These days, the fifty fathoms collection continues to express blancpains passion for the underwater world, capturing that same sense of adventure as the first modern dive watch from 1953. Three years after the 1953 debut of the original fifty fathoms, blancpain introduced the bathyscaphe as a smaller diameter. Blancpain preowned blancpain fifty fathoms bathyscaphe 5000. It is often regarded as the archetype of the dive watch. Jun 10, 2018 a limited edition of 250 individuallynumbered pieces, the blancpain fifty fathoms ocean commitment iii ref. Today, blancpain continues the fifty fathoms line in a few different varieties, including this guy with a no radiation dial, a hodinkee favorite. Blancpain fifty fathoms collection for sale london, uk. The book, with its unique compilation of materials, has been conceived to become an authoritative historical resource for both divers and diving watch aficionados. The book, with its unique compilation of materials, has been conceived to. This baselworld, blancpain pays a tribute to a lifesaving timepiece released 60 years ago with the blancpain fifty fathoms milspec. 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. Todays fifty fathoms covers a complete collection of sport watches at blancpain. 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. Blancpain fifty fathoms 500 fathoms cannes limited edition.
As the story goes, two separate missions were afoot that lead to the creation of the fifty fathoms. When blancpain presented the fifty fathoms bathyscaphe day date 70s at baselworld 2018, it followed a very long tradition of fifty fathoms timepieces. 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. The histories of blancpains legendary fifty fathoms, the worlds first modern diving watch, and diving itself. Born in 1953, the blancpain fifty fathoms helped to defined many of the. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. Blancpain a pioneer in the history of feminine watchmaking. It might not be the most famous but it defined what a dive watch should be. The blancpain fifty fathoms is a watch thats idolized by many collectors. It is now an alltime classic with a considerable appeal. Buy watches, jewellery, accessories on the watches of mayfair online shop, a trusted supplier of luxury brands in london, uk. Discover a new limited chronograph, the new book fifty fathoms the dive and watch history. Soon, the first of the fifty fathoms taking a name from the unit of measurement equalling 1. Oct 21, 2015 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.
Blancpain creates its first porcelain dial for the year of the rat. But also the tribute to the historical watch is fitting. A limited edition of 250 individuallynumbered pieces, the. Years ago when i first got into timepieces i stumbled upon a previous generation blancpain fifty fathoms watch and fell in love it with. In recognition of this heritage, blancpain is committed to contributing to the knowledge and preservation of the fascinating underwater world. Blancpain fifty fathoms limited edition automatique ref. They were serious instruments and part of the required kit for any diver. To call further attention to ocean preservation and protection, blancpain unveiled the first piece of a series of limited edition diving watches. 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. The editorial content is thus split into the free diving history and one of isforemost record diver. Innovation did not stop with the first watch and blancpain has honored and enriched the legacy with numerous inventions and improvements that have continued to secure the preeminent position of the fifty fathoms in the world of diving watches. Flyback, and a new book celebrating the fifty fathoms. Blancpain presents fifty fathoms collection blancpain watches see all the fifty fathoms collection embodies blancpains passion for the underwater world that was originally expressed in 1953 with the creation of the first modern divers watch. The aesthetics are excellent, as is the technology within.
Blancpain tribute to fifty fathoms milspec pays hommage. At the time, mechanical divingwatches were not considered an horological luxury. The blancpain fifty fathoms was developed in 1953 with french military divers, bob maloubier and claude riffaud who needed a rugged, functional watch for their perilous underwater missions. Over 50 years ago, blancpain developed the fifty fathoms especially for combat swimmers. The histories of blancpains iconic fifty fathoms, the worlds first modern diving. The history of evolution of blancpain fifty fathoms. The audemars piguet royal oak sparked the trend, but the fiftyfathoms in its 70s getup didnt endure the rise of electronic quartz watches in the 1980s. It comprises a selection of 50 underwater photographs. Blancpain enters the blue hour with the villeret ultraplate, a boutique exclusive. The main signature elements that forged the reputation of the original model and established it as the archetypal divers watch are still present, as is. History deserves to be remembered recommended for you. Apr 28, 2017 this baselworld, blancpain pays a tribute to a lifesaving timepiece released 60 years ago with the blancpain fifty fathoms milspec. As the blancpain fifty fathoms established itself as the worldwide standard for military diving watches, it achieved similar success in the civilian arena. Jul 01, 2012 blancpain enriches the fifty fathoms collection.
The blancpain fifty fathoms was the first dive watch, and it design by two men who never held a loupe in their life. Blancpain has brought these two stories together in a richly illustrated collectible volume entitled fifty fathoms the dive and watch history. In 1997, blancpain reintroduced the 50 fathoms and now it is available in a variety of shapes and sizes, including this one of a kind for only watch, and the new vintage inspired, no radiation model. The blancpain 50th anniversary 50 fathoms divers watch. Blancpain originally developed the watch at the request of the french marines.
