This article is not about whether replica or tribute watches are correct or unacceptable to everyone, but simply dissects them from a technical and production standpoint.
My friend had read positive feedback about this watch from someone on a forum and then purchased an octopu kraken watch on the Octopu Kraken watches website and then brought the watch to me.
Overall, I was extremely surprised by the quality of the watch.
Before that, let’s take a look at the Fifty Fathoms watch.
The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, introduced in 1952, established seven key standards for dive watches, making it a leader in the professional dive watch industry and beginning its legendary journey.
In 1953, Jean-Jacques Fiechter learned that the French Navy was searching for a dive watch suitable for underwater military operations. At the time, existing dive watches on the market fell far short of their requirements. With the efforts of Blancpain’s craftsmen, the first mechanical dive watch meeting military specifications was born. Thanks to its exceptional performance, it was adopted by several navies worldwide, becoming standard-issue equipment for military forces.
In 2019, Blancpain launched three Fifty Fathoms tribute watches, igniting a wave of retro-inspired designs in the watch industry. Two of the limited-edition tribute models drew inspiration from Blancpain’s collaboration with the military. The “Frogmen Commando” tribute was limited to 300 pieces, while the Fifty Fathoms Barakuda limited edition, inspired by a civilian model introduced in the 1960s, was limited to 500 pieces.
The retro Fifty Fathoms features the iconic unidirectional rotating bezel, protected by a domed sapphire crystal that is both scratch-resistant and durable. The hands and markers on the dial are treated with luminous material, and the triangular marker at 12 o’clock has been restored to its original position. The modern Fifty Fathoms carefully preserves the original design while incorporating contemporary elements, combining vintage aesthetics with a sapphire bezel. It features Super-LumiNova for enhanced luminosity, a “big date window” restored to its original placement, and a specially designed 40mm case diameter for the limited editions. The result is a fusion of retro charm and modern avant-garde aesthetics.
In recent years, many brands have revisited their classic models, but Blancpain’s three Fifty Fathoms reissues have drawn exceptional attention. However, their limited availability has made them highly sought after. Replica markets have also taken notice, but the complex craftsmanship and high attention to detail required for the Fifty Fathoms make it a challenging watch to replicate. Poor replicas are easily distinguishable and often fail to justify their production costs.
Octopus Kraken also made a complete copy of this watch and replaced it with its own LOGO. I am surprised by the quality of this watch and the feedback it has received in the market.
The first batch of Octopus Fifty Fathoms homage watches sold out quickly. This model is a faithful replica of the original Fifty Fathoms, with the main exception being the use of the highly cost-effective Japanese NH35 movement. Was this unexpected?
According to the brand’s website, the Octopus Fifty Fathoms incorporated customer feedback and made its own modifications while retaining the essence of the original Fifty Fathoms. For example, the luminous features were enhanced, the triangular marker at 12 o’clock was replaced with a larger rhombus-shaped marker, and both the hour and minute hands were redesigned. The curvature of the domed sapphire crystal was increased, moving the curve to the dial surface. However, this change was challenging, as increasing the curvature significantly raised the manufacturing difficulty and rejection rate. Improper treatment of the domed surface could lead to refraction issues, impacting legibility.
The second hand and case back feature custom-designed logos and patterns, which have been well-received by customers according to reviews on the brand’s Taobao store.
The ultimate selling point is undoubtedly the price. With two sapphire crystals costing over 400 RMB, the fully polished 316L stainless steel case requiring advanced processing at a cost of nearly 200 RMB, a movement costing over 100 RMB, manufacturing losses, and other components, the retail price is only 1,399 RMB—a testament to the brand’s integrity.
The greatest challenge lies in the details. Judging from the images on the official website, the case finishing and bezel teeth are very close to the original Fifty Fathoms. The craftsmanship and quality of this homage watch far exceed those of typical replicas, making it a meticulously crafted timepiece.
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I just placed an order, I hope it won’t disappoint me.