Even though the Earth only has five oceans, Blancpain and Swatch are kicking off 2024 with a new sixth model that will be joining the current lineup of five Scuba Fifty Fathoms watches. Formally known as the Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms Ocean of Storms, this new sixth version features a dark black color profile. This one doesn’t actually pay tribute to an ocean on Earth like the rest of the series, but rather the Oceanus Procellarum (meaning “Ocean of Storms” in Latin), which is the largest lunar mare (the equivalent to a sea on the moon) that spans over two million square kilometers.

The new Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms Ocean of Storms is somewhat of a Swatch Group multiverse mashup model. It is a Swatch watch in the design of a Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, that has a bit of Omega’s thematic heritage tossed into the mix with its moon-related concept. Additionally, just like the other five models from the series, the new Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms Ocean of Storms has been given its own nudibranch (sea slug) that appears on its rotor and inspires elements of its colorway. However, since there aren’t any sea slugs living on the moon, the Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms Ocean of Storms pays tribute to the Okenia Luna nudibranch. This species actually lives in Southeast Pacific waters near Peru and Chile, although it does feature a rather appropriate name for this particular model.

Among the six different models from the series, the new Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms Ocean of Storms is aesthetically the closest to a real Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, and it features a largely black and white color profile, with small pops of orange for its depth rating and the tip of the seconds hand. Unlike the Arctic Ocean model from the collection that I previously reviewed here, which is based upon the designs of vintage Fifty Fathoms watches, the new Ocean of Storms uses the modern Blancpain Fifty Fathoms as its inspiration, and it features black Bioceramic for its case, bezel, and crown. Aside from its new colorway, the Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms Ocean of Storms is otherwise identical to the rest of the models from the series, which means that it features an acrylic crystal, unidirectional rotating timing bezel, sapphire display caseback, and 91 meters (aka 50 fathoms) of water resistance.

Dimensions for the new Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms Ocean of Storms are identical to the rest of the models at 42.3mm in diameter by 14.4mm thick, with 22mm lugs and an overall lug-to-lug profile of 48mm. However, the luminous acrylic bezel insert is black and white to match its black Bioceramic case, and the striped NATO strap made from recycled fishing nets is now black, gray, and white. Similarly, the colorway extends to the dial. Set against a black sunburst surface are crisp white markings, with the only use of color being the small orange accents used for the depth rating and the tip of the seconds hand. Just like the other models from the series that are based upon the modern Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, the new Ocean of Storms version features Arabic numerals at its cardinal points, along with a date window at the ever-controversial 4:30 position, which is a detail carried over from the actual Fifty Fathoms models in Blancpain’s contemporary catalog.

Just as you would expect, the new Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms Ocean of Storms is powered by the brand’s SISTEM51 automatic movement, which runs at a frequency of 21,600 vph (3 Hz) with a power reserve of approximately 90 hours. Consisting of just 51 components and assembled entirely by machines, the Swatch SISTEM51 movement cannot really be serviced, repaired, or adjusted like a traditional mechanical caliber, although the 19-jewel movement is quite antimagnetic thanks to its Nivachron hairspring and a decent number of polymer components. Additionally, while the rest of the Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms watches have movements with pictures of their respective oceans printed on their upper plates and bridges, the Ocean of Storms model has a print of the Oceanus Procellarum mare with an image of a Okenia Luna nudibranch printed upon its transparent plastic rotor.

Although the Moon variation of the Swatch x Omega MoonSwatch was essentially just a Swatch version of the classic Omega Speedmaster, the Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms collection didn’t really have a model that closely adhered to the design of a normal Fifty Fathoms among the five watches that were part of the initial launch. However, the new Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms Ocean of Storms is easily the most traditional among the six models that are now part of the lineup, and (for the most part) it essentially just looks like a blacked-out version of the contemporary Blancpain Fifty Fathoms that has been given some additional Swatch-related branding. In the same way that the Moon version of the MoonSwatch consistently ranks among the most popular models, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Ocean of Storms quickly become one of the most coveted Scuba Fifty Fathoms watches among collectors. This is arguably the most aesthetically versatile among the series, and offers an appearance that is largely in-line with an actual Blancpain Fifty Fathoms.

Now, while the follow-up Moonshine gold releases of the MoonSwatch were all created as limited editions, the new Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms Ocean of Storms will be joining the collection as a standard-production offering. However, just like with its MoonSwatch siblings, Swatch and Blancpain have timed the release to coincide with a lunar event, and the new model will be formally launched on January 11, 2024: the day of the new moon. With that in mind, despite the fact that production will not be limited to a specific number of examples, availability will be similar to all other Swatch collaboration models. Rather than being an item that can be purchased online, the new watch will be exclusively sold at select Swatch retail stores. Additionally, just like the rest of the models from the series, the new Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms Ocean of Storms will be accompanied by an official retail price of $400 USD. Now that this collection has left the constraints of Earth’s oceans, the two brands have the potential to create a wide assortment of other models within the series. For more information on the Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms Ocean of Storms, please visit the brand’s website.