Edition fifty fathoms has been methodically designed to pay tribute to the first modern diving watch, the iconic fifty fathoms. The blancpain fifty fathoms truly is one of the most collectible icons out there, and with more than 50 different variations of cases, dials and movements, it is near impossible to collect them all. 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. A few acquisitions of blancpain went by before new management released the fifty fathoms again in 2007, this time using the original designs as inspiration.
Meanwhile other navies followed the lead of the french in selecting the blancpain fifty fathoms for their divers. It is, thus, fitting that blancpain has brought these two stories together in a richly illustrated collectible volume entitled fifty fathoms. 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. Blancpain presented the third series of blancpain ocean commitment boc limited edition diving watches. The first bathyscaphe was introduced in 20, and it was an intriguing combination of modern tech savvy and inspiration from vintage elements. In my opinion, one of the greatest things biver ever did was to revive this icon, and bring it back to the surface pun intended. We examine the watch in great detail, and came away very impressed. Blancpain fifty fathoms ocean commitment iii time and. Blancpain tribute to fifty fathoms milspec pays hommage to. It is, thus, fitting that blancpain has brought these two stories together in a richly illustrated collectible volume entitled. Rayville r50 rotor only for blancpain 50 fathoms cal r50. The history as told by the pioneers who created it goes behindthescenes and details the origin of the emblematic fifty fathoms, the worlds first timepiece that scuba divers could depend on with their lives. Each book consists of 50 doublepage spreads, each measuring one fathom around its perimeter when open, hence a total of 50 fathoms. The newer watches retained the 50 fathoms name, but blancpain felt it was a good idea to up the values.
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. I dont recall how deep a fathom is, but forget about it. The complete buying guide to the blancpain fifty fathoms watch. Fifty fathoms, the dive and watch history 195320 asian. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford the 5digit price tag that comes with the blancpain ff, or you may simply want to invest the money elsewhere. 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. Diving to great depths, moving silently through cold and salty waters and swimming furtively on coasts or to foreign vessels.
Historical perspectives a historical look at the blancpain. Blancpain fifty fathoms all prices for blancpain fifty. Jehanjacques blancpain registers himself as a watchmaker in the villeret village records. The histories of blancpains iconic fifty fathoms, the worlds first modern diving watch, and diving itself have been intertwined ever since 1953. The 50 fathoms, according to some, even predates the submariner by a year, and it was used by countless armed forces throughout the 20th century. A brief history of the blancpain fifty fathoms timepiece. Editor edition fifty fathoms blancpain ocean commitment. Blancpain fifty fathoms 50th anniversary 050 youtube. The original blancpain fifty fathoms which was released in 1953 1953.
Faithful to its immediately recognisable design, this new fifty fathoms. The 50 fathoms, like the rolex submariner, is a collectors category unto itself. The books chapters recount the stories of 24 of the most important adventurers who pioneered exploration of the worlds oceans such as hans haas, jacquesyves cousteau, and stan waterman. There is a lot to like here, and on top of this new watch, blancpain also announced a massive, 475page chronicle of the entire history of the fifty fathoms, the very.
The histories of blancpain s iconic fifty fathoms, the worlds first modern diving watch, and diving itself have been intertwined ever since 1953. The blancpain fifty fathoms blackbird watch manual. The blancpain fifty fathoms 500 fathoms cannes limited edition of 50 pieces 5001512b3452b features a 48mm titanium case surrounding. 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 blancpains fifty fathoms. Dec 23, 2016 the blancpain fifty fathoms truly is one of the most collectible icons out there, and with more than 50 different variations of cases, dials and movements, it is near impossible to collect them all. This new volume for the first time comprehensively charts the milestones in the 60 year history of blancpains fifty fathoms.
Blancpains thenceo jeanjaques feichter, an avid diver and sportsman, took the. The new fifty fathoms ocean commitment iii comes in a 40 mmdiameter satinbrushed steel case, an exclusive diameter reserved for limitededition fifty fathoms watches. Not only is it gorgeous and distinctive, but its also a very important part of dive watches history. By 2007, the new generation of blancpain fifty fathoms watches had arrived. Blancpain has enjoyed historical links with diving since the 1953 launch of the fifty fathoms, the first modern diving watch. By 1953, blancpain had managed to develop such a watch. Introducing blancpain fifty fathoms automatique 5015. 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. Preowned blancpain fifty fathoms buy a preowned blancpain. This exclusive edition is clad in a deep blue colour celebrating the inseparable ties binding the manufacture in le brassus to the splendours of the ocean depths. Feb 21, 2019 the blancpain fifty fathoms 500 fathoms cannes limited edition of 50 pieces 5001512b3452b features a 48mm titanium case surrounding a silver dial on a black sail canvas strap with a titanium. So dont go trying to make a value conversion from fathoms to feet now.
A new documentary from blancpain showcasing the history of. The history of evolution of blancpain fifty fathoms bathyscaphe. It is for this reason that the brand supports a lage number of significant scientific. The dive and watch history blancpain ocean commitment.
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