Book excerpt: "Ever since the creation of the first Fifty Fathoms watch, Blancpain has been identified with the sea. To share its passion for diving, exploration and preservation of the world's oceans, Blancpain has collaborated with leading divers and underwater photographers to produce a collection of stunning books filled with breathtaking images which are now available for purchase. Edition Fifty Fathoms has been methodically designed to pay tribute to the first modern diving watch, the iconic Fifty Fathoms. Each book consists of 50 double-page spreads, each measuring one fathom around its perimeter when open, hence a total of 50 fathoms. It comprises a selection of 50 underwater photographs. The number 12 also has its own significance in the conception of the publication. It is the magic number in watchmaking, as a watch depicts 12 hours on its dial. In addition, 12 is the number of letters in the name Fifty Fathoms. The collection of Edition Fifty Fathoms books will be complete in 2020, 12 years after its launch."--Publisher's website