The fake Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 1953 ref 5050 is a replica of a 2003 anniversary dive watch that Blancpain built in a limited, numbered platinum run. Genuine examples trade well into five figures, so replicas fill the gap with steel or plated cases, generic automatic movements and dial printing that seldom matches the original. This guide covers what the real ref 5050 is, where replicas fall short, and what to inspect on a first copy before you pay.

What is the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 1953 ref 5050?

Blancpain introduced the Fifty Fathoms in 1953 as a dive watch for the French Navy's combat swimmers. The ref 5050 arrived in 2003 as a 50th anniversary re-edition, styled after the earliest model with a rotating dive bezel, large luminous markers and a screw-down caseback.

Collectors associate the 5050 with a platinum case, a numbered edition and an automatic movement rated with a multi-day power reserve. Box, certificate and service records carry a large share of the value on the second-hand market.

Why is the ref 5050 hard to copy well?

The anniversary model sits in a price bracket where tiny details define the watch. Replica factories cut cost in exactly those places: bezel insert material, dial printing, hand finishing and case polishing.

• Bezel action and insert depth are the first compromise on most replicas.
• Dial text weight and spacing on the anniversary dial are difficult to reproduce.
• Platinum markings and caseback engraving are frequently simplified or missing.

How do you spot a fake Fifty Fathoms 1953 5050?

Start with the caseback. A genuine 5050 is numbered, and the engraving sits deep and crisp, while replicas often show shallow laser text with uneven spacing.

Next, check the bezel. It should rotate with defined, even clicks in one direction and line up cleanly at 12 o'clock, which cheap copies rarely manage.

Then look at the dial print. The brand name, depth rating and model text should sit level with consistent stroke width, since replica dials often show thin or doubled lettering under a loupe.

Finally, weigh and measure the watch. A platinum case feels noticeably heavy for its size, and a fake that uses steel or a plated alloy will feel light in the hand.

What should you check on a first copy before buying?

Ask the seller which movement sits inside. Common builds use a Miyota or Seiko automatic, or a clone of a Swiss caliber, and the movement choice explains most of the price gap between quality tiers.

Request photos of the caseback, crown and lume in low light. Even lume glow, a signed crown and a properly seated crystal are the marks of a better first copy.

Confirm water resistance claims in writing. Most replicas are splash resistant at best, so do not swim with one unless the seller has pressure tested it.

Frequently asked questions

Is a fake Fifty Fathoms 5050 water resistant?

Most replicas are assembled without pressure testing, so treat them as splash resistant only. Have the caseback gasket checked before any contact with water.

How much does a genuine ref 5050 cost?

Genuine platinum examples sell for well into five figures, and full sets with original paperwork command the highest prices. Replicas cost a tiny fraction of that, which is the clearest signal of what you are holding.

Do replica makers use the same movement as Blancpain?

No. Blancpain fits its own in-house automatic calibers, while replicas use third-party or cloned movements with different finishing and service needs.

A first copy of the Fifty Fathoms 1953 ref 5050 can look close on a screen and disappointing in hand, so buy from a seller who shows real photos and states the movement. Keep the watch clearly labeled as a replica, since passing a copy off as genuine is fraud in most markets.