the original modern dive watch, while the Bathyscaphe name belongs to a later, smaller line. A 1953 Bathyscaphe copy often mixes cues from both. Before you buy, decide which look you want: a 41 mm Fifty Fathoms style case or a smaller Bathyscaphe style case around 38 mm. A copy that blends them can still be fun, but it will not match either reference closely. Your main checks are case proportions, bezel action, dial printing, hand shape, crown operation, and movement quality.
fake fifty fathoms 1953 bathyscaphe copy
What to look for in a good copy
Case and bezel
Measure the case. A 1953 style copy should sit near 41 mm across, with a lug width around 20 mm to 22 mm and a thickness near 12 mm to 14 mm. The bezel should line up at 12 o'clock, turn with firm clicks, and have no vertical or side play. Check the insert for a flat, even finish. A domed, poorly printed insert is a common weak point.
Dial, hands, and lume
The dial should have crisp printing, correct font weight, and hour markers that sit straight. On a vintage style, the hands should be broad and legible, not thin or over-polished. Lume is a tell. Good lume glows evenly and fades over hours. Weak lume glows for minutes and looks patchy. Ask for a photo in low light if you cannot handle the watch.
fake fifty fathoms 1953 bathyscaphe copy
Crown and caseback
The crown should thread smoothly and sit close to the case. A gritty or loose crown is a sign of poor machining. The caseback engraving should be clean and readable, but do not trust a depth rating printed on a replica. Most copies are not tested to dive watch standards. If you plan to get the watch wet, have a watchmaker pressure test it first and replace the gaskets if needed.
fake fifty fathoms 1953 bathyscaphe copy
Movement
Most automatic copies use a 21,600 vph movement with a 38 to 42 hour power reserve. Common families include the ETA 2824, Sellita SW200, and their clones. A good copy runs within about 10 to 20 seconds per day out of the box. A noisy rotor, a date that flips late, or a crown that feels disconnected point to a low grade movement. Ask whether the movement can be regulated and serviced. If the seller cannot answer, walk away.
Parameter bands to compare
- Case diameter: 38 mm to 42 mm, depending on the reference you want
- Lug width: 20 mm to 22 mm
- Thickness: 12 mm to 14 mm
- Bezel: 120 clicks, aligned at 12, no back play
- Crystal: sapphire preferred, mineral acceptable only at a low price point
- Movement: automatic, 21,600 vph, 38 to 42 hour power reserve
- Lume: even glow for at least 4 to 6 hours
- Water resistance: claim only, unless tested by a watchmaker
Pitfalls to avoid
- Bezel misalignment or a bezel that spins freely
- Printed lume or lume that dies in minutes
- Mineral glass sold as sapphire
- Wrong dial font, wrong hand shape, or a date window that does not match the reference
- Caseback depth ratings that are not backed by gaskets or testing
- Movements with no replacement parts or no service path
- Sellers who show only studio photos and no real images or video
- Pressure to buy fast, no return policy, or no communication after payment
FAQ
Can I swim with a fake Fifty Fathoms 1953 Bathyscaphe copy?
Do not assume you can. A replica may have gaskets, but it is rarely tested to ISO 6425 dive watch standards. If you want to swim with it, take it to a watchmaker for a pressure test and gasket service. Even then, keep it out of hot water and steam.
Will it pass as the real thing?
No copy is perfect. Close inspection of the dial print, bezel action, case finishing, and movement will reveal it. A good copy can look right at arm's length, but it will not fool a trained eye or a jeweler.
What movement should I expect?
A mid grade copy often uses an ETA 2824 clone or a Sellita SW200 clone. A budget copy may use a low grade automatic or a quartz movement. Ask for the movement name, beat rate, and power reserve. If the answer is vague, treat it as a warning.
Should I pay extra for box and papers?
Box and papers do not improve the watch. They only help if you plan to resell it or want the full set. Spend your budget on the case, dial, bezel, and movement first. Then decide if packaging matters to you.
Final check before you buy
Ask for real photos, a short video of the bezel action, and a timegrapher reading if possible. Confirm the return policy and payment method. Check the laws where you live, since replica watches can raise legal and ethical issues. A good copy is not the cheapest one. It is the one with correct proportions, a smooth bezel, clean dial work, and a movement that a watchmaker can service.