It might not be the most famous but it defined what a dive watch should be. One of these suppliers, aqualung, was so important in the history of this watch that blancpain decided to pay them a tribute with a special edition, the blancpain fifty fathoms aqualung. Todays fifty fathoms covers a complete collection of sport watches at blancpain. Even at that time, it carried all the typical features of the actual fifty fathoms collection. Meanwhile other navies followed the lead of the french in selecting the blancpain fifty fathoms for their divers.
In 1997, the blancpain fifty fathoms reappeared with a soft relaunch, and in 2003 blancpain unveiled a 50 thanniversary limited edition of the fifty fathoms, with updated features, which sold out quickly by 2007, the new generation of blancpain fifty fathoms watches had arrived. Dec 23, 2016 the blancpain fifty fathoms is a diving watch in its truest form, and arguably also the first specifically made for the task. Oct 28, 20 blancpain hosted a wonderful event at new york citys the lighthouse on wednesday, october 23rd to celebrate the 60th anniversary of blancpains fifty fathoms. Made for the french militarys elite combat divers, the fifty fathoms was the first real dive watch, with a design so perfectly adapted to its role that it became the definitive diving watch concept. Sep 01, 2019 puristspro user smallluxuryworld, 195320. Blancpain hosted a wonderful event at new york citys the lighthouse on wednesday, october 23rd to celebrate the 60th anniversary of blancpains fifty fathoms. So it is in cannes on the occasion of the 30 th anniversary of the cannes international boat show, that the manufacture from le brassus presented the first 30 production pieces of the new edition of the fifty fathoms line, which grabbed. Editor edition fifty fathoms blancpain ocean commitment.
Various generations of the blancpain family developed a very prosperous business over the following centuries. Blancpain fifty fathoms dark knight black pvd watch 501511c3052. Today, the fifty fathoms remains a flagship blancpain collection, capturing that same sense of adventure as the first modern diving watch from 1953. Blancpain 5015152 blancpain reference ref id 50151. What i was curious about was whether, being a fifty fathoms in name, it was, if not in. May 23, 2018 today, the fifty fathoms remains a flagship blancpain collection, capturing that same sense of adventure as the first modern diving watch from 1953. I have been on ebay a few years already, i sell and resell watches and jewelry as my main trade and we are a group of sellers who work togetherthis means a.
Milspec is short for military specification which means it meets up with specific requirements for the military. Guide to buying vintage blancpain fifty fathoms milspec and other vintage watches hello. Blancpain fifty fathoms bathyscaphe stainless steel watches. This blancpain fifty fathoms was manufactured in the early part of the 1950s. Theres much more variety now, of course, but the main signature elements that forged the reputation of the original model and established it as the archetypal diving watch are still present. It is, thus, fitting that blancpain has brought these two stories together in a richly illustrated collectible volume entitled fifty fathoms. Many were in direct response to feedback received from the various militaries using the watch at the time. Ever since the creation of the first fifty fathoms watch, blancpain has been identified with the sea. Blancpain fulfilled these needs and provided the first model of a dive watch in 1953, the blancpain fifty fathoms. Blancpain has been a supporter of environmental initiatives to explore, preserve and protect the worlds oceans. When blancpain faced its rebirth after 1983, the sporty and durable 50 fathoms family of divers watches also followed the success of the ultraflat and elegant classic blancpain watches.
The histories of blancpain s iconic fifty fathoms, the worlds first modern diving watch, and diving itself have been intertwined ever since 1953. Blancpain fifty fathoms collection for sale london, uk. The original blancpain fifty fathoms which was released in 1953 1953. Soon, the first of the fifty fathoms taking a name from the unit of measurement equalling 1. It remained an idle love for quite a while and eventually blancpain decided to release a brand new version of its base fifty fathoms automatique which has remained the cornerstone of its sporty dive watch collection ever since. In 20, blancpain presents the bathyscaphe version since its creation in 1953, the fifty fathoms by blancpain has been the archetypal modern divers watch. I care a lot about history, because to understand where a brand is headed, you need to understand the history, and there is nothing more special looking down at your wrist knowing that for the last 279 years, blancpain has been the brand many have. The fifty fathoms is a good example of this and also comes with a rich history. In 1953 the blancpain fifty fathoms was released, one year before the rolex submariner.
