Hands On: Blancpain Barakuda Limited Edition 5008B 1130 B52A
Today we have one of the coolest Limited Editions to come out of Time to Move from Blancpain, the awesome Fifty Fathoms Barakuda.
Brief History on the Fifty Fathoms collection
The Fifty Fathoms collection embodies Blancpain's deep connection to ocean exploration and diving. In 1953 Blancpain produced the first modern diver's watch, named the Fifty Fathoms, referring to the British measurement of depth. Fifty Fathoms in British measurements equals roughly 91 meters or about 300 feet. During that time, the Fifty Fathoms watch was the deepest diver watch with its modern technologies. These technologies included an automatic movement so the diver wouldn't have to unwind the crown to power the movement or having a special double O-ring seal in the crown to ensure its water resistance. Aside from technology, the Fifty Fathoms feature a dark black dial with luminescent hour markers to allow for easy legibility. Blancpain was also awarded for creating a lockable rotating bezel allowing the diver to monitor elapsed time.
Today's Blancpain Fifty Fathom Barakuda Limited Edition
2019's Barakuda features the iconic Blancpain Fifty Fathoms style with a stainless steel case, black dial, Super-Luminova hour, markers and bezel indicators and an incredible black textured rubber strap. The sapphire crystal is domed, which is most noticeable around the corners of the crystal creating a transparent distortion.
The hours and markers feature a rich custard color that Blancpain dubs as vintage radium style Super-LumiNova. It creates a beautiful contrast of color on the dial and remains faithful to the original Barakuda. The bezel is a domed sapphire crystal insert that is highly scratch resistant.
On the wrist, the Barakuda measures 40.3mm with a total lug to lug length of 45mm. Its an awesome size especially for those with smaller wrists.
On the 9 o'clock side of the case, the Barakuda features "BLANCPAIN" engraved into the case. The case measures a thickness of 13.23mm, which may sound thick on paper, but appears more like a 12mm due to the sapphire crystal being transparent. The Barakuda also features drilled lug holes in the case for easy strap changing and a lug width of 20mm.
The strap is a black Tropik rubber strap with stainless steel tang buckle. The Tropik strap features this awesome pointy texture going upwards towards the watch, more or less like the pointed teeth of a Barakuda.
Now it wouldn't be able to hold its title of a modern dive watch without a modern movement inside. The Barakuda features the Blancpain automatic caliber 1151 which is an ultra-slim 3.25mm movement with a 100 hour power reserve. The movement features a date window, hour, minutes and stop seconds, and a silicon balance spring giving it Anti-Magnetic properties.
The Barakuda's Super-LumiNova coves all the hands, hour markers and all the markers on the bezel.
Final Thoughts
The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Barakuda is an awesome dive watch
Additional Photos
Price: $14,100 USD
Limited to 500 pieces worldwide
Contact us for availability:
https://www.caratco.com/products/blancpain-fifty-fathoms-barakuda-40mm-limited-edition