Head-to-Head Comparison

Updated

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 45mm (titanium, blue dial) vs Rolex Submariner Date 116613LB (steel and yellow gold, blue dial)

Two divers compared — $10,000–$25,000 vs $10,000–$25,000

Quick Verdict

The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 45mm (titanium, blue dial) ($10,000–$25,000) and Rolex Submariner Date 116613LB (steel and yellow gold, blue dial) ($10,000–$25,000) are closely matched divers at similar price points. The Fifty Fathoms 45mm (titanium, blue dial) emphasizes Blancpain 1315, three barrels, silicon balance spring engineering while the Submariner Date 116613LB (steel and yellow gold, blue dial) focuses on Swiss Made craftsmanship.

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Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 45mm (titanium, blue dial)

Blancpain

Fifty Fathoms 45mm (titanium, blue dial)

$10,000–$25,000

Rolex Submariner Date 116613LB (steel and yellow gold, blue dial)

Rolex

Submariner Date 116613LB (steel and yellow gold, blue dial)

$10,000–$25,000

Specifications Compared

FeatureBlancpain Fifty Fathoms 45mm (titanium, blue dial)Rolex Submariner Date 116613LB (steel and yellow gold, blue dial)
Price$10,000–$25,000$10,000–$25,000
Case Size45mm40mm
MovementAutomatic, Blancpain Calibre 1315Automatic, Rolex calibre 3135
Caliber TypeBlancpain 1315, three barrels, silicon balance springRolex 3135, Superlative Chronometer
Power ReserveAbout 120 hours (five days)About 48 hours
Water Resistance300m (30 ATM)300m (1,000 ft)
CrystalSapphire Crystal, sapphire bezel insertSapphire Crystal, Cyclops
Case MaterialTitaniumOystersteel and 18k yellow gold (Rolesor)
OriginSwiss MadeSwiss Made

Category-by-Category Analysis

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Design & Aesthetics

Edge: Draw

Blancpain's design language vs Rolex's approach

The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 45mm (titanium, blue dial) features a Titanium case at 45mm with Sapphire Crystal, sapphire bezel insert protection. The Rolex Submariner Date 116613LB (steel and yellow gold, blue dial) offers Oystersteel and 18k yellow gold (Rolesor) construction at 40mm with Sapphire Crystal, Cyclops. Both represent their brand's distinct design philosophy and heritage.

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Movement & Performance

Edge: Blancpain

Automatic, Blancpain Calibre 1315 vs Automatic, Rolex calibre 3135

The Fifty Fathoms 45mm (titanium, blue dial) runs the Automatic, Blancpain Calibre 1315 (Blancpain 1315, three barrels, silicon balance spring, About 120 hours (five days) power reserve) at standard frequency. The Submariner Date 116613LB (steel and yellow gold, blue dial) uses the Automatic, Rolex calibre 3135 (Rolex 3135, Superlative Chronometer, About 48 hours reserve) at standard. The Fifty Fathoms 45mm (titanium, blue dial) edges ahead on power reserve.

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Wearability & Fit

Edge: Rolex

45mm vs 40mm — different wrist presence

At 45mm, the Fifty Fathoms 45mm (titanium, blue dial) has a bolder wrist presence compared to the Submariner Date 116613LB (steel and yellow gold, blue dial) at 40mm. Water resistance differs: 300m (30 ATM) vs 300m (1,000 ft).

💰

Value & Cost of Ownership

Edge: Draw

Same tier — different value propositions

The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 45mm (titanium, blue dial) sits at $10,000–$25,000 and the Rolex Submariner Date 116613LB (steel and yellow gold, blue dial) at $10,000–$25,000. On the specs that outlast any price: the Fifty Fathoms 45mm (titanium, blue dial) uses Sapphire Crystal, sapphire bezel insert with About 120 hours (five days), against Sapphire Crystal, Cyclops and About 48 hours on the Submariner Date 116613LB (steel and yellow gold, blue dial). Service intervals are typically 5-7 years for both.

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Water Resistance

Edge: Draw

300m (30 ATM) vs 300m (1,000 ft)

The Fifty Fathoms 45mm (titanium, blue dial) is rated to 300m (30 ATM) while the Submariner Date 116613LB (steel and yellow gold, blue dial) handles 300m (1,000 ft). Both offer identical water resistance ratings.

Our Verdict

Blancpain

Fifty Fathoms 45mm (titanium, blue dial)

Choose the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 45mm (titanium, blue dial) if you prioritize Blancpain 1315, three barrels, silicon balance spring engineering, Swiss Made craftsmanship, and 300m (30 ATM) water resistance. At $10,000–$25,000, it delivers Automatic, Blancpain Calibre 1315 with About 120 hours (five days) power reserve.

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Rolex

Submariner Date 116613LB (steel and yellow gold, blue dial)

Choose the Rolex Submariner Date 116613LB (steel and yellow gold, blue dial) if you value Rolex 3135, Superlative Chronometer technology, Swiss Made heritage, and 40mm proportions. At $10,000–$25,000, the Automatic, Rolex calibre 3135 with About 48 hours power reserve makes it a compelling choice.

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The Bottom Line

The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 45mm (titanium, blue dial) and Rolex Submariner Date 116613LB (steel and yellow gold, blue dial) represent two distinct approaches to the diver category — the Blancpain bringing Swiss Made tradition while Rolex delivers Swiss Made engineering.

Frequently Asked Questions

On the makers' published figures the two are close: Automatic, Blancpain Calibre 1315 in the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 45mm (titanium, blue dial) against Automatic, Rolex calibre 3135 in the Rolex Submariner Date 116613LB (steel and yellow gold, blue dial), 300m (30 ATM) against 300m (1,000 ft) water resistance, 45mm against 40mm cases. Pick by size and design; neither has a specification edge that decides it.
Both are priced similarly, making this a question of preference rather than value. The Fifty Fathoms 45mm (titanium, blue dial) emphasizes Blancpain 1315, three barrels, silicon balance spring technology while the Submariner Date 116613LB (steel and yellow gold, blue dial) prioritizes Rolex 3135, Superlative Chronometer precision.
Both are suitable for daily wear. The Fifty Fathoms 45mm (titanium, blue dial) at 45mm with 300m (30 ATM) water resistance handles everyday situations. The Submariner Date 116613LB (steel and yellow gold, blue dial) at 40mm with 300m (1,000 ft) is similarly capable. The Fifty Fathoms 45mm (titanium, blue dial) uses Sapphire Crystal, sapphire bezel insert while the Submariner Date 116613LB (steel and yellow gold, blue dial) uses Sapphire Crystal, Cyclops.

How This Page Was Made

Our comparisons are generated from a hand-maintained specification database and reviewed under our editorial standards. We use AI tools to assemble pages from that data. We don’t invent specs: every number traces back to the database, and when we correct an entry, the fix is applied site-wide. As an Amazon Associate, The Horologist earns from qualifying purchases.