Blancpain updated the fifty fathoms collection in 2007 with three contemporary models. The blancpain fifty fathoms bathyscaphe, online magazine article, 20. Blancpain introduced the tribute to fifty fathoms milspec during baselworld earlier this year. Blancpain fifty fathoms watches beverly hillslos angeles. Blancpain fifty fathoms 60th anniversary bathyscaphe, forum post, 20. A brief history of the blancpain fifty fathoms the original. Indeed, its ties with the maritime world extend both above and below waves. Discover a new limited chronograph, the new book fifty fathoms the dive and watch history 195320 and the brands commitment to preserve and protect the worlds oceans. The blancpain fifty fathoms is a diving watch in its truest form, and arguably also the first specifically made for the task. From founder jehanjacques blancpain and the start of the business in 1735 to the great successes of the 1950s under the management of betty fiechter and his nephew jean jacques, who designed the fifty fathoms, till our days under the wing of the swatch group, we chronicle the history of blancpain, the oldest watch brand.
The blancpain fifty fathoms bathyscaphe day date 70s weve come to associate fifty fathoms with minimalistic dials, so this day date model one of three new pieces released at baselworld 2018 to mark the 65th anniversary of the original diving watch is a real shift in style. Guaranteed authentic watches with unrivaled selections at the lowest prices. Since 1735, blancpain has been contributing to the development of mechanical watchmaking, while conserving the traditional skills of its founder. Jul 04, 2017 the fifty fathoms is a good example of this and also comes with a rich history. A 50 fathoms, a gmt, an aqualung and an aircommand are offered to the blancpain aficionados with an active lifestyle from top left to bottom right. Blancpain fifty fathoms black dial stainless steel. What i was curious about was whether, being a fifty fathoms in name, it was, if not in physical details, a fifty fathoms in spirit as well. So it is in cannes on the occasion of the 30 th anniversary of the cannes international boat show, that the manufacture from le brassus presented the first 30 production pieces of the new edition of the fifty fathoms line. Quite possibly the rarest of the blancpain fifty fathoms is the fifty fathoms that does not even carry the name blancpain on the dial.
Get discounted blancpain fifty fathoms bathyscaphe watch prices and free shipping today. Remember that in 1953, the brand was amongst the very first if not the first to offer a true dive watch. When he took the reigns of the company in 1950, he set out to create a watch that could accompany him in the abyss below the surface. Blancpain created a beautiful underwater themed event, complete with original underwater photographs which played on big screens throughout the room in addition to vintage fifty. Fans of classic divers watches now have a unique opportunity to read our test of one of the most popular blancpain watches. A brief history of the blancpain fifty fathoms the. A brief history of the blancpain fifty fathoms timepiece. Our wide selection is eligible for free shipping and free returns. This blancpain watch is in excellent condition as you can see from the photos, the stainless steel case has never been polished and still retains its crispness. Blancpain 500 fathoms automatic black dial canvas mens watch. Introducing the blancpain tribute to fifty fathoms milspec. The blancpain fifty fathoms bathyscaphe day date 70s weve come to associate fifty fathoms with minimalistic dials, so this day date model one of three new pieces released at baselworld 2018 to mark the 65th anniversary of the original diving watch. Clearly blancpain has improved its cases over the last 60 or so years. The beating heart inside the xfathoms is the revolutionary blancpain automatic calibre 9918b based off of the calibre 15 with a diameter of 36 mm, composed of 411 parts, 48 jewels, 3 barrels, silicon balancespring and which provides the traditional 5day power reserve just as all other fifty fathoms calibres when fully wound.
It was 1735 when jehan jacques blancpain decided to devote himself to watchmaking on his farm on the banks of the suze in villeret. Blancpain fifty fathoms black dial stainless steel automatic. Blancpain fifty fathoms dark knight black pvd watch 5015. May 23, 2012 any vintage fifty fathoms is presumed fake until proved otherwise. Today well go a bit deeper pun intended into how the blancpain fifty fathoms came to be, and how it has evolved over more than half a century. The financial donations have come to be called the blancpain ocean commitment.
