Blancpain, luxury Swiss-made watch brand and the world’s oldest watch manufacturer, officially comes to Vietnam by unveiling diving watch collection – the Fifty Fathoms today at the five-star Park Hyatt Saigon Hotel.

On this occasion, Blancpain introduces valued guests and local media 12 watch models including two limited versions – Fifty Fathoms Barakuda (only 500 pieces are made) and Fifty Fathoms Nageurs de Combat (300 items).

Since the release of the world’s first modern diving watch – the Fifty Fathoms – in 1953, Blancpain has forged close and regular links with a wide range of ocean defenders – explorers, photographers, scientists and environmental specialists.

Over the years, these bonds have translated into the support by Blancpain of multiple initiatives and partnerships dedicated to the exploration and preservation of the underwater world. All these activities are reunited under the Blancpain Ocean Commitment (BOC) global program.

To share its passion for the oceans and reinforce the public’s knowledge about this cause, Blancpain has launched this year its Blancpain Ocean Commitment exhibition. After being presented in several countries around the world, this exhibition recently made a stopover in Vietnam for the first time ever.

A representative from the official agent of Blancpain watches in Vietnam market, told the event: “We are excited to bring Blancpain Ocean Commitment and the preview of Fifty Fathoms collection to Vietnam. As the official agent of Blancpain watches in Vietnam market since 2012 as well as other Swiss luxury watches, we are committed to deliver the best services with competitive price for Vietnamese customers who want to own a reliable handmade luxury Swiss watch on their wrist.”

By walking through a variety of showrooms, guests had the opportunity to first discover the history of the iconic Fifty Fathoms collection, from the early models to the current range of timepieces, including the 2019 novelties.

The contemporary Fifty Fathoms collection embodies Blancpain’s passion for the underwater world. All models feature the main signature elements that forged the reputation of their legendary ancestor and established it as the archetypal diver’s watch. The same professionalism is apparent in the decisive design choices, dictated by a wealth of experience in the field of diving, its risks and imperious necessities.

The latest additions to the collection are extraordinary technical achievements as well as a tribute to the pioneers who made scuba diving possible. It is their dedication which opened up whole new vistas for underwater exploration and that continue to inspire Blancpain in using innovative materials and new technical solutions in order to push the limits of its timepieces and to fulfil the most sophisticated demands.

Jalil Elkouch-Bordier, Blancpain Area Sales Manager, introduced guests the Blancpain’s 66-year heritage in the development of diving watches, as well as its long-term involvement in favor of ocean conservation projects.

The “oceans exploration and protection” zone in turn showcased a variety of underwater photographic artworks by Blancpain partners. Particularly eye-catching elements were black-and-white photographs from the Edition Fifty Fathoms annual publications – launched by the brand in 2008 and dedicated to the most stunning underwater photography.

Another highlight of the event were the photos and videos documenting the fascinating Gombessa Project launched by Laurent Ballesta (*) in 2013, and consisting of a series of scientific expeditions, all supported by Blancpain for the past six years. Focusing on the study of the rarest, most elusive marine creatures and phenomena around the world – from South Africa, to Fakarava (French Polynesia), as well as Antarctica and very recently the Mediterranean Sea –, this project has so far involved five major exploratory missions.

To date, all the actions conducted by Blancpain in support of the safeguard of the oceans have led to tangible results. They have indeed contributed to doubling the surface of marine protected areas around the world, with an addition of more than 4,000,000 km², out of a worldwide total of 8,000,000 km².

The Fifty Fathoms collection is now displayed and sold at the authentic Blancpain showroom: Ground floor, Hotel Continental Saigon, 132-134 Dong Khoi St., Dist. 1, HCMC (located nearby the Municipal Theater)

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About Blancpain

Founded in 1735 by Jehan-Jacques Blancpain in the Swiss Jura, Blancpain is known as the world’s oldest watch brand. Loyal to its tradition of innovation and confirmed by countless horological complications invented over the years, the Manufacture is constantly pushing the boundaries of watchmaking to take this art to places where it has never been before.

Embodying a long-term vision, this commitment to the revival of mechanical horology is expressed through the passing on of invaluable expertise from one generation to the next, along with regular investments in human resources, production technologies and research.

Thanks to its constant stream of innovations and its complete mastery of the manufacturing process, Blancpain benefits from a total creative freedom. With a high proportion of its components and tools designed and made in-house, trained specialists and craftsmen, manual assembly of each movement by a single watchmaker, and refined finishes performed entirely by hand right down to the finest hidden details, the strength of the Manufacture lies in its capacity to create timepieces that are at once innovative and loyal to the grand Swiss watchmaking tradition. This philosophy is conveyed through each of the brand’s creations and all its collections, including the classic Villeret, the legendary Fifty Fathoms diver’s watch, the dainty Women models and the one-of-a-kind Métiers d’Art pieces.

For more information, visit www.blancpain.com or follow @blancpain1735 on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

(*) Laurent Ballesta is a marine scientist, underwater photographer and Pioneer deep diver