I remember laughing the first time I saw someone refer to these watches as “Blancswains.” It was during one of those endless Instagram scrolls—half watch memes, half guys arguing about lug-to-lug measurements. And yet, here we are again, after the Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms collaboration dropped, and Swatch has just added a new one to the lineup. This time, it’s called the Green Abyss. And I kinda like it more than I expected to.
Now, if you’re keeping score at home, there are already a handful of these Swatch Fifty Fathoms floating around. I missed most of those as they came out. But in typical fashion, I had a gut-level preference for the most subdued option. So when I saw the all-black Scuba Fifty Fathoms, I figured that was it. Then I saw this Green Abyss and things got complicated.
Let’s start with the specs, since we all care but pretend not to. You’re looking at a 42.3mm Bioceramic case, 14.4mm thick, and water resistant to 91 meters. Yes, exactly Fifty Fathoms. The bezel is unidirectional, also Bioceramic, with a black resin insert that’s been filled with Super-LumiNova. Same story for the hands and indices: that warm, creamy lume that looks like someone dragged a Fifty Fathoms through a sepia filter.
Inside is the Swatch-made Sistem51 automatic movement. It’s a fully mechanical caliber made entirely by machine, with a 90-hour power reserve and 21,600 VPH beat rate. And in case you’re wondering, Blancpain’s old “no quartz” rule still stands. Which honestly makes this whole thing feel like the most rebellious way to honor tradition.
The strap is your usual Swatch NATO-style setup. Comfortable enough, but nothing revolutionary. It gets the job done and suits the casual, plastic-forward nature of the case. You’ll probably swap it out anyway. I know I would; maybe something with texture or canvas to dial down the toy-ish vibe.
But let’s talk color. This green (forest, olive, algae, whatever shade you want to call it) lands in that sweet spot between serious tool watch and weekend novelty. It’s still playful, but not clownish. Paired with the faux-aged lume, it feels oddly balanced. Like a Swatch that wants to grow up but doesn’t take itself too seriously.
It drops June 7, and like the rest of the series, you’ll need to head to a Swatch boutique to grab one. No online checkout, no alerts, just old-school wristwatch hunting. If you’re tired of the candy-colored MoonSwatches but still want in on the fun, the Green Abyss might be your gateway drug.
Co-Founder & Senior Editor
Michael Peñate is an American writer, photographer, and podcaster based in Seattle, Washington. His work typically focuses on the passage of time and the tools we use to connect with that very journey. From aviation to music and travel, his interests span a multitude of disciplines that often intersect with the world of watches – and the obsessive culture behind collecting them.