The fake Fifty Fathoms rose gold is a replica of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, a Swiss dive watch introduced in 1953. The rose gold version copies 18k red gold references. No replica carries a Blancpain calibre. Most use a Chinese or Japanese automatic movement with a decorated rotor. Street prices run from $120 to $900, and solid gold replicas start near $1,500.
What the original watch is
Blancpain shipped the first Fifty Fathoms in 1953. Jean-Jacques Fiechter designed it for French Navy combat swimmers. Current rose gold references include the Bathyscaphe 38 mm, the Fifty Fathoms Automatic 45 mm, and the Fifty Fathoms 42.3 mm.
Key numbers: 300 m water resistance, calibre 1315, 120-hour power reserve, three barrels, silicon balance spring, sapphire bezel insert on several references. Case metal is 18k rose gold, an alloy of 75% gold, about 20% copper, and 5% silver. That mix gives the 5N pink tone.
Rose gold in the replica market
Three case types exist.
- Steel with electroplating or PVD. Gold layer is 1 to 3 microns. Wear shows on lugs and crown within months.
- Steel with gold wrap or rolled gold sheet. Layer is 5 to 20 microns. Color holds longer.
- Solid 18k rose gold. Rare. Built to order. Case cost alone passes $1,200.
Weight separates the three. Density of 18k rose gold is about 15.2 g/cm3. Type 316L steel is 8.0 g/cm3. A solid gold 45 mm case weighs close to twice the same case in steel. A plated case weighs the same as steel, so a 45 mm rose gold Fifty Fathoms replica on a strap at 95 g is plated.
Specs to check before buying
- Movement. Miyota 9015 runs at 28,800 vph with a 42-hour reserve. Chinese 8215 clones run at 21,600 vph with a 36-hour reserve. No replica 1315 exists. Decoration plates hide the real calibre.
- Glass. Sapphire scratches at Mohs 9. Mineral glass scratches at Mohs 5. Tap the crystal with a fingernail. Sapphire gives a dull click.
- Bezel. Genuine references use sapphire or ceramic inserts. Early replicas use printed aluminum.
- Water resistance. Factory claims of 300 m are not tested. Most replicas hold 10 m to 30 m after a gasket check. Do not dive with one.
- Case size and lugs. 38 mm, 42.3 mm, 43 mm, and 45 mm cases exist. Lug width is 22 mm or 23 mm. Strap fit depends on it.
Price bands
- $120 to $200. Mineral glass, plated case, 21,600 vph movement.
- $250 to $450. Sapphire crystal, 3 to 5 micron plating, Miyota 9015.
- $500 to $900. Gold wrap case, decorated clone movement, sapphire bezel.
- $1,500 and up. Solid 18k gold case, custom build.
Legal note for US buyers
US law bans trafficking in counterfeit goods under 18 U.S.C. 2320. Customs and Border Protection seizes shipments that carry a protected trademark. First-offense penalties reach $2 million in fines and 10 years in prison. A watch marked Blancpain cannot be sold or imported into the United States.