It was almost exactly a year ago that one of the most unexpected collaborations hit the market and became an instant cult hit. “Instant cult hit” seems like a bit of an oxymoron but what I mean by it is that it wasn’t widely publicised and yet anyone and everyone in the know was talking about it via word of mouth. The watch in question? The Spinnaker x Seconde/Seconde/ collaboration, the Fleuss 40 Automatic 50 Phantoms. Now, for Halloween 2024, they’ve joined forces again to launch the Fleuss 40 Automatic Seconde/Seconde/ Phantom Classic and Phantom No App.
Both watches are structurally the same with different dial and bezel markings. They measure 40mm in diameter in stainless steel with 150m water resistance ratings and a very traditional dive watch design. It’s heavily influenced by the design of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, which is where the original parody 50 Phantoms idea came from. That same idea is expressed again in the form of the Classic Phantom.
It features 50 lumed ghost caricatures on its dial and the water resistance inscription reads 2m/6ft, a reference to being 6ft under. It’s very similar to the original 50 Phantoms except that instead of the bezel being black or blue, it’s royal purple with bright orange accents. Orange is also used for the hour and minute scales. The overall impression is that it feels more closely linked to Halloween festivities. There’s also a hidden date function only revealed by a UV torch (which is included as a freebie).
However, the coolest part about the 2024 Spinnaker x Seconde/Seconde/ collaboration is the second edition of the watch they’ve produced, dubbed the Phantom No App. It’s a parody of a specific Blancpain Fifty Fathoms model called the No Rad. No Rad is short for No Radiation and No App is short for No Apparitions. For this model, the lumed ghosts have been exorcised from the dial where the No App sigil now sits and instead, they now cluster around the bezel. I love the fact that as there are 50 of them, they perfectly fit in the first 50 minutes of the diving scale.
Both watches are incredibly charming and silly – they’re also presented with both purple leather and purple rubber straps to match the spooky colours of the bezel. The buckles also feature a “Boo!” engraving. It’s impossible not to fall in love with them. Plus, beneath the haunted (or distinctly non-haunted) dials is the Miyota 9039 automatic movement, a widely used movement with 42-hour power reserve.
Cool as they are, The Spinnaker Fleuss 40 Automatic Seconde/Seconde/ Phantom Classic and Phantom No App are special editions for 2024, not limited. How long they’ll be available for we can’t say, so you still might want to get in quick.. Plus, they come with a free glow in the dark 50 Phantoms baseball cap and UV torch. They’re priced at $445 (approx. £340) making it the most delightful Halloween treat. Orders begin on October 25th with 1,000 pieces exclusively available at Spinnaker’s online boutique and the rest available at authorised retailers.
Price and Specs:
More details at Spinnaker.
