If you want a fake Fifty Fathoms 1953 Bathyscaphe original, settle one question first: do you mean the 1953 Fifty Fathoms or the later Bathyscaphe? They are different watches. The 1953 Fifty Fathoms is the first modern dive watch from Blancpain. The Bathyscaphe is a related line that arrived later with a cleaner dial and different case proportions. Replica makers blend the two, so a listing may use both names. Your best move is to pick the reference you want, collect photos of the original, then judge the replica against those photos. Do not buy from a listing that cannot show the exact case, bezel, dial, and movement.
fake fifty fathoms 1953 bathyscaphe comparison
What to look for
Start with the case. A 1953 style case should have a slim midcase, tapered lugs, and a crown that sits close to the case. The Bathyscaphe has its own case shape, often with crown guards and a different bezel profile. Check the bezel insert. Original 1950s Fifty Fathoms models used a rotating bezel with a coin edge and a luminous pip. Replica bezels often have wrong font, thick paint, or a pip that does not line up with 12 o'clock. The dial should match the reference. The 1953 style has a simple layout, no date, and large luminous markers. A Bathyscaphe may have a date window and a different hand set. Look at the crystal. A domed sapphire or acrylic crystal suits a vintage look. A flat crystal with sharp edges looks wrong.
Parameter bands
- Case diameter: 40 to 42 mm for 1953 style; 38 to 43 mm for Bathyscaphe style.
- Lug width: 20 to 22 mm. Measure the strap you plan to use.
- Thickness: 12 to 14 mm. A thick case with a domed back sits high on the wrist.
- Bezel: 120 clicks, coin edge, aligned triangle, no backplay.
- Dial: no date on 1953 style; date at 3 or 4:30 on some Bathyscaphe models.
- Lume: C3 or BGW9. It should charge under light and glow with even output.
- Movement: automatic, 28,800 vph, hacking, 38 to 42 hour power reserve.
- Water resistance: 50 to 100 m claimed. Treat it as splash proof only.
- Crown: screw down, signed, smooth threads.
- Caseback: solid or display. Engraving should match the reference you chose.
Pitfalls
- Mixing 1953 and Bathyscaphe details. A no-date dial with a Bathyscaphe case is a common error.
- Wrong bezel font or a pip that sits off center.
- Crown guards that do not match the reference.
- Lume that fades in minutes or glows a wrong color.
- A movement that does not hack or sounds loud.
- Sharp case edges and rough lug finishing.
- Bezel backplay or a bezel that turns too easy.
- A date window on a dial that should have none.
- Claims of high water resistance without a test.
- Photos that hide the caseback or the crown side.
FAQ
Is a fake Fifty Fathoms 1953 legal?
Laws differ by country. In the US, selling counterfeits is illegal. Buying for personal use is a gray area. Check local rules before you order.
Can I swim with a replica?
Do not trust a claimed depth rating. Gaskets and case assembly vary. If you need a dive watch, buy a real dive watch or have the replica pressure tested.
How do I spot a poor replica?
Compare the bezel, dial, and case to original photos. Check the crown position, the lume color, and the movement. Poor replicas show wrong fonts, thick paint, and loose bezels.
Which is better, 1953 or Bathyscaphe?
Neither is better. The 1953 style is simpler and closer to the first dive watch. The Bathyscaphe has a different case and dial. Pick the one you can match with clear reference photos.