Short Answer
A fake Blancpain Fifty Fathoms is a watch that copies the outside of the Swiss dive model introduced in 1953. It does not come from Blancpain. Prices run from $60 for a quartz model to $600 for a "super clone" with a decorated automatic movement. A genuine Fifty Fathoms Automatic 42 mm sells near $15,000 at retail. Replicas use Miyota, Seiko, or Hangzhou movements. None carry a serial number on the Blancpain company record.
What the Genuine Watch Uses
Blancpain released the Fifty Fathoms in 1953 for French combat divers. Modern references include the 5015 Automatic at 42.3 mm and the Bathyscaphe at 43 mm. Both rate to 300 m. Caliber 1315 holds 120 hours of power reserve and uses three barrels. The bezel is sapphire with a domed profile and lume under the crystal. Case metal is titanium or steel. Reference 5015 in titanium weighs about 100 g on the strap.
Tells on Replicas
- Bezel insert: top tiers use sapphire, low tiers use mineral glass or coated plastic. Dome height runs low.
- Movement: Miyota 9015, Seiko NH35, or a Hangzhou 7xxx with a printed rotor. Genuine uses caliber 1315.
- Power reserve: replica automatics stop after 38 to 42 hours. Genuine runs 120 hours.
- Date window: font and position sit off center on most replicas.
- Caseback: engraved text depth and font weight differ. Serial numbers do not match the Blancpain database.
- Lume: replica lume glows for 2 to 4 hours. Genuine Super-LumiNova keeps output longer.
- Water resistance: sellers claim 300 m. Most replicas leak at 30 m to 50 m without new gaskets.
- Weight: a steel 5015 replica weighs 150 g to 170 g on a bracelet. The titanium genuine weighs less than a steel replica.
Price Tiers
Three tiers exist. Tier 1 costs $60 to $120 and uses quartz. Tier 2 costs $150 to $280 and uses an NH35 with a sapphire crystal. Tier 3 costs $350 to $600 and copies case shape, dial print, and movement finish. No tier includes genuine parts. No tier carries a Blancpain warranty.
Legal Status in the United States
Counterfeit watches are illegal to import and sell in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection seizes shipments that carry a counterfeit mark. Trafficking in counterfeit goods carries up to 10 years in prison for a first offense under 18 U.S.C. 2320. Buyers lose the item and the money on seizure. Marketplaces remove resale listings that name the trademark holder.
Verification Steps
- Ask for the serial number and a caseback photo. An authorized dealer can confirm the number with Blancpain.
- Ask for a movement photo with the caseback removed. Caliber 1315 has a set bridge layout.
- Check the power reserve claim. A watch that stops in 40 hours is not a 1315.
- Compare crown guard shape and bezel dome against photos of reference 5015.
- Weigh the watch. Titanium cases sit below 110 g.
- Request service history. Blancpain service records name the reference and the case number.