Only Online Auction
Geneva, Dec 08, 2022
LOT 441
Blancpain
Diver’s wristwatch movement, self-winding, centre-seconds, black dial; “Fifty Fathoms” “No Radiations”
CHF 2,000 - 4,000
EUR 2,100 - 4,100 / USD 2,200 - 4,300 / HKD 16,600 - 33,200
Sold: CHF 2,750
Movement of diver’s self-winding wristwatch, black dial with centre-seconds.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: A |
Good |
Movement: 3* |
Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 3-01 |
Good HANDS Original |
Brand Blancpain, Villeret (Bernese Jura)
Model “Fifty Fathoms” “No Radiations”
Year circa 1960-1970
Movement No. unnumbered
Caliber based on AS 1700, unadjusted, 17 jewels
Dimensions 27.5 mm.
Weight 14.4 gr. (approx.)
Signature dial and movement
Notes
Blancpain, “Fifthy Fathoms”, “Fifthy Fathoms, Aqua-Lung” and others models
In 1952, two French Naval officers, Commander (capitaine de frégate) Robert “Bob” Maloubier (1923-2015) and Sub-lieutenant (enseigne de vaisseau) Claude Riffaud (1924-2016), were requested by the French Ministry of Defence to initiate and elite unit of combat swimmers for the Special Military Manoeuvres of the French Army. Known as “Nageurs de Combat”, the unit required rugged equipment and contacted Blancpain Rayville S.A. to supply a suitable wristwatch. These two French heroes of the World War II will be the first two French combat swimmers, known by their pseudonyms of “NC 1” and “NC 1 bis”.
They contacted Blancpain, probably because Jean-Jacques Fietcher (b.1927), who has been managing the company since 1950, is like them a diver. Under the leadership of this CEO for 30 years, Blancpain will develop diver’s watches. The name “Fifty Fathoms”, equivalent to 91.45 metres, is the desired depth rating for the watch. By 1953, a suitable watch was created and in 1954 the “Fifty Fathoms” was launched in France, on year before Rolex released the “Submariner”.
After the French Navy, other armies followed suit, including the Spanish, German, Israeli and U.S. Navy. It is obvious that the U.S. Navy orders would never have been won under the protective “Buy American Act” of 1933 without the help of Allen Vernon Tornek (1917-2008), the importer of Blancpain watches in the United States.
The later “Aqua-Lung” version of the model with a depth rating of 1 000 feet (304.8 metres) is referred to by collectors as the “life saver”, due to its wide revolving bezel.
The “Fifty Fathoms” will experience many innovations during its development, such as the use of radioactive Promethium 147 for its large luminous indexes or the addition of a humidity indicator on the dial to warn divers of any leaks.
CONDITIONS AND INFORMATION FOR BUYERS.
The purchase price payable by a buyer will be the sum of the final bid price plus the buyer’s premium, together with any applicable sales or compensating use tax. In addition to the hammer price, the buyer’s premium is payable as follows: 26% of the hammer price on each lot.
Please look carefully at all the photos as they are an integral part of the description. Any defect not mentioned in the descriptions but visible on the photos will be considered as described and cannot lead to any claim. The dimensions are given as an indication and may slightly differ from the measures mentioned by the manufacturers especially for contemporary watches. The photos are not retouched. Colors may differ from reality. For timepieces, we guarantee neither the functioning nor the precision of the movement, nor the water-resistance of the case. In addition, please note that movements, parts of mechanisms or cases may be incomplete.
The lots are sold “as is”, described to the best of our knowledge and cannot be returned. Once the online bid is placed by the bidder, it cannot be cancelled.