What Is a Fake Fifty Fathoms Chronograph?
A fake Fifty Fathoms chronograph is a replica of Blancpain's dive chronograph. It copies the case shape, rotating bezel, dial layout, and brand markings of the genuine watch while using a third-party movement. Most copies target the Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback and the older Fifty Fathoms Chronograph references.
- Case and bezel copied from the original, in steel or titanium
- Dial with two or three subdials, a date window, and applied markers
- An automatic chronograph movement, often a Chinese 7750 derivative
- Caseback engraving with a reference number and a serial
- Sapphire or mineral crystal with an anti-reflective coating
The genuine watch is a dive instrument with an in-house movement and factory pressure testing. The replica is a costume version of the same shape. They look alike at arm's length. They do not feel alike in the hand.
How Do You Tell a Fake Fifty Fathoms Chronograph From a Genuine One?
Three checks settle most cases: subdial layout, bezel material, and caseback engraving. Work through them in that order.
Subdial layout and movement
Pull up official product photos and compare counter positions side by side. Copied dials shift a subdial by a millimeter or two, or shrink the date window to fit a stock movement. If the caseback has a display window, look at the rotor. Real Blancpain rotors carry deep engraving and hand finishing. Replicas show flat printing and a generic balance cock.
Bezel and crystal
Several modern Fifty Fathoms references use a sapphire bezel insert. Replicas substitute ceramic or coated glass, which reads flatter and duller under light. On the crystal, a replica anti-reflective coating throws a strong blue or purple cast at an angle. The genuine coating is subtle.
Caseback and engraving
Genuine engraving is deep and crisp with even letter spacing. Replica engraving looks shallow, with wobbly text and serials that repeat across many units. Reference numbers on copies often match a real reference but sit in the wrong font.
Dial details, lume, and date wheel
Lume on the genuine watch is applied in one even layer and glows a set color. Copies glop it on, and the plots sit at uneven heights. Date fonts give replicas away: numbers should match the brand typeface and sit centered in the window.
Case, pushers, and crown
Screw-down pushers and crowns on the genuine watch thread with firm, smooth resistance. Replica threads feel gritty, and pusher travel runs long and soft. Case weight also differs. Titanium originals feel light for their size; steel copies feel heavier than they should.
What Movement Is Inside a Replica Fifty Fathoms Chronograph?
- Chinese 7750 clone: the common choice. Working chronograph, subdials set in the 7750 pattern, single-direction winding.
- Decorated 7750: the same base with engraved bridges and a Blancpain-style rotor.
- Slim modular chronograph: used in thin flyback-style copies. Harder to service and harder to find parts for.
- Quartz: budget copies. The seconds hand ticks, and the pushers feel dead.
Service is the practical problem. A watchmaker can clean and regulate a 7750 clone, but parts do not always swap with Swiss 7750 components. Ask about service before you buy, not after.
What Do Replica Fifty Fathoms Chronographs Cost?
- Under $150: mineral glass, printed dial, quartz or a basic automatic. Sold as a novelty.
- $200 to $400: sapphire crystal, decent dial print, 7750 clone. The usual middle tier.
- $450 to $800: better case finishing, closer dial color, decorated movement.
Price tracks the movement and the finishing, not the accuracy of the case shape. Two copies at different prices can share the same case, with the higher tier adding a better dial, sapphire, and decoration.
Water Resistance and Daily Wear
Treat every replica as splash-resistant at most. Gaskets, caseback seals, and crown threads are the first parts to fail. Pressure testing a copy can cost more than the watch at some shops, and the test does not fix a bad seal. Swim with a real dive watch.
Checklist Before You Buy a Fifty Fathoms Chronograph Replica
- Ask for macro photos of the dial, bezel, and caseback.
- Ask which movement is inside and whether the chronograph resets to zero.
- Compare subdial positions against official images.
- Check the date font and window size.
- Ask about crystal material and the color of the coating.
- Confirm case diameter and lug width against the reference you want.
- Ask if the watch was pressure tested. Do not assume it was.
- Buy from a seller who offers a return window.
FAQ: Fake Fifty Fathoms Chronograph Questions
Does the chronograph work on a fake Fifty Fathoms?
Yes on most automatic copies. The 7750 base gives you start, stop, and reset. Reset alignment can drift over time, and the flyback function found on genuine Blancpain chronographs is missing from standard copies.
How close is a high-end replica to the real thing?
Close in silhouette, far in mechanics. A good copy matches case size, dial color, and bezel shape. It does not match the movement architecture, the finishing under the caseback, or the factory pressure testing.
Is it legal to buy a replica watch?
Rules differ by country. Selling counterfeits and importing them into the US carry legal risk. Personal purchases sit in a gray area. Check local law instead of trusting forum advice.
Can a watchmaker service a replica Fifty Fathoms chronograph?
Some will, some will not. A 7750 clone is a known design, so a repair shop that works on Asian movements can clean and regulate it. Sourcing parts is the hard part, and many shops decline the job for that reason.