A fake Fifty Fathoms 1953 5050 is a replica of the Blancpain dive watch that debuted in 1953, sold under a dealer code rather than an official reference number. The giveaway is rarely the dial at arm's length. It is the movement behind the caseback, the locking bezel action, and the moisture indicator at 6 o'clock that genuine pieces use and most replicas only imitate.
This guide covers what the 1953 Fifty Fathoms really is, how the 5050 replica builds differ from the original, and which checks separate a serious super clone from a cheap fake.
What is the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 1953?
Blancpain launched the Fifty Fathoms in 1953 after CEO Jean-Jacques Fiechter designed it for French Navy combat swimmers led by Captain Bob Maloubier. The name comes from its 50 fathom depth rating, roughly 91 meters, and it is widely credited as the first modern dive watch.
Signature features include a rotating bezel with a locking mechanism, oversized luminous numerals, a black dial, and an early moisture indicator that changed color if water entered the case. Those four elements are exactly what replica makers struggle to reproduce.
What does 5050 mean in replica listings?
5050 is a seller-side code, not a Blancpain reference. Dealers use it to group 1953-style Fifty Fathoms builds, including tribute and anniversary style cases. Two watches listed as 5050 can come from different factories, with different movements, case thickness, and bezel construction.
How do you spot a fake Fifty Fathoms 1953?
Movement and power reserve
Genuine modern Fifty Fathoms watches run the Blancpain caliber 1151, an automatic with about 100 hours of power reserve and a silicon balance spring. Most replicas use an Asian automatic such as a Miyota 9015 copy or a decorated 8215 with a stamped rotor plate.
Ask the seller for beat rate and power reserve, then verify. A 21,600 vph movement with a 40 hour reserve is not a 1151, no matter how the rotor is engraved.
Bezel and locking mechanism
The original bezel locks so it cannot rotate by accident. Replicas usually copy the look with a standard click spring, which means the bezel turns freely and the lock tab is cosmetic. Check alignment at 12 o'clock, insert printing crispness, and whether the ratchet feels gritty or clean.
Moisture indicator and dial details
Genuine vintage and tribute pieces use a functional moisture indicator at 6 o'clock. Replicas print it or fit a non-reactive disc that never changes. Also compare font weight on the Fifty Fathoms text, lume tone, and whether the indices reach the outer minute track.
Case, crystal, and caseback
Genuine cases measure 41mm to 42mm depending on version, with hand-finished transitions between polished and brushed surfaces. Replicas often run a millimeter thicker, and caseback engraving is shallow and machine-cut. Sapphire with double AR coating appears on top-tier builds, while mineral glass shows up on cheap ones.
What are the replica tiers for the Fifty Fathoms 1953?
- Budget tier: mineral glass, printed moisture indicator, loose bezel, thin plating on the caseback.
- Mid tier: sapphire crystal, better dial printing, Asian automatic, but no functional bezel lock.
- Super clone tier: corrected case profile, sapphire with AR, cloned 1151 decoration, sharper engraving, and closer lug geometry.
What should you check before buying?
- Confirm the movement and its beat rate in writing.
- Ask for QC photos of the bezel at 12 and the caseback engraving.
- Check case thickness against the genuine measurement.
- Request a pressure test if you plan to wear it near water.
- Compare lume color under indoor light, not store lighting.
Is a replica Fifty Fathoms 1953 waterproof?
Treat any replica as splash resistant unless the seller pressure-tests it and shows results. The genuine rating is 50 fathoms, and replica gaskets, crowns, and caseback threads rarely match that standard. Have a watchmaker test it before swimming.
Can a watchmaker service a replica Fifty Fathoms 1953?
Yes, if the movement is a known Asian caliber with available parts. Decorated movements with cloned bridges can complicate service, since some parts are cosmetic and not interchangeable. Ask which base movement is inside before you commit.