Years ago when i first got into timepieces i stumbled upon a previous generation blancpain fifty fathoms watch and fell in love it with. Guide to buying vintage blancpain fifty fathoms milspec. Blancpain fifty fathoms 1950s this blancpain fifty fathoms was manufactured in the early part of the 1950s this blancpain watch is in excellent condition as you can see from the photos, the stainless steel case has never been polished and still retains its crispness. The blancpain fifty fathoms was the first dive watch, and it design by two men who never held a loupe in their life. Buy blancpain fifty fathoms automaticselfwind mens watch 501511c3052 certified preowned and other certified preowned at. Thus, the legend of the blancpain fifty fathoms was born. The blancpain 50th anniversary 50 fathoms divers watch. With that in mind, we thought it apt to take a brief look at the history of what is considered to be the very first modern dive watch. Discover the story on 9 pages packed with dozens of pictures last thursday, october 9 th, nayla hayek, chair of the board of directors of swatch group, and her. Introducing blancpain fifty fathoms ocean commitment iii. Blancpain fifty fathoms 500 fathoms titanium watch, limited edition of 500 pieces, round titanium case 48mm diameter, 16. We offer blancpain fifty fathoms bathyscaphe watches for sale. The fifty fathoms was the brainchild of jeanjacques fiechter, then ceo of blancpain, who was an avid diver, something he shares with the current blancpain ceo marc a. He began by making watch parts and later complete pocket watches.
Blancpain fifty fathoms bathyscaphe 5100b1110b52a multiple financing options finance your new timepiece, we offer two online available in the payment selection during check out and one instoreover the phone financing options. Emphasizing this dedication for the worlds oceans, the brand introduced four years ago its first series of limited edition blancpain ocean commitment timepieces, followed in 2016 by boc ii. Introducing the blancpain tribute to fifty fathoms mil. Sep 23, 2017 from founder jehanjacques blancpain and the start of the business in 1735 to the great successes of the 1950s under the management of betty fiechter and his nephew jean jacques, who designed the fifty fathoms, till our days under the wing of the swatch group, we chronicle the history of blancpain, the oldest watch brand. Unidirectional rotating black crystal covered bezel. This fifty fathoms was is water resistant to 300 meters, which is closer to feet. Like the technical aspects of the watch, the depth rating might seem quite simple now however it was the deepest divers could descend with the technology available however another french diver looking to change that. Working together with some of the finest underwater photographers for nearly half of his life, fuchs has met many dive media professionals, authors and photographers likewise, and has chosen the very best of all for their contributions to blancpain s fifty fathoms. On chrono24 youll find prices for 31 blancpain ref 5015152 watches and can compare and buy a ref 5015152 watch at a low price. Blancpain celebrates the 60th anniversary of fifty fathoms. Since its creation in 1953, the fifty fathoms by blancpain has been the archetypal modern divers watch.
The pursuit of excellence, knowhow, precision, passionate and meticulous manual dexterity these are all values the blancpain specialties fifty fathoms diver automatic embodies. Milspec is short for military specification which means it. The french frogmen it may surprise you to learn that recreational diving is still a relatively new concept in the grand scheme of things and didnt really become a thing. Buy watches, jewellery, accessories on the watches of mayfair online shop, a trusted supplier of luxury brands in london, uk. Even though this is a timepiece with a high level of pedigree, it is still very much a professional dive watch in theme. Throughout its history, blancpain has forged strong links to devotees of the sea. In the 1960s, when the american naval forces wanted to get a diving watch, they were under a very strict buy american policy, so they couldnt just import a watch from switzerland. Over his next three decades at the helm of blancpain, fiechter introduced a multitude of variations into the fifty fathoms family.
The fifty fathoms bathyscaphe plasma grey ceramic is a fifty fathoms in name, but its a thoroughly modern dive watch in materials, design and execution. The xfathoms last week i wrote about the history of the blancpain fifty fathoms, now lets look at the wildest modern fifty fathoms the xfathoms is a mechanical leviathan attempting to wrest control of the seas from a smaller, more efficient and technologically superior opponent, the dive computer. The blancpain fifty fathoms blackbird watch manual. To share its passion for diving, exploration and preservation of the worlds 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. Any vintage fifty fathoms is presumed fake until proved otherwise. Black dial with luminous blackfill hands and index hour markers.
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