Blancpain are one of the most famous Swiss watch manufacturers of the 20th Century, famous for being the father of the modern diving watch when they introduced the Fifty Fathoms in 1953, developed at the request of two French military divers Captain Robert “Bob” Maloubier and Lieutenant Claude aspirant Riffaud.
The watch became one of the seminal changes in watch making during the 20th Century, sparking what is now an everyday feature on most people wrist, the water proof divers watch. The original fifty fathoms came in a range of sizes from 34mm to 40+mm cases, all known for their distinctive black dials with highly visible numeral and black Bakelite bezels.
Blancpain released a range of divers models after the original fifty fathoms, also manufacturing Fifty Fathoms watches for Waltham, Tornek, LIP and others. As time evolved so did their watches, throughout the 1960’s the designs remained very much the same but then in the 1970’s they evolved, introducing a range of fifty fathoms with much more colourful dials.
This example is on of the most recognized designs, the Aqualung, 37mm excluding the crown. The watch is is pristine original condition, it has just been serviced by Simon Freese watch makers. The dial and hands are perfect and it is the high desirable ‘no radiation’ dial version. The luminous has aged to a stunning honey patina and the hands match, it truly is stunning.
This is simply one of the most famous divers watches ever made and in this condition is an absolute must investment piece, grab it while you can, it wont last long.
Our stock number 751