Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, Nov 13, 2016

LOT 8

BLANCPAIN FIFTY FATHOMS 3H BUND STEEL Blancpain, Fifty Fathoms, No. 1468. Made for the German Navy combat divers circa 1975. Fine and unusual, centre second, self-winding, water- resistant, stainless steel diving military wristwatch with date.

CHF 5,500 - 7,500

HKD 44,000 - 61,000 / USD 5,500 - 7,500

Sold: CHF 13,750

Three body, polished, satine, screwed case back with military assignment numbers, revolving black bezel screwed to the case sustaining a crystal of 5 mm. thick, the screwed winding-crown on the 4 is completely inserted in the body of the case. Black with tritium-coated indexes, on the 6 the 3H logo which mentions the tritium coating in the dial, aperture for the date. "Baton" tritium-coated white hand for the hours and orange for the minutes. 12"' signed Rayville on an ETA base CD 2873, rhodium plated, 25 jewels, lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock-absorber, self compensating flat balance-spring.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3-8

Good

Slightly scratched
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-8-01

Good

Slightly scratched

HANDS Original

Notes

Dial, case and movement signed. DIAM. 41 mm. THICKNESS 15.5 mm. Commissioned by the German military in 1975, BLANCPAIN supplied these fifty fathoms to the German Navy divers. As an elite unit spending large amounts of time underwater using CCUBA (closed circuit underwater breathing apparatus), there was no need for markings on the bezel as found on most diving watches, creating this unique "sterile" bezel. Mounted on a massive 15 mm.case, made by SQUALE/ VON BUREN, a rare opportunity to acquire a military dive watch, a model never made available to the public.