Blancpain Fifty Fathoms MILSPEC I

CIRCA: 1960
REF.:  Fifty Fathoms Milspec I
CASE NUMBER: 4911
CASE MATERIAL: Stainless steel
CASE DIMENSIONS: 41 mm in diameter 
DIAL: Black with luminous indices, and original color-change humidity indicator at 6 o’clock
BRACELET MATERIAL: Tan calfskin strap 
BRACELET SIZE: 6-3/4 to 7-3/4 inches
MOVEMENT: Automatic
FUNCTIONS: Time
CALIBER: R570
 

The year 1953 saw innovations in the dive watch industry that would resound and set the standards for future generations. This was the year when Blancpain released the Fifty Fathoms dive watch intended for the use of combat divers. To this day, the name Fifty Fathoms is synonymous with prestige in the dive watch industry. “Fifty Fathoms” comes from the unit of marine depth measurement and a fathom is equivalent to 1.829 meters. So, 50 fathoms is equivalent to 91.45 meters, which is the maximum depth that divers could achieve at the time given their equipment.

Originally intended for French combat divers, Blancpain went on to produce other pieces for different countries and their navy branches for the next few decades. The current example is an absolutely pristine, unpolished watch with perfect original dial and hands.  The original luminous material has aged to a beautiful creamy yellow color and the dial retains its original black gloss finish.  As a matter of interest, a renowned local watchmaker carefully removed the caseback to reveal for the very first time to anyone since its production, the internal mechanics of this watch.  There are no watchmaker marks on the inside caseback.

This is an extremely rare opportunity to own, what we believe to be, the very finest example of a Blancpain Milspec I ever to come to market.  We can only be jealous of its next owner.