A Fifty Fathoms 5050 imitator is only convincing when the big date at 6 o'clock aligns, the case stays near 45 mm, and the bezel insert is sapphire rather than printed glass. Buyers who check those three points first avoid most of the disappointing watches sold under this reference.
What does the reference 5050 actually look like?
The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Grande Date 5050 is a 45 mm titanium dive watch with a sapphire bezel insert, a double aperture big date at 6 o'clock, and 300 m of rated water resistance. It runs the in-house caliber 6918B, a 3 Hz automatic with a big date module stacked on the base movement.
Fake Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 5050: How to Tell
That module is both the reason the watch exists and the reason it gets copied badly. Everything a buyer sees at arm's length, including the wide date window and the extra case height, traces back to it.
Which details separate a good 5050 imitator from a bad one?
Work from the front of the watch backward and stop as soon as something looks off.
- Big date alignment: both discs should sit on the same baseline with even gaps. Crooked or drifting numerals mean a cheap module.
- Case thickness: anything past about 16 mm looks like a brick on a 45 mm case. Original proportions sit closer to 15 mm.
- Bezel: a domed sapphire insert with crisp lume under the glass. Flat printed inserts are the giveaway on budget tiers.
- Dial printing: sharp text, no bleeding around the signature, and evenly applied lume plots.
- Crown action: smooth threading and a firm click at each position. Gritty threads strip within months.
- Case finish: brushed titanium should read satin, not chromed or mirror bright.
Why is the big date so hard to copy?
A big date uses two overlapping discs driven by a cam and jumper springs, so the two numerals must land on the same plane at the same instant. On inexpensive imitators the discs are stamped thin and the jump happens in stages, which leaves a half shifted digit after midnight.
That single failure is the fastest way to spot a low tier watch in the wild, and it is also the hardest fault to repair because replacement date wheels for clone modules are rarely stocked.
Which movement sits inside a 5050 imitator?
Most use an ETA 2836 or a Seagull ST21 base with a bolt on big date module, while better tiers fit a decorated clone with a skeletonized rotor and Geneva stripes. A genuine Blancpain caliber is never present at any price.
Ask the seller for the base caliber and whether the module is Swiss or Chinese. A Swiss module usually doubles the service life and keeps the date change crisp.
How much should a Fifty Fathoms 5050 imitator cost?
Entry tiers run roughly 120 to 250 USD and typically show a flat bezel, a wobbly date, and mineral glass. Mid tiers at 300 to 550 USD bring sapphire, a decent clone movement, and correct 45 mm proportions. Top tiers above 600 USD add a Swiss base, accurate lume, and near original case thickness.
Price alone is not proof of quality. Two sellers can list the same factory output at very different prices, so compare specifications line by line before paying.
How do you care for a replica diver?
Keep the crown screwed down, rinse the case in fresh water after salt exposure, and do not trust the rated depth. Have the gaskets checked every year or two if you swim with it, and store it away from magnets.
Service intervals land around three to five years for a Swiss based movement and closer to two for budget clones.
FAQ
Is a Fifty Fathoms 5050 imitator waterproof?
Treat it as splash resistant. Case backs and gaskets on imitators are not pressure tested, so pool and dive use risks water entering the big date module.
Does the 5050 imitator use real titanium?
Some mid and top tiers use grade 2 or grade 5 titanium, but many cheaper versions use brushed steel with a grey coating. A magnet test and a weight comparison help tell them apart.
Can a jeweler service a 5050 big date imitator?
Most watchmakers can service the base caliber but cannot source parts for the date module. That is the main reason to confirm the module type before purchase.